How to record video on Xiaomi: from basic settings to shooting in 8K

Recording video on Xiaomi smartphones is a process that seems simple only at first glance. In fact, even the budget models of the Redmi series offer dozens of hidden features, from stabilization to manual exposure settings. And flagships like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra or MIX Fold 3 are able to shoot in 8K with Dolby Vision support. But how not to get confused with this variety of features?

In this article, we will not only examine the basic steps (how to turn on the camera and press the recording button), but also professional techniques, which will teach you how to shoot with the effect of film, use external microphones, adjust manual focus and even record video from the screen without loss of quality, and also the typical errors that spoil the quality of the videos, and how to avoid them.

1. Preparation of the smartphone for video shooting

Before you press the red button, make sure your Xiaomi is ready to record, even the most advanced camera won’t save you if your phone runs out of space or the battery is drained to 10%.

Clean 5+ GB of memory (video in 4K takes ~400 MB/min)

Charge the battery to at least 50% (shooting in 8K discharges the smartphone in 1.5 hours)

Update the Camera app to the latest version in Google Play

Disable notifications (so they don’t get into the frame)

Check the purity of the lenses (even the fingerprint reduces the clarity by 30%)-->

Pay special attention to the memory of the device. Video in 1080p resolution at 60 fps "eats" about 130 MB / min, and 4K@30fps - already 375 MB / min. If you plan to shoot for a long time, transfer photos and applications to Mi Cloud or Google Photos in advance. Otherwise, the camera can interrupt the recording at the most critical moment.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) when shooting in the film 8K The phone gets very hot. If the body temperature exceeds 45.°C, the camera will automatically lower the resolution to 4K To avoid this, use a cooling case or take breaks every 10 minutes.

2. Basic camera settings for recording video

The Camera app on Xiaomi offers three video recording modes that swipe across the screen:

• 🎥 Video is the standard mode with automatic settings. It's good for fast shooting.
• 📽️ Short video – optimized for social networks (9:16 format, duration up to 15 seconds).
• 🎬 Professional Video – Manual Customization ISO, exposure, white balance and focus.

To change the resolution and frame rate, click on the gear icon in the upper right corner and select Video Resolution. The options available depend on the model:

On models that support Dolby Vision (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro), video is automatically saved in a 10-bit format, which gives 64% more color shades compared to the standard 8-bit HDR. However, such files weigh 20-30% more and may not be played on older devices.

1080p (Full HD)

4K (Ultra HD)

8K (for professional photography only)

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3. Professional modes: manual settings

If you want to control every shot setting, go to Professional Video (available on Snapdragon 8xx or Dimensity 9xxx models).

• 📸 ISO — sensitivity of the matrix to light (values from 100 to 6400). ISO Digital noises appear, but you can shoot in the dark.
• ⏱️ The time of the shutter is the time for which the shutter is opened (from the 1/8000down 1/3The short shutter speed freezes the motion, the long shutter speed freezes the motion, and the long shutter speed freezes the motion.
• 🎯 Focus – manual focusing over distance (from 10 cm to ∞). Useful for macro photography or when autofocus "does not understand" what to shoot.
• 🔄 White balance - correction of color temperature (from 2500K — warm light, until 7500K — cold).

For film-like video, use the 180° shutter angle rule: shutter speeds should be twice as short as the frame-to-frame interval. For example, 24 fps gives you an optimal shutter speed of 1/48s. On Xiaomi, you can set this value manually or select a pre-profile of Cinema in the settings.

4. Video stabilization: how to avoid "shaking" footage

Even stable hands do not guarantee smooth shooting – for this Xiaomi provides several types of stabilization:

• 🤳 Electronic (EIS) — It cuts the edges of the frame to smooth out the jitter, works in all modes, but reduces the angle of view on the frame. 10-15%.
• 🔄 Hybrid (OIS + EIS) — combines optical lens stabilization and software processing. Available on flagships (Xiaomi) 12S Ultra, 13 Pro and newer).
• 🎥 Super Steady - Enhanced stabilization for dynamic scenes (e.g., shooting from a run) is enabled in the video settings as a separate mode.

For maximum smoothness, use an external stabilizer (for example, DJI OM 6) or a tripod mount. If there is no stabilizer, hold the phone with both hands, elbows in the case. And you can also turn on the grid in the camera settings, which will help to comply with the rule of thirds and avoid tilting the horizon.

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On models with a wide-angle camera (for example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+), stabilization works worse than on the main one. If you want smooth shooting, use the main module, even if it has a lower viewing angle.

5.Recording video from the Xiaomi screen (without root)

If you need to record gameplay, stream or instructions for setting up your phone, use the built-in Screen Record feature, which is available on all Xiaomi with MIUI 12 and later.

1. Swipe down the notification bar and find the Screen Record icon (if not, click Edit and add to the panel).
2. Select the recording resolution (720p, 1080p or 2K – depending on the model).
3. Activate sound recording from the microphone or system sounds (or both at the same time).
4. Press Start and confirm the start of the recording (the countdown timer will appear 3 seconds).

The finished video will be saved in the ScreenRecords folder in the gallery. Please note: 4K screen recording is only available on flagships (Xiaomi 13/14 series, MIX Fold). On budget models, the maximum resolution is 1080p.

⚠️ Note: When recording screens in games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) may be experiencing a drawdown FPS on 10-15%. This is because the Snapdragon or Dimensity processor processes the game and encodes the video at the same time.To reduce the lags, close the background apps and turn on the performance mode in Settings. → Battery.

6 Advanced Techniques: Timelapse, Slow Motion, Night Mode

Xiaomi smartphones support several special video modes, which are usually hidden in the submenu:

• ⏳ Timelapse is a recording between frames, such as sunset. 2 hourly 10-Second video. Available intervals: 1 frame/second, 1 frame/2 seconds, etc.
• 🐢 Slow-motion (Slo-Mo) – Recording with frequency 120 fps, 240 fps, 480 fps 960 fps (on flagships) And the video is played in the end. 4-8 slowly.
• 🌙 Night mode for video - improves detail in the dark due to multi-frame processing, works only when the phone is manually fixed (for example, on a tripod).
• 🎭 Double exposure – overlaying two videos in one frame (available on Xiaomi 13 Ultra and newer).

To capture slow-motion video, go to Slo-Mo mode and select the desired frame rate. Note that at 960 fps, the resolution automatically decreases to 720p, and the recording time is limited to 10 seconds (due to overheating of the processor). To get the maximum quality, shoot at 1080p@240fps, which is enough for most tasks.

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For smooth timelapse, use a tripod and a minimum of 2 seconds between frames, otherwise the video will twitch, especially when shooting clouds or moving objects.

7.Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that spoil videos, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔊 Wind noise into the microphone -- you get outdoors, so you use an external microphone, like Boya. BY-M1) Or put a foam nozzle on the built-in microphone.
• 🌡️ Overheating of the phone - with a long record in 4K/8K case may heat up to 50°C. Solution: Take breaks every time 15 For a minute or use a cooling cover.
• 📱 Autofocus breathes, the camera is constantly refocusing. Solution: lock the focus by holding your finger on the screen until the label appears. AF Lock.
• 🎞️ Torn sound - due to compression of the audio codec. Solution: in the video settings, select High audio quality (available on flagships).

Another common problem is color mismatch between frames, which is due to automatic white balance, so to avoid color spikes, manually record white balance.

1. Go to Professional Video.
2. Click on the WB (white balance) icon.
3. Select a value in Kelvin (e.g. 5500K for daylight) or hover your camera over a white sheet of paper and tap Manual Set.

8. editing and saving video

After shooting, the video is automatically saved to the DCIM → Camera or Movies folder. However, raw material often needs to be reworked. For basic editing (short-up, overlay, adding subtitles), you can use the built-in Video app from Xiaomi:

• 🎨 Filters - Preliminary Styles (Vivid, Cinematic, Retro).

For professional editing, it is better to use CapCut, KineMaster or Adobe Premiere Rush. These applications support 4K and HDR video, as well as offering tools for color correction and stabilization.

If you need to compress the video to send to the messenger, use the Video Compress app or the built-in feature in Google Photos (Save space). Telegram/WhatsApp:

• Resolution: 1280×720 (720p)
• Bitrate: 5 Mbps
• Format: MP4 (H.264)

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When exporting videos to editors, always choose the settings that match the source material. For example, if you shot in 4K@30fps, you need to render in the same resolution and frame rate, otherwise the quality will deteriorate due to recompression.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording video on Xiaomi