Screen Recorder on Xiaomi: why you need it, how to delete and disable screen recording

What is Screen Recorder on Xiaomi and why is it necessary?

If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone, you’ve probably noticed a strange Screen Recorder (or Screen Recorder in Russian) app on your app list, which is a standard system application built into MIUI firmware and designed to capture video from your device’s screen, and is useful for gamers, streamers or those who want to record a smartphone setting guide.

But many people are asking themselves, can you delete Screen Recorder, will it harm the system, and why does the app sometimes self-activate without asking and start recording the screen in the background? This is especially true for owners of budget models (Redmi Note 10, POCO M3), where every megabyte of memory is on the account. Next, we will analyze all the nuances - from the purpose of the utility to how to deactivate it.

It's important to understand that Screen Recorder is not a virus or a spyware. It's an official MIUI component that's integrated into the system at the firmware level. But its behavior may seem suspicious, for example, some users complain that the com.miui.screenrecorder app consumes the battery or starts on its own after updates. Let's figure out how to deal with it.

How Screen Recorder works on Xiaomi: Technical details

Screen Recorder uses Android’s built-in APIs to capture the screen, but it has additional features in MIUI:

• 🎮 Recording gameplay with camera overlay (for streams).
• 🔊 Capture internal sound (not working on all models).
• ⚙️ Customization of bitrate and permission (up to) 1080p@60fps).
• 📱 Quick access through notification curtain or gestures.

At a technical level, the utility works through MediaProjection, which requires explicit user permission every time it runs. However, some versions of MIUI 12/13 have bugs that caused Screen Recorder to run without a request, such as when you plug in your headphones or after you reboot, which is due to Xiaomi's optimizations for gamer scenarios.

From a security perspective, the app is not a threat, but it can collect data about your activity (like any system software), for example, logs on com.miui.screenrecorder can store record times, session durations, and even the names of running applications. If this is a concern, we will explain how to restrict access to it.

Can I remove Screen Recorder without root rights?

The short answer is no. Screen Recorder is part of MIUI firmware and is protected from removal by standard means. If you try to uninstall it through Settings → Apps, you will see a gray button called Delete, which means that the system blocks the action.

There are, however, workarounds:

1. Disconnect (deactivation) through settings.
2. Hiding from the app menu.
3. Removal for power users (requires root or ADB).

The safest way to do this is to turn off the app.

Once you shut it down, it will stop running, but it will stay in the system, you can manually activate it again, and if you want to completely remove com.miui.screenrecorder, you will need to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or get root access. More on this in the next section.

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Before disabling Screen Recorder, check if you are using it indirectly. For example, some games (such as Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) automatically offer to record gameplay through this utility.

How to delete Screen Recorder with ADB (without root)

If you’re willing to take the risk, you can uninstall the app without getting root permissions using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that works on most Xiaomi devices, but requires a computer connection and developer mode enabled.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

ADB-driver

Android Studio

adb devices

Make sure the device is identified.

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.screenrecorder

Once you have completed the command, the application will disappear from the menu, but its files will remain in the system. If you need to return Screen Recorder, use the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.screenrecorder

Why Screen Recorder is Launching and How to Fix It

One of the most common complaints of Xiaomi users is that they run Screen Recorder on their own, and the app can start recording the screen without you knowing, leading to:

• ⚡ Increased battery consumption (up to 10-15% per hour).
• 📁 Filling up memory with unnecessary video files.
• 🔍 Emergence of notices of record.

The reasons for this behaviour are:

If the problem is the firmware bug, try resetting to factory settings (but do a backup first!).

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (does not delete files).
3. After restarting, check to see if the problem has gone away.

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If Screen Recorder is running because of games, open the settings of a particular game and turn off the option "Record Gameplay" or "Screen Auto Capture".

Screen Recorder Alternatives: Which Apps Are Better

If you don’t like the built-in Screen Recorder (for example, due to bugs or limited functionality), you can use third-party apps.

• 🎥 AZ Screen Recorder – supports recording from a webcam, drawing on the screen and streaming.
• 🎮 Mobizen – optimized for gamers, there is a video editor.
• 📱 DU Recorder - lightweight, but with advertising (you can turn off in the settings).
• 🔧 XRecorder – Minimalist interface, no watermarks.

Advantages of third-party applications:

More settings (bitrate, FPS, sound source).

There are no system restrictions (e.g., you can record Netflix or DRM-protected content if permitted by law).

The ability to stream directly to YouTube or Twitch.

There are, however, downsides:

Some apps show ads.

It may be necessary to root to record internal sound.

In the background, third-party recorders plant a battery more strongly than the built-in Screen Recorder.

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If you need to record a watermarked screen, most alternative apps have a “Remove watermark” option (may require you to purchase a Pro version).

Frequent errors and problems with Screen Recorder on Xiaomi

Even if you haven't removed the app, it can crash, and let's look at the typical bugs and how to fix them:

If Screen Recorder doesn't record sound, check:

1. Is the microphone enabled in the application settings?
2. Is the "Do Not Disturb" mode activated?
3. Does not block the sound of another application (for example, Equalizer or Dolby Atmos)?

Some models (Xiaomi 11T, Redmi K40) only use games to record internal sound, and recording audio from other applications (such as Spotify or YouTube) will require root or workarounds (such as using an external microphone).

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If Screen Recorder is slowing down your phone, try lowering the recording resolution to 720p or turning off the high-bitrate recording in the app settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

If your question is not covered in the FAQ, check the official Xiaomi forums (such as Mi Community) or contact the Mi Support app for support. Specify the phone model and the MIUI version, which will help you find a solution faster.

⚠️ Note: Do not use third-party cleaners (e.g. Clean Master or Clean Master). DU Speed Booster to remove Screen Recorder.They can damage system files and lead to bootloop (a looped reboot).