While screenshots on Xiaomi smartphones are a basic feature, owners of the Redmi 5 Plus (also known as the Redmi Note 5 Pro in the global version) sometimes have difficulty finding the right combinations, because the MIUI shell offers many ways to do this, far beyond the standard two-button press.
In this article, we will take a closer look at every existing display capture method that is relevant to your model, not only the classics, but also the hidden features that are often overlooked by new users, and mastering these techniques will turn your smartphone into a more powerful tool for working with information.
We will focus on the subtleties of sensitivity settings and specific gestures that may not work out of the box without first activating the menu. We will also look at how to properly manage the received files and where to look for saved images after they are created.
Classical method using physical buttons
The fastest and most reliable way that works on any Android and MIUI device is to press hardware keys simultaneously. On the Redmi 5 Plus, you need to press the volume button (located on the left side of the body) and the power button (on the right side) simultaneously. You do not need to hold them for long, short, but clear pressing lasting about one second.
If the procedure is done correctly, the system will emit a characteristic camera shutter sound, and the screen will blink with a white flash. In the upper right corner, a small preview card with an image will appear, indicating the successful preservation of the file. At this point, the clipboard is also filled with an image, allowing you to immediately insert it into the chat or editor.
⚠️ Note: Do not keep the buttons pinched for too long (more than that). 3-4 second), as this can activate the emergency call menu or forced device restart by interrupting the screenshot creation process.
Importantly, pressing simultaneously should be synchronous. If you press the volume button first and then latency power, the system will perceive this as two separate actions: changing the sound level and locking the screen.
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Practice pressing buttons with the thumb of one hand, covering the body with your palm so as not to drop the phone during a sharp movement.
Use of control panel and notification curtain
For users who are uncomfortable reaching for buttons on the case or who prefer software solutions, Xiaomi has a convenient option in the notification curtain. To use this method, you need to swipe from top to bottom to open the control center. Among the quick access shortcuts, you need to find an icon with the image of scissors, which is called “Screenshot”.
However, by default, this icon can be hidden. To activate it, you should click on the three dots or edit icon at the top of the curtain, go to button editing mode and drag the Screenshot icon to the active zone. After that, the creation of screenshots will be available in one tap. This is especially convenient when the phone is lying on the table or in the docking station.
The advantage of this method is that it does not have to physically interact with the buttons, which reduces the risk of mechanical wear and tear, and it is ideal if one of the physical buttons is incorrect or incorrect, and the system instantly responds to the touch by taking a picture of the current state of the interface.
- 📱 Open the notification curtain with the swipe down.
- ✂️ Find the Screenshot icon (scissors) in the Quick Action menu.
- ⚙️ If there is no icon, click “Edit” and add it to the active icon.
- 🖼️ Click on the icon to instantly create a screenshot.
The function of creating a screenshot with three fingers
One of the most popular features in the MIUI shell is to create a screenshot with a three-finger swipe. This option is not activated by default on some firmware versions, so it must be enabled manually in the settings. To do this, go to Settings, select Additional, then Buttons and gestures, and find the option “Three-finger Screenshot”.
Once activated, just swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom in any area of the interface, and the smartphone instantly responds with an audible signal and saves the image, a method that is especially convenient when using the phone with one hand, when it is physically difficult or impossible to reach the side buttons.
And you have to keep in mind that the gesture has to be done with confidence and fast enough, and if you're moving your fingers too slowly, the system may not recognize the command, and it's also important that your fingers don't override important information on the screen when you're doing it, if you want to capture that particular area.
What to do if the gesture does not work?
This feature is part of a wider set of MIUI gestures aimed at improving the ergonomics of large screens. On the Redmi 5 Plus, with its 5.99 inch diagonal, this control method becomes almost indispensable for comfortable use.
Voice control via Google Assistant
Modern smartphones allow you to control most functions with voice, and the Redmi 5 Plus is no exception. If you have busy hands or your phone is far away, you can use the voice assistant Google Assistant. To activate, just say the phrase “Ok Google” or press the home button for a long time (if you configure navigation with buttons).
Once the assistant is activated, say "Take a screenshot" or "Screenshot of the screen." The system automatically captures the image and saves it to the gallery. This method may seem less rapid than pressing buttons, but in certain situations, such as when you show the screen during a video call, it becomes the only option.
A stable Internet connection is required to work properly with voice control, as the request is often processed on the company’s servers, and make sure that the Google app settings allow microphone use and access to screen features.
| Method | Speed. | Convenience | Dependence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttons | Tall. | Average. | No. |
| Curtain. | Medium | High. | No. |
| 3 fingers | Tall. | Very high. | Setting up |
| Voice. | Low. | Specific | Internet |
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Voice control is not just a toy, but a full-fledged accessibility tool that can save you in a situation where physical buttons are not available.
Long screenshot: Creating scrollable images
Often, you need to capture not one screen, but an entire web page, a messenger correspondence or a long document. A standard shot will crop up the information, but MIUI offers a Long Screenshot (or Scrolling) feature. After you create a regular screenshot (any of the methods described above), a preview appears in the upper right corner.
In this preview, you have to click on a button with a down arrow or a "Scroll" sign, and the screen will automatically scroll down to capture new information, and the process continues until you hit the stop button or reach the end of the page, and this allows you to create a single image that is several thousand pixels high.
The long screenshot feature is especially useful for saving instructions, recipes or correspondence with important information that needs to be sent in its entirety, but it is worth remembering that such files can carry a lot of weight and take up more space in the memory of the device.
- 📸 Take a regular screenshot in any way.
- 🔽 Click on the “Scroll” button in the menu that appears.
- ⏹️ Stop the process when all the right area is captured.
- 💾 The image will automatically be saved as a single file in the gallery.
⚠️ Note: When taking a long screenshot, try not to touch the screen or open new notifications, as this may interrupt the scrolling process or distort the final image.
Editing and managing screenshots in MIUI
Once you've created a screenshot, MIUI offers advanced editing capabilities, and you click on the preview, you get to an editor where you can cut edges, add text, draw arrows, or blur sensitive information, and these tools are built right into the gallery and don't require third-party apps.
All images are automatically sorted into a separate Screenshots album in the Gallery app, making it easier to find the right file among thousands of photos, and allowing you to quickly share a screenshot immediately after creation using built-in social media and instant messenger buttons.
For advanced users, the feature is available to automatically delete screenshots after they are sent, it is activated in the settings and helps maintain order in the memory of the device, removing temporary files that are no longer needed after transferring to the interlocutor.