How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: all ways + problem solving

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is one of the most popular smartphones of 2018, and is still in high use today for its reliability and performance, but even experienced users sometimes have questions about basic features, such as how to take a screenshot on this device. Depending on the version of the MIUI firmware and the updates installed, there are several ways, and we will discuss each of them in detail.

In this article, you will find not only standard methods (button combinations, gestures), but also alternative solutions for atypical situations: when physical keys do not work, the screen is locked, or you need to take a long screenshot of the page you are scrolling, and also unique MIUI chips that are not written about in official instructions, such as how to quickly edit a screenshot immediately after you create it or automatically save it to the cloud.

1. Standard method: power buttons + volume

It's the most versatile method that works on all MIUI versions, 9 to 14. It's suitable for the Redmi Note 5, Note 5 Pro and Note 5 AI, regardless of the year it's released.

1. Open on the screen what you want to capture (web page, message, settings, etc.).
2. Simultaneously press and hold the power button (right) and the volume button (left) for 1-2 seconds.
3. You will hear the characteristic shutter sound (if the sound is not turned off) and see the animation of saving the screenshot.

The finished screenshot is automatically saved to the gallery in the Screenshots folder. If the animation does not appear, try again - you may not have pressed the buttons hard enough or unsynchronously.

⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS), this combination may cause a reboot menu, in which case use alternative methods from the following sections.

Make sure the screen is not locked.

Close the keyboard (it can cut off part of the screen)

Turn off the "Do Not Disturb" mode (otherwise the shutter will not sound)

Check the space in memory (minimum 50 MB)

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2. Screenshot by gesture (three fingers)

The MIUI feature is the ability to take screenshots without buttons, in one movement, and this feature is available starting with MIUI 10, but it's disabled by default, to activate:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot.
2. Turn on the swipe switch with three fingers.
3. Choose the direction of the gesture: down or up (we recommend "down" - so convenient).

Now, to take a screenshot, swipe your three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (or bottom to top, depending on the settings).The method is ideal for users with faulty buttons or those who often take screenshots in games where physical keys are busy.

If the gesture doesn't work:

• 🧹 Make sure there are no greasy spots or moisture on the screen – the sensor may not recognize the touch.
• 🔄 Restart your phone (sometimes helps with gesture failures).
• 📱 Check if the feature conflicts with other gestures (e.g. full-screen Navigation buttons).

3. Long screenshot (scrollable area)

Do you need to save an entire web page, WhatsApp correspondence, or a list of comments on social networks? MIUI has a built-in long-screenshot feature (also called "scrollable screenshot").

1. Take a regular screenshot of any of the above methods.
2. Immediately after the thumbnail appears at the bottom of the screen, tap the Scroll button (the icon with two arrows down).
3. Wait for the system to automatically scroll through the page and connect the parts into a single image.
4. Press Ready to save the result.

Limitations of the method:

• 🌐 It doesn’t work in all apps (for example, it’s not supported on YouTube or Google Maps).
• 📄 Maximum screenshot length: 10 screens (depending on model and version) MIUI).
• ⚡ When scrolling, some elements (such as animations or videos) may not appear correctly.

Power buttons + volume | Three finger gesture | Long screenshot | Third-party apps | I don't know how to take screenshots-->

4. Screenshot from locked screen

Can I take a screenshot without unlocking my phone? Yes, but with reservations. MIUI doesn't have a built-in feature for that, but there are workarounds:

Method 1. Voice assistant Google Assistant

1. Activate Google Assistant with the “OK Google” voice command or hold the Home button.
2. Say, "Take a screenshot" or "Photograph the screen."
3. Confirm the action (unlocking will be required, but the screenshot will be taken from the locked screen).

Method 2. Applications from third-party developers

Some tools (like Screenshot Easy or Super Screenshot) allow you to take screenshots from a timer or widget on the lock screen, but they require super-user rights (root), which is not secure and insecure.

⚠️ Note: Screenshots from the locked screen may contain sensitive information (notifications, personal data) and delete them after use if other people are using the phone.

5. Alternative methods: ADB and computer

If the sensor or buttons on the phone don't work, you can take a screenshot via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for advanced users and requires:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB developer-setting.

Instructions:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 5 to your PC and open the command line (Win + R → cmd).
2. Enter the command: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
3. Take a screenshot by command: adb exec-out screencap -p > screenshot.png The file will be saved in the folder where the command was launched.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works even with a broken screen or faulty buttons.
• ✅ You can automate the process through scripts.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires pre-setting (debugging by the USB should be included in advance).
• ❌ Not suitable for beginners.

for i in {1..10}; do adb exec-out screencap -p > screenshot_$i.png; sleep 2; done

This team will take 10 pictures at intervals of 2 seconds.

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6. Solving screenshot problems

Sometimes screenshots are not saved or turned black, and let's look at the typical causes and ways to address them:

If none of these methods work, try:

1. Update MIUI to the latest version via Settings → About Phone → System Update.
2. Reset the settings to factory (pre-reverse!).
3. Contact the service center – the problem may be in the hardware (for example, a faulty volume button).

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Before resetting, check if Application Protection is enabled in MIUI – it can block access to screenshots for some programs (for example, banking or encrypted messengers).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Redmi Note 5