How to put a timer on a video on a Xiaomi phone: 5 proven ways

Why you need timers for video on Xiaomi and what opportunities they open up

Recording latency videos on Xiaomi smartphones is a feature that will come in handy in dozens of situations, from shooting blogger videos without an assistant to fixing rare natural phenomena when you need to have time to prepare. Unlike a phototimer, a video timer on Redmi, POCO or flagships of the series Mi/Xiaomi It's often overlooked -- it's not on the camera's home screen, but it's hidden under the unobvious settings. 12 or POCO X5 keep up the delay 10 Seconds, and advanced versions MIUI allow you to adjust multiple shootings at intervals.

But there's a caveat: depending on the firmware version and the phone model, the algorithm for turning on the timer can be radically different. MIUI 14 option available directly in the camera interface, and on Redmi 10A s MIUI 12.5, you'll have to look for it in additional settings or install third-party applications. This article covers all the current ways, from standard tools to workarounds for older devices.

We will focus on three key scenarios:

🎥 Self-shooting (for example, for TikTok or YouTube without an operator)
🕒 Automatic start of recording at a given time (for observation or timelapses)
🔄 Interval shooting with pauses (to create videos from fragments)

📊 Why you most often use a video timer on a smartphone?

For blogging videos

For family videos

For nature/animal photography

For surveillance (nanny, security)

I haven't used it before.

Method 1: Built-in timer in standard Xiaomi camera

On most modern smartphones Xiaomi (starting with the MIUI 12) The video timer is built into the Camera app, but its location varies. (Xiaomi 14, 13T Pro timer icon appears immediately after switching to video mode, and on budget models (Redmi) A2, POCO M5) It needs to be manually activated.

Instructions for MIUI 13/14:

Open the Camera app and switch to Video mode (swipe sideways or tap on the label "Video").
In the upper right corner, find the icon. ⏱️ (If it's not there, tap it. ⚙️ Settings → Additionally. → Turn on the timer switch.
After activating the timer, select the delay: options are usually available for 3 seconds, 5 seconds or 10 seconds.
Press the red recording button - the countdown will begin immediately, and the countdown animation will appear on the screen.

Important: on some models (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro) the timer works only for photos, and for video it has to be turned on through Professional Mode (Pro).

In the camera, go to Pro (or Manual) mode.
Select the type of shooting from above – Video.
Slap the icon. ⏱️ and set the delay.

☑️ Checking before shooting with a timer

Make sure the phone is fixed (status/support)Check the lighting (autofocus may be lost)Turn off battery savings (so as not to interrupt recording)Transparent Camera Cache (Settings) → Annexes → Camera. → Memory)

Done: 0 / 4

If you're in your version MIUI There is no built-in timer for video, go to the next method - there are considered alternatives.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 11 and below, the built-in timer for video may not be available at all, in which case only third-party software or firmware updates will help.

Method 2: Timer through Interval Shooting (for timelapses)

If you need to not just delay recording, but create video at intervals (for example, for sunset timelapse or construction), use Interval mode. MIUI 12+, It is also included in the menu (or in the menu).

How to set up:

Open the camera. → Swipe left to the section More (or tap three points) ⋮).
Select Interval (or Timelapse)
Press on. ⚙️ Settings and installing: 🕐 Interval between frames (from 0.5 to 60 seconds) ⏱️ Start delay (up to 10 seconds) 🎞️ Duration of recording (or manual mode)

Start shooting – the phone will automatically take photos at a given interval, and then collect them in video.

Parameter	Recommended values	What's the point?
Interval 0.5-2 seconds	3 seconds delay	Fast processes (cooking, constructor assembly)
5-10 sec interval	5 seconds delay	Traffic, people in the frame
30-60 sec interval	Delay 10 seconds.	Long processes (construction, plant growth)

The finished video is saved in the folder DCIM → Camera → TimeLapse: It can be edited in the Gallery or third-party applications (e.g. CapCut or KineMaster).

💡

If shooting is interrupted due to a screen lock, add the Camera app to the battery optimization exceptions: → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Camera. → No restrictions.

Method 3: Third-party applications for extended timer

If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t work (e.g., you need a delay of more than 10 seconds or multiple shooting), use specialized applications. We tested 5 popular solutions, the best of which support:

⏰ Delay up to 60 seconds
🔁 Multiple pause shots
📹 Configure permission and bitrate
🎤 Separate timer for sound (e.g. for podcasts)

Top.-3 apps:

Annex	Advantages	Deficiencies
Camera Timer	Simple interface, support 4K, free-to-play	No manual focusing.
Delay Camera	Timer up to 60 seconds, shooting on schedule, support RAW	Premium version of the paid version for 4K
Open Camera	Open source, no restrictions, support for external microphones	A complex interface for beginners

Instructions for Open Camera (the most functional option):

Install the app from Google Play or APKMirror (if you don’t have access to Google services).
Open Open Camera and switch to video mode (icon) 🎥).
Tap it on. ⚙️ Settings → Delay timer and select value (up to 60 seconds).
For interval shooting, turn on Repeat mode and set a pause between the rollers.
Press the red button and the countdown will begin, and after recording the video will be saved to the folder. DCIM/OpenCamera.

How to get around restrictions MIUI third-camera?

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) MIUI It blocks access to the camera for third-party applications to fix this: 1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Permits → Camera. 2. Find Open Camera (or other app) and enable full access. 3. If the option is not available, try to disable it. MIUI Optimization through ADB-Command: Adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics Attention: This may disrupt some system functions!

⚠️ Note: When using third-party cameras on Xiaomi with MediaTek processors (e.g., Redmi Note 12 on Helio) G88) Video stabilization may worsen. In this case, lower the resolution to 1080p Or use a built-in camera.

Method 4: Timer via Google Assistant (voice control)

Few people know, but Google Assistant on Xiaomi can run video recording with a voice command latency.This is convenient if your hands are busy or your phone is out of reach.The feature works on all smartphones with Google Mobile Services (including Google Mobile Services). POCO X5 Pro and Xiaomi 12T).

How to set up:

Activate Google Assistant with a long press on the Home button or a voice command “OK, Google.”
Say, “Run a video with a 10 second delay.”
The assistant will open the camera, switch to video mode and activate the timer.
To stop recording, say, "Stop recording."

Limitations of the method:

❌ It only works with a standard Xiaomi camera (does not support third-party apps).
❌ Maximum delay: 10 seconds (depending on the version of Google App).
❌ On some models (e.g. Redmi) 10C) Voice commands may conflict with MIUI Voice Assistant.

If the voice assistant doesn't recognize the command, check:

🔊 Is microphone access enabled for Google App (Settings) → Annexes → Google → Permits).
🌐 Is the phone connected to the Internet (commands are processed on Google servers).
📱 Is the firmware updated (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).

💡

Voice timer via Google Assistant is the fastest way, but it depends on the stability of the Internet connection and the correct operation of Google services on your Xiaomi.

Method 5: Automation with MacroDroid (for advanced users)

If you need to set up a complex scenario (such as running a record by time of day or when connecting to a charger), use MacroDroid, which allows you to create automatic rules (macros) for any action, including working with the camera.

Example of macros for recording video on a schedule:

Install MacroDroid from Google Play.
Create a new macro and add a Trigger → Time/Date → specify the right time.
Add Action. → Launch of the application → select the Camera.
Add another Action. → Press the screen. → specify the coordinates of the record button (you need to determine in advance through the Help mode in MacroDroid).
Save the macro and activate it.

Advantages of the method:

🕒 Time accuracy (even seconds can be specified).
🔄 Support for repetitive tasks (e.g., write every day at 18:00).
📱 It works in the background (does not require unlocking the phone).

Disadvantages:

⚙️ Difficulty setting up for beginners (you need to know the coordinates of the buttons).
🔋 Increased battery consumption (with constant monitoring of triggers).

💡

To determine the coordinates of the recording button in the camera, turn on MacroDroid mode Help. → Show coordinates, then tap the button – the application will show the exact values for the macro.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14 and new security policies MacroDroid may require permission to access Special access (Settings) → Special facilities → MacroDroid. Without this, the macros with the camera won't work.

Solving the problem: why the video timer doesn’t work

If the timer doesn’t work or the recording is interrupted, check these points:

Problem.	Possible cause	Decision
Timer's not running.	Limitations MIUI third-camera	Give permission to Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Additionally. → All permissions.
The recording ends in 5-10 seconds.	Optimizing the battery	Add the camera to exceptions: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Camera. → No restrictions.
No sound in the recorded video.	Microphone locked	Check the permissions for the microphone and clear the camera cache
The timer is working, but the recording doesn't start.	Memory deficit	Clear space in Settings → Change the memory or change the way you save it SD-map

On Xiaomi devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) when using a timer in the 4K overheating may occur - in this case, forcibly limit the resolution to 1080p camera-setting.

If the problem is not resolved:

🔄 Reboot the phone.
🗑️ Clear the camera cache: Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Memory. → Clear the cache.
📥 Update the firmware: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the video timer on Xiaomi

Can I put a timer for more than 10 seconds in a standard Xiaomi camera?

No, in most versions. MIUI Maximum delay: 10 seconds. For more latency, use third-party apps like Open Camera (up to 60 seconds) or Delay Camera.

Why does the timer work for photos but not for videos?

This is a firmware restriction on some models (e.g. Redmi). 9C or POCO M3). Solutions: Update MIUI Use Pro mode in the camera (if available). Install a third-party camera with video timer support.

How do you make sure that video is automatically recorded at the same time every day?

This is the case with MacroDroid (Section 5 in the article) or Tasker, which is the time trigger and action trigger, and the alternative is to use a surveillance camera (e.g., AlfredCamera) that supports the schedule.

Can I use a video timer on Xiaomi without the internet?

Yes, all of the methods described (except for voice commands via Google Assistant) work offline. Google Assistant requires the Internet only to recognize the command - the recording itself occurs locally.

Where are the videos recorded with the timer stored?

Standard videos are saved in DCIM/Camera, timelapses DCIM/Camera/TimeLapse, a records from third-party applications (such as Open Camera) in their own folders (usually DCIM/OpenCamera). The path can be changed in the camera settings.