How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi 5: all ways + error solving

Xiaomi Mi 5 is the legendary smartphone of 2016, which is still used by many users. Despite its age, the device supports all modern MIUI functions, including creating screenshots. However, due to the features of the firmware and hardware buttons, the ways to take a screenshot on this model are different from the new Xiaomi.

In this article, you will find 5 proven methods for creating screenshots on the Mi 5, including button combinations, gestures and hidden features. MIUI. We will also analyze common errors (for example, when a screenshot is not saved or a black screen appears) and give solutions for each of them. MIUI — 8-to-14.

If you own Xiaomi Mi 5s or Mi 5s Plus, most of the ways are fine too — the differences are minimal. For convenience, we have highlighted a unique method using a physical button called "Menu" that only works on this series of devices.

1. Standard method: "Power" + "Louding down" buttons

It’s a versatile method that works on 99% of Xiaomi smartphones, including the Mi 5.

• 📱 Simultaneously press the on/lock button (right) and the volume down button (left).
• 🎯 Hold them down. 1-2 seconds until you hear the sound of the camera shutter or see the animation screenshot.
• 📁 The finished shot will be saved in the gallery in the Screenshots folder or Screenshots.

On the Mi 5, this may not work the first time because of the sensitivity of the buttons.

• 🔄 Try pressing buttons with a small delay (first "Power", after 0.5 seconds - "Loudness decrease»).
• 🧹 Wipe the buttons from dust – on older devices they can stick.
• 🔋 Make sure the battery is above 5%. At low charge, the system blocks the creation of screenshots.

⚠️ Warning: If the screen flashes after clicking the buttons, but the screenshot is not saved, check Settings → Permits → Auto-run for Gallery app. Without this permission, pictures may not be displayed.

2. Alternative method: button "Menu" + "Power" (only for Mi 5)

The Xiaomi Mi 5 is one of the brand’s latest devices with a physical “Menu” button (below the screen, to the left of the “Home”), which allows you to take screenshots in an alternative way:

1. 📱 Hold the button "Menu"** (left touch key under the screen).
2. 🔘 Without letting go, press the “Nutrition” button (right).
3. 🎯 Release both buttons after the beep.

This method is especially useful if you have a broken volume button or it doesn't work well, and it also works in games where the standard combination can conflict with game controls.

3. Screenshot of the "Three fingers down" gesture (set up in MIUI)

If you're uncomfortable with buttons, MIUI has a gesture screenshot function, which is disabled by default, but turns on in 30 seconds:

1. 🔧 Go to Settings. → Additional functions → Screenshots.
2. 👆 Activate the option “Gestural Screenshot”** (or “Gestural Screenshot»).
3. 🖐️ Now swipe three fingers from top to bottom across the screen – the screenshot will be taken.

This method is convenient for scrolling screenshots (such as chats or web pages). Once you create the first shot, you will see a "Scroll" button** - press it to capture the entire long screen.

⚠️ Note: The gesture may conflict with other features, such as a swipe to return to the MIUI 12+. If screenshots are created randomly, turn off the gesture or reconfigure it to Settings. → System settings → Gestures.

4. Screenshot via notification panel (quick access)

MIUI has a built-in screenshot button in the Quick Access Panel to use:

• 📲 Swipe from top to bottom to open the notification panel.
• 🔍 Find the screenshot icon (usually in the front row). If it's not there, click on "Edit" (pencil) and add it.
• 🖱️ Slip on the icon - a screenshot will be taken.

This is useful if you need to take a screenshot with one hand or the device buttons are faulty, but it doesn’t work in some applications (such as banking or DRM-protected apps like Netflix).

If the screenshot icon is not in the panel:

1. 🔧 Open the Settings. → Notification panel.
2. 🔄 Click on “Add Tiles”** and find “Screenshot».
3. 📌 Drag her to the active area.

💡

If the notification bar doesn't swipe down, check if no sound or no disturb is on, and in these modes gestures can be blocked.

5. Screenshot via voice assistant (Google Assistant or Xiao AI)

If you have a voice assistant on, you can take voice screenshots, which is useful when your hands are busy or the buttons are not working.

For Google Assistant:

1. 🎤 Say, OK, Google, take a screenshot».
2. 📱 Or hold the Home button (if physical) and say the command.

For Xiao AI (Xiaomi’s built-in assistant):

1. 🔊 Hold the Home button or say, Xiao Ai, screenshot».
2. 🇨🇳 If the assistant answers in Chinese, switch the language to Settings → Xiao AI → Language.

Voice method does not work in all applications (for example, TikTok or YouTube can be blocked), and it requires an Internet connection to process commands.

💡

Voice commands for screenshots work only with the screen unlocked and the microphone turned on.

6 Problem Solving: Screenshot not saved, black screen, errors

If screenshots are not created or saved with artifacts, check out these points:

🖼️ Screenshot not saved in gallery

• 📂 Check the folder. DCIM/Screenshots File Manager (for example, Mi File Explorer).
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes the system doesn’t update the gallery.
• 🚫 Remove the gallery cache: Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

⚫ Black screen instead of screenshot

This is a typical problem when trying to take a picture in secure applications (banks, Netflix, Disney+).

• 📸 Use an external camera (take a picture of the screen with another phone).
• 🔧 Turn on Developer Mode and Turn off Settings → For developers → Disable screenshots (if you have an option).

🔇 No shutter sound when screenshot

The sound can be turned off in the settings:

1. 🔊 Go to Settings. → Sounds and vibrations → Systemic sounds.
2. 📢 Enable the option “Screenshot Sound»**.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi Mi 5