Where and how to turn off recording of phone conversations on Xiaomi Redmi: full instructions

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi Redmi smartphone automatically records phone conversations, but do not know how to turn it off? Iliperhaps are worried about privacy and want to make sure that no call is saved without your knowledge? In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to deactivate the recording function of conversations - from standard settings to hidden MIUI settings.

Xiaomi’s call recording feature can work differently depending on the MIUI firmware version, regional settings, and even the carrier. For example, on some Redmi Note 12 or Redmi 10 models, the recording option is turned on automatically on the first call, while on others it needs to be activated manually. We’ll look at all scenarios, from obvious to obscure, including when the recording button suddenly appears during a conversation without your consent.

It's important to understand that even if you never clicked on a record, the system could save conversations in the background, especially for MIUI 13/14 firmware with integrated Xiaomi Cloud services, then you will learn exactly where these files are stored, how to delete them, and how to permanently prevent the system from creating them.

Why Xiaomi Redmi is recording conversations without permission

Many users are faced with a situation where, after updating MIUI or resetting the settings, the smartphone automatically saves audio conversations.

• 🔄 Update of the firmware: In new versions MIUI 14+ The recording function can be activated by default to “improve service quality” (official wording of Xiaomi).
• ☁️ Sync with Xiaomi Cloud: If you’re signed in to your Mi Account, the system can reserve conversations in the cloud, even if they’re not visible locally.
• 📱 Regional settings: On smartphones for India, China or the European Union, the logic of the feature differs due to local privacy laws.
• 🤖 Third-party applications: Some applications (such as Google Phone or Truecaller) have their own recording modules independent of system.

The most insidious case is when a record is turned on only for certain contacts (for example, for numbers from the Blacklist or Favorites), this is due to Xiaomi algorithms that analyze the frequency of calls and automatically store “important” conversations, and you can check this in the call log — a microphone icon appears next to these numbers.

Where to find conversation recording settings in MIUI

In most cases, the recording control option is hidden in the Phone menu, but it depends on the MIUI version and the Redmi model.

1. Standard path (MIUI 12-14: Open the phone app → press three points (⋮) top-right → Select Settings → Recording of conversations.
2. Alternative path (for older versions): Go to System Settings → Applications → Application Management → Find Phone → Permissions → Microphone.
3. Hidden mode (if no option): Enter the call record in the search settings - the system can show hidden parameters.

On some models (for example, Redmi 9A or Redmi Note 8 Pro) the item Record conversations may be called differently:

• 📞 Automatic recording
• 🔊 Recording voice calls
• 📼 Archive of conversations

If you haven’t found any of these items, move on to the next section – there we’ll look at non-standard methods.

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How to disable recording of conversations on Xiaomi Redmi: step-by-step instructions

If you find the record menu, the next steps depend on the options available. Below is a universal guide for all Redmi models (from Redmi 7 to Redmi Note 13 Pro+):

1. Turn off Automatic Recording: In the Conversation Record menu, find the Auto Record switch and move it to Off. If the option is active, it will be indicated next to which contacts it works for (for example, "For All" or "For Unsaved Numbers Only").
2. Delete existing records: In the same menu, select List of records → press the Control (or ⋮) → Delete everything. Files can also be stored in a folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec (Check through the files. → Internal storage).
3. Lock recordings for individual contacts: Open contact → click Edit → scroll down to Record conversations and select Never.
4. Disable Record Notifications: In the Record Settings, find Notifications and deactivate the Display Notice option.This hides the pop-up window during the call, but does not cancel the record itself!

If after disabling the function continues to work, check the permissions of the application "Phone":

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone.
2. Select Permissions → Microphone → Set to Disable.
3. Go back and check the Warehouse – if there are records files there, delete them.

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If after disabling the recording in the settings, it is still activated during the call, try resetting the settings of the Phone application (in the application menu → Storage → Reset).

What if there is no option to record conversations?

On some Xiaomi Redmi models (especially on European or global firmware), the recording function may be hidden.

Method 1: Use of USSD code

Enter the combination in the phone application:

##4636##

This will open the test menu. Go to the Usage statistics tab → find Call Recorder. If the option is active, click Disable.

Method 2: Configuration file editing (for advanced)

This method requires root rights or ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate Debugging over USB (in Settings → About Phone → Press 7 times on the MIUI version, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Enter in command line: adb shell settings put global call_recording_enabled 0
3. Reset the device.

Method 3: Installation of an alternative call application

If the system record doesn’t turn off, install a third-party app (like Google Phone or Simple Dialer) and make it the default app for calls:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Go to Settings → Applications → By default → Phone.
3. Select a new application.

Where conversation records are stored and how to safely delete them

Even if you disabled the recording, the old files could still be stored in the device's memory, and their location depends on the MIUI version.

To completely delete the records:

1. Use Files (a standard Xiaomi app) and manually delete folders from the table above.
2. Clean the cart (in Files → Recycle Bin → Clean everything).
3. For cloud records: go to cloud.mi.com → Devices → select your Redmi → Conversation Records → Delete Everything.

⚠️ Note: Deleting records from the Xiaomi Cloud does not guarantee their complete erasure from the company's servers. According to the privacy policy, data can be stored for up to 30 days. For guaranteed deletion, contact Xiaomi with a request to delete personal data (GDPR).

How to check if you are recording conversations right now

Sometimes the recording runs in the background without notifications. Here's how to detect it:

• 🔍 Check indicators: During the call, look at the top notification bar – if there is a microphone icon or the label Recording, the record is recorded.
• 📊 Process monitoring: Open up Security → Memory management → Find the process com.android.incallui or com.miui.voiceassist. If it's active during the call, it's probably recorded.
• 🎧 Test call: Call another phone and check if a characteristic “click” is heard at the beginning of the call (a sign of recording activation).
• 📁 Real-time File Checker: During a call, open Files and go to the entries folder – a new file should appear immediately after the conversation ends.

If you suspect that the recording is being done covertly (for example, at the request of an employer or through spyware), follow the following steps:

1. Install a NetGuard or GlassWire app to monitor network activity during a call, and if data is being transmitted to unknown servers, that's a cause for concern.
2. Check the list of apps with microphone access: Settings → Privacy → Application permissions → Microphone.
3. Make a factory reset (pre-save data) if you suspect a hack.

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If recording conversations is activated without your knowledge, it could be a sign of malware. check the device with an antivirus (e.g. Xiaomi Security or Malwarebytes).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When working with the write function on Xiaomi Redmi, users encounter typical errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, try rolling back the firmware to an earlier version of MIUI. For example, on the Redmi Note 11, many users note that the recording of conversations disappears after a downgrade from MIUI 14 to MIUI 13.0.5.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware rollback may cause data loss and bootloader lock.Before the procedure, make a backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup and make sure the battery is above 50%.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions