How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi 5A: all ways + error solving

Xiaomi Redmi 5A

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to take a screenshot of Redmi 5A, including standard keyboard shortcuts, gestures (if they work on your firmware), and alternative methods through apps. Separately, we’ll focus on common mistakes — for example, why screenshots may not be saved in the gallery or appear black. If you just purchased a used device or updated firmware, this guide will help you deal with the nuances of your version of MIUI.

Let's just say, the Redmi 5A doesn't have a hardware home button, so the classic Power + Home combination doesn't work here, but there are other options -- some of them depend on the MIUI (Global, China, EEA) version and the firmware installed. If your smartphone hasn't been updated in a long time, some of the features may be missing.

Before proceeding to the instructions, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. On the Redmi. 5A Up-to-date versions – 9 to 12 (but not all features are available on older builds).

1. Standard method: Power + Volume Down button combination

This is the basic and most reliable method for Xiaomi Redmi 5A, which works on all versions of MIUI.

1. Open the screen you want to capture (for example, a message in the messenger or a page in the browser).
2. Press the power button and the Volume Down button at the same time.
3. Hold them for 1-2 seconds until you hear the camera shutter sound and see the save animation (white square with shadow).

⚠️ Attention: If you press the buttons longer than 3 seconds, the smartphone can reboot to Fastboot mode or turn off. This is not critical, but you will have to wait for the reboot.

Where to look for the screenshot taken?

• 📁 In the Gallery: Screenshots folder (or Screenshots on Russian firmware).
• 🔍 Through the conductor: the path /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/.
• 🖼️ In Google Photos, if sync is enabled (check in the app settings).

If the photo is not saved, check:

⚠️ Note: on some custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), screenshots are saved by default to the folder DCIM/Screenshots. Also make sure you don’t have a screen creation notification disabled in Settings. → Notifications → System notifications.

2. Alternative method: Quick settings menu (only for MIUI 10 and later)

If your Redmi 5A runs on MIUI 10 or higher, there may be a special button in the notification panel for screenshots, a method that is handy when hardware buttons don’t work well (for example, due to wear and tear).

How to turn on and use:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find a screenshot icon (usually a scissor or a rectangle with lightning) if it's not there, tap the icon. ⚙️ Edit and add to active elements.
3. Click on the icon – the smartphone will take a picture of the current screen.

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No need to remember button combinations.
• ✅ It works even with a broken screen (if the sensor is in good condition).
• ✅ You can take a screenshot with one hand.

🔸 Deficiencies:

• ❌ Nana MIUI 9 and older than this function is not.
• ❌ If the notification bar is cluttered, the button is easy to skip.

If the icon is not available, then your version of MIUI does not support this function, in which case use other methods or update the firmware (see section below).

3. Screenshot by gesture (only for the MIUI 11/12 function-on)

Newer versions of MIUI now allow screenshots to be taken with a three-toed swipe (with three fingers on the screen), but the Redmi 5A does not work as smoothly and depends on firmware.

How to turn on and use:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Activate the swipe switch with three fingers.
3. Try swiping three fingers at the same time (without pauses).

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 5A This method often works with errors due to a weak processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon 425). If the screenshot didn't work the first time, repeat the gesture more slowly or use another method.

📌 Tip: If the gesture doesn't work, try calibrating the sensor:

##6484## → Sensor Test → Follow the instructions on the screen.

4. Screenshot via apps (if standard methods don't work)

If none of the above methods worked, you can use third-party utilities, which is true for devices with unofficial firmware or damaged hardware buttons.

🔹 Top.-3 Screenshots Apps on Redmi 5A:

🔸 How to set up Screenshot Easy:

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Screen Master) may conflict with the MIUI If the smartphone starts to brake after installation, delete the program and clear the cache in Settings. → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

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If screenshots through the applications are saved in low resolution, open the program settings and select the option “High quality” or “Original resolution”.

5 Problem Solving: Screenshots are not saved or appear in black

A frequent complaint of Redmi 5A users is that screenshots are not displayed in the gallery or are kept blank (black).

🔹 Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved

• 📉 Insufficient memory: clear the cache or delete unnecessary files. → Warehouse.
• 🔒 No permissions: go to Settings → Annexes → gallery → Permits and enable access to storage.
• 🗑️ Screenshots folder removed: create it manually through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Explorer).

🔹 Problem 2: Screenshots are black or empty

• 🖥️ Conflict with the shell MIUI: Try to take a screenshot through another app (see Section 4).
• 🔄 Rendering error: Reboot your smartphone and try again.
• 🛠️ Damaged cache: clear the system applications cache in Settings → Annexes → All applications → Press. ⋮ → Show system-based → Find "Screenshots" or "Media Storage" → Clear the cache.

🔹 Problem 3: No sound or animation when creating a screen

• 🔕 System sound turned off: check volume in Settings → Sound. → Systemic sounds.
• 🎨 Animation disabled: turn it on in Settings → Additionally. → Special effects → Animation of screenshots.

On Redmi 5A with custom firmware (like Pixel Experience), screenshots can be saved in.png format with a transparent background. To fix this, install a standard MIUI launcher or use conversion apps.

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If none of these methods worked, try resetting to factory settings (don’t forget to back up!). To do this, go to Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset → Reset.

6.Where to find screenshots and how to manage them

By default, all screenshots on Xiaomi Redmi 5A are saved to the Pictures/Screenshots folder. However, depending on the firmware and settings, the path may differ.

🔹 How to find screenshots:

• 📂 Through the Gallery: Open the Gallery app, find the album Screenshots.
• 🔍 Through Explorer: Use Mi File Explorer or any other file manager, go down the path /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/.
• ☁️ Google Photos: If sync is enabled, screenshots will be in the Photos section of the device → Folders. → Screenshots.

🔹 How to manage screenshots:

📌 Tip: To quickly find all screenshots, use the Explorer search for type:image or sort files by creation date.

7 Features of screenshots in games and protected applications

The Redmi 5A (as well as other Xiaomi smartphones) has restrictions on screenshots in some apps:

• 🎮 Games: in most games (for example, PUBG Mobile, Free Fire screenshots are easily taken, but in some (e.g. Genshin Impact) screenshots can be blocked.
• 🏦 Banking apps: SberBank Online, Tinkoff and others block screenshots for security reasons.
• 🔒 Secure Messengers: WhatsApp or Telegram can screenshot chat, but some messages (such as with a self-destruct timer) will not save.

🔸 How to get around restrictions (if it is not a banking application):

1. Use screen recording (in) MIUI There is a built-in tool: swipe down → Screen recording).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and take a screenshot via scrcpy or Vysor.
3. Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) and try to take a screenshot through its tools.

⚠️ Note: trying to bypass the security in banking applications may result in the account being blocked.

8. Frequent Questions and Answers (FAQ)