Xiaomi’s current smartphones, powered by MIUI shells and the new HyperOS, offer users powerful tools to create content straight out of the box. One of the most sought-after features is the ability to capture what’s happening on the display without having to install third-party software. This is especially true for gamers looking to save their wins or bloggers creating training videos. The built-in screencaster is stable and has minimal impact on device performance.
The activation process may not seem obvious to beginners, since by default the icon is often hidden in the notification curtain. However, once you set up quick access, you can start recording literally in one touch. It is important to understand that the system allows you to flexibly adjust the sound sources, resolution and frame rate, which makes the process professional. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of working with this tool.
Sometimes users are faced with situations where recording is interrupted or no sound is being made, this may be due to the limitations of the Android operating system or specific privacy settings. Understanding these mechanisms will allow you to avoid common errors and always get quality results. Let's dive into the technical details of your device's customization.
Where to find and how to activate the screen recording function
The first thing a Redmi or Poco smartphone owner needs to do is find the tool itself. Unlike some other brands, there's no separate app in the menu. All the magic is concentrated in the control panel. To get to it, you need to swipe the notification curtain from top to bottom. If you don't see the icon right away, look for a pencil button or three dots in the corner of the Quick Setting menu.
You click on editing, and you'll see a list of all the widgets that are available, and you'll find an icon called Screen Record or Screencaster, and drag it to the active zone, and now with every swipe you'll have instant access to the function, which is a basic step that saves time in the future.
It's worth noting that in some regions or versions of the firmware, the name may differ, for example, in global versions of MIUI, it may be called "Screen Recorder." Don't worry, the functionality does not change. After adding a shortcut, you can start fine-tuning the parameters before shooting.
Setting up the quality and format of video
Before you start shooting, it's important to set the output settings. Go to the recorder settings (usually through the gear icon in the recording interface). Here you'll find a choice of resolution. The standard for most modern screens is 1080p, but if your phone supports 2K or 4K, you can choose them too. However, remember that high resolution greatly increases the file size.
The second critical parameter is frame rate. For static images or tutorials, 30 fps is enough. But if you plan to record dynamic games or videos with fast animation, be sure to switch to 60 fps. This will ensure smoothness of the picture and no jerks when playing. Bitrate also plays a role: the higher it is, the better the quality, but more weight.
Focus on video orientation: The orientation fix feature allows you to force a video to be recorded in portrait or landscape mode, regardless of how you hold your phone when you start recording, and it's convenient for creating content for a specific platform, such as vertical videos for TikTok or horizontal ones for YouTube.
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If you're writing gameplay, select the H.265 (HEVC) codec in the settings if available, which will keep the quality high with a smaller file size, saving the device's memory.
Sound: microphone and system sounds
One of the most difficult things to do when screencasting is to set up the audio correctly. Android has strict rules regarding recording internal audio. In the audio settings, you can usually choose between three modes: "Microphone", "System sounds" or "Both sources." The choice depends on your goal.
If you're recording a video call or a voice comment, choose a microphone, in which case the phone will capture all the sounds around you, including keyboard noise or conversations in the room. For pure game sound without extraneous noise, you'd better choose system sounds, but learn that in some applications (for example, messengers), internal sound recording can be blocked for security reasons.
⚠️ Note: When you try to record a video call to WhatsApp or Telegram with the system audio option enabled, the video can be recorded without the interlocutor’s audio track due to Android privacy policies.
For bloggers who combine screenplay and voice, the ideal option is the "Microphone and speakers" mode, if it is available in your version of HyperOS. Otherwise you will have to choose a priority. Also remember to check the volume level so that the recording is not too quiet or, conversely, does not go into "clipping" (distortion).
Using a front camera and drawing on the screen
The functionality of the built-in app is not limited to just capturing a picture. Many Xiaomi models allow you to display an image from the front camera in the corner of the screen at the same time, which creates a picture-in-picture effect and is ideal for reactive videos or live comments on what is happening on the screen.
You can also use annotation tools as you write, and by clicking on a floating menu, you can pick a marker or a pencil and draw directly over the image, which is a great way to highlight important buttons in a training video or to highlight details in a game, and all of your actions will be saved in the final video.
Keep in mind that turning on the camera and drawing in real time puts a lot of work on the processor. If you notice a drop in FPS, try lowering the recording quality or closing the background applications.
- 📱 PiP (Picture-in-Picture) mode allows viewers to see your reaction in real time.
- ✏️ Drawing tools are automatically hidden seconds after the last touch so as not to block the view.
- 🎥 You can switch between camera and drawing on the fly without interrupting the recording.
☑️ Checking before recording a long video
Comparison of built-in recorder and third-party applications
While Xiaomi’s standard solution covers 95% of users’ needs, there are situations where more advanced tools are needed. Third-party apps from Google Play, such as AZ Screen Recorder or Mobizen, offer features that may not be available in stock firmware, such as a built-in transition editor or streaming directly to Twitch.
But third-party software has its downsides: it often contains ads, requires extra permissions, and can put a lot of stress on the system, causing heat, and the built-in recorder is optimized for the hardware of your smartphone and works at the system level, which guarantees a better tab.
| Parameter | Built-in Xiaomi recorder | Third-party annexes |
|---|---|---|
| Stability of work | High (systemic level) | Medium (depending on optimization) |
| Advertising | Absent. | Often present in the free version |
| Recording of internal sound | Supported by Android 10+ | Supported |
| Extended effects | Basic set | Wide selection of filters and frames |
If you just need to quickly screen an in-game bug or show a friend how to set up an app, the built-in tool is more than enough. It requires no installation, has no watermarks and is immediately integrated into the gallery. Using third-party software is only justified for professional streaming or specific editing tasks.
Why do some apps have a black screen instead of a recording?
Where records are stored and how to edit them
Once the process is complete, the file is automatically saved to the gallery, and the MIUI and HyperOS shells create a separate album called Screencasts or Screen Records to keep them from mixing with normal photos. The path to the file system is usually /DCIM/ScreenRecorder/.
The built-in video editor allows you to do basic trimming of the beginning and end of the video, which is very convenient to remove the time of preparation for recording. Also available is the function of adding music or changing the cover of the video. For more serious editing, overlaying texts or special effects, it is better to export the file to a full editor on a PC or use mobile applications like CapCut.
Remember to clean up your records folder periodically. High-resolution videos take up a lot of space; if your phone's memory gets crowded, your system may start to work slowly or stop writing new content altogether; and it's a good habit to regularly back up important files to the cloud or computer.
⚠️ Note: When deleting records through the file manager, make sure you don't delete the entire system folder, otherwise the recording application may stop saving new files correctly.
Solution: Why the record doesn't work
Sometimes users find that the recording either doesn't start or stops after a few seconds, most often due to a lack of RAM. Android aggressively unloads background processes. If you run a heavy game, the recorder can be closed by the system to free up resources.
Another common problem is the lack of permissions. When you first run, the app might have requested access to a microphone or storage, and if you accidentally refused, the function won't work correctly. Check the application settings, find Screen Record, and make sure all permission sliders are active. Also helps is a smartphone reboot, which resets temporary system errors.
In rare cases, the problem lies in the overcrowded cache of the service. Clearing the data of the recorder application (not the gallery, but the recording service) can help. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications → Screen recording → Clear the data. This will not delete your videos, but reset the program to the factory settings.
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If the recording is constantly interrupted, try to reduce the resolution from 1080p to 720p. This drastically reduces the load on the processor and can solve the problem of the stable.