Screen recording on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: the full guide

Smartphones are no longer just a means of communication, becoming powerful multimedia centers capable of creating professional-grade content. Owners of the popular Redmi Note 7 model often wonder how to capture what is happening on the display to create training videos or save game moments. Fortunately, the built-in functionality of the MIUI shell allows you to do this without installing third-party software, ensuring high quality of the final picture.

The activation process is hidden in the control panel, but it has a number of hidden settings that not all users know about. Deep diving into the settings menu will give you the ability to adjust the bitrate, select the sound source, and even add a front-facing camera over the video, which makes the standard utility a full-fledged tool for streaming and displaying the interface.

In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of the built-in recorder, as well as consider alternative methods for those who need advanced features. You will learn how to avoid common errors when recording and where to find the finished file after the session is completed.

Activation and configuration of the built-in recorder

The first step to get started is to correctly position the widget in the notification curtain. By default, the icon can be hidden, so you need to lower the "curtain" down and click on the edit icon, usually located in the upper right corner or designated as three dots. Find the "Screen Record" element in the list of available buttons and drag it to the active area for quick access in the future.

Once you add a shortcut, a single tap will trigger the app, but it requires a preconfiguration to work well. Click on the gear icon in the recorder interface to open the settings menu. Here you can select the video resolution that directly affects the clarity of the image and the size of the final file. For the Redmi Note 7 with its FullHD screen, the best choice will be the native 1080p resolution.

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Set a frame rate of 60 FPS only if you plan to record dynamic games, then choose 30 FPS to save CPU resources.

Special attention should be paid to the section “Sound”, where three modes of operation are available: off, microphone and system sounds. The choice of “Microphone” mode will allow you to record your voice and ambient noise, which is ideal for creating comments on a video. System sounds mode will capture audio from applications, but when you talk on the phone or receive a call, the recording of the sound will be interrupted automatically for privacy purposes.

☑️ Pre-recording checks

Done: 0 / 4

Technical parameters of quality and productivity

The quality of the final video is directly dependent on the bitrate and codec settings you choose. The recorder settings menu has a quality slider that ranges from low to high. Set the maximum values will lead to the creation of large files, which can quickly exhaust the free space of the internal memory Xiaomi Redmi Note 7.

It's important to understand that high GPU loads can cause the body to heat up and trottling, which can manifest as "freezes" or delays in the video. If you notice that the device is starting to warm up a lot, it's recommended to lower the resolution to 720p or reduce the frame rate, which will help stabilize the system and ensure smooth play without jerks.

⚠️ Note: Long-term entry in the permit 1080p At 60 frames per second, it can automatically shut down the function when the critical temperature of the processor is reached.

To optimize the process, you should also consider using an H.265 (HEVC) codec if this option is available in your version of MIUI. This modern compression standard allows you to maintain high image quality with a significantly smaller file size compared to traditional H.264.

Impact of the theme of registration on the record
Some third-party themes may conflict with the system recorder, causing a black screen instead of an image. If you encounter such a problem, temporarily switch to a standard theme in the Themes app.

Comparison of audio sources

Understanding the differences between sound sources is key to creating quality content. The table below provides a detailed comparison of the available microphone and system audio modes to help you choose the right option for a particular task.

ParameterMicrophoneSystemic soundsOff.
Vote recordingYes.No.No.
Sound from games/videoWeak, noisy.Clean digitalNo.
Response to the callInterrupted recordingInterrupted recordingContinuation
Battery utilizationAverage.Low.Minimum

When choosing Microphone mode, the device will capture all the sounds that hit the speaker, including wind noise, keyboard creaking, or room conversations. This can be useful for creating atmospheric vlogs, but will require a quiet environment for the recording to be clean. Otherwise, background noise can make the video unusable without additional processing.

System audio mode provides crystal clear digital audio, but has its limitations under Android's security policy. Some applications, such as banking services or encrypted messengers, can block audio capture, and you'll get silent video. In such situations, switching to a microphone or using an external headset is the only way out.

📊 What sound source do you use more often?
Microphone for comment
Systemic sound for games
No sound.
Depends on the task.

Using a front camera when recording

One of the most popular features for streamers and bloggers is the ability to overlay images from the front camera over the main screen. On the Redmi Note 7, this option is activated directly in the recorder interface after you start capturing. By clicking on the corresponding icon, you will see your face in a small window that you can move around the screen.

You can resize the window with the camera by stretching or squeezing it with your fingers so that it doesn't overlap important interface elements, and this is especially true when you record the passage of games where you want to see the health of the character or a map of the terrain, and there's also a mirror function available, which makes the image more natural for the viewer.

It is worth noting that the simultaneous operation of the main processor, graphics accelerator and two cameras (front for preview and rear, if it is active in the application) creates a significant load. Energy consumption in this mode increases significantly, so it is recommended to keep the smartphone connected to the charger or power bank.

⚠️ Warning: When activating the front camera in horizontal mode, make sure you don’t cover the lens with your fingers while holding the device by the edges.

Editing and managing finished files

After recording, the video is automatically saved to the gallery in the folder «Screen_recorder». The built-in editor allows you to perform basic processing of material without leaving the application. You can crop the beginning and end of the video by removing the extra seconds of finding the desired menu or stopping the recording, which makes the file more presentable.

There are also features that add watermarks, text comments, and even stickers directly on top of videos, which is convenient for creating quick instructions or answers to users' questions on social networks. All changes are applied in an unoriginal way, that is, a new copy of the file is created, and the original remains unchanged.

For more advanced editing, files can be transferred to a computer or opened in a third-party mobile editor such as CapCut or KineMaster. Xiaomi's built-in recorder saves MP4 video, which is compatible with the vast majority of modern devices and publishing platforms, including YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

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The built-in editor is ideal for quick cropping, but for overlaying music and complex transitions, it is better to use specialized applications.

Alternative solutions and third-party applications

Despite the functionality of the regular tool, some users may need features beyond the standard set. For example, recording internal sound on older versions of Android without root rights was often problematic, although in modern MIUI shells this is solved. However, third-party applications can offer recording in GIF format, creating screenshots on a schedule or drawing on a screen in real time.

A popular solution is the AZ Screen Recorder app, which provides more flexible bitrate settings and the ability to stream directly to YouTube or Facebook. However, installing such programs requires broad permissions, including “Above Other Windows” and access to storage, which can affect data security and smartphone autonomy.

If the built-in feature on your device is unstable or gives out a black screen in certain applications, using an alternative can be a lifesaver.Be sure to check reviews and permissions before installing to avoid implementing advertising software. In most cases, the standard Redmi Note 7 tool is more than enough for any task.

Why can screen recording be interrupted spontaneously?
This is most often due to a lack of free memory or aggressive MIUI energy saving system. Try clearing the cache or adding the recorder app to the battery exception list.
Can I record the sound of a call through a screen recording?
No, Android and MIUI security policies block audio capture during phone calls to protect the privacy of the interlocutors, recording is only possible through a microphone, but the quality will be poor.
Where are the screen recording files stored?
Files are stored in internal memory along the way: MIUI/screen_recorder. They can also be found in the Gallery app in a separate album Screen recording».
Does screen recording affect performance in games?
Yes, background recording consumes CPU resources. On Redmi Note 7 in heavy games, this can cause a decrease in FPS. It is recommended to lower the graphics settings in the game before recording.