The Chinese giant’s smartphone owners often face the need to capture important information during a call, whether it’s negotiating a deal or confirming a delivery address. However, modern versions of MIUI firmware and the new HyperOS shell have brought significant changes to the system call, which raises questions among users.
In this article, we will discuss in detail why standard settings were lost, how to turn on the recording of a conversation on Xiaomi using different methods, and what workarounds exist for models with Google Dialer preinstalled. You will learn how to activate hidden system capabilities, configure automatic fixation of incoming calls, and what alternative applications really work in 2026-2026.
It's important to understand that the algorithms for telephony work not only depend on the version of the shell, but also on the region for which the device is released. Global versions of smartphones often have restrictions related to the legislation of the European Union and the United States, while Chinese firmware (CN Version) does not have such locks. We will look at solutions for all use cases.
Why the recording of the conversation on the new versions of MIUI and HyperOS disappeared
The main reason for the disappearance of the usual recording button was the introduction of Google Dialer shell on global versions of smartphones. Since certain Android updates, Google has implemented strict privacy policies that prohibit applications from accessing the audio stream during a conversation without explicitly notifying the interlocutor, which led to the fact that the standard MIUI voice recorder was no longer available by default in many regions.
The locking is not just about third-party applications, it's also about system functions. When you try to turn on a record, the system can either not show a button at all, or it can issue a voice alert, "Talk recording started," which is heard by both interlocutors, which is done to protect citizens' rights, but for business users and ordinary people who keep records of agreements, this creates serious inconvenience.
⚠️ Note: Using third-party applications to record conversations may violate your country's laws.Always warn the interlocutor that a record of dialogue is being held if required by local laws.
And the Android architecture itself is becoming more closed: With each new version of the operating system (Android 11, 12, 13, 14), Google restricts access to the microphone during active calls for background processes, which is why old methods that worked on Android 9 or 10 no longer work on the latest Redmi and Poco smartphones.
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The main reason for blocking is Google’s privacy policy, which is embedded in the standard call module for the global market.
Checking the presence of built-in function in the Phone application
Before installing third-party software, you need to make sure that your firmware version does not have native capability. On some devices, especially those released for the CIS or India markets, the feature can simply be hidden in settings or require activation through a special code.
Go to the settings menu, which is usually called by clicking on three dots in the upper right corner or three horizontal bars. Find Call Record. If there is one, you're lucky: You can enable automatic recording of all incoming or outgoing calls, and select specific numbers to monitor. SD-map.
- 📱 Open the Phone app and click on the settings menu.
- 🔍 Find the Call Recording or Call Recording section.
- ✅ Activate the switch Automatic recording.
- 📂 Select a folder to save or leave the default path.
If there is no record at all, or if it is, but it does not work (the button does not press), this means that your region or the version of Google Dialer is blocking the function. In this situation, you should not try to "cure" this with a resetting settings - a software restriction. However, there is a method of activation through the engineering menu or change of region, which we will talk about later.
Activation of hidden recording through region change and codes
One of the most effective ways to get back functionality without installing unnecessary software is to change the region of the device. The logic is simple: in some countries (for example, India, Vietnam, Serbia), privacy requirements are softer, and for these markets, the native write module remains in the MIUI firmware. To check this method, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Region.
Try to switch to India, Singapore or Vietnam in sequence. Reboot your smartphone after you change region and check the Phone app. Often, after you do that, the interface changes and the right switch appears in the settings. Importantly, this method doesn't work on all models, especially those that have Google Dialer hardwired without rollback.
The way to change the region:
Settings → Advanced settings → Region → Select (India/Vietnam)There is also an engineering menu activation method, although Android 11+ often shuts it down. Try dialer code ##3646633#. If the menu opens, look for the Audio or Misc tab where there may be hidden audio track settings. However, be careful: changing the parameters in the engineering menu without understanding their purpose can lead to unstable communication module operation.
⚠️ Warning: Change of region may affect some local services, weather, news feed and system refresh rate. Once the record is activated, you can try to return the region, but the function may stop working.
Using third-party applications to record calls
When systems fail, third-party applications come to the rescue. However, due to Android’s limitations, most require complex setup or are unstable, and Call Recorder’s Cube ACR application has long been the leader in this niche.
To properly work such applications on Xiaomi, you need to give them maximum rights. Once installed, go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the installed recorder and allow all the requested rights, including Auto Run, background work and access to the microphone. Without this, the MIUI system will simply “kill” the recording process to save battery.
- 📥 Download a proven application (e.g. Cube) ACR or).
- 🛡️ Give all permissions in Android settings and MIUI.
- 🔋 Turn off battery savings for this app.
- 🎙️ Make a test call to check the sound quality.
It is worth noting that even the best applications can record the voice of the interlocutor very quietly or with interference, if the phone is held to the ear during a conversation (the proximity sensor will work, and the microphone will switch to noise reduction mode).
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For better recording quality through third-party applications, turn on speakerphone when you start a conversation - this switches the audio stream to the main microphone, which is easier to "listen" to the recorder program.
Set up automatic recording and file management
When the recording method is selected (native or third-party), it is critical to set up the automation correctly. Manually pressing the recording button every time is inconvenient and you can forget to do it at an important moment. In the settings of the Phone or Recorder application, find Auto Record and activate it. You can choose to record all numbers or only from the phone book.
Files with records take up space in memory, so you should keep them stored. By default, the records are stored in the folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec or Recordings/Call. For easy access to them, use the built-in File Manager Explorer, where you can sort files by date, rename them (for example, specifying the essence of the conversation), or send them to the cloud storage.
| Parameter | Native MIUI record | Third-party annexes | Google Dialer (standard) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound quality | High (both channels) | Average (depending on model) | High (with notification) |
| Automation | Full support | Requires rights settings | Available (in supported regions) |
| Notification of the interlocutor | No (in some regions) | No (usually) | Yes (voice) |
| Stability | Tall. | Medium (may fly out) | Tall. |
| Recommendation | Use if available | If not native | Only if there is consent |
Remember to regularly clean the folder with records or transfer important dialogues to your computer. The file format is usually.m4a or.mp3, which ensures good compatibility with any media players. If you use cloud sync Xiaomi Cloud or Google Drive, set up an automatic upload of the folder with records so that you do not lose data when your phone breaks.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Even when set up correctly, users can encounter errors, and the most common problem is recording silence instead of the voice of the interlocutor, because the system directs the audio stream of the interlocutor not to the speaker, but directly to the auditory channel, bypassing the main microphone, in which case only the on- speakerphone or using a Bluetooth headset that broadcasts sound in a format that is accessible for recording helps.
Another problem is that there are no notifications of a new record. If the phone doesn't tell you when it starts recording (no distinctive sound or pop-up), check the permissions for the Phone app. MIUI often resets the rights to display over other windows. Go to Settings → Apps → Phone → Permissions and turn on Display on top of other apps.
⚠️ Note: After major firmware updates (e.g., with MIUI 13 by 14 or HyperOS) recording settings may reset. Always check the functionality after the system update.
If the recording is interrupted when the screen is locked, then the system aggressively saves battery power. You need to lock the application in memory. Open the list of running applications (bottom-up swipe and retention), find the call or recorder window, press the lock or select Secure. Also set the No Limits mode for the corresponding application in the battery settings.
Why can't the record be saved?
Comparison of recording methods: table and conclusions
To sum up, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for all Xiaomi models: the owner of the Redmi Note 10 with global firmware and the user of the Xiaomi 13 Pro with the Chinese version will have completely different capabilities.
For those who need a record constantly and critically important to work, the best solution is to use a second device or specialized voice recorders connected to the headset jack, since software methods may stop working after another security update to Google Play Services.
☑️ Checklist for recording setup
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The most reliable method is to use native MIUI recording via region change, and if it's not available, use Accessibility-enabled apps and turn on speakerphone for better quality.