The built-in utility screen recordings has become an integral part of the shell MIUI i HyperOS, allowing users to record what is happening on display without installing third-party software. However, despite the standard integration, many smartphone owners Xiaomi and Redmi face difficulties in setting up this function for the first time. Often the icon is simply not displayed in the top menu, and the sound options remain inaccessible without a deep dive into the settings.
This article examines in detail the process of activating, configuring and using the system recorder on devices of the Chinese brand. We will look at the nuances of working with the system audio stream, hiding the interface and optimizing video quality for various tasks, from creating guides to recording game moments.
Modern firmware versions offer flexible recording management tools that are often ignored by users. Understanding the operating logic Screen Recorder will allow you to create professional-quality content directly from your phone, saving time on editing and audio synchronization.
Activating the function through the notification curtain
The fastest way to start capturing images is to use the quick settings panel, known as the “curtain”. By default, the function icon may be hidden in the second page of the menu or completely absent from the list of available switches. To find it, swipe down from the top of the screen twice to reveal the full list of tiles.
If you don’t see the video camera icon, click on the edit button (usually a pencil icon or three dots in the corner of the menu). In the editor that opens, find the element Screen recording in the list of available widgets and drag it to the active zone. Now access to the function is provided in one click.
After adding a tile to the panel, just click on it to open the recording management interface. The system will prompt you to select an operating mode and will immediately start a countdown before the capture begins. This is the most convenient method for a quick start without having to delve into the depths of the settings menu.
If the icon has disappeared after updating the system, check the “Hiding icons” section in the desktop settings - sometimes system utilities get there by accident.
It is worth noting that on some global firmware versions the interface may differ slightly from Chinese stubs. The logic of operation remains the same, but the location of the controls may vary depending on the region of your device Redmi.
Adjusting quality and sound settings
Before you start recording, it is critical to adjust the output settings so that the final video meets your requirements. By clicking on the gear in the recording start window, you will be taken to the configuration menu. Here, the first thing you should pay attention to is resolution and frame rate.
For most tasks, the optimal choice is resolution 1080p with frequency 60 fps. This ensures a smooth picture and an acceptable file size. If you require maximum detail for subsequent cropping or analysis, you can set 2K or even 4K, but be prepared for the fact that the file will take up a lot of space and the processor may heat up.
Pay special attention to the sound settings. There are three main audio capture modes available in the menu:
- 🎤 Microphone —records only external sounds and your voice, system sounds are ignored.
- 🔊 System sounds —records only audio from applications (games, music, video), voice is not recorded.
- 🎙️🔊 Microphone and system sounds —a combined mode that allows you to comment on what is happening on the screen in parallel with the sound of the application.
⚠️ Attention: When selecting the “System sounds” mode, in some versions of Android there may be a restriction on recording protected content (DRM). Videos from Netflix or banking applications may be recorded without sound or with a black screen.
You can also activate the touch display function in this section. This is useful when creating training videos so that the viewer can see exactly where you are clicking. Visualization of clicks appears in the form of a white circle at the point of contact.
Using through the multitasking menu
An alternative method of starting the recorder is through the recent applications menu. This method is less obvious, but extremely useful if the notification shade is overloaded with other widgets or if you want to quickly record a specific application. Open the multitasking menu by swiping up from the bottom (or by pressing the square button).
Click on the icon of the application you plan to record to reveal additional options. In the menu that appears, select Screen recording. The system will automatically deploy the application and start capturing in a few seconds. This method ensures that the focus is on the desired app.
This approach is especially relevant for users who frequently switch between tasks. It allows you to instantly capture a bug in the game or an interesting moment in the messenger, without being distracted by searching for a switch in the curtain. The control interface appears in the form of a floating window.
Recording control and floating window
During the recording process, a compact control panel appears on the screen. It can be minimized to a small dot or expanded into a full-fledged widget with a timer and buttons. Understanding the functions of this panel allows you to effectively manage the process without stopping the capture.
Basic controls include the pause button, end recording and switch camera. The function Picture-in-Picture allows you to add an image from the front camera to the corner of the video, which is indispensable for vlogs and reactions. You can drag the camera window to any corner of the screen.
The function of drawing on the screen in real time is also available. By clicking on the corresponding icon, you can highlight important areas or make notes while recording. All your actions will be saved in the final video file.
Control panel:
[Pause] [Camera] [Drawing] [Stop]
If the panel interferes with your view in a game or when watching a video, you can hide it by clicking on the collapse arrow. To return it, just pull the edge of the screen or click on the floating icon. This provides a complete overview of the content without unnecessary interface elements.
☑️ Ready to record
Advanced settings and hidden functions
Deep in the recorder settings are hidden parameters that affect the performance and quality of the final file. One of the key parameters is bitrate (data flow rate). The higher this indicator, the better the picture quality, but the larger the file size.
By default, the system selects average values, but for professional recording you can manually set the bitrate to 12 Mbps and higher. It's also worth checking your video orientation settings. You can lock the landscape or portrait mode so that the video does not flip when you rotate the phone.
There is a useful option “Hide the status bar”. When activated during recording, the top bar with the clock, battery and notifications will automatically disappear, making the picture clearer. This is especially important for demonstrating application interfaces.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact on the result |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p | Balance of quality and size |
| Frame rate | 60 fps | Smoothness of movement |
| Bitrate | 6-9 Mbit/s | Detail clarity |
| Codec | H.264 / H.265 | Compatibility / Compression |
Users of POCO and gaming smartphones Black Shark (based on MIUI) may notice additional settings in game mode (Game Turbo). There you can link the start of recording to a specific gesture or button, which speeds up access in critical situations.
Where to find ready-made recordings and file format
After recording is completed, the file is automatically saved in the device gallery. Usually a separate album is created with the name Screen Recorder or “Screen Recordings”, where all the videos taken are stored. This simplifies the search for the desired material among photographs and other videos.
Files are saved in the format MP4, which is supported by all modern players and social networks. Using a codec H.264 guarantees maximum compatibility, while H.265 (HEVC) allows you to save space while maintaining high quality, but may require a more powerful device for playback.
If you do not find the video in the standard gallery, check the file manager along the path DCIM/ScreenRecorder. Sometimes, when the theme is changed or the system crashes, the automatic creation of an album in the gallery does not occur, but the files are physically present in memory.
⚠️ Attention: The MIUI and HyperOS interfaces are regularly updated. The location of some menu items or the names of functions may change in new firmware versions. If you do not find the described setting, use the search inside the phone settings menu.
Why can the video be black?
If, when playing a recording, you see a black screen with sound, most likely an application was recorded with DRM protection (banks, streaming) or a hardware decoder was used that is incompatible with the current player. Try opening the file through VLC Player.
Solving common problems and limitations
Despite the convenience of the built-in tool, users may encounter a number of limitations. The most common problem is the lack of sound in the recording when the “System Sounds” mode is selected. This is often due to the audio source application blocking the audio stream from being captured in the background.
Another problem is that memory fills up quickly. Recording at resolution 4K can consume up to 1 GB memory in 10 minutes. It is recommended to regularly clear the album with recordings or configure saving files directly to the SD card, if such an option is available in your version of the shell.
Sometimes recording is interrupted by itself due to insufficient RAM. The system forcibly closes the recorder to free up resources for the active application. In such cases, you should close background apps before starting to capture.
For stable, long-term recording in high quality, be sure to close background applications and monitor the device temperature to avoid throttling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to record calls through the built-in feature?
No, the built-in screen recorder on Android does not have access to the audio stream of phone calls for security and privacy reasons. You can only record a conversation through a voice recorder, turning on the speakerphone, but the quality will be low.
Why does screen recording slow down in games?
Simultaneous operation of a heavy game and video encoding loads the processor and graphics accelerator. Try reducing the recording resolution to 720p or the frame rate to 30 fps in the recorder settings.
How to remove the timer and buttons from the recorded video?
The interface of the recorder itself (stop buttons, pause, timer) never ends up in the final video. If you see unnecessary elements, most likely these are interface elements of the application you are recording.
Is it possible to edit the recording immediately after completion?
Yes, after pressing the “Stop” button, the system offers basic editing tools: trimming the beginning and end of the video, as well as adding music. For more complex editing, a third-party video editor will be required.
Is the sound of notifications recorded during the game?
Yes, if the system sound capture mode is selected, then all notifications, keyboard sounds and messenger alerts will be recorded. To avoid this, enable Do Not Disturb mode before starting recording.