Owners of budget but reliable smartphones often face the need to save the information displayed on the display. The question of how to make a screen on the Xiaomi Redmi 5A remains relevant, as this device continues to be popular due to its autonomy. The MIUI operating system, which is based on Android, has several methods of fixing the image, which allows you to choose the most convenient option for a particular situation.
Screenshots can be taken at any time, from saving a payment check to fixing an in-app error. Xiaomi Redmi 5A features both classic mechanical techniques and software tools that make navigation easier. Understanding all the options available will help you manage your device content efficiently without installing third-party software.
Classic combination of physical buttons
The fastest and most time-tested method is to press the keys simultaneously, and this works on all versions of MIUI firmware, and it doesn't require any pre-tuning. You need to press the on button and the volume down button. The mechanics of the process are simple, but it requires a certain synchrony of action to allow the system to recognize the command correctly.
It's important to note that you don't need to hold the buttons for too long, otherwise you might have a shutdown menu instead of a screenshot, or you might have a voice assistant start up, and just a short but confident press of about one second would be enough, and after you do that, you'll hear the characteristic snap of the camera shutter, and there's a notification in the top corner of the screen.
- 📸 Press the power button and volume at the same time "Down».
- ⏱ Hold the keys for about 0.5-1 second.
- 🔊 Wait for the sound signal and vibration.
- 🖼 Check the appearance of the thumbnail in the notification bar.
If you don't get it the first time, don't panic. Try changing the rhythm of pressing or the pressure of pressing buttons. Some devices with worn buttons require a slightly stronger or more delicate effect. The main thing is to avoid one action being performed before the other.
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If the buttons on your Redmi 5A are slowing down or reacting poorly, try pressing the volume button a little earlier than the on button, with minimal latency.
Use of notification panel and swipes
For those who are uncomfortable reaching for buttons or are busy at the moment, Xiaomi has implemented a software method that allows you to take a screenshot of Redmi 5A through the “curtain” of notifications, which is especially relevant if the physical buttons are damaged or blocked by a case.
To activate this feature, you swipe from top to bottom to open the control center, and among the many icons you need to find an icon with a picture of scissors, and if you don't see it on the first screen, flip the list to the right or click the edit button to add a shortcut to the active zone, which is standard procedure for customizing the interface.
Once you tap the scissors icon, the system will instantly create a copy of the image, and unlike the mechanical method, there is no risk of accidental volume change or locking of the screen, but it is worth considering that when the curtain is opened, some of the content may be hidden, so the method is not suitable for all tasks.
Three fingers function for quick shooting
One of the most convenient features of the MIUI shell is the ability to create a screenshot of a three-finger swipe, which requires pre-activation in settings, since it can be disabled by default, and is ideal for those who like to control a smartphone with one hand or prefer gesture navigation.
To enable the option, go to the settings menu, select "More" and then "Buttons and gestures" and find "Three-finger screenshot" and activate the switch, and then simply swipe three fingers down the screen instantly to save the image.
Using a three-finger gesture makes it much faster to work with content, so you can quickly save correspondence, articles, or images from a gallery without changing the grip of the device, which is especially useful when browsing long pages in a browser or social networks.
⚠️ Note: When activating the three-finger function, make sure you do not use thick edged protective glass that can interfere with three-fingered touch of the screen at the same time.
☑️ Tweaking the gesture with three fingers
Voice control via Google Assistant
Modern smartphones, including the Redmi 5A, support voice control, so if you're holding your hands or your device is on the table, you can just say a command, and you need to have Google Assistant or built-in voice search active.
Just say "OK, Google," or press the Home button for a long time to activate the assistant, and then say "Take a screenshot." The system recognizes the command and executes the action automatically. This method may seem slower than the buttons, but in certain situations it becomes the only possible solution.
The effectiveness of voice control depends on the quality of speech recognition and the availability of an Internet connection. In noise or poor network signal, the command may not be understood the first time, but it is a powerful tool in the arsenal of the Android user.
Mode of work with the clipboard and preview
Once you've screened Xiaomi Redmi 5A, the system offers a few options, and at the top of the screen, you get a floating thumbnail window, and if you click on it, you get an editor where you can crop the image, draw something, or add text.
The newer versions of MIUI include a Long Screenshot or Scrolling feature that allows you to capture content that doesn't fit on a single screen, such as long WhatsApp correspondence or a browser article. After you create a normal screenshot, click on the Scroll button (two arrows down) in the menu that appears.
The device will automatically scroll down the page, stitching the image into one long image, and it will stop when you touch the screen or reach the end of the page, and it's an indispensable tool for storing the full history of a dialogue or a web page.
| Method | Speed. | Convenience | Dependence on settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons | Tall. | Average. | No. |
| Curtain. | Medium | High. | No. |
| Three fingers. | Tall. | Very high. | Yes (included in settings) |
| Voice. | Low. | Situational | Internet is required |
Where are the screenshots stored?
Search and manage saved images
Knowing where to look for saved files is as important as being able to create them. On the Xiaomi Redmi 5A, all screenshots are in the standard gallery. When you open the Gallery app, you'll see a separate album signed as Screenshots or Screenshots.
For more advanced file management, you can use the built-in MIUI Explorer. Going to the Images section, you will sort all the graphics files on the device. There is also a cleanup function available here: if screenshots are no longer needed, you can delete them, freeing up space in the memory of the smartphone.
Regularly cleaning the folder with screenshots helps keep the file system in order. Often users forget about the temporary images that take up precious gigabytes on a budget device with limited internal memory.
⚠️ Note: When deleting screenshots through the file manager, make sure you don't delete system thumbnails or important documents that may have accidentally entered this folder.Always check the contents before mass cleaning.
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Regular cleaning of the folder with screenshots can significantly increase the free space on Redmi 5A, which is critical for system performance.