Screen recording on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature that allows you to capture what is happening on the display of the device, from gameplay and video instructions to streams and demonstration of the application. Unlike many manufacturers, Xiaomi has integrated the screen recording tool directly into the MIUI shell, which saves users from the need to install third-party programs. However, not everyone knows where this option is, how to use it and what settings are available to fine-tune the recording quality.
In this article, we will explore all aspects of screen recording on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from basic instructions for beginners to advanced settings for power users. We will focus on the differences between versions of MIUI (12, 13, 14, 15), as the interface and layout of functions can change.
What is screen recording on Xiaomi and why you need it
Screen recording (or screencasting) is the process of saving everything that happens on a smartphone display as a video file. On Xiaomi devices, this feature is implemented at the system level and is available without installing additional software.
- 🎮 Record gameplay for streaming, reviewing, or saving achievements in games.
- 📚 Create video instructions for setting up a smartphone or working with applications.
- 📱 Demonstrate bugs to technical support or developers.
- 💬 Save video chats (with the consent of the interlocutor) or important moments from video conferencing.
- 📊 Application performance analysis (e.g., recording lags or freezes).
Xiaomi’s built-in tool allows you to record screen with sound (both system and microphone), select resolution and bitrate, and add touch marks to video. However, there are limitations to the feature: for example, in some regions, screen recording can be blocked in banking applications or services with DRM- protection (Netflix, Disney+).
If you want to record with advanced capabilities (such as overlaying a webcam, editing in real time or streaming), you will have to use third-party applications, but for most tasks, the built-in MIUI tool is quite enough.
How to turn on screen recording on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions
Depending on the MIUI version and smartphone model, the way you activate your screen recording may vary slightly. Consider the universal method that works on most devices (from the Redmi Note 10 to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra):
- Open the notification bar by swiping your finger from top to bottom across the screen.
- Find the Screen Recording tile (an icon with a mug and a dot inside). If it's not there, click on the pencil icon (Edit) and add the tile to the active ones.
- Slap the screen recording on the tile, and a countdown timer (3 seconds) will appear, after which the recording will begin.
- To stop recording, re-open the notification bar and click on the screen recording notification in the process... or on the red tiles in the quick access panel.
The finished video will be saved in the gallery in the ScreenRecordings folder (or Screen Records on Russian firmware). The file format is.mp4, the default resolution corresponds to the screen resolution of the device.
☑️ Preparation for screen recording
If screen recording is missing even after editing the panel, check if the function is disabled in the settings:
- Go to Settings → Special Options → Screen recording.
- Make sure the screen recording switch is active.
⚠️ Warning: On some models (e.g., POCO F5 or Redmi K60), screen recording may be restricted in high-load games, in which case the system will suggest lowering the recording resolution or turning off the sound.
Screen recording settings: resolution, sound, quality
Xiaomi's built-in tool allows you to flexibly configure write settings to open the settings menu:
- Run the screen recording through the notification panel.
- During the countdown (3 seconds) tap the notification Screen recording - a window with parameters will open.
Available options (may vary depending on the model):
| Parameter | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Permission | Video quality (from 480p to 1080p or 1440p on flagships) | 1080p for Balancing File Quality and Size |
| Bitreit | Data flow rate (affects the clarity and size of the file) | 8–12 Mbps for Full HD |
| Sound source | Microphone, system sound or both at the same time | System sound + microphone for comments |
| Show touch | Display of circles in places of pressing on the screen | Including for training videos |
| Showing the toolbar | Display of floating panel with pause/stop buttons | Off for clean video |
On devices with MIUI 14/15, a webcam recording option has been introduced, which allows you to overlay the image from the front camera on top of the screen, which is useful for streamers or content creators who want to show their reaction during recording.
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If the video is too large in size, reduce the bitrate to 6 Mbit / s or record in a resolution of 720p. This will almost not worsen the quality when viewing on a smartphone, but will save space.
Note: When recording system audio, some applications (such as Spotify or YouTube Music) may block playback due to DRM limitations.
Where screen recordings are stored and how to find them
By default, all screen entries on Xiaomi are saved in the folder:
Internal Memory → DCIM → ScreenRecordingsor (in Russian language firmware):
Internal storage → Camera → Screen recordingsTo quickly find the video:
- Open the Gallery app.
- Go to the album Videos or Screen Records.
- Sort files by date (new entries will be at the beginning of the list).
If the ScreenRecordings folder does not show:
- 🔍 Check if it is hidden in the file manager settings (Settings → Show hidden files).
- 📁 Use a third-party file manager (e.g., Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
- 🔄 Reboot the device — sometimes the folder is only created after the first record.
⚠️ Warning: If you use a microSD, the records are stored by default in internal memory. To change the way you save, you will need a third-party application (e.g., AZ Screen Recorder).
Video files take up a significant amount of space: 1 minute of recording in 1080p with a bitrate of 12 Mbps weighs about 90-120 MB. Regularly clean the ScreenRecordings folder if you do not plan to store old records.
Problems with screen recording on Xiaomi and their solutions
Despite the convenience of the built-in tool, Xiaomi users sometimes encounter errors when recording the screen.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The recording button is not in the notification panel | The function is disabled in settings or removed from tiles | Include in Settings → Special features → Screen recording and add tile to the panel |
| Video is recorded without sound | DRM restrictions in the application or system sound disabled in the settings | Try recording sound from the microphone only or use third-party software |
| Recording interrupted or lagged | Lack of RAM or high bitrate | Close the background applications and lower the resolution/bitrate |
| Black screen in recorded video | Protection against recording in banking applications or games | Use mirroring on PC via Mi PC Suite or scrcpy |
| There is no way to record sound from the microphone. | No permission to access the microphone | Check permissions in Settings → Apps → Screen recording → Permissions |
If the problem is not solved, try resetting the screen recording settings:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find Screen Recorder (or Screen Recorder) and select Warehouse.
- Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
- Reset the device.
What if the screen recording doesn’t work after the MIUI update?
Alternative applications for recording the screen on Xiaomi
If the built-in MIUI function is not satisfied with the quality or functionality, you can use third-party applications.
- 🎥 Recording with overlay of the webcam (PIP- mode).
- ⚙️ Real-time video editing (shortcutting, adding text).
- 📡 Streaming directly on YouTube or Twitch.
- 🔊 Recording internal sound bypassing DRM- limitations (on some models).
Top-3 screen recording apps on Xiaomi:
| Annex | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| AZ Screen Recorder | No Ads, 4K Recording, Video Editor | Paid version to unlock all functions |
| DU Recorder | Built-in streaming, recording from webcam | Lots of advertising in the free version |
| Mobizen | Convenient interface, recording without lags | Limitation on the duration of recording in the free version |
To install a third-party screen recording app:
- Download it from Google Play or the official website.
- Provide all the necessary permissions (access to the microphone, storage, overlay on top of other applications).
- Run the record through the application interface or tile in the notification panel (if supported).
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The application side can record sound where the built-in MIUI tool is locked (e.g., in some games or banking applications).
Please note: some screen recording applications may conflict with the built-in MIUI function. If the standard recording stops working after installing third-party software, clear the system tool cache or disable the alternative application.
Tips for improving screen recording quality
To make the video look professional, follow these guidelines:
- 📱 Clear the screen of notifications before recording — they can distract the viewer.
For editing the recorded video, we recommend using:
- CapCut is a free editor with templates for social networks.
- KineMaster is a professional tool with support for multi-track installation.
- InShot is a simple editor for quick cropping and adding music.
If you record gameplay, turn on the performance mode in the game settings:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the game you want to improve your recording for.
- Activate the option Performance Mode or Game Turbo.
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For long video recording (over 30 minutes), use an external drive or cloud storage. The smartphone's built-in memory may not hold a large file.