How to set up a phone call record on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all ways of 2026

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Redmi 9 can be useful in a variety of situations, from fixing important business agreements to saving memorable conversations with loved ones. However, the standard features of MIUI are not always obvious, and in some regions the recording function is completely hidden due to legal restrictions, this article will help you to understand how to activate call recording on your smartphone, both through built-in tools and through third-party applications.

We'll look at all the current ways, from the official settings in the phone menu to bypassing regional locks using the engineering menu, and focus on the nuances of recordings, file formats, and compatibility with the latest versions of MIUI. If you find that the record button is missing after an update or the record is interrupted, here you will find solutions to these problems.

Important: Before using the call recording function, please check your country's laws, and in some regions, recording without the consent of the interviewee may be considered a violation of privacy, and our instructions are purely technical.

Built-in recording capabilities on Redmi 9: where to look for the feature

On Xiaomi Redmi 9 with MIUI 12-14 firmware, recording conversations is implemented at the level of the system application “Phone”. However, its visibility depends on the region of the firmware and the version of the software. In Russian and European builds, the feature is often hidden, while in global and Indian versions it is available by default.

To check for the presence of an embedded record:

1. Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the tab "Journal" (the icon of the clock at the bottom of the screen).
3. Press on. ⋮ → Settings → Recording of conversations.

If the item "Record conversations" is not on the menu, it means one of three:

• 📱 Your firmware is European or Russian (with restrictions on the GDPR).
• 🔄 The function is disabled via the engineering menu (accidentally or after the update).
• 🛠️ The Phone app has been updated via Google Play and the feature is no longer available.

In such cases, it's either an alternative way to activate it or install a third-party application, but first we'll try to unlock the hidden function.

Activation of hidden recording through the engineering menu

If the built-in conversation record is not in the settings, it can be enabled via the Engineering Mode, which works on most versions of MIUI, but requires caution - incorrect changes can disrupt the stability of the system.

Instructions for activation:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##3646633## After dialing, the engineering menu will open (if the combination does not work, try ##4636##).
2. Go to MTK Settings → Audio → Normal Mode.
3. Find the VoIP Call Recording option and set the Enabled value.
4. Go back to the main menu and select Telephony → Call Recording.
5. Activate Auto Record or Record All Calls.
6. Save the settings and restart the phone.

Fully charge your phone (minimum 50%)

Make a backup copy of important data

Remember the current sound and network settings

Do not change other parameters in Engineer Mode-->

⚠️ Note: After activating the recording through the engineering menu, a write button may appear in the call log, but the files will be saved in the system folder. /data/com.android.providers.media, It's not available without root rights. You'll need some extra software to access the records easily.

If the engineering menu is missing or changes are not saved, it means that your firmware has blocked access to these settings, in which case there are two options: flash the global version of MIUI or use third-party applications.

The Best Third-Party Applications for Recording Calls

If the built-in methods didn't work, Google Play apps will come to the rescue, and we've tested dozens of programs and selected those that work well on Redmi 9 with MIUI 12-14 without root rights, all of which support:

• 🎤 Automatic recording of incoming/outgoing calls.
• 📁 Save files in format.mp3 or.
• 🔍 Searching for records and exporting to cloud services.
• 🔒 Encrypting confidential conversations (in paid versions).

Top.-3 Applications for Xiaomi Redmi 9:

For installation:

1. Download the application from the table by link.
2. Run it and provide all the permissions you request (microphone, call access, storage).
3. In the application settings, select the recording format (MP3 is recommended for better quality).
4. Activate Auto Record for all calls or selectively.

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If the app doesn’t record conversations, check if MIUI optimizes its performance in the background. Go to Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autostart and enable autorun for the recording program.

Where are the records stored and how to transfer them to the PC

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

• 📁 Built-in recording MIUI: /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ or /sdcard/Recordings/Call/.
• 📁 Cube Call Recorder: /sdcard/CubeBackup/ or /sdcard/CallRecorder/.
• 📁 Truecaller: /sdcard/Truecaller/Recordings/.

To transfer the recordings to the computer:

1. Connect Redmi 9 to your PC via USB-cable (select File Transfer mode when connecting).
2. Open the internal storage folder on the phone.
3. Find the directory with the records (see the list above) and copy the files to your PC.
4. For convenience, rename files – by default they are named by date and number (for example, 20260515_143022_+79123456789.mp3).

If there's no file with the records:

• 🔍 Check the settings of the recording application - it is possible that saving is disabled.
• 📱 Make sure you give the app access to storage (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Warehouse).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes files appear after a reboot.

Problem Solving: Recording is not working or interrupted

If the call recording on Redmi 9 is not started or interrupted, the reasons may be as follows:

A critical feature of Redmi 9 is that on some MIUI 13+ firmware, the built-in recording only works when the hands-free is on, and this is due to Android's restrictions on accessing the audio stream during a call. If you don't want to use the hands-free, install the Cube Call Recorder, which bypasses the virtual audio driver restriction.

Another common problem is that the file is still recording, but the file is empty, and this is due to conflict with other applications that use the microphone (such as voice assistants).

1. Close all background apps before calling.
2. In the recording settings, turn off the “Sound Improvement” option (if any).
3. Try a different recording format (AMR instead of MP3).

⚠️ Note: Redmi 9 with MediaTek Helio processor G80 Some recording applications may conflict with system services. If the phone starts to brake after installing the program, delete it and try an alternative.

Legal aspects: can you record conversations without consent

The technical ability to record conversations does not mean that they are legal, and most countries have the following rules:

• 🇷🇺 Russia: Recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor is allowed if you are a participant in the conversation (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation), however, using the recording in court or publicly distributing it may require proof of its legality.
• 🇪🇺 EU (GDPR): The consent of the interviewee is required, and the unauthorized recording may result in a fine.
• 🇺🇸 U.S.: Laws vary by state, and some (e.g., California) require consent from all participants in a conversation.
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine: Recording is allowed without consent, unless the recording is distributed publicly.

To avoid legal problems:

• 📢 Tell the person you are recording at the beginning of the conversation (for example, “I’m turning on the record for the record – you’re happy with it?»).
• 📝 Keep a consent log (for example, record the date and time of consent in phone notes).
• 🔒 Keep records in a secure place and do not distribute them unnecessarily.

If the recording is for business purposes (for example, to record customer agreements), make sure that your company has a policy for processing such data that is consistent with local law.

Alternative methods: recording via second device or cloud

If software methods don’t work, consider hardware solutions:

• 🎧 Second phone use: Put a second smartphone next to you with the recorder running, minus the poor recording quality due to echoes and noises.
• 🎤 External voice recorder: Connect through USB-C Bluetooth or a specialised voice recorder (e.g. Sony) ICD-UX570). Plus – high quality and legality (the interlocutor sees the device).
• ☁️ Cloud services: Some operators (such as MTS or Beeline) offer call recording services on the operator's server.
• 💻 PC Recording: Connect Redmi 9 to your computer and use programs like Audacity to record sound from your phone's microphone (required) USB-debugging).

For recording via Audacity:

1. Put it on your phone. USB-debugging (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times; then additionally → For developers → Debugging by USB).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm access.
3. In Audacity, select ADB Audio or Microphone (Xiaomi Redmi 9) as your sound source.
4. Start recording before the call.

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Hardware recording methods (external recorder, second phone) are the only legal way to record conversations in countries with strict privacy laws (for example, in the EU).

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Redmi 9