Screen recording on Xiaomi Mi 8: from standard tools to professional solutions

The Xiaomi Mi 8, released in 2018, is still popular with users thanks to its powerful hardware and flexible MIUI firmware. However, the screen recording feature in this model is not as obvious as in modern smartphones. If you tried to find the Screen Record button in the notification curtain and did not find it, do not be surprised: the Mi 8 does not have it by default.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to record a screen on Xiaomi Mi 8 – from hidden MIUI functions to third-party applications with advanced settings. You will learn how to bypass system limitations, adjust resolution and bitrate, and avoid common errors (for example, recording without sound or with artifacts at high CPU load).

1.Integrated screen recording in MIUI: where to look and how to turn on

Check question: did you check all the options in the notification curtain? In the Xiaomi Mi 8, the screen recording button may be hidden, but it can be added manually.

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Click on the icon «⚙️» (or "Edit" in the upper right corner.
3. Find the Screen Recorder (or Screen Recorder) tiles in the list of unavailable tiles and drag it to the active area.

If the tiles aren't even on the unavailable list, your version of MIUI doesn't support the built-in entry, so move on to the next section.

Limitations of the built-in tool:

• 🔊 Systemic sound recording works only on MIUI 12+ (In earlier versions, the sound is not captured).
• 🎮 There may be a drawdown in games. FPS Due to the load on the Snapdragon 845 processor.
• 📱 Maximum authorization — 1080p 30 frames per second.

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi Mi 8 with MIUI 10 The built-in screen recording can be interrupted after 3 minutes due to system limitations. To get around this, use third-party apps.

2. Recording through “Developers Mode”: Hidden Opportunities

If the built-in feature is not available, you can activate the recording via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a PC connection, but gives you more control over the recording parameters.

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version. Return to the main settings menu and a new Developer section will appear.

USB debugging

ADB

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

This command unlocks hidden APIs, including advanced screen recording.

After that, the notification curtain will appear "Screen Record" tile with additional settings. For example, you can:

• 🎤 Select a sound source (microphone, system sound or both).
• 📊 Change the bitrate of the video (up to 20 Mbps).
• 🖥️ Permission to be granted up to 2340×1080 (native 8).

💡

If the ADB command doesn't show up with the recording tile, restart the phone. Sometimes the changes only apply after the reboot.

3. Third-party apps: TOP-3 for Xiaomi Mi 8

If you need advanced features — like webcam recording, logo overlay or live streaming — third-party apps are essential. We tested dozens of apps and picked out the top 3 options for the Xiaomi Mi 8:

How do you choose?

• 🎮 Mobizen is better for games - it minimally loads the processor.
• 🎥 For educational videos with comments — AZ Screen Recorder (best sound).
• 📱 For fast recording without unnecessary settings — DU Recorder.

Install the application from the official store|Provide all the permissions requested (microphone, storage)|Close background applications for stable operation|Set resolution and bitrate manually (do not leave "default")-->

Screen recording with root rights: possibilities without limitations

If you have root installed (for example, through Magisk), you have full control over the recording of the screen, which is the only way to record internal sound on MIUI 10-11, and also bypass the restrictions on the duration of the video.

1. Install the Magisk module – ScreenRecord Unlocker (available in the Magisk repository).
2. Reboot the phone.
3. Use any recording app (such as AZ Screen Recorder) to capture system sound.

Advantages of root solution:

• 🔇 Record any sound (including sounds from games and messengers).
• ⏱️ There is no limit on the length of the recording.
• ⚡ Ability to write at 60 FPS (This is not available on the standard Mi 8 settings).

⚠️ Note: Root rights can lead to loss of warranty and security issues (e.g., some banking applications will stop working.

5. Gameplay recording: Optimization for games

Xiaomi Mi 8 with Snapdragon 845 processor is capable of recording games in 1080p, but for smooth video you need to adjust the settings correctly.

• 🎮 Reduce the game to “Mediocre” or “Low” – this will reduce the load on the game. GPU.
• 📊 Set the bitrate no higher 8-10 Mbps (otherwise they will be lags).
• ⏱️ Record in short sessions (up to 10 minutes) to avoid overheating.
• 🔋 Connect charging while recording - Mi 8 discharges quickly at high load.

The best apps for gamers:

1. Mobizen - minimal drawdown of FPS, support for broadcasts.
2. Game Recorder (from Xiaomi) – preinstalled on some versions of MIUI, optimized for gaming.
3. Vysor – recording via PC (useful for long streams).

💡

To record games on Xiaomi Mi 8, it is better to use an external microphone (for example, through a 3.5 mm connector) - the built-in microphone captures the noise of coolers and creates interference.

6 Problem Solving: Why the Recording Is Not Working

If the screen recording is interrupted, does not capture sound or gives an error, check these points:

Additional advice:

• 🔄 If the recording doesn’t start, try turning off the power saving for the recording app in the battery settings.
• 📵 Before recording, turn on Do Not Disturb mode so that notifications don’t get into the video.
• 🗃️ Save the video to an external memory card (if any) to avoid clogging internal memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screen recording on Xiaomi Mi 8