How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Mi 5: all ways + secrets MIUI

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

In this article, we'll look at all the possible ways to create screenshots on the Mi 5, from standard keyboards to hidden firmware functions, how to save pictures, where to look for them, and what to do if screenshots don't work, and a few life hacks for easy editing and quick access to snapshots.

Standard method: power and volume buttons

The most versatile method that works on all Android devices, including the Xiaomi Mi 5. It’s simple: you simultaneously press two physical buttons – Power and Volume Reduction – and hold them for about 1-2 seconds.

How to do it right:

• 📱 Take your smartphone so that your thumb is on the power button (right), and your index finger is on Volume Reduction (left).
• 🔄 Press both buttons at the same time as the minimum delay, and if you press one button and then the other, either lock the screen or adjust the sound.
• 🎯 Hold until the visual effect appears: the screen will slightly “blink”, and at the top a notification will appear about the creation of a screenshot.

If you don't get it the first time, don't worry. On the Mi 5, the buttons are pretty close, so it takes a little bit of skill. Try practicing 2-3 times and you'll quickly adjust.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t press buttons for too long (more than 3 seconds) – this could lead to a forced smartphone reboot or a Fastboot menu call.

Gesture method: three-finger touch (MIUI 8 and later)

MIUI 8 and higher (and the Mi 5 officially supports upgrades to MIUI 12) has a gesture screenshot feature that is handy if the physical buttons are worn out or you prefer to control your smartphone with one hand.

How to turn on and use:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Activate the screenshot switch with a three-finger touch.
3. Now swipe your finger (usually three) across the screen from top to bottom – the picture will be taken automatically.

This method is particularly useful for screenshots in games or apps where clicking buttons can interfere with gameplay, such as in PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact.

Is the mode on in the settings?

Fingers clean and not wet?

Does the touch start outside the status bar?

Smartphone not overheated (gestures can turn off at high temperature)-->

Screenshot via notification panel (fast access)

MIUI has a hidden feature to quickly access screenshots through the notification curtain, which isn't the most obvious way, but it works even if the buttons or gestures don't work.

Instructions:

1. Deploy the notification bar in its entirety (pull down twice).
2. Find a Screenshot icon (usually it looks like a scissor or a rectangle with lightning). If it's not there, click Edit and add it to active tiles.
3. Slip the icon - the screenshot will be taken instantly.

This method is convenient for quickly creating a series of screenshots, for example, when you need to capture a dialogue in the messenger or the stages of the game.

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If the screenshot icon is not in the curtain, check the version of MIUI. On older firmware (below MIUI 9), this feature may not be. Update your smartphone via Settings → About Phone → System Update

Special applications for screenshots

If standard methods for some reason do not work (for example, a broken power button), you can use third-party utilities.

• 📲 Screenshot Easy – allows you to take screenshots by timer, with a delay or after shaking the device.
• 🖼️ Super Screenshot – Supports page scrolling (useful for long chats or web pages).
• 🎮 Screen Master – optimized for gamers, can hide the notification panel during a screenshot.

Before installing apps, check their ratings and reviews — some may contain ads or request unnecessary permissions. Also remember that these utilities may require permission to overlay windows (included in Settings → Special Features).

⚠️ Note: Some antiviruses (such as Avast or Dr.Web) may block screenshot applications as suspicious.

Standard buttons

Three-finger gesture

Notification panel

Party of annex

Another option-->

Where to look for screenshots and how to edit them

By default, all screenshots on the Xiaomi Mi 5 are saved in the DCIM → Screenshots folder (or Pictures → Screenshots in some firmware).

• 📁 Conductor (standard application) MIUI).
• 🖼️ Gallery - there is a separate album Screenshots.
• 🌐 Google Photos if synchronization is enabled.

For quick editing:

1. Open the screenshot at the Gallery.
2. Slip on the icon Edit (pencil or palette).
3. In MIUI, basic tools are available: cropping, blurring, adding text, drawing.
4. For advanced edits (such as filter overlays), use Snapseed or Lightroom.

On the Xiaomi Mi 5, screenshots are saved in PNG format with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels (Full HD), which allows them to scale without loss of quality.

What to do if the screenshots don’t work

Sometimes screenshots can fail, and here are the most common reasons and solutions:

• 🔋 Battery discharge (less than 5%). Connect charging - some features MIUI shut off.
• 📱 Memory is occupied. Clear the storage space (needs at least 100MB of free space).
• 🔄 Firmware failure. Restart your smartphone or reset settings through Settings → Recovery and discharge.
• 🛠️ If the physical keys don't work, use gesture or third-party apps.

If the problem persists, check if your smartphone has screenshot blocking apps (such as some banking programs or corporate messengers), and screenshots may not work in Safe Mode or with active Root access.

Secret chips: advanced screenshot capabilities

MIUI hides a few useful features for working with screenshots, which not everyone knows about:

• 📜 Long screenshot (scroll). After creating a normal screenshot, tap the notification and select Scrolling - the smartphone will automatically take a picture of the entire page (works in the browser, chats, documents).
• 🔍 Search for text. Open the screenshot in the Gallery, tap the Text — MIUI It recognizes the text and allows you to copy or translate it.
• 📎 Quick sending. Immediately after you create a screenshot, you will see a panel with options: you can instantly share the picture on Telegram, WhatsApp or save it to Google Drive.

Another useful feature is the screen recording mode, which is often confused with screenshots, so to turn it on, swipe down the notification bar and find the Screen Record icon (or add it via Edit), which can be useful for creating video instructions or streams.

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Long screenshots don’t work in all apps, such as Instagram or TikTok, because of the platform’s limitations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi Mi 5