How to shoot video from the screen of Xiaomi phone: from standard tools to hidden chips

Recording video from the Xiaomi screen is a task that every user sooner or later faces. Want to save gameplay, record streams, demonstrate an in-app bug or create a training video? Redmi, POCO and other Xiaomi smartphones have both built-in tools and hidden features that not everyone knows about. But even the standard Screen Recording feature**strong> does not always work intuitively - somewhere there is no sound, somewhere the video is laid, and in some firmware, the option is hidden.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to record a screen on Xiaomi, from basic to advanced, including bypassing the limitations of MIUI, adjusting quality and solving typical problems. You will learn how to record with sound, how to save video in high resolution, and what to do if the built-in recording refuses to work. And also a unique life hack for models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, where standard screen recording is blocked due to hardware constraints.

Standard screen recording in MIUI: where to find and how to use

On most Xiaomi smartphones (starting with MIUI 12 and later), the screen recording feature is built into the system, but its location depends on the shell version. In recent updates, developers have moved the button to the Notification Panel, but in older firmware, it has to be searched for in the settings.

To activate the recording:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
  • ๐Ÿ” Find the "Screen Record" button**strong> (If you don't have one, you can tap the icon. โš™๏ธ (ยซEdit it) and add it manually.

In some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12) after clicking on the button will appear an additional menu with the choice:

    โš ๏ธ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global system sound recording may be blocked due to licensing restrictions. If the "Sound recording" option is inactive, use the workarounds in Section 3.

    ๐Ÿ“Š What Xiaomi model do you use?
    Redmi Note (any)
    POCO F/X
    Xiaomi 12/13/14 series
    Another model

    2. Where are screen recordings saved and how to change the folder

    By default, all screen videos are saved in a folder. DCIM โ†’ ScreenRecords (or Movies) โ†’ ScreenRecords in some firmware. Files are formatted.mp4 and named after a pattern. ScreenRecord_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.mp4.

    If you are uncomfortable looking for records in a standard folder, you can change it:

    1. Tap Change and specify a new folder (such as Downloads or Mi Cloud).
    MIUI versionStandard folder.Supported formatsMax, permission.
    MIUI 12โ€“13DCIM/ScreenRecordsMP4 (H.264)1080p
    MIUI 14+Movies/ScreenRecordsMP4 (H.265)1440p (on flagships)
    POCO LauncherPictures/ScreenshotsMP4, MKV1080p

    If you are recording long videos (more than 30 minutes), we recommend you move the save folder to the next one. SD-So you can use a card to keep your internal memory from getting clogged:

    1. Put the memory card in the slot.
    2. In the screen recording settings, select SD-map.
    3. Confirm permission to access the media.

    ๐Ÿ’ก

    Before an important recording, check the free disk space โ€“ 1 minute of video in 1080p takes ~100-150 MB.

    3. How to record a screen with sound: bypassing the limitations of MIUI

    One of the most common problems is recording screens without sound, and in global MIUI firmware, the system sound recording option is often disabled due to licensing agreements with Google and Qualcomm, but there are a few workarounds:

    Method 1: Incorporate internal sound through ADB

    For advanced users:

    1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings โ†’ About Phone).
    2. Enable USB debugging in Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ For developers.
    3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global screenrecord_audio_internal 1
    4. Reset the device.

    After that, the option โ€œRecording internal soundโ€**strong> will appear in the screen recording menu.

    Method 2: Using an external microphone

    If ADB is too complex, plug in a Bluetooth headset or an external microphone. In the recording settings, select the microphone as the sound source. The quality will be worse, but at least the sound will be.

    Method 3: Third-party applications

    Applications like AZ Screen Recorder or Mobizen can record system sound through workarounds (for example, creating a virtual audio driver), minus lags on weak devices.

    โš ๏ธ Note: On devices with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), internal sound recording can be blocked at the hardware level.

    Enable the developer mode|Connect a Bluetooth headset (if necessary)|Check the vacant space|Close background annexes-->

    4. High-quality screen recording: FPS and bitrate settings

    Standard MIUI recording is often 720p and 30 FPS, which is not enough for gameplay or professional videos.

    1. Open Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Screen recording โ†’ Record quality.
    2. Choose: ๐Ÿ“ Permission: 1080p or 1440p (flagship-ready). ๐ŸŽž๏ธ Frequency of frames: 60 FPS (smooth-video). ๐Ÿ“Š Bitrate: 12โ€“20 Mbps (the higher the quality, but the more weight the file).

    Save the settings and restart the recording.

    Important for gamers: When you record games in 60 FPS, you can have lags.

    • ๐Ÿ”‹ Close all background applications.
    • ๐Ÿ”„ Switch to 30. FPS, But raise the bitrate to 25 Mbps.
    • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Use the game mode (Settings) โ†’ Special facilities โ†’ Turbo-playing mode).
    Why does the video lag when recording at 60 FPS?
    On weak processors (like Snapdragon 6xx or Helio Gxx), real-time video encoding requires a lot of resources. If the game itself loads the CPU/GPU, writing in a high FPS can lead to drawdowns. Solution: lower the resolution to 720p or use an external recorder (like Elgato for PC).

    5 Third-party screen recording apps: when they are needed

    Built-in MIUI recording is suitable for most tasks, but sometimes additional features are required:

    • ๐ŸŽค Recording from a webcam (for example, for streams).
    • ๐ŸŽจ Drawing on screen during recording.
    • โ˜๏ธ Automatic upload to the cloud.
    • ๐Ÿ” Recording a specific window (not the entire screen).

    The best apps for Xiaomi:

    AnnexFeaturesConsReference
    AZ Screen RecorderNo root, no camera, no watermarks.Advertising in the free versionGoogle Play
    Mobizen4K support, streaming on YouTubeRegistration is requiredGoogle Play
    DU RecorderBuilt-in video editor, recording from webcamLots of unnecessary permissionsGoogle Play

    Tip: If youโ€™re recording for YouTube or TikTok, use AZ Screen Recorder with settings:

    • Resolution: 1920ร—1080.
    • Bitrate: 15 Mbps.
    • Format: MP4 (H.264).
    • Sound source: Microphone + system sound (if available).

    ๐Ÿ’ก

    Third-party applications can record where the built-in MIUI function fails to work (for example, in banking applications or screenshot-protected games).

    6. Problem Solving: Recording does not start, lags or breaks

    Even on top-end Xiaomi models, screen recording can malfunction. Consider typical errors and their solutions:

    Problem 1: No screen recording button is available

    Causes and solutions:

    • ๐Ÿ”ง Outdated firmware: Update MIUI Up to the latest version in Settings โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Updating the system.
    • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Disabled function: Check in Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Screen recording โ†’ Permits.
    • ๐Ÿ”’ Region restrictions: Some devices in India or China block screen recording.

    Problem 2: Videos are lagging or tearing

    Most often it's the fault:

    • ๐Ÿ”‹ Lack of resources: Close background apps through Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Cleanup.
    • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Overheating: Remove the case and let the phone cool.
    • ๐Ÿ“€ Slow Memory: Transfer the recording to SD-class UHS-I.

    Problem 3: No sound in the recording

    Check it out.

    • ๐Ÿ”Š Whether the sound is enabled in the recording settings (see Section 3).
    • ๐ŸŽต Does the app block the sound (e.g. Netflix or Spotify have recording protection).
    • ๐Ÿ”Œ Is the microphone connected (if you use an external one).

    โš ๏ธ Note: On devices with HyperOS (new firmware for Xiaomi 14 and newer), the built-in screen recording may conflict with some games (e.g., Genshin Impact or other games). PUBG). In this case, use AZ Screen Recorder in Game Mode.

    7. Hidden chips: screen recording without notification panel and other life hacks

    MIUI has a few hidden screen recording capabilities that few people know about:

    Tip 1: Quick start through gestures

    Set up a gesture to record the screen:

    1. Go to Settings โ†’ Special features โ†’ Gestures.
    2. Select Quick Start Screen Recording.
    3. Assign a gesture (for example, Triple touch on the screen).

    Tip 2: Record without displaying the timer

    To remove the time counter and control panel from the recording:

    1. Activate Developer Mode.
    2. Enable the option of debugging over USB.
    3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global screenrecord_hide_timer 1

    Figure 3: Recording the lock screen

    By default, the recording stops when the phone is locked. To avoid this:

    • ๐Ÿ”“ Turn off Locking when recording in the Screen Recording app settings**strong>.
    • ๐Ÿ”‹ Install No Time Limits (maximum 3 hours of continuous recording).
    How to record a screen on Xiaomi without a root?
    Most functions (including system audio recording) can be unlocked via ADB, as described in Section 3. Root is not required, but developer and computer rights are required to execute commands.

    FAQ: Frequent questions about screen recording on Xiaomi

    ๐Ÿ” Can I record the screen in 4K Xiaomi?
    Yes, but only on flagship models with MIUI 14+ and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2 processor (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro or 14 Ultra). To do this: Open Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Screen Record. Select a resolution of 2160p (4K). Set a bitrate at least 30 Mbps. On budget devices (such as Redmi Note 12), the maximum resolution is 1080p.
    ๐ŸŽฎ Why recordings are lagging in games?
    Games are very loaded processor, and recording the screen requires additional resources. Solutions: Reduce the graphics settings in the game (for example, from Ultra to High). Use AZ Screen Recorder in Low CPU Usage mode. Close all background processes through Settings โ†’ Battery โ†’ Performance mode.
    ๐Ÿ”Š How to record sound from the game, if the built-in function does not give?
    There are 3 ways: External microphone: Connect headphones with microphone and select in the recording settings Microphone. ADB-Command: As described in Section 3, turn on the recording of internal sound.Sound cable: Use the Type-C adapter โ†’ 3.5mm and connect your phone to your PC via an audio interface (e.g. Behringer) UMC202HD).
    ๐Ÿ“ฑ Where to find screen recordings if they are not in the ScreenRecords folder?
    Check the following locations: Internal Storage โ†’ Movies (for MIUI 14+), Internal Storage โ†’ DCIM โ†’ Camera (on some POCO models), SD Card โ†’ ScreenRecords (if saved to the card). If the folder is not, use a file manager (for example, Mi File Manager) and search for *.mp4.
    โฑ๏ธ Can I record the screen for more than 30 minutes?
    Yes, but with limitations: MIUI default โ€” 30 minutes, but it can be increased to 3 hourly ADB: adb shell settings put global screenrecord_time_limit 180 On weak devices, long-term recording can lead to overheating or automatic shutdown. OBS Studio on PC with phone connection USB.