How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 5A: all working ways

Why you need screenshots and why Redmi 5A is special

Screenshots have become an integral part of digital life: they help to save important information, share successes in games, fix bugs in apps or just save a funny meme from chat. But while on modern smartphones, the process of creating a screenshot is often automated, owners of low-end models like the Xiaomi Redmi 5A (released in 2017) have to deal with the nuances.

Despite its age, it is still popular for its reliability and simplicity. However, its MIUI 9/10 firmware (depending on updates) does not support some modern features like gesture control screenshots out of the box. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to create screenshots on the Redmi 5A, from standard to little-known, and also explain how to save and edit them correctly.

We will focus on the typical issues: why a screenshot may not be saved, how to change the file format (from.png to.jpg), and where to find pictures if they "disappeared" from the gallery. If you just purchased a used Redmi 5A or encountered unusual behavior of the system, here you will find answers.

Method 1: Classic button combination – reliable and fast

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi 5A. To create a screenshot, press two buttons at the same time:

• 📱 Power button (right) + Volume reduction button (left).
• ⏱️ Hold them for 1-2 seconds until the screen blinks and save animations appear.
• 🔊 You will hear the characteristic shutter sound (unless the sound is switched off).

This method works in 99% of cases, but there are nuances:

• ⚡ If the buttons are pinched for too long (more than 3 seconds), the smartphone can reboot or trigger the shutdown menu.
• 🔄 On some firmware (for example, custom) the combination may differ - check in Settings → Additionally. → Buttons.

The buttons are clean and don't stick | Screen not locked | Sound on (for confirmation) | Free at least 100MB of memory-->

If the screenshot is not created, try:

1. Reboot the phone.
2. Check if Do Not Disturb mode is enabled (it can block audio notifications).
3. Update the firmware to the latest version of MIUI for your model.

Standard buttons|Gestures|Voice assistant|Special annexes-->

Method 2: Three-finger gestures – if the buttons are broken or uncomfortable

Redmi 5A with MIUI 10 firmware and later has a gesture screenshot feature that is useful if the physical buttons are worn out or you prefer to control the phone with one hand.

1. Open the settings → Additional → gestures buttons.
2. Find the screenshot item with a gesture and turn on the switch.
3. Select the option: swipe three fingers down the screen.

After activation:

• 👆 Swipe the screen from top to bottom with three fingers at the same time (without pauses!).
• 📸 The screenshot will be saved automatically, and a notification will appear in the top panel.

This method is convenient for:

• 🎮 Players (no need to take their hands off the screen).
• 📱 Users with large screens (for example, if you hold your phone in a case).

⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware, the gesture may conflict with the Swipe feature for screenshots in apps (for example, Instagram or TikTok.

Method 3: Voice commands for those who like to control their voice

If you have Xiaomi Voice Assistant (or Google Assistant) enabled, you can take a voice screenshot, which is convenient when hands are busy or buttons are not available.

Instructions for Xiaomi Voice Assistant:

1. Tell the command to “take a screenshot” or “Photography the screen.”

For Google Assistant:

1. Say, "Okay, Google."
2. Say, "Take a screenshot."

Limitations of the method:

• 🔇 It only works when connected to the Internet (for voice recognition).
• 📵 It may not work in voice-blocked games or apps (e.g., banking).
• 🔊 Requires pre-setting permission for the assistant in Settings → Annexes → Permits.

💡

If the voice assistant doesn't recognize the command, try to pronounce it more clearly or reformulate it. For example, instead of "screenshot," say "screenshot."

Method 4: Screenshot applications – when standard methods don’t work

If none of these methods is suitable (for example, because of broken buttons or firmware incompatibility), you can use third-party applications.

How to install and use:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and grant permission to Overlay over other windows (in the security settings).
3. Follow the instructions in the app – usually a floating button or toolbar appears.

⚠️ Note: Some applications require ROOT-rights to work on older versions of Android (on Redmi) 5A If you are not ready to risk the stability of the system, use only proven utilities from the official store.

Important: Screenshot apps may conflict with MIUI system functions. If gestures or buttons stop working after installation, uninstall the program and restart the phone.

Where to look for screenshots and how to edit them

By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi Redmi 5A are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/

They can be accessed in several ways:

• 📁 Through the Gallery: Open the album Screenshots.
• 🔍 Through the Explorer: Go the way up.
• 🖼️ Through Notification: Immediately after creating a screenshot, tap on the notification to open it.

For editing:

• 🎨 Use the built-in editor in the Gallery (trimming, drawing, text).
• 📱 Install third-party editors like PicsArt or Snapseed for advanced features.

If screenshots are not saved:

• 📲 Check the available space on the device (need a minimum of 50-100 MB).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🛠️ Update the Gallery app via Google Play.

💡

Screenshots on Redmi 5A are saved in.png format without compression. If you need.jpg, use a converter (like Image Converter) or manually change the file extension.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even a phone as reliable as the Redmi 5A can be difficult to screen.

If none of the solutions worked, try:

1. Reset your phone settings to factory (pre-reverse!).
2. Reflash the device to the official version of MIUI through the Mi Flash Tool.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 5A