Cutting video on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a challenge that every second user faces. Whether you want to remove excess footage from a video, make a clip for TikTok or Instagram Reels, or simply reduce the file size before sending it to the messenger. Fortunately, MIUI offers built-in tools for basic processing, and third-party applications expand the capabilities to a professional level.
But there are pitfalls: not all methods retain original quality, some applications leave watermarks, and the built-in Redmi editor can “hang” on high-resolution video (for example, 4K@60fps). In this article, we will analyze 5 proven methods – from standard to advanced – and also reveal hidden MIUI settings that speed up the process by 2-3 times.
Method 1: Built-in editor of the MIUI Gallery
The fastest way to crop video on Xiaomi Redmi is to use the built-in editor in the Gallery app. It supports basic functions without installing additional programs, but has limitations: the maximum duration of a clip after clipping is 15 minutes, and when exporting video is compressed to 1080p even if the source was in 4K.
To get started:
- 📂 Open the Gallery app and find the right video.
- ✏️ Slip on it and select Edit (pencil icon in bottom menu).
- 📏 In the bottom panel, go to the Pruning tab (scissors).
- 🎬 Drag the yellow markers on the timeline to highlight the desired snippet. Use the button to fine-tune the specific setting. 🔍 (magnifying glass - it increases the scale to seconds.
After cropping, click Save and select one of the three resolutions offered: 720p, 1080p or Source. Attention: Source is only available if the video is shorter than 5 minutes, otherwise MIUI will automatically lower the resolution.
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If the video after pruning turned out with black stripes on the sides, before saving, click on the icon. ⚙️ → Select aspect ratio 16:9 or 9:16 (for vertical rollers).
| Parameter | Restriction in MIUI | Bypass |
|---|---|---|
| Max. Duration. | 15 minutes. | Break the video into parts in CapCut |
| Export authorization | Automatic downgrade to 1080p | Use KineMaster or VN Editor |
| Formats | Only MP4. | Convert to HandBrake before pruning |
| Watermarks | Absent. | — |
Method 2: The Video Editor app from Xiaomi
Since MIUI 13, Redmi has introduced a separate video editor app, which offers more tools than the standard gallery, including cutting to frame accuracy, adding transitions and overlaying music, but the interface may seem overloaded and rendering takes 30-40% longer.
Pruning algorithm:
- Open the Video Editor and import the file through the New Project.
- Drag the video to a timeline and tap it.
- In the top menu, select the Cut (scissors).
- Use sliders or enter the start/end time manually (e.g. 00:00:15.000 – 00:01:30.500).
- Click Ready and export the project with settings Quality: High and Resolution: Original.
Critical feature: if the original video is shot in HDR or Dolby Vision, the Xiaomi editor automatically converts it to SDR, which leads to a loss of color range. To avoid this, use third-party applications (see Method 4).
Make sure the video isn't in HDR-format|Check the vacant space (minimum 2 GB)|Disable battery optimization for the application|Close background tasks to speed up rendering-->
Method 3: CapCut is a free editor with AI-tool
CapCut by ByteDance (TikTok creators) is one of Redmi's most popular video clipping apps, with key advantages:
- 🎥 Support 4K@60fps quality-free.
- 🤖 Automatic stabilization of trembling personnel.
- 🎵 Free Music and Sound Effects Library.
- 📱 Optimized for weak processors (tested on Redmi) 9A).
Instructions for pruning:
- Install CapCut from Google Play or Mi App Store.
- Create a new project and import the video.
- On the timeline, highlight the clip and tap the Cut.
- Use yellow markers or enter exact timestamps (e.g. 00:45.240 – 01:30.120).
- For a smooth transition, add the blur effect of 0.5 seconds at the beginning/end of the fragment.
- Export with settings: Resolution: Original, Frame rate: Auto, Bitrate: High.
Secret Lifehack: If the video after cropping “slows down” when playing, before exporting, go to Settings → Additional and turn on the option Optimize for social networks. This will reduce the bitrate to optimal values for Instagram or YouTube Shorts.
Standard Gallery|Video editor Xiaomi|CapCut|KineMaster|Other-->
Method 4: KineMaster – for professional trimming
KineMaster is the choice of those who need multitrack editing and support for chromakey (green screen). 299 ₽/months), but offers 7-A watermarked day trial on Redmi with Snapdragon 6xx/7xx It works on a budget model (e.g. Redmi). 10C) It can slow down when rendering. 4K.
How to cut a video in KineMaster:
- Create a new project with a resolution that matches the original video (e.g. 1920×1080 for Full HD).
- Import the clip to the timeline and divide it into two fragments at the trimming point (Slice tool).
- Remove the unnecessary segment and connect the remaining parts.
- For accurate fit, use the timeline Zoom (two finger gesture).
- Export with settings: Bitrate: 50 Mbps (for 4K), Codec: H.265 (for space saving).
⚠️ Note: If you are editing a YouTube video, turn off the option Variable Bitrate in the Export Settings. Fixed Bitrate (e.g. 30 Mbps for the 1080p) prevent artifacts from being loaded.
How to remove a watermark in KineMaster without a subscription
Method 5: Pruning through PC (for large files)
If the video weighs more than 1 GB or is shot in 8K, cropping on the smartphone can take hours or cause a crash, in such cases it is more rational to transfer the file to your computer and use Shotcut (free) or Adobe Premiere Rush (free).
Step-by-step instructions for Shotcut:
- Connect Redmi to your PC via USB-C and copy the video to a folder on the drive.
- Open Shotcut, drag the file to the playlist and add to the timeline.
- Set the cursor at the start of the cropping and press I (In Point), then move the cursor to the end point and press O (Out Point).
- Click Export and select YouTube 1080p or 4K ProRes preset (for maximum quality).
- Transfer the finished file back to your smartphone via Mi Share or the cloud.
The advantage of this method is to maintain the original quality and the ability to work with MOV, MKV or AVI formats that are not supported by built-in MIUI tools.
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Pruning on PC is recommended for video lasting more than 30 minutes or with a resolution above 4K. On Redmi smartphones with 4-6 GB of RAM, such files are processed with lags or errors.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even power users face problems cropping videos on Xiaomi Redmi. TOP-3 mistakes and ways of solving them:
- Video after cropping "trembles" or jerks Cause: mismatch frame rates of the original video and the project. Solution: in the export settings, specify FPS manually (for example, 30fps or 60fps) corresponding to the original.
- The sound disappears after saving the reason: the built-in MIUI editor can "disable" the audio track when converting formats. Solution: Before cropping, convert video to MP4 via HandBrake.
- The application crashes when rendered, the reason: lack of RAM. Solution: close all background tasks, turn on Performance mode in battery settings, and reduce the export resolution to 720p.
⚠️ Note: if you cut video for WhatsApp, note that the messenger automatically compresses files larger than 16 MB. To avoid loss of quality, pre-divid the video into parts of 15 MB in CapCut.