Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have powerful functionality that often stays hidden in the depths of the menu. One of the most popular features is built-in screen recording, which allows you to capture what is happening on the display without installing unnecessary programs. Users no longer need to look for difficult workarounds, since the developers of MIUI have implemented a full-fledged screencast tool directly into the system, which is convenient for creating training videos, fixing bugs in games or saving correspondence.
In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of working with the built-in recorder, and also consider alternative methods if the standard functionality for some reason does not suit you. You will learn how to adjust the quality of the video, add sound from the microphone or system, and where to find ready-made files. It is important to note that in some banking applications and streaming services, recording can be blocked at the level of Android security, resulting in a screening in black. Let’s start with the simplest and fastest way to activate.
Activation of the built-in recorder through the notification curtain
The fastest way to start recording is to use the Quick Access Bar. In the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, this tool is called Screen Record. First, you need to lower the notification curtain from top to bottom. If you can't see the desired icon among the active buttons, look for the Edit button or the icon with three dots in the corner of the menu.
In the list of available widgets, find the Screen Record element and drag it to the active area. Now, clicking on the camera icon, you start the process of capturing the image. Before you start, the system will suggest choosing the sound source: only system sounds, only a microphone or a combination of them. This is a critical parameter if you plan to comment on your actions or, conversely, record pure sound from the game.
When you start, you'll see a floating control panel that allows you to pause, stop recording, or take screenshots on the fly, and you'll see a timer for the duration of your current session, and unlike third-party software, the built-in tool is optimized for Snapdragon and MediaTek processors, so it's less battery loading and doesn't cause a lot of heat.
Configuring quality parameters and resolution
To get quality video, you need to set your recording settings correctly. Standard settings may not be suitable for all scenarios: someone needs the maximum resolution for YouTube, and someone needs the minimum file size for fast sending in the messenger. To change these settings, run the Screen Record application through the menu of all programs or click on the gear icon in the floating window of the recorder.
You'll find a resolution slider in the settings menu. Modern Redmi Note or Xiaomi Mi models have resolutions up to 1080p and above. However, it's worth remembering that high resolution requires more processing power. If you notice FPS drops in games while recording, it makes sense to lower the quality to 720p.
The standard rate is 30 frames per second, which is enough for tutorials. Gamers who want to capture a smooth picture in shooters should switch to 60 FPS if the device supports this option. Also, you can choose the video format: MP4 is the most compatible, but MKV can offer better quality at a smaller size.
- 🎥 Permission: Choose 1920×1080 clear-cut 1280×720 save space.
- 🎞️ Frequency of frames: 30 FPS for the interface, 60 FPS play-play.
- 🎙️ Sound: Turn on "Mic Amplification" if you're recording your voice in a noisy room.
Use of third-party applications for advanced functionality
While Xiaomi’s built-in tools are good enough, more advanced functionality is sometimes required. Third-party apps from Google Play can offer on-the-fly video editing, on-screen drawing, or streaming. One of the leaders in this niche is the XRecorder app or AZ Screen Recorder.
The main advantage of third-party software is the ability to configure hotkeys and more flexible codec management. You can choose H.265 encoder for better compression without loss of quality. However, when installing such programs, carefully monitor the permissions requested. The screen recording application does not need access to your contacts or location.
Why can third-party applications drain the battery faster?
When using alternative programs, make sure they have permission to display over other windows. Without these overlays, control simply won't appear on the screen during recording, and some antiviruses in MIUI can block unknown recorders, so they need to be added to exceptions.
Working with sound: system audio and microphone
One of the hardest things about recording a screen on Android is the sound. Since Android 10, Google has changed its security policy to ban direct capture of internal audio without special permissions. On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 shell and later, this problem is solved at the system level, but there are nuances.
If you want to record audio from a game or video, select System Sound in the recorder settings, in which case the phone's microphone will be turned off and no extraneous noise will be included in the video. If you need to comment on what is happening, switch to Microphone. System Sound and Microphone mode is not available on all versions of Android and may not work correctly in some applications.
⚠️ Note: When recording calls via WhatsApp or Telegram, the built-in voice recorder may not capture the voice of the interlocutor due to the privacy restrictions of the messengers. In such cases, the sound will only go through the microphone, and the quality may be low.
To improve voice recording, use a headset. Connected headphones with a microphone often give a cleaner sound than a smartphone's built-in microphone, especially if you're on the move. Remember to check the input level in the settings before you start an important recording.
Where to find saved videos and how to share them
Once you've finished recording, the file is automatically saved to the gallery, and Xiaomi and Redmi have a separate album called Screenshots or a dedicated ScreenRecorder folder in the file manager, and the path to the file is usually like Internal Memory/DCIM/ScreenRecorder.
The system allows you to edit the video immediately after you stop recording: cut off extra seconds, add text or music. This saves time, because you do not need to open a separate video editor. Files have a standard.mp4 extension, which ensures compatibility with any player or social networks.
☑️ Checking before posting the video
If you plan to send videos via instant messengers, note that they compress files very much. For Telegram, you can send files as a "File" without compression to preserve the original quality. On WhatsApp and Viber, the quality will be reduced automatically, so for important points, it is better to use cloud storage.
Comparison of recording methods: table of possibilities
To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you understand whether you should bother installing additional software or enough standard tools.
| Function | Built-in MIUI recorder | Third-party annexes | Computer (ADB/Scrcpy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video quality | High (up to 1080p+) | Depends on the app. | Maximum (no compression) |
| Sound recording | System + Microphone | Often just a microphone. | Systemic sound |
| Impact on the battery | Minimum | Medium/High | Doesn't affect the phone. |
| Editing | Basic | Expanded | Absent. |
As you can see from the table, the built-in tool benefits in optimization and stability. Computer methods (Scrcpy) are good for professional review recording, but require a PC and cable. Third-party applications remain niche solutions for specific tasks.
Solving system problems and limitations
Despite the convenience, users may encounter problems, such as recording can be abruptly interrupted due to a lack of RAM. In such cases, close the background applications before recording. Also make sure there is free space on the disk - high-resolution videos take up a lot of space.
Another common problem is the black screen when trying to write secure content (Netflix, banking applications) – it’s not a bug, it’s a DRM protection feature. You can’t get around it in standard ways, and trying to do it through root rights can disrupt the application.
💡
Tip: If the recording stops after 4 hours, check the power saving settings. Set the "No Limits" mode for Screen Recording so that the system does not kill the process in the background.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to record the screen while charging if the phone is getting too hot.The combination of CPU load from recording and charging current can lead to trottling (decreased performance) and jerking in video.
If the sound is being recorded with a delay or distortion, try lowering the bitrate in the settings. CPU overload by the encoder is a common reason for desynchronizing audio and video on Redmi's budget models.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record the screen during an incoming call?
Why is the video twitching, even though the phone is powerful?
Where is the audio track stored if I only recorded sound?
Is the sound of notifications recorded during the screencast?
💡
The built-in screen recording feature on Xiaomi is the optimal balance between quality and convenience. Third-party applications should only be used for specific tasks that are not available in stock firmware.