Xiaomi screen recording is a useful feature that can be used to create guides, streams, save game moments or show apps. Unlike other brands, Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones based on MIUI offer several built-in ways to capture the screen, but not all of them are obvious to users. For example, in some versions of the firmware, the option is hidden in the quick settings menu, and in others requires activation through the “function laboratory”.
In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for recording screens on Xiaomi – from standard tools to third-party applications with advanced capabilities (including recording system sound and microphone at the same time). MIUI (12-14) and smartphone models, where the options may differ, and if you encounter a "failed to start recording" error or don't see the screen capture button, here you will find solutions.
1.Integrated screen recording in MIUI: where to look and how to turn on
The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI Screen Recorder tool.It is available on all Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi Note 11, POCO X5, Mi 11 and later), but its visibility depends on the firmware version. In MIUI 13/14, the record button can be hidden by default.
To activate it:
- 📱 Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
- 🔍 Find the "Screen Recording" icon. If it's not there, tap it "⚙️ Edit" (or "Pencil") and add it to active tiles.
- 🎤 To record sound: Before starting, press the gear next to the recording button and select the sound source (Microphone, System Sound, or both at the same time).
- ⏺️ Press the recording button, wait for the countdown (3 seconds) and start the demo.
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) The built-in recorder may not support system audio recording due to Android limitations. In this case, use the methods in Section 3 or 4.
Close unnecessary applications (release RAM)|Check the battery level (minimum 30%)|Disable notifications (to avoid getting into the video)|Select a sound source (microphone/system sound)-->
2. Screen recording via Functions Lab (for older versions of MIUI)
If you are using Xiaomi with MIUI 12 or earlier (e.g., on the Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi 9T), the screen recording button may not be in the notification curtain, in which case it must be activated manually through the hidden menu:
- Open the Settings. → The phone.
- Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version until the message “You are a developer!” appears.
- Return to the main settings menu and select Additional settings → Functions Lab.
- Find the screen recording option and turn it on.
- Reboot your smartphone – the button will appear in the notification panel.
🔹 Note: Some firmware may have different paths. MIUI 11 for Redmi Note 7, the option is called Screen Video Recording and is in Settings → Special facilities.
What to do if there is no "laboratory functions"?
3.Recording the screen with system sound: bypassing the limitations of MIUI
By default, MIUI blocks the recording of system sound (music, sounds from games or videos) due to Android security policy.
Method 1: Use Screen Recorder with root rights
Apps like Mobizen or Mobizen DU Recorder can record system sound, but require root access or activation ADB-Debugging:
- 📲 Install Screen Recorder (or equivalent) from Google Play.
- 🔧 Turn on Debugging. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → For developers → Debugging by USB.
- 🖥️ Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global capture_audio_output true
- 🎵 Run the recording in the application - now the system sound will be captured.
Method 2: Recording through an external mixer (without root)
If root is not available, use an audio adapter with a splitter (e.g. USB-C to 3.5mm + microphone). Connect the headphones to the splitter and the microphone input to the smartphone. In the recorder settings, select the Outer microphone as the sound source, so that the system sound will be recorded via the "microphone" (earphones).
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To record gameplay with sound, use Google Play Games (if supported). This app can capture system sound without any additional settings.
4.Write Xiaomi screen from PC via Scrcpy or Vysor
If you need to record a Xiaomi smartphone screen on your computer (for example, for streaming or editing), use Scrcpy (free) or Vysor (for a fee but with a trial period), these tools transfer the image from the screen over USB/Wi-Fi and allow you to record video in high resolution.
Instructions for Scrcpy:
- Download Scrcpy and unpack the archive.
- Enable USB debugging on your smartphone (see Section 3).
- Connect Xiaomi to your PC via cable and run scrcpy.exe.
- To write, add the key --record: scrcpy --record file.mp4
- To capture sound, use the VB-Cable (virtual audio cable) or --audio=mic for the microphone.
⚠️ Note: When recording via Scrcpy over Wi-Fi, video delays (lag) are possible. USB-cable and disable other resource-intensive programs on PC.
Built-in function MIUI|Third-party applications (Mobizen, DU Recorder)|Recording from PC (Scrcpy, Vysor)|Another way.-->
5. Problem Solving: Why screen recording on Xiaomi doesn't work
If you try to record errors such as “Can’t start recording” or “Recording stopped”, check the following points:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Gray recording button | Function disabled in settings | Activate it through the Functions Lab (Section 2) |
| The recording ends in 3-5 minutes. | Time limit in MIUI | Use third-party applications (Section 3) |
| No sound on the record. | No source of sound selected | Before recording, click on the gear and select Microphone + system sound. |
| Video is being recorded with black stripes | Permission inconsistency | In the recorder settings, select Screen Resolution (e.g. 1080p) |
| The app flies out when recording | Lack of RAM | Close background processes through Settings → Apps → Cleanup |
On Xiaomi smartphones with a MediaTek processor (such as the Redmi 10C or POCO M4 Pro), the built-in recorder may conflict with the "Game Turbo Mode" function. Disable it before writing in the settings: Settings → Special Features → Game Turbo Mode.
6.The Best Screen Recording Apps on Xiaomi (2026)
If the built-in MIUI tools don’t suit you, consider alternative applications with advanced features:
- 🎬 Mobizen Screen Recorder – Recording in the 1080p/60 FPS, Video editor, YouTube streaming. Minus: watermark in the free version.
- 🎥 DU Recorder - external microphone support, webcam recording, no time limit.
- 🖥️ AZ Screen Recorder — no root rights for system sound, but there's drawing on the screen while recording.
- 🎮 Game Recorder (for games) – optimized for recording gameplay from FPS-counter-and-lag.
🔹 Tip: Check the permissions of the application before you install. Some recorders (like Super Screen Recorder) request access to notifications and logins - this is not secure).
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To record a screen with maximum quality (4K/60 FPS), use Scrcpy on a PC or Mobizen on a smartphone with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro).