Xiaomi’s Redmi line of smartphones has gained huge popularity due to its excellent price-performance ratio. The Redmi 5 Plus has become a real hit, offering users a large screen and reliable filling. However, despite the intuitive interface of the MIUI shell, new owners often have questions about basic features, such as saving images from the screen.
Screenshots are one of the most sought-after features needed to save correspondence, payment receipts or game highlights. Unlike some other manufacturers, Xiaomi devices offer many ways to do this, giving users the freedom to choose the most convenient option in a particular situation.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available screenshot techniques on Redmi 5 Plus. We will look at standard button combinations, notification curtain functions, gesture control and even voice commands. Understanding these nuances will allow you to make the most of your smartphone.
Classical method using physical buttons
The most common and quick way to capture what is happening on the display is to use mechanical keys, which works on all versions of the Android operating system and does not depend on the interface settings. Redmi 5 Plus is relevant to the standard scheme, familiar to most smartphone users.
You need to press and hold two buttons simultaneously, Volume Down and Power, and it's important not just to touch them, but to press them clearly, and if you hold the buttons too long, the phone can perceive this as a command to force a reboot or call a voice assistant, so the action should be short and confident.
The success of the operation is confirmed by the characteristic sound of the camera shutter (if the sound is on) and a visual flash of the screen. In the upper corner, a thumbnail of the image will appear, which allows you to quickly move to editing or share a file. This method is universal and works even in applications where other methods can be blocked.
Xiaomi has also added a long screenshot feature that activates immediately after a normal image is taken, and a button with arrows down will appear on the preview of the image, and by clicking on it, you can scroll through the page and save long contact lists, instant messenger correspondence, or the entire web page.
⚠️ Attention: When using volume and power buttons frequently, make sure that your device has protective glass or films with cutouts under the buttons. Excessive pressure on poor-quality protection can lead to mechanical switches sticking.
☑️ Check before creating a screenshot
It is worth noting that in some gaming applications or when watching videos in full screen mode, the reaction to buttons can be slowed down due to the high load on the processor. In such cases, it is better to use alternative methods described below, so as not to interrupt the gameplay with unnecessary actions.
Use the Quick Settings Menu (Stork)
For users who are uncomfortable reaching for the side edges of the case or who are holding the phone with one hand, the ideal solution is a control panel. In Redmi 5 Plus, it is called by a swipe from top to bottom, which is especially true when the phone is lying on a table or in a docking station.
To take a picture, unlock the screen and lower the notification curtain. Among the many icons, find a button called a Screenshot or a scissor icon. If you don't see it on the first page, swipe left to open the additional pages of the control panel. Pressing this button will instantly save the current image.
The main advantage of this method is that you can preview what you're going to save, so you can open a menu, pause in a video or dialogue, and then activate the function, and that eliminates the risk of taking a picture at the wrong time, which sometimes happens when you use physical buttons.
How to add a screenshot button if it is not available?
In addition, the Quick Settings menu often provides related features such as Screen Recording, which allows you to save not a static image, but a video stream with actions on the screen, which is useful for creating training videos or fixing bugs in applications.
- 📱 It is easy to use with one hand without the risk of dropping your phone.
- ⚙️ Allows easy combination with the inclusion of the "Do Not Disturb" mode».
- 🔍 Provides visual control before saving the file.
Screenshots via Camera and Third Finger
MIUI is famous for its unique features, one of which is to take screenshots by tapping on the screen, called "Three fingers" or "Three fingers screenshot," and it requires pre-activation in the system settings.
To enable this option, go to Settings → Additional Features → Screenshot with three fingers. You need to activate the switch. After that, to take a picture, you just swipe three fingers from top to bottom of the screen or touch the screen with three fingers at the same time, this action looks spectacular and is performed very quickly.
Another interesting feature of the Redmi 5 Plus is the ability to take screenshots directly from the Camera app when viewing photos, although this is more related to navigation. However, a more useful feature is to create a screenshot through the Recent Apps menu. Open a list of running programs, find the desired window and click on the icon(scissors) or “S” in the preview corner.
Use gestures requires some skill. If the system does not recognize the touch the first time, try changing the speed or density of the finger pressing. Also make sure that the screen does not have greasy spots or water that can interfere with the capacitive layer of the display.
💡
Use the Three Fingers feature in games where physical buttons are busy controlling, allowing you to take screenshots of achievements without interrupting the gameplay or closing the game interface with volume buttons.
In such cases, a security policy message may appear on the screen.
Voice control and Google Assistant
Modern smartphones, including the Redmi 5 Plus, have powerful voice control capabilities, and if your hands are busy or your phone is far away, you can use the Google Assistant voice assistant or the built-in Mi AI (depending on the firmware region).
To activate, say the phrase "OK, Google" or hold the Home button for a long time (if configured). Once the assistant is activated, say the command "Take a screenshot" or "Screenshot." The system automatically captures the screen and saves the file to the gallery.
This method is particularly useful for people with disabilities or in situations where physical contact with the screen is undesirable. Voice control in MIUI works quite consistently, although it requires good pronunciation and no strong background noise.
⚠️ Attention: Voice commands may not work if the microphone is occupied by another application or if the assistant is not allowed to access the screen in the privacy settings».
In addition, the voice assistant can not only take a picture, but also immediately send it to the messenger or save it to the cloud on your command, which significantly speeds up the user’s workflow.
- 🎙️ Ideal for situations where hands are dirty or busy.
- 🌐 It works even through connected Bluetooth headsets.
- 🚀 Allows you to automate the saving process through scripts.
Comparison of methods and selection of optimal
To make it easier for you to navigate the variety of ways, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you determine which method is best suited to the specific conditions of use of your Redmi 5 Plus.
| Method | Speed. | Convenience | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons (Loudness + Power) | Tall. | Average. | Always. |
| Notification curtain | Medium | High. | Unlocking required |
| Three-finger gesture | Tall. | High. | Requires customization |
| Voice command | Low. | Specific | Internet/microphone required |
For everyday use, most Redmi 5 Plus owners choose the button combination as the most reliable, but if you are actively working with documents or correspondence, the Long Screenshot feature through the preview menu will become indispensable.
Software techniques are also not to be ignored, for example, if you have a broken screen or physical buttons are not working, being able to take a picture through a curtain or voice may be the only way out.
💡
The best choice depends on the context: buttons for speed, curtains for accuracy, gestures for convenience with one hand.
Where screenshots are stored and how to manage them
Once you have created a screenshot, it is important to know where to find it. In Redmi 5 Plus, by default, all screenshots are saved to a standard gallery. Open the Gallery app and find an album called Screenshots (or Screenshots).
The file structure also allows you to find images through the explorer. The path to the folder usually looks like this: Internal memory → DCIM → Screenshots or MIUI → gallery → cloud, depending on the version of MIUI. Knowledge of the path is useful when connecting the phone to a computer to sort files.
The system automatically assigns names to files based on the date and time of creation, for example, Screenshot_2023-10-25-14-30-05.png. This makes it easier to find the right image if you remember when it was taken.You can rename files for convenience.
To manage disk space, it is recommended to periodically delete old or unnecessary screenshots. These can take up a significant amount of memory, especially if you often take high-resolution pictures.
If you use cloud services like Google Photos or Mi Cloud, make sure that the screenshot folder sync is enabled, which will allow you to access important documents and images from any device, even if the phone is lost.
Frequent problems and their solution
Despite the stability of the Redmi 5 Plus, users may encounter situations where screenshots are not created. One of the common reasons is a lack of free memory. If internal storage is crowded, the system will not be able to save a new file.
Another possible problem is software failure, in which case a simple reboot of the device helps, and it is also worth checking whether the Guest mode or special access profiles are enabled, which may limit functionality.
If screenshots are created but displayed with a black screen (especially in video players or DRM-protected browsers), this is normal security behavior.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to install third-party screenshot apps from unverified sources.They may request excessive permissions and your personal data displayed on the screen.
In case the buttons are stuck physically, use software methods or connect USB-mouse-wise OTG-This temporary solution will help you take the necessary pictures before repairing your phone.