How to turn on the camera Xiaomi: all the ways and hidden settings

Video recording on Xiaomi smartphones is a seemingly elementary feature, but many users face unexpected difficulties: the camera application does not respond to the press of the recording button, the video is stored in low resolution, then the sound disappears altogether, the reasons lie in both the basic settings and the proprietary “chips” of the MIUI shell, which are not always obvious.

In this article, we will not only discuss the standard way to turn on recording, but also consider the hidden parameters of the H.265 codec (HEVC), bitrate settings, as well as solving intermittent recording problems on models with a MediaTek chip. Particular attention will be paid to the differences between flagships (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra) and budget series (Redmi Note 12), where the camera functionality can be significantly different.

Basic way to include video recording

On most Xiaomi smartphones, video recording is run through the standard Camera app. Here's a step-by-step algorithm:

1. Open the Camera app (the lens icon on the home screen or in the app menu).
2. Switch to video mode: swipe your finger left across the screen or tap the video in the bottom panel.
3. Press the red recording button (round icon in the center of the screen) and the recording will start with the timer counting.
4. To stop, re-press the same button. The video will automatically be saved to the gallery.

On models with MIUI 14+ (e.g. Xiaomi 13T Pro), the current resolution indicator (e.g. 4K@30fps) can be displayed in the upper right corner. If it is not, then the camera is operating automatically with optimal settings for your device.

Battery charge > 20% (video uses a lot of power)

Free storage space > 1 GB (for 4K recording)

Power saving mode is off.

Microphone not silenced (check the sound slider)-->

If the recording button is inactive (grey), the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔋 Low battery (less than 5%) Some models block recording to avoid a sudden shutdown.
• 📱 CPU overheating. On the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and similar devices, at temperatures above 45 °C, the camera automatically turns off video capture.
• 💾 There is not enough space on the internal drive or SD- card (requires a minimum of 500 MB for HD- video).

Set up recording parameters: resolution, FPS, stabilization

By default, Xiaomi’s camera chooses the middle ground between the quality and the size of the file, but these options can be changed.

1. Open the Camera app and go to Video mode.
2. Touch the gear ⚙️ in the upper right corner (or swipe up the screen on some models).
3. Select Video Resolution or Video Quality.

The options available depend on the smartphone model. For example, on the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, you can choose:

On budget models (e.g. Redmi 10A), the 4K option may not be available due to the limitations of the Helio G25 processor. Also note the bitrate - it affects video detail. In manual mode (if supported), you can set a value of up to 50 Mbps for 4K.

Full HD (1080p)

4K (2160p)

HD (720p)

8K (if supported)

I don't know.-->

For smooth shooting, turn on stabilization:

1. In the video settings, look for Stabilization or EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization).
2. Choose Super EIS or Super EIS (on flagships).

⚠️ Note: When activating Super EIS The field of view is slightly cut (about 10-15%), but the camera's jitter is minimized, which is critical for filming with motion.

Recording with sound: microphones and noise cancellation

By default, Xiaomi’s camera records sound through the main microphone, but on flagship models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro) there are additional options available:

• 🎤 Stereosound: uses both microphones to create surround sound (includes in video settings).
• 🔇 Noise reduction: filters background noise (only in 1080p@30fps and below mode).
• 📱 Directed sound: amplifies voice from the camera direction (useful for interviews).

To check the microphones:

1. Start recording the video in a quiet room.
2. Put your hands on the top and bottom of the smartphone.
3. Listen to the recording: the sound should be equally clear on both sides.

If the sound is absent or distorted:

• Check to see if the microphones are covered with a cover or fingers (on the Redmi Note 11, the main microphone is located at the bottom next to the USB-C connector).
• Turn off Bluetooth headphones – they can automatically intercept the audio stream.
• Reset the camera settings: Settings → Apps → Camera → Storage → Clear the data.

💡

If you're recording a concert or a high-profile event, reduce the sensitivity of the microphone in manual settings (Record Level) to prevent distortion from overloading.

Hidden functions: background recording and gestures

The MIUI shell offers several non-obvious video recording capabilities that make shooting easier:

1. Background recording: Some models (e.g. POCO F5) can roll the camera app and record it. To do this: Settings → Special Features → Record video in the background Limit: only works at a resolution of up to 1080p@30fps.
2. Quick Record Start: Twice press the volume button to instantly open the camera and start recording (configured in Settings → Buttons and gestures).
3. Voice control: Say “OK, Google, start recording video” (requires to activate voice assistant in settings).

On models with MIUI 13+, the Long-Release Record function is available - the video is automatically divided into segments by 4 GB (for compatibility with the FAT32 file system on SD- cards).

Camera settings → Additional → Separate video → Off.

Solving video recording problems

If your Xiaomi camera refuses to record video or makes errors, use this guide:

Models running a MediaTek processor (e.g., Redmi Note 10 Pro) have a problem with twitching video when shooting in 4K@60fps. This is due to the limitations of the APU video core.

1. Set the resolution 4K@30fps or 1080p@60fps.
2. Turn off HDR in the video settings.
3. Update your firmware to the latest version of MIUI (new versions optimized for MediaTek Helio).

⚠️ Warning: On some models (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi K40) the 4K option may disappear after manual firmware update via fastboot.In this case, you need to reset the camera settings via ADB: adb shell pm clear com.android.camera

Where are the videos stored and how to transfer them

By default, the video is saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera/

or on the SD- card:

/storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM/Camera/

(where XXXX-XXXX is the memory card identifier).

To change the place of conservation:

1. Open the camera → Settings → Save Place.
2. Choose the internal memory or SD-map (if installed).
3. For records in 8K or 4K@60fps, internal memory is recommended (SD-Z U1 cards may not be able to cope with high bitrate).

To transfer the video to the computer:

• 🖥️ Connect your smartphone to USB in File Transfer mode (MTP).
• 📁 Copy files from the DCIM/Camera folder.
• 🔄 For large files (8K), use Wi-Fi Direct or cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive).

💡

Videos in HEVC (H.265) format may not play on older computers. Convert them to H.264 using applications like VLC or HandBrake for compatibility.

Additional applications for recording video

If Xiaomi’s standard camera doesn’t suit you, consider alternative apps with advanced features:

Alternative cameras may require unlocking the Camera2 API (which is often disabled on budget models) and can be checked using the Camera2 API Probe app from Google Play.

If a third-party camera is installed, the video is recorded in a green shade, it means that the application does not work correctly with the Qualcomm Snapdragon or MediaTek processor.

• Turn off HDR in the application settings.
• Set the manual white balance (WB) to 5000K.
• Update your camera drivers through the Mi Flash Tool (power users only).

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording video on Xiaomi