How to listen to a phone conversation on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all the ways and pitfalls

Xiaomi Redmi 9 owners often face the question of whether they can listen to or record a phone conversation on their device, the reasons vary from the desire to preserve important business information to concerns for the safety of loved ones, but this topic is extremely delicate: on the one hand, modern smartphones offer a lot of features for working with sound, on the other hand, any manipulation of other people’s conversations is strictly regulated by law.

In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to record and listen to conversations on Redmi 9 – from standard tools to the best of the best. MIUI But it's important to understand that some methods may violate the privacy laws (Article 138 of the Criminal Code) or the rules of services like Google Play.

Before you get to the instructions, answer two key questions: 1. Is the recording being made with your knowledge and consent of all the participants in the conversation? 2. Is the recording intended for personal use (for example, fixing agreements) or for transfer to third parties?

It depends on whether you are legally responsible.

Built-in functions of recording conversations in MIUI

Xiaomi Redmi 9 base MIUI 12/13 It has limited capacity to record calls, unlike flagship models (e.g. Mi). 11), And where it's built into the phone app, it's often not in the budget lineup:

If your Redmi 9 is running on global or European firmware, check for the option here: Phone → Settings (⚙️) → Recording conversations. In Chinese (China) ROM) This may not be available for custom firmware, but it also depends on the region: in some countries (e.g. the United States), it is blocked at the operator level.

• 🔍 How to Enable Recording: If you have an option, activate it and select which calls to record (all, outbound/inbound or contact only).
• 📁 Where files are stored: Records are saved in a folder MIUI/sound_recorder/calls or Recordings/Calls (Check through the "Conductor»).
• ⚠️ Restrictions: The feature only works for voice calls (not for VoIP: WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype).

⚠️ Note: Even if the recording is legal (with the consent of the interlocutor), Xiaomi can automatically delete files older than 30 days.

If your firmware doesn't have a built-in record, don't rush to install third-party apps. First, check the alternatives:

Third-party applications for recording calls: TOP-3 tested

If standard means MIUI There are three critical issues that are not suitable, and there are still applications from Google Play or third-party sources:

1. Legal aspect: In Russia, recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor is allowed only if you are a participant in it (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation), but the distribution of the recording is a separate violation.
2. Technical Limitations: Starting with Android 9 (Redmi. 9 It works on Android 10/11), Google blocks apps from accessing the microphone when they make calls, and you can only get around it through the phone. ADB root-right.
3. Security: Many “free” call recording software contain malicious code or sell your data.

We have selected three relatively secure applications that run on Redmi 9 without root rights (but with limitations):

Before installing any of these applications:

Check reviews on 4+ stars (minimum 100k downloads)

Review the Privacy Policy

Create a backup copy of contacts

Disable auto-run of unnecessary applications in settings MIUI

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⚠️ Attention: Call recording apps are often targeted by hackers, such as 8 fake "records" stealing from Google Play in 2022. SMS Install software only from official sources and check permissions (for example, why an application needs Reading Rights to write) SMS or Geolocation access).

How to record a conversation without apps: workarounds

If you don't want to take risks with third-party software, there are legal alternatives that don't require you to install additional software, which are less convenient, but they don't violate Google Play's policies or compromise your privacy.

Method 1: Speaking up + dictaphone

• 📱 Turn on speaker communication during a conversation.
• 🎤 Open the standard Dictaphone application (is available in the MIUI by default) and start recording.
• 🔊 Make sure the microphone is not covered by your hand, otherwise the voice of the interlocutor will be poorly heard.

Disadvantage: The speaker will hear an echo or noise if the microphone is too close to the speaker.

Method 2: Second line (double call)

If you have two phones (like Redmi 9) + old machine, you can use it:

1. Call from the second phone on Redmi 9.
2. Accept the challenge and unite the lines (the Conference function).
3. On the second phone, turn on the recording via the recorder.

This is a technique that journalists often use for interviews, and the key is to alert the interviewer about the recording.

Method 3: Google Drive (for important conversations)

If the conversation is scheduled in advance (for example, a business meeting), you can:

• 📅 Create an Event in Google Calendar with Conference Link.
• 🎧 Connect to a call via PC and record a screen (for example, via OBS Studio).
• 💾 Save a file in Google Drive marked “Confidential».

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If you need to record a conversation for judicial purposes, it is better to use certified means (for example, a notarized voice recorder), recordings from a smartphone may not be accepted as evidence due to the possibility of editing.

Ruth-right and ADB: Risky methods for advanced users

For those willing to take technical risks, there are ways to record conversations even on Android. 10/11 It's not limited, but it's a method that requires:

• 🔧 Unlock the bootloader (will result in a phone reset).
• 🛠️ Getting Root Rights (for example, through Magisk).
• 💻 Work with ADB (command-line).

After obtaining root rights, you can install applications like Call Recorder – RMC Or Boldbeast, which records calls at the system level:

If you do, here is the minimum safety guide for Redmi 9:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (you need a Mi Account tied to the phone for at least 7 days).
2. Install. TWRP and swipe Magisk to get root rights.
3. Download Boldbeast Call Recorder from the official website (not from Play Market!).
4. In the application settings, select Root Mode 1 recording mode.

⚠️ Note: Redmi 9 with MediaTek Helio processor G80 After rooting, VoLTE may stop working (voice through the 4G). It's incorrigible without a flashing!

Legal aspects: what does the law say?

In Russia, recording telephone conversations is regulated by several regulations:

• 📜 Article 23: Everyone has the right to privacy of correspondence, telephone conversations, restriction is possible only by a court decision.
• 📜 Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Article 138): Violation of the secrecy of communication is punishable by a fine of up to 80 000 ₽ or compulsory.
• 📜 CC (Article 152.2): Distribution of a recording without consent may be considered a violation of the right to privacy.

Key point: recording a conversation is legal only if you are a participant and do not distribute the recording to third parties without the consent of the interlocutor.

• ✅ You can: Record a conversation with a colleague for personal notes (if he does not mind).
• ❌ Cannot: Record a conversation between a spouse and a third party without their knowledge and use the recording in court.
• ⚠️ Grey Zones: Recording a conversation with a fraudster for police referral is permissible, but it's better to enlist the support of a lawyer.

The rules are different in other countries, for example:

• 🇺🇸 In the United States (in most states) the consent of one person is sufficient.
• 🇪🇺 The EU is operating GDPR: recording without consent is considered to be the processing of personal data and requires justification.
• 🇨🇳 In China, recording conversations without consent is prohibited and can be considered espionage.

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Even if recording a conversation is technically possible, its use in controversial situations (divorce, dismissal, debts) may be considered inadmissible evidence by the court.

Alternative solutions: when recording is not required

Often users want to record a conversation to record important information, such as terms of contract or instructions, but there are safer and more legal ways to do this.

• 📝 Notes during conversation (Google Keep or Mi Notes are synced to the cloud).
• 📧 Email confirmation: Ask the person to duplicate important points in writing, such as: Please confirm that we have agreed on the amount of X and the timeframe for Y».
• 🤖 AI assistants: Services like Otter.ai or Google Assistant can recognize speech in real time and save text (but not the sound itself).
• 📱 Screen recording: If the conversation is through the messenger (WhatsApp, Telegram), you can record the screen using Screen Recorder (built into the app). MIUI).

The advantage of these methods is that there are no legal risks and privacy concerns, such as text notes that cannot be accused of forgery (unlike an audio file that can be edited).

If the goal is to monitor children or elderly relatives, consider specialised solutions:

• Xiaomi Mi Band with a feature SOS (location-tracking).
• The family link (Google Family Link)
• SIM cards with parental control (for operators "Beeline", "MegaFon").

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Redmi users 9 They often have trouble recording a conversation.-5 mistakes and their solutions:

1. The app doesn't record calls. Reason: On Android 10+ Solution: Use VoIP bypass applications (like Cube Call Recorder) or turn on speaker.
2. Recording interrupted or not saved. Cause: Battery optimization MIUI Solution: Add an app to exceptions: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Select a recorder. → No restrictions.
3. The interviewee hears an echo. Reason: The recorder microphone picks up the sound from the speaker. Solution: Move the phone 30 to 50 cm or use headphones with a microphone.
4. The records are disappearing: MIUI Automatically clears the Recordings folder when memory is scarce.Solution: Move files to another location (like Download) or to the cloud.
5. The application requires too many permissions. Reason: Many recorders collect data for advertising. Solution: Check permissions before installing. Normal applications only ask for Microphone, Warehouse and Phone.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 9 with firmware MIUI 14+ Some recording apps may not work due to Xiaomi’s tightening security policy. check compatibility on forums before installing (e.g., check compatibility on the forums, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions