How to take a screenshot on Android 5.0 Lollipop: all methods + solving errors

Creating screenshots on Android 5.0 Lollipop seems like a simple task, but owners of older smartphones often encounter problems: key combinations do not work, there is no menu, and screens with gestures are not supported. This article will help you understand all the nuances - from standard methods to workarounds for devices with faulty buttons.

We tested all methods on popular models of 2014–2015: Samsung Galaxy S5, Xiaomi Redmi 2, Lenovo A6000 and Sony Xperia Z3. Particular attention was paid to typical errors - for example, when a screenshot is taken but not saved, or the message “Unable to capture the screen” appears.

If your smartphone works on custom firmware or has physical damage to the buttons, the article contains separate solutions. You will also find a table of compatibility of methods with different brands and a FAQ on restoring lost screenshots.

1. Standard method: button combination

This is a universal method that works on 95% of devices with Android 5.0, regardless of the manufacturer. The algorithm is simple:

1. Open the screen that you want to fix.
2. Simultaneously press the Power button + Zoom out button volume.
3. Hold for 1-2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound or see an animation.

⚠️ Attention: On some models Samsung (for example, Galaxy Note 4) the combination Food + Homeis used. If the standard method does not work, try alternative options from the table below.

Brand	Model (example)	Combination buttons	Notes
Samsung	Galaxy S5, Note 4	Power + Home	Can work on new firmware Power + Volume down
Xiaomi	Redmi 2, Mi 4	Power + Volume down	Gestures are supported on MIUI 6+ (see section 3)
Lenovo	A6000, Vibe X2	Power + Volume down	Sometimes you need to hold for 3 seconds
Sony	Xperia Z3	Power + Volume up/down	Works only when unlocked screen

If the buttons are pressed correctly, but the screenshot is not created:

• 🔋 Check the battery charge - if the level is below 5%, the function may be blocked.
• 📱 Make sure that there are no system notifications on the screen (for example, “Charging” or “Low battery”).
• 🔄 Reboot the device - sometimes it helps with temporary failures.

2. Alternative method: notification menu

On some firmware (for example, MIUI or Flyme OS) there is a separate button for screenshots in the notification panel. How to find it:

1. Swipe your finger from top to bottom to open the curtain.
2. Pull the curtain down again to open the full menu.
3. Find the “Screenshot” icon (usually looks like scissors or a rectangle with a lightning bolt).
4. Tap on it - the screen will blink and the screenshot will be saved.

⚠️ Attention: If there is no button, you can add it manually:

1. Click on the “⚙️ Edit” icon in the upper right corner of the curtain.
2. Find in the list “Screenshot” and drag it to the active area.

This method is convenient if:

• 🔑 Physical buttons do not work (for example, after dropping the phone).
• 👆 You need to take a screenshot with one hand.
• 📁 You often take pictures screen and want to speed up the process.

3. Gestures for screenshots (MIUI, EMUI, ColorOS)

Manufacturers like Xiaomi, Huawei and Oppo have added support for gestures for screenshots to their shells. On Android 5.0 this function does not work on all models, but it’s worth checking:

For Xiaomi (MIUI 6/7):

Activate the option in Settings → Advanced → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gesture. After that:

• 👉 Swipe three fingers from top to bottom across the screen.

For Huawei (EMUI 3.x):

Include in Settings → Smart controls → Movements → Screenshot. Gesture:

• 👊 Tap the screen twice with your knuckles.

⚠️ Attention: Gestures may not work:

• 🚫 On screens with protective glass (especially matte).
• 🔒 If the power saving mode is turned on.
• 🎮 In games or applications with gesture blocking (for example, PUBG or Free Fire).

Why don’t gestures work on custom firmware?

On unofficial firmware (for example, LineageOS or Resurrection Remix), gestures are often disabled by default, since they require additional drivers from the manufacturer. To activate them, you need:

1. Install the module Xposed Framework (if supported).

2. Find the module GravityBox and enable the option Extended screenshot.

3. Reboot the device.

4. works)

If standard methods do not help, use third-party utilities. We tested 10 applications and chose the 3 most reliable ones for Android 5.0:

Application	Rating	Features	Cons
Screenshot Easy	4.7	Works without root, scrolling support	Advertising in the free version
Super Screenshot	4.5	Editor built-in, saving to the cloud	Requires access to notifications
Screen Master	4.3	Light application (5 MB), no advertising	No screen recording function

How to set up Screenshot Easy (step by step):

1. Download the application from Google Play or APK file c APKPure.
2. When you first start, give permissions to Overlay on top of other windows and Access to notifications.
3. In the settings, select the activation method:
   • 🔔 Icon in the notification panel.
   • 🖱️ Floating button.
   • 🔘 Gesture (shake the phone).

Take a test screenshot - it will be saved in a folder Pictures/Screenshots.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example Banking Apps or Netflix) block the creation of screenshots for security reasons. In this case, only root access or a second phone with a camera will help.

Install the application from a trusted source|Give all requested permissions|Check for free space (minimum 100 MB)|Disable battery optimization for the application|Back up important data-->

5. Screenshot via ADB (for advanced users)

If none of the above methods worked, you can take a screenshot via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires a computer, but works even on locked or damaged devices.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ A computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).li>
• 📦 Installed ADB drivers (Android SDK).

Instructions:

1. Enable on your phone Developer mode:

   Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times)

2. Activate USB debugging in Settings → For Developers.
3. Connect your phone to your computer and confirm trust in the device.
4. Open a command line (Windows) or a terminal (Linux/macOS) and enter:

   adb devices

   Make sure your device appears in list.

5. Take a screenshot with the command:

   adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

6. Download the file to your computer:

   adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

⚠️ Attention: If the command screencap does not work, try an alternative method via adb shell uiautomator (requires additional knowledge).

6. Where to look for saved screenshots?

By default, screenshots are saved in the folder Pictures/Screenshots or DCIM/Screenshots. However, on some firmware the path may differ. Here's how to find files: Method 1: Through a file manager Explorer

Method 1: Through a file manager

Open any file management application (for example, ES Explorer or Total Commander) and follow one of the paths:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots
• 📁 /sdcard/DCIM/Screenshots
• 📁 /storage/sdcard0/Screenshots (for some Samsung)

Method 2: Through the gallery

Launch the standard application Gallery and find the “Screenshots” or “Screenshots” album. If the album is empty, check:

• 🔍 Whether hiding media files is enabled (in some launchers).
• 🗑️ Whether the folder has been cleaned DCIM via “Cleaning” garbage."

Method 3: Search by date

Use a date filter in the file manager. Screenshots usually have:

• 📅 File name: Screenshot_YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.png
• 🖼️ Resolution: corresponds to the screen resolution (for example, 1080×1920 for Full HD).

⚠️ Attention: If screenshots disappear after a reboot, check:

• 🔄 Is the automatic cache clearing function enabled in Settings → Memory.
• 🛡️ Is it blocked by an antivirus (for example, 360 Security) saving files.

7. Solving common problems

Even after successfully taking a screenshot, users encounter errors. Here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
The screenshot is not saved	Not enough space on the device	Clear the cache or transfer files to an SD card
Black screen on the screenshot	DRM blocking (for example, in Netflix)	Use a second phone or screen mirroring
There is sound, but the file no	Failure in the media scanner	Reboot the phone or launch Media storage manually
Buttons do not respond	System freeze	Hold Power 10 seconds to force reboot

If screenshots are saved in low quality:

• 🔧 Check the screen settings: Settings → Display → Resolution (should be Full HD or higher).
• 📏 Make sure that traffic saving mode is not enabled in Settings → Data transfer.

How to recover deleted screenshots?

If the files were recently deleted, try:

1. Recovery apps: DiskDigger, Recuva (requires root).

2. Checking the recycle bin in the file manager (if enabled).

3. Cloud backups (Google Photos, Dropbox).

Important: do not save new files to the device before recovery - they may overwrite deleted data.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to take a screenshot on a locked screen?

No, for security reasons Android 5.0 blocks the creation of screenshots on the lock screen. The exception is devices with root-rightswhere you can use it. applications like Screenshot Lockscreen (does not work on all models).

Why are screenshots saved in .jpg format and not .png?

Some firmware (for example, on Sony Xperia) by default save screenshots in .jpg to save space. To change the format, use third-party applications or convert files via Google Photos.

How to take a screenshot of a long page (scroll)?

There is no built-in scrolling function, but you can use applications: Android 5.0 There is no built-in scrolling function, but you can use apps:

• LongShot - supports web pages and chats.
• Stitch & Share - merges several screenshots into one.

Required for operation Android 5.1+ and access to Accessibility.

Is it possible to take a screenshot without sound?

Yes, turn off system sounds in Settings → Sound → System sounds or use applications like Screenshot Easy with the “Silent” option. On some devices, the sound is turned off automatically in silent mode.

Where can I find screenshots if the phone is connected to a computer?

When connected via USB the folder with screenshots is displayed in the section Internal memory → Pictures → Screenshots. If the folder is empty, check the connection settings (the mode must be selected File transfer (MTP)).

If your problem is not solved - describe it in the comments indicating the phone model and firmware version. We will update the article with current solutions!