Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and Pocophone smartphones have powerful functionality, which is often hidden behind a laconic interface. One of the most popular functions for creating educational content, gameplay or fixing errors is screen recording. However, users often encounter the fact that the standard switch in the notification shade does not work or is completely absent.
Understanding how to activate this option requires diving into the settings of the MIUI or HyperOS system. We will analyze not only standard methods, but also hidden capabilities available through the engineering menu and third-party utilities. This will allow you to gain full control over recording what is happening on the display of your device Xiaomi.
The standard method of activation is through the notification curtain
The fastest method to start capturing an image is to use the quick settings panel. In most modern shells from Xiaomi, this tool is already pre-installed, but sometimes it is hidden in the additional menu. You need to swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the control center.
If you don't see an icon that says Screen Recording or Screen Recorder among the active toggles, try tapping the edit button (usually a pencil icon or three dots). Drag the desired module to the active zone. After clicking, a small floating window will appear with a timer and control buttons.
In this menu you can select the sound source: system sounds, microphone, or a combination of both. You can also select video quality and frame rate. Pressing the red button will start the process, and pressing or swiping on the widget again will stop it, saving the file in the gallery.
To quickly stop recording without opening the menu, simply swipe the recorder widget down or click on the notification in the status bar.
Setting quality parameters and audio source
The quality of the final video directly depends on selected settings before starting recording. Go to the Screen Recording app through search or the Tools folder. In the upper right corner, click on the gear icon to get to the configuration menu.
Here you can change video resolution. To save space, it is recommended to select 720p, but to demonstrate the interface, it is better to set it to 1080p. Frame rate (FPS) affects smoothness: 30 frames per second is enough for tutorials, and 60 fps is necessary for fast-paced games.
⚠️ Attention: Setting the maximum resolution to 1080p and 60 FPS at the same time can cause overheating of the processor and rapid drainage of the battery during a long session.
Pay special attention to the sound settings. If you are recording gameplay with commentary, turn on your microphone. If you only want a clear picture and game sounds, select "System Sounds". Please note that in some regions, due to licensing restrictions, internal audio recording may be blocked at the system level.
Using the hidden engineering menu
In some versions of MIUI firmware, the standard function may not work correctly or may be missing. In such cases, the hidden engineering menu, accessible through the Phone application, comes to the rescue. This method allows you to activate in-depth recording settings that are not available in the regular interface.
Open dialer and enter the secret code ##6484##. You will be taken to the CIT (Customer Inspection Test) menu. Look for an item related to video or display, although a direct recording switch is rarely found there. Most often, this method is used for diagnostics, but in older versions of Android you could find a test record here.
A more effective method for advanced users is to activate adb commands if you have access to a computer. However, for the average user it is easier to use alternative launchers or third-party applications if the standard tool does not meet the requirements.
Risks of using the engineering menu
Careless changes to parameters in the CIT menu can lead to reset of sensor calibration or incorrect operation of the touchscreen. Reset all settings to their original state before exiting.
Third-party apps for advanced features
If the built-in features seem limited to you, the Google Play store offers many alternatives. Applications like AZ Screen Recorder or XRecorder provide functions for drawing on the screen, creating GIF animations and live broadcasting.
Installing third-party software requires permission to access media files and display on top of other windows. After installation and configuration, you will receive a control panel similar to the system one, but with more tools for editing on the fly.
| Application | Sound recording | Drawing | Without excess water |
|---|---|---|---|
| AZ Screen Recorder | Yes | Yes | No (in the free version) |
| XRecorder | Yes | Yes | Partly |
| ADV Screen Recorder | Yes | No | Yes |
| Screen Master | Yes | Yes | No |
The use of third-party solutions is especially important for older phone models where there is no system recording. However, it is worth remembering that such applications consume more RAM and can reduce performance in heavy games.
☑️ Selecting a third-party recorder
Solving problems with sound and black screen
A common problem when recording is lack of sound or a black screen instead of an image in protected applications. If the video is recorded without sound, check whether Do Not Disturb mode is enabled, which may block system audio streams.
A black screen when recording Netflix, banking applications or browsers in incognito mode is not a bug, but DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection. The Android system deliberately blocks the capture of copyrighted content at the video driver level.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to bypass DRM protection using modified firmware may lead to account blocking in streaming services or violation of the terms of use of banking software.
Also make sure that the correct recording source is selected in the application settings sound. Sometimes switching from “Microphone” to “System Sound” (or vice versa) solves the problem of silence in the final video.
Optimizing storage and file processing
Video files, especially in high resolution, take up a significant amount of memory. One minute of 1080p recording can weigh between 50 and 100 MB. Regularly empty the folder DCIM/Screenshots or MIUI/screen_recorderto avoid clogging up the internal storage.
To reduce the size of files without a critical loss of quality, you can use the built-in video editor in the MIUI gallery. It allows you to trim the beginning and end, as well as compress the video before sending it to instant messengers.
If you plan to upload videos to YouTube, choose a bitrate of at least 10-15 Mbit/s. To send to Telegram or WhatsApp, it is better to lower the resolution to 720p so that the messenger does not apply its aggressive compression, which worsens the picture.
Regular cleaning of the recording folder is critical, since video files take up space faster than photos and can quickly fill up the phone's memory.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does screen recording stop itself after a few minutes?
This may happen due to a lack of free RAM or overheating of the device. The system forcibly closes resource-intensive processes to protect components. Also check the power saving settings, which may limit background activity.
Is it possible to record the screen with a locked phone?
No, this is not possible using standard Android tools. Recording begins only after the device is unlocked and the launch is confirmed. This is a security measure that prevents hidden surveillance of the user.
Where are the recording files saved on Xiaomi?
By default, the files are located in the folder Internal memory/MIUI/screen_recorder. They can also be found through the “Gallery” application in the “Screen Recording” album or through the file manager along the path DCIM.
Is the sound of the interlocutor recorded during a call?
In most cases, recording sound during a phone call is blocked by the Android system for reasons privacy. You will be able to record only the video part or your voice through the microphone, but not the voice of the interlocutor.
How to record a long video without time limits?
The built-in application usually does not have a strict time limit, except for the limitation of free disk space. If the recording is interrupted, check the Autopause settings or background restrictions in the Applications section.