Recording calls to Xiaomi Redmi 9: 3 proven ways with settings and nuances

Xiaomi Redmi 9 owners often face the need to record important phone conversations – whether it’s a business conversation, an interview or just saving valuable information. However, the standard features of MIUI are not always obvious: the recording function can be hidden in the depth of the menu, blocked by the operator or not at all in the firmware. This article will reveal all working methods for activating recording calls on Redmi 9, including system tools, third-party applications and circumvention of restrictions.

We have analyzed current versions of MIUI 12, 13 and 14 (including global and Chinese builds) to provide instructions that will work regardless of the region of your device, paying special attention to hidden recording mode via the engineering menu – a little-known feature that saves conversations even without notifying the interlocutor (legality of use depends on the jurisdiction of your country!).

1. Built-in call recording in MIUI: where to look and how to turn on

Since MIUI 12, Xiaomi has integrated the recording function directly into the standard Phone app, but it depends on the firmware version and the region of the device, for example, in European builds, the option can be disabled for legal reasons, and in Indian or Chinese builds it is available by default.

To check for the presence of an embedded record:

• 📱 Open the phone app and click on three dots (⋮) top-right.
• 🔍 Select the Settings item → Recording calls.
• 🎤 If you have an option, activate the Automatic Record switch or select Record manually.

If the call record is not on the menu, it means one of three:

1. Your firmware does not support the function (typical for global ROMs).
2. The operator has blocked the recording at the network level (often found in Megafon or Beeline in Russia).
3. The function is hidden and requires activation through the engineering menu (for more on this in the next section).

⚠️ Note: In some countries (e.g. the EU), recording calls without the consent of the interlocutor violates the law. GDPR. Before using, clarify local legislation!

2. Hidden recording mode via the engineering menu (#4636##)

Little-known fact: on Redmi 9 (and other Xiaomi smartphones), call recording can be activated via the engineering menu, even if it is not in the standard settings, which works on most versions of MIUI, but requires caution - wrong actions can disrupt the stability of the system.

Instructions for activation:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that appears, select Usage statistics.
3. Scroll down and find Voice call recording.
4. Activate the switch and save the changes.

Then the Phone app will have a recording button during the call. If the Voice call recording is missing, try an alternative path:

Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate developer mode)


Settings → Additional → For developers → Enable “Recording calls”

Check out the MIUI version in About Phone

Make sure that SIM-The card is active (the record only works with the inserted card)

Close all background applications before entering the engineering menu

Make a backup of the data (in case of failure)

-->

Important: After activating the recording through the engineering menu, restart the device, otherwise the function may not work stable or save files.

Third-party applications for recording: TOP-3 verified versions

If the built-in methods didn't work, third-party apps will come to the rescue, and we've tested dozens of programs and selected three of the most reliable solutions for Redmi 9 that are:

• 🎧 Work on MIUI 12-14 rootless.
• 📁 Keeping records in format.mp3 or.aac with acceptable quality.
• 🔒 Do not require suspicious permissions (e.g. access to the SMS).

For the correct operation of any of these applications, it is necessary:

1. Permit to Microphone, Warehouse and Telephone.
2. In the application settings, select the sound source: Loud Communication (to record both sides) or Microphone (only your voice).
3. Turn off battery optimization for the recording application (in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Battery Optimization).

💡

If the app doesn’t record incoming calls, try turning on Do Not Disturb mode during a conversation – this sometimes solves the problem of conflicting audio streams.

4.Why Call Recording Doesn't Work: 5 Main Causes and Solutions

Even after you set it up properly, we've compiled some of the most common problems and ways to fix them, based on feedback from Redmi 9 users:

If none of the solutions worked, check:

• 🔄 Updates MIUI: Sometimes the bugs with the record are corrected in new versions of the firmware.
• 🛠️ Root rights: Some apps (such as Boldbeast Recorder) require root to work properly.
• 📶 Communication quality: when a weak signal, the recording may be interrupted.

⚠️ Note: Some of the Redmi 9 firmware (e.g, MIUI 12.5 Enhanced) recording through third-party applications is blocked at the system level, in which case only flashing on customized ROM (For example, the Pixel Experience).

5 Where records are stored and how to export them

By default, records files are saved in different folders depending on the recording method:

• 📁 Built-in recording MIUI: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/
• 📁 Cube ACR: /storage/emulated/0/CubeBackup/CallRecordings/
• 📁 Call Recorder by Lovekesh: /storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings/

To export the records:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Go to the appropriate folder (see above) and copy the files to your computer.
3. For cloud backup, use Google Drive or Mi Cloud (there is usually an automatic download option in the recording app settings).

Record files are either.amr (built-in MIUI) or.mp3 (third-party applications) formats. PC listening may require codecs (like the K-Lite Codec Pack) or conversion to.wav via Audacity.

Alternative methods: recording via second phone or computer

If software methods are not suitable (for example, due to legal restrictions), consider hardware solutions:

Method 1: Recording via second phone

• 📞 Put the second smartphone next to Redmi 9 and turn on the voice recording (for example, via voice recorder).
• 🔊 Turn on speakerphone on main phone for better sound capture.
• 🎙️ Use applications like Voice Recorder with noise reduction.

Method 2: Recording via computer (for VoIP calls)

1. Connect Redmi 9 to your PC via USB and activate Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press).
2. Install Scrcpy or Vysor on your computer to broadcast the screen.
3. When making a call, use software to record sound from your PC (such as OBS Studio or Audacity).

These methods are less convenient, but they work regardless of the limitations of MIUI or operator, and the main disadvantage is that the sound quality can suffer due to echoes or external noises.

💡

Hardware recording methods are legal in most countries because they do not interfere with the operator’s network, but they require additional equipment and customization skills.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls on Redmi 9