Video recording on Xiaomi: 5 ways to use any model (including Redmi and Poco)

Recording video from the screen of Xiaomi smartphone is a useful feature that will be useful for creating guides, streams, saving game moments or demonstrating the operation of applications. However, not all users know that MIUI has built-in tools for this, and older models will require workarounds. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways, from standard Screen Recorder to third-party applications with advanced settings.

The feature of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices is that the screen recording functionality can differ depending on the version of MIUI and model. For example, on flagships like Xiaomi 13 Ultra, 4K@60FPS is available, and on the budget Redmi Note 10 - only 720p@30FPS. We took into account these nuances and prepared universal instructions that work even on devices without Google Play Services (for example, on Chinese firmware).

Important: If you plan to record gameplay or video calls, check your privacy settings beforehand – some apps (like WhatsApp or Banking Apps) block screen recording for security reasons.

1. Built-in Screen Recorder in MIUI: How to Enable and Configure

The easiest way is to use the standard Screen Recorder app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 10 and later. It supports recording with internal sound (starting with MIUI 12), resolution and bitrate adjustment, and the ability to draw on the screen while recording.

To activate the recording:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the Screen Recorder icon (an icon with a mug and a dot inside). If it's not there, click on Edit (the pencil in the upper right corner) and add it to the panel.
3. Then, put the lid on the sign, confirm the permissions (if requested) and wait for the countdown.

To access the advanced settings:

• 🎯 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Screen Recorder.
• 🔊 Turn on the option to Record Sound and select the source: Microphone, System Sound or both.
• 📱 Set the permit (from) 480p before 1080p or 4K, if maintained).
• ⚡ Select bitrate (3 Mbps to 20 Mbps) – the higher, the better the quality, but the more weight the file is.

💡

If you don’t have system audio recording options, upgrade to the latest version of MIUI or use third-party applications like AZ Screen Recorder.

On models with a MediaTek processor (such as the Redmi 9A or Poco M3), the system sound recording may not work due to the limitations of the chipset, in which case only the root or external microphone will help.

2. Screen recording via Game Turbo (for gamers)

If you’re recording gameplay, it’s better to use the built-in Game Turbo mode.It’s optimized for minimal lags and supports high FPS recording (up to 120 fps on compatible devices).This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones with Snapdragon 7xx/8xx and Dimensity chipsets.

Instructions:

1. Open the game you want to record.
2. Swipe left to right at the edge of the screen to call the Game Turbo panel.
3. Slip on the icon Record (video camera) and select the desired parameters: 🎮 Quality: HD (720p), FHD (1080p) or 4K. 🔊 Sound: Game (system) or Microphone. ⚡ FPS: 30, 60 or 120 (not available on all models).

Start

Note: Game Turbo may conflict with some games that block screen recording (e.g. PUBG Mobile or Free Fire in early versions).

• 🔄 Restart the game and try again.
• 📱 Update Game Turbo via Mi App Store.
• 🛠️ Turn off the option to disable screen recording in the game settings (if any).

3. Third-party applications: when embedded tools are not suitable

If standard methods don’t work (for example, you need to record a video call or a banking application that blocks the embedded record), use third-party programs. We tested 5 popular applications and selected the best ones for Xiaomi:

For installation:

1. Download. APK-file from the official website (for example, AZ Screen Recorder or via Mi App Store.
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Launch the app and provide all the permissions you request (especially Screen Recording and Overlaying over other windows).

Install APK from a verified source |

Allow installation from unknown sources |

Access the microphone (if you need sound)|

Disable battery optimization for the application|

Check the vacant seat (1 minute) 4K = ~300MB)-->

Security Warning: Do not download screen recording apps from unverified sources. Some modified versions (such as DU Recorder Pro with hacked features) may contain spyware that steals screen data (logins, passwords, banking information).

4. Screen recording without root: bypassing MIUI restrictions

On some Xiaomi devices (especially those with Chinese firmware or MIUI for the global market), system audio recording is blocked at the OS level.

Method 1: Using a second sound device

If you want sound from a game or video, but the built-in recording doesn’t capture it:

• 🎧 Connect headphones with a 3.5 mm connector to your smartphone.
• 📱 Use the Type-C adapter → 3.5 mm + USB, to connect headphones and an external microphone at the same time.
• 🔊 Enable the recording through Screen Recorder, selecting as the source of sound Microphone – it will capture sound from headphones.

Method 2: Internal routing of sound (advanced only)

On devices with Snapdragon 8xx (such as Xiaomi 12 Pro or Black Shark 4), you can redirect the system sound to record via ADB:

adb shell settings put global capture_audio_output true

After this command is executed, restart your smartphone and check the sound recording in Screen Recorder.Warning: This method may reset after the MIUI update.

5. Screen recording on older Xiaomi models (MIUI 9 and below)

If you have a smartphone like Xiaomi Mi A1, Redmi 4X or Mi Max 2 with MIUI 9 or Android 7.0, there is no built-in recorder.

• 📱 Install. AZ Screen Recorder (version 5.6.3 or lower – newer versions may not support older Android).
• 🔧 Enable Developer Mode (7 taps by Assembly Number in Settings) → The phone).
• ⚡ In the Developer Settings, activate the Debugging by USB Do not turn off the screen during charging (if the recording is long).

For devices on MediaTek (e.g. Redmi 3S) you may need to:

⚠️ Attention: On chipsets MT67xx recording the screen through third-party applications often leads to artifacts (green stripes, slowing down). 480p and FPS up to 15 fps.

6.Write optimization: how to reduce file size without loss of quality

Video from the screen takes up a lot of space – for example, 1 minute at 1080p@60FPS weighs ~500MB.

• 📉 Reduce bitrate to 8-12 Mbps (in Screen Recorder or third-party application settings).
• 🔄 Use codecs. H.265 (HEVC) instead H.264 — They compress video 2 times more efficiently (available in the video). AZ Screen Recorder Pro).
• ✂️ Cut off unnecessary fragments immediately after recording (in the same way). AZ Recorder has a built-in editor).
• ☁️ Upload your video to the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) and delete local copies.

To convert the finished video to a more compact format, use:

• 📱 On the smartphone: Video Compress or Panda Video Compressor.
• 💻 On PC: HandBrake (free, supports) HEVC).

Resolution: 720p (enough for most tasks)

Bitrate: 10 Mbps for dynamic scenes (games), 5 Mbps for static (presentation).

Codec: H.265 (if the device supports)

- FPS: 30 fps (60) FPS It is only necessary for slow movements in games).-->

7. Problem Solving: Why Screen Recording Doesn't Work

If the recording does not start or is interrupted, check:

If the problem persists:

1. Check the available space on the device (needs at least 1 GB).
2. Update MIUI to the latest version (in Settings → About Phone → System Update).
3. Reset Screen Recorder settings to standard (Settings → Apps → Screen Recorder → Storage → Clear Data).

Frequently asked questions