How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: all ways with explanations

Why is Redmi 5 Plus a topic for a separate article?

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vince), released in 2017, is still popular with users due to the balanced characteristics and support for current versions of MIUI. However, many owners face difficulties when trying to take a screenshot – especially if you have previously used devices from other brands. In this article, we will discuss all possible methods, including hidden MIUI functions that work even on older firmware.

It is important to consider that the Redmi 5 Plus has a unique combination of hardware buttons (the physical Home button is missing), which affects the standard way to create screenshots. In addition, depending on the version of MIUI (from 9 to 14), the available options may vary. We tested all methods on a real device and collected current data - without outdated tips and broken instructions.

If you recently upgraded your firmware or reset your phone to factory settings, some features may have gone wrong. At the end of the article, you’ll find FAQs with solutions to problems, such as why screenshots aren’t saved in the gallery or how to change the format of saved files (PNG/JPEG).

Method 1: Standard button combination (works on all versions of MIUI)

It's a versatile method that's guaranteed to work on Redmi 5 Plus regardless of the firmware version.

  1. Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a dialog in the messenger or a page in the browser).
  2. Press two buttons at the same time: πŸ”˜ Power button (right) πŸ”½ Volume reduction button (left)

1-2 seconds

⚠️ Note: There is no physical Home button on the Redmi 5 Plus, so the Power combination + Home, relevant to other Xiaomi models, doesn’t work here. Also avoid holding buttons too long – this can lead to a forced reboot of the device.

Screen unlocked and active | Memory is sufficient (at least 50MB) | Sound is not turned off (to hear the signal) | Buttons do not stick and clean-->

πŸ’‘

If you don't get a screenshot, try pressing buttons at 0.5 seconds apart, rather than just at the same time.

Where to look for a ready screenshot? By default, files are saved in the folder: Internal Memory β†’ DCIM β†’ Screenshots

or

Gallery β†’ Album "Screenshots"

Method 2: Three-finger gesture (requires settings)

MIUI's signature feature is the ability to swipe screenshots with three fingers across the screen, but on Redmi 5 Plus, this feature is disabled by default and requires pre-activation. Here's how to set it up:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Additional functions β†’ Gestures.
  2. Find the option "Screenshot with three fingers" and turn on the slider.
  3. Select the swipe direction (usually down the screen).

Now to take a screenshot:

  1. Place three fingers on the screen (for example, index, middle and ring finger).
  2. Then, move them downward (or in the direction you choose).
  3. Wait for the beep and the save notification.

⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware, this gesture may conflict with other features (e.g. split screen). If a screenshot is not created, check if other gestures are enabled at the same time in the settings.

What to do if the gesture does not work?
1.Reboot the phone – sometimes MIUI system services β€œhang up.” 2. Update the firmware to the latest stable version (the gesture may have disappeared after the reset). 3. Check if there are third-party launchers (such as Nova Launcher) that can block system gestures.

MethodDifficultyWorks on MIUI 9-14?Needs a setup?
Power buttons + volumes⭐ (simple)βœ… Yes.❌ No.
Three-finger gesture⭐⭐ (need to be tuned)βœ… Yeah (except) MIUI 9)βœ… Yes.
Voice Command (Alice/Google)⭐⭐⭐ (language-dependent)βœ… Yes. MIUI 11)βœ… Yes (setting up voice assistant)
Party of annex⭐⭐⭐ (safety)βœ… Yes.βœ… Yes (installation) APK)

Method 3: Voice commands (for MIUI 11 and later)

If you don't feel comfortable using buttons or gestures, you can take a screenshot using the voice assistant, which works on Redmi 5 Plus with MIUI 11+ firmware and requires you to pre-configure:

  1. Activate Xiaomi's Voice Assistant: πŸ“± Go to Settings. β†’ Annexes β†’ Established β†’ Voice assistant. πŸ”Š Click "Enable" and follow the instructions for setting up the voice.
Okay, Google, take a screenshot.

Or (if Xiaomi Assistant is configured):

Xiaomi, take a screenshot.

πŸ“Œ Important: This method is required to work:

Internet connection (voice commands are processed by the cloud service).

Russian in the system settings (in some versions of MIUI commands in English are not supported).

No restrictions for the assistant in Settings β†’ Permissions.

Power buttons + volume | Three finger gesture | Voice commands | App side | I don't know how to do-->

Method 4: Party of the application (for advanced features)

If you don’t like standard methods (for example, you need to take a scrolling screenshot or add markup), you can install specialized utilities.

  • πŸ“± Screenshot Easy – Supports Delayed Shooting and Editing.
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ LongShot – to create screenshots of scrolling pages (for example, chats in Telegram).
  • 🎨 Screen Master - built-in editor with the ability to add text and arrows.

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party apps for screenshots:

Only grant permissions to proven utilities (check reviews on Google Play).

Some apps require screen access rights (Settings β†’ Special Features), which can be a security risk.

On Redmi 5 Plus with MIUI 9-10, some applications may not work due to system limitations.

πŸ”Ή How to install:

1. Download APK from the official website (for example, APKPure).

2. Enable installation from unknown sources: Settings β†’ Security β†’ Unknown sources.

3. Launch the app and follow the settings tips.

πŸ’‘

The application side is useful for advanced features, but standard MIUI methods are more reliable and safer.

Where are the screenshots stored and how do you manage them?

By default, all screenshots on Redmi 5 Plus are saved in the DCIM/Screenshots folder, but they can be moved or formatted.

  • πŸ“ Change the save folder: Use a file manager (e.g. Mi File Explorer). Move files manually or set up automatic save to the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Change the format: By default, screenshots are saved to PNG (without loss of quality, but can be converted to JPEG through gallery or third-party applications.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Auto Clean: Enable the Settings function β†’ Warehouse β†’ Cleaning up garbage β†’ Autoclean screenshots older than 30 days.

πŸ“Œ Tip: If screenshots don't show up in the gallery, check out:

- Is Screenshots folder hidden (in file manager settings, enable the display of hidden files).

- Are there any restrictions for the Gallery application in Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Permissions?

Problem Solving: Screenshots are not created or saved

If none of the methods work, here are the typical causes and ways to eliminate them:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
Buttons don't respond.Sticking or damage to buttonsClean the buttons with alcohol or use a three-finger gesture
No sound/animation when creatingSystem or animation sound is disabledCheck the settings β†’ Sound β†’ System sounds
Screenshots are not savedInsufficient memory or damaged folderClean up memory or create Screenshots folder manually
Three-finger gesture doesn't work.Conflict with other gestures or launcherTurn off other gestures in Settings β†’ Additional features

πŸ”§ Extreme measures:

If the problem persists after all the manipulations, do:

1. Reset application settings: Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application management β†’ Resetting settings.

2. Update the firmware to the latest stable version (via Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ System Update).

3. Manual system integrity check through recovery mode (only for power users!).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi 5 Plus

πŸ“± Can I take a screenshot if the power button is not working?
Yes, use a three-finger gesture (if configured) or voice commands, and you can connect your phone to your PC and take a picture through the phone. ADB: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png But it requires command line skills.
πŸ–ΌοΈ How to take a long screenshot (scrolling page)?
The standard MIUI on Redmi 5 Plus doesn’t support long screenshots. Install the LongShot or Scroll Capture app from Google Play. After you create a screenshot, click on the notification and select the β€œScroll” option.
πŸ”Š Why there is no sound when creating a screenshot?
System sounds are probably disabled. Check: Settings β†’ Sound β†’ System sounds (turn on the slider); Do Not Disturb (turn it off in the notification curtain); Media volume (sometimes affecting system sounds); If the sound is still missing, reset the sound settings to standard.
πŸ“Ž How to send a screenshot immediately after creation?
Once you've created a screenshot in the notification curtain, it'll have a preview. Click on it and select: πŸ“€ "Share - for sending to messengers or social networks. ✏️ "Editing – to crop or add text. πŸ—‘οΈ "Delete if you don't need a picture, and you can also press the preview for quick access to these options.
πŸ”„ Can I return deleted screenshots?
If files were recently deleted (within 30 days), check the Recycle Bin in the Gallery app. For deeper recovery, use utilities like DiskDigger or Recuva (root access is required for maximum efficiency). ⚠️ Note: Do not save new files to your device after removing screenshots – this reduces the chances of their recovery.