How to record a screen on Xiaomi with sound: a step-by-step guide

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have powerful built-in functionality for creating screencasts, but many users still do not know how to activate the recording of internal sound of the system. Standard methods often save video without audio or with a deaf microphone, making it impossible to create high-quality training videos or game moments. In the MIUI operating systems and the new HyperOS, engineers have provided flexible settings for audio sources, but they are hidden from the eyes of the average user until the first use.

In this article, we will take a closer look at how you can customize screencasting to capture internal audio and voice through a microphone, and learn about the intricacies of codecs, the impact of screen resolution on the quality of the final file, and how to circumvent the limitations that can arise in different versions of firmware. Understanding these nuances will allow you to create professional content directly from your phone.

Activation of the built-in recorder through the control panel

The fastest way to start recording is to use the standard Screenshots app, which is integrated into the notification bar. To start, lower the swipe curtain from top to bottom and find the Screen Record icon. If it's not in the visible part, click the three dots or edit button in the upper right corner to drag the icon to the active panel. Once you start, you'll see the timer and microphone button, but don't rush to start recording.

The critical thing is to set up the sound source. Click on the microphone icon in the widget interface. You'll see a selection menu where you want to switch from No Sound or Microphone to System Sound, and that's the parameter that captures the internal audio track, whether it's music in the game or the voice of the person in the messenger. If you choose Microphone, the phone will only write external noises, and the system sounds will remain on board.

Once you select the sound source, you can press the red start button, a floating control window will appear on the screen that allows you to pause or complete the process. Please note that some versions of MIUI may display a privacy warning when you switch to System Sound, which is a standard Android security measure that confirms that the recording will be conducted.

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To record high-bit audio, make sure that the video quality settings have a value of 1080p or higher, as low resolution often forcefully reduces the audio bitrate to 64 kbps.

Advanced video quality and parameters settings

For those who plan to edit or upload a video to platforms like YouTube, standard settings may not be enough. Deep customization is available through the recording app's menu itself. Click three dots in the corner of the widget or look for the Screenshots app in the general list of programs, then go to Settings → Screen recording settings. Here are the key parameters that affect the final weight of the file and the clarity of the picture.

In the Quality section, it is recommended to choose High or Customizable. The standard value often compresses the flow too aggressively, which leads to artifacts appearing on dynamic scenes in games. Also pay attention to frame rates: for a smooth picture, set 60 fps if your display supports such a hertz, otherwise 30 fps is enough to save space.

The video orientation is a special focus. The default is "On the Device," but if you hold your phone upright and you play horizontally, the video can flip. Forced setting Portrait or Album will eliminate the need to rotate the file when you edit. Remember that a high resolution of 1080p at 60 frames per second quickly fills up memory.

Features of recording sound in games and applications

Recording gameplay on Xiaomi has its own technical features related to DRM protection and the Android audio engine. In most modern games, such as PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty, System Sound works perfectly, transmitting a clean digital signal without street noise. However, in some cases, especially in older applications or video calls (WhatsApp, Telegram), the system can block audio capture for privacy reasons.

If you encounter a lack of sound in a particular app, try changing the settings inside the game itself. Often the audio menu has a tick “Use headphones” or similar, which can conflict with the system recorder, and it is also worth checking whether the “Do Not Disturb” mode is turned on, as it sometimes suppresses the audible notifications you want to capture.

For streaming or creating tutorials, it is important to consider the load on the processor. Simultaneously recording the screen in high resolution, rendering heavy 3D-graphics and audio capture can cause the case to heat up. Trottling (reduced processor frequency due to heating) will cause a drop in the body. FPS In the video, even if the game is smooth on the screen.

⚠️ Note: When recording calls via a cellular network or encrypted messengers (such as WhatsApp calls), system sound may not be written due to Google's Android 10 and higher security policy.

Comparison of embedded tools and third-party applications

While Xiaomi’s standard tool is handy, it is inferior to specialized software in the flexibility of settings.Third-party solutions like AZ Screen Recorder or Mobizen offer on-screen drawing, webcam and more advanced editing features. However, they require more resources and often contain ads in free versions.

Below is a table comparing the capabilities of a native app and a popular third-party counterpart so you can choose the best option for your tasks.

Using third-party software is justified if you need specific features, such as overlaying the face from the front camera in the corner of the screen in real time. the built-in MIUI recorder does not yet know how to broadcast the image from the frontal over the main content, although HyperOS appears the rudiments of this feature in video mode.

In addition, third-party recorders allow you to change the bitrate of audio manually, set specific values like 128 or 320 kbit / s, which is critical for musicians or sound engineers making samplers on the phone. The standard application usually fixes the bitrate at 128 kbit / s for the AAC codec.

Where are the records stored and how to find them

Once you've finished writing, the file is automatically saved to the gallery. However, if you're used to working with the file system, it's important to know the exact path. DCIM → screen_recorder. Within this directory, files are sorted by date of creation, making it easier to find the right video among hundreds of other media.

For quick access to the latest video, you can use the built-in File Manager Explorer. In the Video category, a separate Screen Records folder is often created. If you use cloud services like Google Photos or Xiaomi Cloud, make sure that folder sync is enabled. screen_record, Videos may not be uploaded to the cloud automatically.

The file size depends on the duration and the selected quality settings. A minute of writing in 1080p at 60 fps can take from 50 to 100 MB. When you write in 4K (if supported by the device), the volume grows to 300-400 MB per minute, so watch for free space on the drive.

Solution: No sound or black image

One of the most common problems is the black screen instead of the image when you record, which happens when you're trying to capture content that's protected by an HDCP or DRM license. Apps like Netflix, ivi, Okko, or banking apps block the video stream from being displayed in the screen recording buffer for security reasons, and you can't get around this with standard means, which is a feature of the Android architecture.

If the sound is written intermittently or with wheezing, the problem may be overloading the Bluetooth channel. If you use wireless headphones, try switching to a wired headset or phone speaker for check. Also make sure that the developer settings do not activate experimental audio drivers that may conflict with the system recorder.

In case the Screenshots app crashes right after launch, try clearing its cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Screenshots → Memory → Clear the cache. This will not delete your settings, but will fix possible errors in the temporary files of the program.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to record the screen during an incoming call. Android forcibly interrupts the screen recording to prioritize a phone conversation, and the file may be damaged or not saved.

Secrets of professional recording on HyperOS

With the release of HyperOS to replace MIUI, video compression algorithms have been improved. The new system better copes with HEVC encoding (H.265), which allows you to maintain high quality with a smaller file size. If your smartphone has upgraded to HyperOS, check the codec settings in the recording menu - perhaps there is an option to choose between compatibility (H.264) and efficiency (H.265).

Newer versions of firmware also improve notifications, so you can set up a filter that hides private messages during recording so that they don't overshadow the view or spoil the frame, which is in the Screen Recording Settings menu called Hide Notifications or similar.

For bloggers, the "Show Touch" feature will be useful, and it visualizes the clicking points on the screen in a white circle, which is indispensable for creating training videos that show you where to click, and it activates this option in the general settings of the system, not in the recorder itself.

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For maximum quality, always choose System Sound and H.264 for better compatibility with video editors on PC.