How to completely remove screen recording in the background on Xiaomi: from system services to malicious applications

Recording screens in the background on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most controversial features of MIUI, which raises questions among users. On the one hand, it is a useful tool for debugging, creating guides or saving important points. On the other hand, a potential threat to privacy if the recording is conducted without your knowledge. In this article, we will understand how the background recording works on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices, what applications can activate it, and most importantly, how to completely disable this process, including hidden system services.

The problem is complicated by the fact that in MIUI, screen recording can be run not only through the standard Screen recording application, but also through third-party utilities, system debuggers (for example, Game Turbo or Security), as well as malware. We will consider all possible scenarios: from obvious settings to profound changes in ADB and Developer Options. Particular attention will be paid to models on MIUI 14/15, where the logic of the background processes has changed.

1. Checking active screen recording: where to look?

Before you turn off the recording, you need to make sure it's actually being done, and there are a few places in MIUI where you can check the activity of this process:

• 📱 Notification panel: Swipe down and look for the record icon (usually a red dot or video camera icon) and on some firmware it may be hidden under the button.
• ⚙️ Settings → Special facilities → Screen recording: All active sessions, including system sessions, are displayed here.
• 🔍 Task Manager: Open with a long press on the recent button and check the list of running processes for the presence of com.miui.screenrecorder.
• 📁 Explorer: Recorded files are usually saved in a folder Movies/ScreenRecords or DCIM/Screenshots (If the recording is done through screenshots).

If there's no badge in the notifications, but you suspect the record, check the hidden processes.

1. Go to Settings → About phone and tap the MIUI version 5 times to activate Developer Mode.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and turn on Do not turn off the screen when connecting to ADB.
3. Connect the phone to your PC and type the command: adb shell dumpsys media.projection If the answer has a line mCurrentProjectionToken with a value of not null, then the record is active.

2. disable standard screen recording in MIUI

If you're recording through the built-in Screen recording app (the camera icon in the Quick Settings panel), you can turn it off with standard means.

• 🛑 Through the notification bar: swipe down and tap the record icon (if any) this will terminate the current session, but does not guarantee that the record will not start again.
• ❌ Deletion of the annex: in MIUI Screen Recorder system application cannot be removed without root rights, but you can disable: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management. Find Screen Recorder (or Screen Recorder!).
• 🔧 Quick access settings: Remove the record button from the notification bar to avoid accidentally activating it: Swipe down twice to open the full panel. Tap the pencil icon (Edit). Find the screen entry and drag it to Unused.

Important: Even after turning off, the application can be launched via hotkeys (e.g. Volume up + Power on some models) to prevent this:

1. Go to Settings → Buttons and gestures → Quick keys.
2. Find the combination to record the screen and turn it off.

3. System services that can record the screen

MIUI has several built-in services that can record screens without you knowing them, and they are harder to detect because they don’t always appear in the notification panel.

On Xiaomi 13/14 models with MIUI 15, Game Turbo recording can be activated automatically when running games from the “optimized” list (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG).

1. Open the Game Turbo from the notification panel (gamepad icon).
2. Go to Settings → Screen recording.
3. Turn off the Auto Recording and Sound Recording options.
4. Remove games from the list of optimized in Settings → Applications → Battery Management → Applications selection.

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If you still record after you turn off Game Turbo, check the settings of a particular game. Some titles (like Call of Duty Mobile) have a built-in recording feature that works independently of system settings.

4. Search and remove third-party spy apps

If you're recording a screen without your consent, malware may be the culprit, and in MIUI, these apps are often disguised as:

• 🔋 "Battery Optimizers (e.g. Battery Doctor, DU Battery Saver).
• 📱 "Launchers” (fake versions) MIUI Launcher or Nova Launcher).
• 🎮 "Cheats for games (e.g. GameGuardian, Lucky Patcher).
• 🔒 "VPN-Customers" (especially unknown, such as Turbo" VPN or SuperVPN).

To find and remove such applications:

1. Check for special features: Go to Settings → Special features → Installed services. Disable permissions for suspicious applications (especially those that request Screen capture or Action Watch).
2. Use built-in antivirus: Open Security → Scan. Run Deep Verification (not fast!) Delete anything labeled RiskWare or Spyware.
3. Check Autoboot: In Settings → Apps → Autoboot Disable Autostart for Unknown Apps.

List of well-known spy apps for Xiaomi (2023-2026):

• 🚨 Clean Master (up to 7.4.10) – Records screen for performance analysis".
• 🚨 ES File Explorer (versions 4.2.0.1–4.2.0.5) – contains a screencasting module.
• 🚨 UC Browser (in some regional builds) – can record activity in the browser.
• 🚨 SHAREit (up to 6.0) - transfers not only files, but screenshots.

5.Deep Cleanup: ADB and Developer Options

If standard methods don't work, you'll have to use a developer tool, which is a good way for power users, and requires a PC connection.

Step 1: Disable media projection through ADB:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Connect the phone to your computer and allow debugging over USB.
3. Enter commands in order: adb shell su pm revoke com.miui.screenrecorder android.permission.MEDIA_PROJECTION pm revoke com.miui.securitycenter android.permission.MEDIA_PROJECTION pm revoke com.miui.optimization android.permission.CAPTURE_VIDEO_OUTPUT

Step 2: Blocking through Developer Options:

1. Activate Developer Mode (as described above).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find and Disable: Debug over USB (security settings) Allow screen capture Allow action monitoring

Network settings

Sending error reports

Step 3: Resetting special features settings (if recorded through them):

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Reset.
3. Confirm the action. This will remove all permissions for third-party services.

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Disabling via ADB is the most reliable way, but requires re-execution after resetting settings or updating MIUI.

Hardware methods: what to do if the recording is conducted at the firmware level

On some Xiaomi models (especially corporate or Chinese), the screen recording can be sewn into firmware.

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro (versions for China with the MIUI CN).
• 📱 Redmi K40 Gaming Edition (has a built-in gaming recorder).
• 📱 POCO F3 GT (firmware MIUI 13.0.4).
• 📱 Black Shark (all models - recorded in Shark Space).

In such cases, only:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from en.miui.com. Use the Mi Flash Tool for installation (instructions on Xiaomi.eu).
2. Install custom recavator (TWRP) and uninstall system applications: Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool. Install TWRP and delete folders through it: /system/priv-app/ScreenRecorder /system/priv-app/GameTurbo
3. Magisk modules: Install Magisk and Disable Screen Recording module (available on XDA).

⚠️ Warning: Flashing and unlocking the bootloader resets all data and can result in a Mi Account lock for 7 days. On models with Anti-Rollback (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro), the wrong firmware turns the phone into a brick".

7. How to prevent the recording from being re-enacted

Even after the screen is turned off, the screen recording can be activated again after the MIUI update or new applications are installed.

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system. → Settings → Turn off Automatic Booting.
• 🛡️ Use firewall to block suspicious processes: Install NetGuard or AFWall+ (Block Internet access for com.miui.screenrecorder and com.miui.optimization.
• 📦 Control the installation of applications: C Settings → Security → Settings enable Installation Check for Unknown Applications. Disable Installation APK browser-based.
• 🔍 Check active processes regularly: Use Simple Task Manager (from F-Droid) to monitor background tasks. Pay attention to processes called media.projection, screenrecord, or capture.

List of applications for monitoring screen activity:

8 What to do if nothing helps?

If you’ve tried all the ways, but the screen recording continues, it’s possible:

• 🕵️‍♂️ Device hacked (installed spyware at kernel level).
• 🏢 This is a forced-record corporate phone (e.g., via MobileIron or VMware Workspace). ONE).
• 🔧 Hardware malfunction (for example, chip failure) DSP, video-processing).