How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: all ways with photos and videos

Why you need screenshots on Redmi Note 5 and what problems arise

Taking screenshots on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is a challenge that every user faces, whether it’s saving important correspondence, fixing an error in the app or just wanting to share interesting content, screenshots save time and make sharing easier. However, many owners of this smartphone (released in 2018, but still popular due to price/quality ratio) face difficulties: standard button combinations do not work, gestures do not work or screenshots are saved in low resolution.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the current ways to take screenshots on Redmi Note 5 (including the Redmi Note 5 Pro and Redmi Note 5A) with different versions of MIUI firmware, learn how to take a screenshot using physical buttons, gestures, voice commands, and even third-party apps, and how to fix common errors, such as when screenshots are not saved or are obtained in black.

Before you get to the instructions, check your firmware version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. This depends on the availability of certain features. For example, the three-finger swipe gesture only appeared in MIUI 10 and later, and in older versions it will have to be turned on manually.

Method 1: Standard button combination (works on all versions of MIUI)

The most reliable and versatile method is the use of physical buttons, which works independently of the firmware version and does not require additional settings.

1. Open the screen you want to lock (for example, a WhatsApp chat or a page in your browser).
2. Simultaneously press and hold the power button (right) and the volume button (left) for 1-2 seconds.
3. You will hear the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is not turned off) and see the animation of saving the screenshot.

The finished shot will appear in the gallery in the Screenshots folder or Screenshots. If the combination didn't work the first time, try:

• 🔄 Press the buttons simultaneously and sharply (without delaying power for longer than 2 seconds, otherwise the phone may reboot).
• 🧹 Clear the system cache: Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Check if the buttons are turned off in the settings: Settings → Additionally. → Buttons.

⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), the button combination may differ. + Volume up.

Screen unlocked and active | Enough memory (minimum 50MB) | Sound not disabled (to hear confirmation) | Buttons not locked with case-->

Method 2: Gesture "three-finger swipe" (requires settings in MIUI)

If you're uncomfortable with buttons, MIUI has an alternative, which is swiping three fingers across the screen, which is especially useful if you have a broken power button or you often take screenshots in games (where physical buttons may interfere), but by default the gesture is turned off and you need to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Button gestures (in new versions of MIUI, the path can be Settings → Special Features → Gestures).
2. Find the screenshot option with a three-finger swipe and turn it on.
3. Select the swipe direction (usually down, but you can configure left/right).

Now to take a screenshot:

1. Open the screen.
2. Place three fingers on the screen and swipe them down (or in the selected direction) in 1 second.

If the gesture doesn't work:

• 🧼 Wipe the screen – dirt or greasy spots can interfere with touch recognition.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Check if the gesture conflicts with other functions (e.g., Smart Assistant) MIUI).

* On some firmware screenshots from the locked screen are saved blurry or require unlocking.

Method 3: Google Voice Assistant or XiaoAI

If you're too lazy to use buttons or gestures, you can take a voice screenshot, either with the built-in XiaoAI assistant (from Xiaomi) or Google Assistant. Let's look at both.

Option 1: Google Assistant (without the Internet)

Activate the assistant of one of the teams:

• 🎤"OK, Google, take a screenshot (if voice activation is configured).
• 🔍 Press the Home button (if physical) or swipe diagonally from the corner of the screen (gesture to call the Assistant).

When you activate, say, "Take a screenshot" or "Photograph the screen." The assistant will confirm the action and save the picture.

Option 2: XiaoAI (China/Global MIUI only)

If you have firmware with XiaoAI:

1. Activate the assistant with a long press on the Home button or a voice: "Hey, XiaoAI".
2. Say: "" (Chinese for "screenshot") or "Make a screenshot" (global version).

⚠️ Attention: Voice commands may not work if the security settings disable Special Assistant Opportunities. To fix this, go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications → Google/XiaoAI → Permissions and enable all necessary options.

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If the voice assistant doesn’t recognize the command, try to pronounce it more clearly or switch the input language to English in the keyboard settings.

Method 4: Screenshot via notification panel (fast access)

There's a hidden feature in MIUI, which is a screenshot button in the notification curtain, which is not on by default, but it's easy to add:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ (Edit) in upper right corner.
3. Find the screenshot tiles in the list (usually hidden in the "Other settings" section).
4. Drag it to the active area (up).

Now to take a screenshot:

1. Open the screen.
2. Swipe down to open the curtain.
3. Click on the screenshot icon – the picture will be taken instantly.

This method is useful if you often take screenshots in applications where you do not want to use gestures or buttons (for example, on TikTok or Instagram).

• 🔋 The tiles may disappear after the update MIUI — It's gonna have to be added again.
• 📵 In some firmware (for example, MIUI 12.5 Enhanced) no screenshot button in the curtain.

Method 5: Screenshot applications (for advanced features)

If the built-in methods do not suit you (for example, you need to take a screenshot of the scrolling page or edit the picture immediately after you create), you can use third-party applications.-3 Verified versions for Redmi Note 5:

To install any of these applications:

1. Click on the link above or find the app on Google Play.
2. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
3. Open the application and follow the setup instructions (usually you need to allow access to Overlay over other applications in the security settings).

Important: Screenshot apps may conflict with built-in MIUI features. If gestures or buttons stop working after installation, disable third-party software or reset gesture settings to Settings → Additional → button gestures.

Problem Solving: Why screenshots are not saved or taken in black

Even after following the instructions correctly, screenshots may not be saved or displayed correctly, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved in the gallery

• 📁 Check the folder. DCIM/Screenshots File manager (e.g. Mi File Explorer) - sometimes the images are not saved to the main gallery.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone – it will update your media database.
• 🛠️ Clear the cache of the Gallery app: Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Problem 2: Screenshots are made black

This is a common mistake when trying to take a picture in secure applications (banks, encrypted messengers, some games).

• 🔒 Use the built-in screenshot feature in the app itself (for example, WhatsApp allows you to take a chat shot via the message menu).
• 📱 Connect your phone to your PC and take a screenshot through ADB (guideline).
• 🎥 Record the video screen and then cut the desired frame (applications like AZ Screen Recorder bypasses restrictions).

Problem 3: The buttons or gestures are not working

If none of these methods work:

• 🔧 Reset gesture settings: Settings → Additionally. → Button gestures → Reset the settings.
• 🛠️ Check if the firmware is damaged. To do this, run Reset to factory settings (pre-backup!).
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

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If screenshots don’t work after the MIUI update, try rolling back to the previous firmware version via the Mi Flash Tool. Instructions are available on the 4PDA forum in your model’s theme.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Screenshot Questions on Redmi Note 5