Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones offer users powerful tools to create content out of the box. One of the most popular features is the built-in Screen Recorder, which allows you to capture what is happening on a display with high quality, which is indispensable for creating training videos, recording game moments or storing information from applications where there is no export function.
However, many users have difficulty in first trying to activate a recording, especially when it comes to capturing system sound or working with a microphone at the same time. Unlike some other manufacturers, Xiaomi has implemented flexible audio settings that allow you to combine the internal sounds of the device and the user’s voice.
In this guide, we will take a detailed look at all aspects of the built-in recorder, learn how to activate hidden functions, adjust bitrate and resolution, and how to avoid common errors such as no sound or a sudden interruption of recording due to an incoming call.
Activation and basic setting of the recorder
The first step is to find and configure the app itself. In MIUI shells and the new HyperOS, Screen Recording is usually pre-installed in the Tools folder on the desktop, but it is not enough to run it, you need to adjust the quality settings before shooting.
Open the app and tap the gear icon in the top right corner. This is the Settings menu where you can change your video resolution, frame rate, and bitrate. For most tasks, the best choice is 1080p resolution and 60 fps, which ensures a smooth picture without putting too much strain on the processor.
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If you plan to record a fast-changing picture (games, scrolling tape), be sure to set a frame rate of 60 fps. This will make the video smooth, unlike the standard 30 fps.
It is important to note that settings can vary depending on your device model. On the flagships of the Xiaomi 14 series or POCO F6, a wider range of bitrate is available, which directly affects the clarity of fine text and interface details.
- 🎥 Permission: Choose 1080p or higher for clarity of text.
- 🎞️ Frame rate: 60 fps for dynamics, 30 fps for space saving.
- 🎚️ Bitrate: High parameter improves quality but increases file size.
Remember that choosing the maximum quality settings will quickly fill up internal memory. If you're writing a long tutorial, it might make sense to lower the bitrate a little while still maintaining acceptable image clarity.
Audio stream configuration: microphone and system sound
The most important step in determining the success of your recording is to properly adjust the sound source, and the recorder's settings menu has a "Sound Source" item, which is where you decide whether the video is only going to hear you, the system alone, or everything at the same time.
To record gameplay or demonstrate the sound effects application, you need to select the system sound option, in which case the recorder captures the internal audio stream of Android. If you are commenting on actions or recording a video message, switch to the Microphone.
⚠️ Note: On some versions of Android and MIUI Simultaneous recording of system sound and microphone may be limited by Google's security policies.If the Microphone & System option is not available, use external sources or record the sound separately.
There is also a No Sound mode, which is useful if you plan to put on a music track or voice track later in the editing process, avoiding background noises and random clicks of the interface.
When choosing a Microphone source, try to stay quiet. Xiaomi's built-in microphones are sensitive, but can capture echoes and wind noise if recorded outside. For professional results, it's better to use a wired headset.
Working with a timer and floating button
The convenience of using the built-in Xiaomi recorder is the presence of a floating control window. After starting the recording, a semitransparent panel appears on the screen, which can be moved to any area without overlapping important interface elements.
This menu has a Timer that allows you to delay recording by 3, 5 or 10 seconds, which is extremely useful for those cases when you need to have time to open a certain menu or application before you start fixing the screen without getting into the frame of the opening process.
There's also a Stop button in the floating window, and you can take screenshots while you're recording. If you accidentally roll down the recorder app, the record won't be interrupted -- it'll continue in the background until you hit the stop button in the notification curtain or on the floating panel.
☑️ Pre-recording checks
Note that during recording, some system sounds (such as messenger notifications) may be muted or completely disabled by the system to avoid spoiling the audio track of your video.
Comparison of built-in recorder and third-party applications
While Xiaomi’s standard app covers 95% of users’ needs, there are situations where functionality may be lacking.Third-party solutions from Google Play offer advanced features such as real-time on-screen drawing or more flexible codec management.
Below is a table comparing the capabilities of a native app to popular ones, which will help you decide whether to install additional software.
| Function | Built-in MIUI/HyperOS recorder | Third-party applications (AZ, Mobizen) |
|---|---|---|
| Recording of system sound | Yes (indirectly) | Yes (depending on the Android version) |
| On-screen drawing | No. | Often |
| Front camera footage. | No (only microphone) | Yeah (Picture-in-Picture) |
| Advertising | No. | Often present. |
| Impact on the battery | Optimized. | High. |
The main advantage of the built-in solution is the lack of advertising and deep integration with the system. Third-party applications can require unnecessary permissions and land the battery faster, since they do not have access to system optimizations of the Snapdragon or MediaTek processor.
Why can third-party applications not work?
Where records are saved and how to share them
Once the process is complete, the file is automatically saved to the gallery, and a separate folder or album appears in the Gallery app. Screen_recorder (Or "Screen recordings." You can do basic editing there, either by trimming the beginning and the end, overlaying music, or adding watermarks.
For fast video transfer, use the built-in shell features. Click the Share button in the gallery player to send the file via Mi Share (to other Xiaomi devices), Bluetooth or upload to cloud storage.
The files are stored in MP4 format, which is compatible with any video player and social network, eliminating the need to convert the video before posting to YouTube, TikTok or Instagram.
- 📂 The Path to Files: Internal Memory → DCIM → Screen_recorders.
- ✂️ Editor: Built into gallery, allows you to frame video.
- ☁️ Cloud: Automatic synchronization via Xiaomi Cloud or Google Photos.
⚠️ Note: When cleaning the app cache, do not accidentally delete the folder DCIM, If you don't have sync set up, all the records are stored locally on the device.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the recording is going on, but the sound is missing, or the video is black. DRM-protection in some applications (such as Netflix or banking apps) that block screen capture for security reasons.
If the sound is interrupted or recorded quietly, check to see if the microphone is covered with a cover or finger. Also make sure that the recorder settings do not have a "No Sound" mode. In rare cases, a smartphone reboot helps, resetting the temporary errors of audio drivers.
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The black screen when recording protected content (DRM) is not a bug, but an Android security feature that cannot be bypassed by standard means without root rights.
If Screen Recording crashes immediately after launch, try clearing the data. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Screen Record → Memory → Clear the data. This will return the settings to factory values and eliminate software conflicts.
Additional features in HyperOS
With the release of the HyperOS operating system, recording functionality has been expanded, with the ability to fine-tune the microphone noise reduction and improved performance with horizontal screen orientation, and the system now smarter determines use cases and offers optimal parameters on the fly.
Newer device owners also have access to higher-resolution recordings (up to 4K on top models), which were previously only available through an engineering menu or third-party software, opening up new opportunities for mobile bloggers.
Use these capabilities to create quality content. Xiaomi’s built-in tool is one of the best Android smartphones on the market today, requiring no additional heavy software installations.