Screenshots are one of the basic functions that millions of Xiaomi smartphone users need every day. Owners of the popular Redmi 5 Plus model often face the need to capture correspondence in the messenger, save an interesting moment from the game or capture important information from the website. Understanding all available methods allows you to save time and choose the most convenient option in a particular situation.
The MIUI operating system on the Redmi 5 Plus offers several different ways to accomplish this task, some of which are standard on the Android platform, while others are unique developments of the Chinese company’s engineers. Regardless of the method chosen, the quality of the final image will always match the resolution of the device’s display.
In this article, we will take a look at every screenshot method available, review the notification panel settings, and answer frequently asked questions. You will learn not only to capture an image, but also to edit it quickly or share it with friends. This guide will help you fully master the functionality of your smartphone.
Classical method using physical buttons
The most common and time-tested way to take screenshots on Redmi 5 Plus involves simultaneously pressing two hardware keys. This method works on any screen, including locked (although a lock screenshot is not usually taken), and even in those rare cases when the touch layer temporarily does not respond.
It is important to observe the correct interval and force of pressing. You do not need to pinch the buttons for a long time, as this can lead to a reboot of the device or call the emergency menu. A short but confident click is enough. Visual confirmation of the successful execution of the action will be the characteristic sound of the camera shutter (if on) and the appearance of previews at the top of the screen.
⚠️ Attention: If you press the buttons too slowly or with a delay, the system may consider this as two separate actions, as a result, instead of a screenshot, you simply turn down the volume or unlock the screen.
The button mechanics on the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus have their own characteristics due to the metal body. The keys can be slightly recessed, which requires a clear finger press. Practice shows that it is most convenient to use the thumb of one hand to simultaneously affect both controls, although this requires a certain skill.
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If the buttons on your Redmi 5 Plus are already worn out and react poorly, try pressing them with your fingertips, rather than your fingertips, or using the wider part of the pad to cover a larger area.
Use of notification curtain and control panel
For those who feel uncomfortable physically pushing buttons or have defective buttons, MIUI offers a software analog. At the top of the screen is a notification area that can be swiped down. Here is a screenshot button that activates the function instantly. This is especially true when the smartphone is lying on the table or holding with one hand.
If you don't see the icon with the scissors or screen in the front row of the widgets, you need to edit the panel. To do this, you need to scroll through the list of widgets to the right and click on the setting icon (usually a gear or a pencil).
- 📱 Lower the swipe notification curtain from the top edge of the screen.
- 🔍 Find the Screenshot icon among the quick actions.
- 🖱️ Click on the icon to instantly create a copy of the screen.
- ✏️ If necessary, edit the image in the menu immediately.
The software button has its advantages in the absence of mechanical wear of the keys. However, this method requires that the touch screen work correctly. In situations where the touch screen is hanging, this method, unfortunately, will not help, and you will have to resort to hardware buttons or voice control.
Screenshot function with three fingers
One of the most convenient features in the MIUI shell is the ability to create a screenshot with three fingers moving across the screen, which is spectacular and very fast, which is especially appreciated by active social media users and gamers, and to activate this option, you need to go to the system settings.
The path to enabling the function is as follows: Settings → Additional settings → Keyboards → Screenshot. In this menu, you need to select the option Lower 3 fingers. Once activated, just swipe three fingers from top to bottom over any area of the display to take a picture.
☑️ Tweaking the gesture with three fingers
It's worth noting that the sensitivity of the Redmi 5 Plus sensor allows you to recognize this gesture even through most protective glasses. However, if you use a very thick case with high sides, the gesture can be physically difficult, in which case you should use other methods.
⚠️ Note: Three-finger function may conflict with gestures in some applications, such as a gallery or browser, where three-fingers can cause other actions. If a screenshot fails, check if the combination is occupied by another application.
Creating screenshots through the application menu
Android and MIUI have a hidden but functional menu of running apps that allows you to manage active processes and also contains tools for working with the screen. To use this method, you need to press the menu button (square or three bars depending on the navigation version) and hold it or click on the menu icon in the preview of the application.
The action list for a particular application often features a screenshot button, which is good because it is software-based and does not require coordination of finger movements around the body, and is ideal for creating screenshots in applications where physical buttons can be blocked by the developer (although Xiaomi usually bypasses such prohibitions at the system level).
It also allows you to quickly move to editing, and once you create a picture through the application menu, the system immediately suggests cropping, adding text or stickers, which turns a simple screenshot into a ready-made material for publication.
Voice control and Google Assistant
Modern smartphones, including the Redmi 5 Plus, have advanced voice control systems. You can just say, "OK, Google, take a screenshot," and the phone will execute the command. This is especially convenient when your hands are busy or dirty, and touching the screen is undesirable.
This feature requires that the voice assistant is active and voice recognition is configured, and it’s also worth checking the permissions in the privacy settings to allow the microphone to access system commands. Voice control works even on a locked screen if the corresponding Google Assistant option is enabled.
- 🎙️ Activate voice control of a phrase or button.
- 🗣️ Say the command "Take a screenshot" or "Take a picture of the screen".
- ✅ The system will create a picture and save it in the gallery.
- 📂 Check the result in the Gallery app.
The accuracy of command recognition depends on the user's diction and the level of ambient noise. In a quiet room, the Redmi 5 Plus does a task almost perfectly, but in a noisy subway or on the street, the command may not be understood the first time, which requires repetition.
Editing and saving screenshots
Once you've taken a screenshot of Redmi 5 Plus, you'll see a preview notification at the top of the screen, and if you click on it, you'll see the built-in image editor, and it allows you to do basic things like framing, adding text, drawing by hand, or placing stickers.
Long Screenshot (or Scrolling) is a feature that deserves special attention, allowing you to capture content that does not fit on one screen, such as long WhatsApp correspondence or a browser article. After you create a normal screenshot, click the Scroll button in the lower left corner of the preview, and the phone will automatically scroll down the page, gluing the image.
| Parameter | Description | Default value |
|---|---|---|
| Permission | Number of pixels | 1920 × 1080 |
| File format | Type of image compression | PNG / JPG |
| Storage folder | The path in the file system | DCIM/Screenshots |
| Sound. | Shutter signal. | Included |
Where are the screenshots stored?
The quality of the files you save depends on the compression settings in the system. The PNG format provides better lossless quality but takes up more space. The JPG format is more compact but can contribute compression artifacts. For documents and text, PNG is better, and for game or photo screenshots, JPG is better.
Search and manage screenshot files
You can find the screenshots you created not only through the gallery, but also through the standard File Explorer. In the Images category, there is always a Screenshots folder. Here the files are sorted by date of creation, which allows you to quickly find the right material, even if there are hundreds of them.
Removing unnecessary screenshots helps free up space in memory. Redmi 5 Plus has limited internal storage, and media files can fill it quickly. Regularly cleaning the screenshot folder is a good habit to keep your smartphone running.
⚠️ Note: When deleting screenshots through the file manager, be careful not to delete system thumbnails or important documents if they were saved to the same folder.
It also allows you to automatically sort screenshots by application, so if you take a lot of pictures from different programs, the system can group them together, which makes it easier to navigate when you need to find a particular correspondence or setting.
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Regularly cleaning up a folder with screenshots can free up to several gigabytes of memory, which is critical for the stable operation of the Redmi 5 Plus.
Possible problems and solutions
Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the screenshot is not created, this can be caused by the protection of DRM in some applications (for example, banking programs or streaming services such as Netflix), where the security policy prohibits copying the contents of the screen, in which case you will see a black square instead of the image.
Another reason might be a lack of RAM: If you run a lot of heavy applications, the system may ignore the command to take a screenshot to save resources, and closing the background tasks usually solves this problem.
- 🛑 Check if the app blocks the creation of screenshots (content protection).
- 🧹 Clean up RAM by closing the extra applications.
- 💾 Make sure that the device has free space in internal memory.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone if the problem is systemic.
In rare cases, you may need to reset your interface settings, which won't delete your personal data, but will return the location of the icons and the system settings to their original state, often when the MIUI shell itself is buggy.