How to completely disable screen recording on Xiaomi Redmi 7: from system settings to hidden features

Screen recording on Xiaomi Redmi 7 can be a real headache if the feature is activated accidentally or used by attackers for surveillance. Although the 2019 smartphone no longer receives official MIUI updates, its firmware has loopholes for unauthorized recording of the display – both through regular tools and through third-party applications.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to block a record, from disabling the Screen Recorder system tool to restricting application rights through ADB. The following methods will help you regain control of privacy by using MIUI 10/11 (the latest supported versions for Redmi 7).

1. Check active screen recording through the notification panel

Before you turn off the function, make sure that the recording is actually being done. On Redmi 7, the active recording indicator may be hidden or displayed incorrectly due to the features of the firmware.

🔍 Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.Look for the icon 📹 Or it says, "Screen recording coming." MIUI 10 notification may appear with a delay of up to 5 seconds.
📱 Check the status bar (top bar with time and icons) if there's a flashing red indicator, it's recorded in the background (often used by spyware).
🔊 Listen to the sound: when you start recording, the Screen Recorder system application emits a short sound signal (if not disabled in the settings).

If there is no notification but you suspect a recording, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Screen Recorder. This shows the time of last use. On Redmi 7 with MIUI 10, the recording application can run under the name "Screen Recording" or "Game Turbo Recorder" - check both options.

⚠️ Warning: Some viruses are disguised as system recording utilities. If you see an unknown "Screen Capture Service" with Chinese characters in the description in the application list, it's 100% malware. → Security → Scanning.

2. disable the system recording of the screen in the MIUI settings

The standard Redmi 7 recording app can be deactivated via the app menu, but there's a caveat: once the smartphone is rebooted, it can reappear.

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
In the search box, enter Screen Recorder (or "Screen Recording" in Russian).
Select the application and click Disable (not “Delete” as it is system software).
Confirm the action by clicking Disable the application in the pop-up window.

Once disabled, the record icon will disappear from the Quick Access Panel (curtains), but this method does not block the recording through third-party programs.

☑️ What to do after disabling system recording

Check the notification panel for hidden processesRestart your phone and make sure the recording is not resumed.Remove the Screen Recorder app cache in the settingsTurn off auto-start for all recording applications

Done: 0 / 4

Method of disconnection	Efficiency	Limitations
Disconnection through "Application Management"	⭐⭐⭐ (middle-class)	Does not block third-party applications, resets after the MIUI update
Removal from the Quick Access Panel	⭐⭐ (low-key)	It only hides the button, does not turn off the function.
Restriction of Rights through ADB	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (high-pitched)	Requires PC and debugging over USB
Use of Anti-Spy Applications	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (high-pitched)	It can be a conflict with MIUI, paid

3. Blocking recordings via ADB (for power users)

If system methods don't work, the most reliable way is to revoke screen permissions through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which works even for hidden processes.

🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
📱 Included Debugging by USB Redmi 7 (path: Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).
🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Next, run commands in the terminal (Windows/macOS/Linux command line):

adb devices


adb shell pm revoke com.miui.screenrecorder android.permission.CAPTURE_VIDEO_OUTPUT




adb shell pm revoke com.miui.screenrecorder android.permission.CAPTURE_SECURE_VIDEO_OUTPUT




adb shell pm revoke com.miui.screenrecorder android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE

These commands revoke the rights to capture video, including protected content (e.g., banking applications), from the system recorder.

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

⚠️ Warning: After you run the ADB-command, restart your phone. Some applications (such as embedded recording games) may stop working correctly. To regain rights, replace revoke with grant in the commands above.

💡

If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try reinstalling drivers manually through Windows Device Manager. Redmi 7 often requires a “Mi USB Driver” driver from Xiaomi’s official website.

4. Limitation of rights for third-party applications

Many applications (e.g. AZ Screen Recorder, DU Recorder) request permission to record the screen when installed. On MIUI 10/11, these permissions can be revoked manually:

Go to Settings → Privacy → Special Permissions → Screen recording.
The list will show all applications with the right to write. Turn off sliders for unnecessary programs.
To block completely, click on the app and select Prohibit.

Look for apps with suspicious names, such as:

🚨 "Screen Mirror – often used for remote access.
🚨 "Apowersoft – can record the screen in the background.
🚨 "TeamViewer QuickSupport – legitimate software, but with the risk of abuse.

If the list does not include Screen Recording, upgrade MIUI to the latest available version for Redmi 7 (11.0.8.0 or later).

📊 What apps do you use to record the screen?

Screen Recorder Systems

AZ Screen Recorder

DU Recorder

I don't use it.

Other

5. Hidden MIUI settings to block background recording

MIUI has hidden parameters that limit the background activity of applications, including screen recording, to activate them:

Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
In the menu that appears, select Phone Information.
Scroll down and find the item Disable background capture.
Activate the option and restart the device.

This method blocks the recording for all applications except system applications, but it can conflict with certain functions, such as:

🎮 Recording gameplay in Game Turbo.
📱 Duplicate screens to other devices (Miracast).
🔄 Automatically create screenshots with a long swipe.

What to do if the hidden menu is not opened?

If ##4636## doesn’t work, try an alternative: install the MIUI Hidden Settings app from the Play Market, which provides access to the engineering menu without entering codes. After installation, go to Activity Manager and manually disable the recording processes (see the lines with “capture” or “record” in the title).

6. Alternative methods: from antiviruses to resetting settings

If none of these methods worked, consider radical measures:

Installation of antivirus with spyware protection: 🛡️ Bitdefender Mobile Security – Blocks Unauthorized Recording. 🛡️ Kaspersky Internet Security – has a module “Privacy”, which monitors access to the screen.

After installation, run a full scan and check the Privacy Protection section.

Reset to factory settings

If the screen recording is activated without your knowledge, it is possible that the phone has spyware installed.

Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
Choose to erase all data.
Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Note: Before reset, save important data (photos, contacts) to an external drive or to the cloud. On Redmi 7, the reset takes up to 10 minutes - do not interrupt the process!

If the problem persists even after reset, it may indicate:

🔧 Firmware damage – Fastboot flashing is required.
🔍 Hardware key logger – a physical device connected to a phone (check the port) USB-C).

💡

Resetting to factory settings is a last resort. Before you do that, try all the software methods and check your phone for viruses.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screen recording on Redmi 7

Can I remove Screen Recorder from the system?

No, you can't completely uninstall it without root rights, as it's MIUI system software. However, you can: Disable it (as described in Section 2). Remove updates via Settings → Apps → Screen Recorder → Remove updates. Replace it with an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) to hide the icon. Complete removal will require unlocking the bootloader and superuser rights, which voids the warranty.

Why does it turn on again after the recording is turned off?

This is a typical MIUI 10/11 problem on Redmi 7. Reasons: Auto-update MIUI — after the update, system applications return to their original state. Background processes — some applications (like Game Turbo) automatically turn on the record. Viruses — some malware restores the rights to write. Solution: use the method with ADB — it blocks the recording at the system level.

How to check if the screen is being recorded in the background?

The hidden recording may not show up in the notification panel. You can check it out by saying, Install Network Connections (Play Market) app, which shows active network connections. If you're recording, you'll see traffic from an unknown process. Use ADB command: adb shell dumpsys media.projection If you have mCurrentProjectionToken in the response, it means the recording is active. Check the CPU temperature: long-term recording loads the Snapdragon 632, and the phone may overheat.

Can I block screen recording for specific applications (e.g. banking)?

Yeah, but not on all versions. MIUI. On Redmi 7s. MIUI 11 This is done as follows: Open Settings → Annexes → Application management. Select the desired application (e.g. Sberbank Online). Press Permissions → Additionally. → If you don't have a point, update your firmware or use it. ADB-global-ban.

What if the screen recording is turned on by itself?

This is a sign of a virus infection or MIUI malfunction. Step-by-step: Check installed applications – remove suspicious (especially with administrator rights). Turn off autorun for all applications in Settings → Battery and Performance → Autorun Management. Install antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) and scan the system. Reset (if nothing worked). If the problem remains, run your phone through the Mi Flash Tool with full data clearing (clean all).