How to record a screen on Xiaomi Mi 9: all working ways in 2026

Xiaomi Mi 9 is still a popular smartphone among users who appreciate the performance and quality of the screen. But with the recording of the screen on this model, there are often difficulties: MIUI does not have a built-in screencast function, and third-party applications can work unstable. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to record the screen on the Mi 9 – from standard tools to advanced methods using ADB.

Feature of the Mi 9 in that it is released in 2019 year-round MIUI 10/11, where screen recording function was limited, however, even on current firmware versions (including MIUI 14 for ported assemblies, you can activate the screencast without ROOT-We tested all the methods on real devices and selected those that work consistently without causing lag or overheating.

Important: If you plan to record gameplay or stream, note that the Mi 9 on the Snapdragon 855 processor supports recording in resolution up to 1080p@60fps, but long sessions (over 30 minutes) may experience performance trolling due to cooling system limitations.

1. Built-in screen recording function (hidden mode)

Many users don’t know, but MIUI for the Mi 9 has a hidden screen recording feature that can be activated through the Quick Settings Panel, which does not require additional applications to be installed, but has limitations on functionality.

To turn it on:

• 📱 Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
• 🔍 Find the icon "Screen Recording" (if it is not, tap the icon of the pencil) → «Add» → Find out "Screen Recorder»).
• 🎥 Click on the recording icon – a floating window with a timer and control buttons will appear.
• ⚙️ Before recording, you can configure the resolution (maximum) 1080p) and bitrate (recommended 8-12 Mbps for balance of file quality and size).

Limitations of this method:

• ❌ No ability to record internal sound (only microphone).
• ❌ Video saved in format.mp4 with a fixed bitrate - you can not choose HEVC (H.265).
• ❌ Artifacts may appear when recording games due to optimization MIUI battery-saving.

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If the Screen Record icon doesn’t appear in the panel, upgrade to the latest MIUI version for Mi 9 or use the ADB method (Section 4).

2. Screen recording via Google Play Games (for gameplay)

If you need to record gameplay, the best option is to use the built-in recorder from Google Play Games, a method that is suitable for the Mi 9, as the app is optimized for the Snapdragon 855 and supports high FPS recording.

Instructions:

1. Install the Google Play Games app from the Play Market.
2. Open the game you want to record.
3. Swipe from top to bottom to open the notification bar, and find the “Record game” notification (gamepad icon).
4. Click “Start recording” – the video will be saved to the Movies/Play Games folder.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Records the internal sound of the game (without the need to connect an external microphone).
• ✅ Maintains permission until 1080p@60fps (on Mi 9 stable without lag).
• ✅ Automatically cuts off unnecessary fragments (for example, pauses in the menu).

An important caveat: if a game uses write protection (such as PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact), Google Play Games can block the recording, in which case you will have to use ADB or third-party applications.

Third-party applications for screen recording

If the built-in methods don't work, you can install specialized applications.-3 recorder 9 And they chose those who did not. ROOT They do not cause a strong heat of the processor.

To activate the recording of internal sound in Mobizen or DU Recorder:

1. Go to the application settings.
2. Find the Audio section → select “Inner Sound”.
3. Confirm permission to record (reboot may be required).

Install the application from an official source|Give all necessary permissions (microphone, window overlay)|Disable battery optimization for the application|Check the space available (minimum 1GB for 10-minute video)-->

⚠️ Attention: Apps like DU Recorder may be in conflict with MIUI Optimizer on Mi 9, which causes sudden recording stops. If the video stops, try turning off Smart Optimization in the battery settings.

4. Screen recording via ADB (no ROOT)

If you want maximum quality or unlimited system audio recording, the best way to do this is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works on any version of MIUI and does not require superuser rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Mi 9: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
3. Download Platform Tools (includes adb).
4. Open the command line (cmd) in the adb folder and type: adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1 This team will unlock the hidden API, screen-recording.
5. Install Scrcpy (for PC) or use the command: adb shell screenrecord /sdcard/record.mp4 --bit-rate 10000000 --size 1080x2340 Where: --bit-rate 10000000 -- bitrate 10 Mbps (can be increased to 15000000000 for better quality). --size 1080x2340 --Mi 9 screen resolution.

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Important: After recording via ADB, the video is stored in the root folder of the device (/sdcard/record.mp4). To avoid data loss, copy the file immediately to your PC or to the cloud.

5. Screen recording using mirroring on PC

If you need to record the Mi 9 screen with maximum quality and real-time editability, the best option is mirroring on a PC and then recording via OBS Studio or Scrcpy.

Instructions for Scrcpy:

1. Install Scrcpy on your PC.
2. Connect the Mi 9 to USB (with debugging enabled).
3. Run Scrcpy through the command line with the parameters: scrcpy --bit-rate 15M --max-size 1080 --record file.mp4 Where: --bit-rate 15M -- bitrate 15 Mbps. --max-size 1080 -- height limit (width will adjust automatically). --record file.mp4 -- file entry.

Scrcpy

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Advantages of this method:

• ✅ There are no restrictions on the duration of the recording (unlike mobile applications).
• ✅ You can record internal sound through a virtual audio driver (e.g., VB-Cable).
• ✅ Supported hot keys for control (for example, Win)+Alt+R for the beginning/end of the entry in OBS).

⚠️ Note: When mirroring through Scrcpy on the Mi 9, there may be a delay of 50–100 ms. For games this is critical, so it is better to use it. ADB or Google Play Games.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to decide, we have compiled a comparative table of all ways to record the screen on the Mi 9:

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For most Mi 9 users, the best choice is Google Play Games (for games) or AZ Screen Recorder (for other tasks) ADB It is suitable for advanced users who need the highest quality.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screen recording on Xiaomi Mi 9