Contents
- Standard method: power and volume buttons
- Screenshot by gesture (three fingers)
- Through the Quick Settings Panel
- Applications for screenshots (if the standard method does not work)
- Black screen on the screenshot: causes and solutions
- Where are screenshots saved and how to change the folder
- FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions
Xiaomi Mi5, released in 2016, is still popular with users due to balanced features and support for custom firmware. However, many owners face difficulties in creating screenshots — especially if the smartphone is running on older versions of MIUI 8-10 or after upgrading to MIUI 12 lost the usual features. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to take a screenshot on the Mi5, including hidden chips and workarounds for non-standard situations.
It's important to consider that the methods may vary depending on the firmware version, for example, in the global MIUI, the three-finger gesture is on by default, and in the Chinese version, it often has to be activated manually, and the result is also influenced by the presence of root rights or custom recaveri, which we'll mention too.
If you tried to take a screenshot but you got a black screen or an error message, don't be quick to blame the device. 80 percent of the time, the problem is solved by setting one setting in the system menu.
1. Standard method: power and volume buttons
It's a universal method that works on all versions of MIUI and even custom firmware like LineageOS.
- Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).
- At the same time, press the power button (right) and the volume reduction button (left).
- Hold them for 1-1.5 seconds until you hear the camera shutter sound and see the animation of the screenshot.
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi Mi5 With worn buttons, only one tap can work (for example, turning off the screen instead of a screenshot). If this is your case, try pressing with great force or go to alternative methods.
After you successfully create a screenshot, a thumbnail notification will appear at the top of the screen.
- 🖌️ Edit a screenshot (cut, add text, draw an arrow).
- 📤 Share immediately in the messenger or social network.
- 🗑️ Delete if done accidentally.
💡
If the buttons do not work well, try to press them not strictly at the same time, but with minimal delay (first power, then volume).
2. Screenshot by gesture (three fingers)
The three-finger screenshot feature is introduced in MIUI 9 and is saved in newer versions, and it's convenient when the physical buttons are faulty or you want to take a screenshot with one hand to activate it:
- Go to Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot with three fingers.
- Move the slider to the position VL.
- Test: swipe down the screen with three fingers (not necessarily at the same time, the main thing is a quick swipe).
🔹 nuance:
- 📱 On some versions MIUI 8 This gesture is disabled by default and hidden in the Settings menu → Advanced settings → Gestures.
- 🔄 If the gesture conflicts with other functions (for example, with unblocking via swipe), turn them off temporarily.
- 🚫 Does not work in games and some gesture-blocking apps (e.g, PUBG Mobile or banking applications).
⚠️ Attention: After updating to MIUI 12+ The gesture may not work correctly if the Smart Assistant function is enabled (in Settings). → Disable it if screenshots are not saved.
3. Through the Quick Settings Panel
A lesser known but more reliable way is to use the notification bar, which is suitable for MIUI 10 and later.
- Turn the notification bar swipe from top to bottom.
- Find the screenshot icon (usually hidden under the Edit button – click on it to add the icon to the main panel).
- Slip the icon - the screenshot will be taken instantly.
🔹 Advantages of the method:
- ⚡ It works even with faulty physical buttons.
- 🎯 Accuracy: You can take a screenshot of a particular moment (e.g. in a video).
- 🔒 Does not require root rights or additional applications.
How to return the screenshot icon if it is missing?
⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 8 and some custom firmware this method may not work due to the lack of appropriate toolbar.
4. applications for screenshots (if the standard method does not work)
If none of the above methods worked, third-party utilities will come to the rescue. We tested them on Xiaomi Mi5 with MIUI 9-12 and Android 6-7.
| Annex | Wants a Root? | Features | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screenshot Easy | ❌ No. | Smooth swipe for screenshot, editor, support for Scrolling Screenshot (long screenshots). | Google Play |
| Super Screenshot | ✅ Yes (for extended functions) | It works on locked screens, supports Mi5 with custom firmware. | XDA Developers |
| Screen Master | ❌ No. | Simple interface, save to the cloud, but contains advertising. | Google Play |
🔹 How to install:
- Download. APK-file from official source (links above).
- Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security.
- Launch the app and follow the instructions (usually you need to provide permission for Screen Recording or Special Features).
⚠️ Note: Apps like Super Screenshot may conflict with Mi Security (Xiaomi's built-in antivirus), if screenshots are not taken after installation, add the utility to the exceptions in the security settings.
Make sure your phone has enough memory (minimum 200MB)
Turn off battery optimization for screenshots app
Provide all the permissions requested (camera, storage, special features)
Restart the phone after installation-->
5. Black screen in the screenshot: causes and solutions
One of the most common problems with the Xiaomi Mi5 is that screenshots are saved in black or with artifacts.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Black screen | Hardware rendering is disabled in the developer settings. | Turn on the settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times, then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, activate GPU-acceleration. |
| Screenshot not saved | The Pictures/Screenshots folder has been damaged or the memory has been lost. | Clear the cache in Settings → Storage or create a new folder for screenshots. |
| Artifacts/strips | Conflict with the MIUI shell or the custom core. | Install a standard kernel or roll back to a stable firmware version. |
🔹 Additional checks:
- 🔋 Make sure the battery is above 15% – when the charge is low, the system can block file retention.
- 📱 Restart your phone in Safe Mode (click the power button) → Safe Mode Reboot: If screenshots work, it's the third-party app's fault.
- 🔄 Reset the settings. MIUI to factory (without deleting data): Settings → Additionally. → Resetting settings.
💡
If the black screen only appears in specific applications (for example, in banking or games), this is due to screenshot protection, and you can circumvent the restriction only with root rights or custom firmware.
6. Where screenshots are saved and how to change the folder
By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi Mi5 are saved to the folder:
/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/🔹 How to find out:
- Open the Files app (or any file manager).
- Go to the Images section → Screenshots.
- Sort by date to find the last screenshot taken.
⚠️ Note: If you connect your phone to your PC through MTP, Screenshots folder may not show up. Enable hidden files in Windows Explorer settings or use Total Commander.
🔹 How to Change the Conservation Folder:
This is not possible in standard MIUI settings, but there are workarounds:
- 📁 Use the FolderSync app to automatically move screenshots to the cloud or other folder.
- 🛠️ With help. ADB Change the environment variable (command line knowledge required).
- 📱 Install custom software (such as LineageOS) where this feature is available out of the box.