Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to capture important conversations, whether it’s confirmation of an order, a customer agreement or just a nice conversation with relatives. Unfortunately, the standard procedure for enabling this feature is not always obvious, especially after operating system updates to versions of MIUI 12.5, MIUI 14 or the latest HyperOS. Google implements increasingly strict privacy policies that directly affect the capabilities of embedded voice recorders in the “caller”.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can save audio from a line, how to activate a native feature if it is available in your area, and what to do if you can’t include recording using standard methods, and we will look at the Google Phone app, which is currently the default app on most global versions of devices, and alternative options.
It's worth noting that the laws of different countries dictate their own rules regarding wiretapping and saving dialogues. In some regions, the function can be software blocked by the manufacturer or operator, so if you don't find the right switch, it doesn't necessarily mean that the phone is broken, but rather a restriction of software that can be bypassed.
Checking the native function in the phone application
The first thing to do is make sure that you can record in the standard interface of your device. On many Xiaomi models, especially Chinese versions (CN) or devices with European firmware (EEA), this option is built into the MIUI or HyperOS shell. To begin, open the standard call app, which is usually simply called “Phone” or Phone.
In the upper right corner of the screen, you'll see a three-dot icon or a gear that represents the settings menu. When you click on it, look for Call Recording. If you have one, you're lucky that the system allows you to record without installing any additional software, and you can set up automatic saving of all incoming and outgoing calls, or select specific numbers from the contact book.
However, if you use a global version of a smartphone released after 2021, the Google Phone app will likely provide the interface, in which case the settings menu may look different and the functionality may be stripped down. In some cases, when you try to turn on a record, you may hear a loud warning to all participants in the conversation that the recording is being made.
⚠️ Note: In some regions, when using Google Dialer, recording a conversation may be completely prohibited by law, and the switch in the settings will be absent or inactive, regardless of the firmware version.
It is important to understand the difference between regional versions of firmware. (China) ROM) It almost always has full recording functionality, while Global (Global) ROM) or Indian (India) ROM) You can check your version in the Settings section. → The phone. → Version. MIUI, bracketed.
Features of Google Dialer on Xiaomi
Starting with certain versions of Android (roughly Android 9 and above), Google changed its security policy by banning third-party and system applications from accessing the audio stream during a conversation without the interlocutor’s knowledge, which led to the fact that on Xiaomi smartphones with global firmware, the standard “calling” from Google became the only option allowed, but with significant restrictions.
When you activate a recording in Google Phone, the system can give a voice notification: “Call recording has begun”, which is heard by both interlocutors. You can not bypass this with standard means, since this is a requirement of Android security. However, in the application settings, you can find the “Automatic Recording” option, where you can save dialogues with selected numbers or all contacts.
To activate the function, perform the following actions:
- 📞 Open the Phone app and click on three dots in the corner.
- ⚙️ Select “Settings” and then “Recording calls».
- ✅ Turn on the switchboard "Automatic recording of selected numbers».
- 📂 Specify a folder to save files if you have a choice.
If the settings menu does not have a record, your carrier or region of use will block this function at the application code level, in which case the use of standard tools is impossible, and you will have to resort to installing alternative solutions or modified versions of system applications.
💡
The Google Dialer record files are stored in the Phone folder in the internal storage. /internal storage/Phone, Where can they be copied to a computer or cloud.
Installation of third-party applications for recording
If the built-in tools don’t meet your requirements (for example, you need to hide the fact of recording or automation does not work), Google Play apps come to the rescue. However, due to the limitations of Android 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, most of these programs work unstable: they may not record the voice of the interlocutor or require the speakerphone to turn on.
One of the most popular solutions for a long time was the Call Recorder application - ACR or TapeACall, which is the principle of their operation is to try to intercept the audio stream through special access (Accessibility), When installing such software on Xiaomi, you will need to give a number of permissions, including access to the microphone, contacts and phone.
The process of setting up a third-party recorder usually looks like this:
- 📥 Download the application from a trusted source (Play Market or the official developer website).
- 🔒 Provide all the permissions requested, including “Special Opportunities».
- 🎙️ In the app settings, select the source of the voice call or microphone sound».
- 🧪 Make a test call to check the quality and audibility of the interlocutor.
Note that new versions of HyperOS can aggressively kill recorder background processes to save battery life, and to avoid this, you need to fix the application in memory and remove background restrictions in battery settings.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications to record conversations, you take responsibility for complying with privacy laws.In some countries, recording without warning is a criminal offence.
Method of replacing the system application Phone (APK)
For advanced users who are not afraid of installation APK-There is a way to replace the standard Google Dialer with a modified version from Xiaomi, which allows you to return a full recording without voice warnings, as in Chinese firmware.
The essence of the method is to search and install the modified APK-file MIUI Dialer compatible with your version of Android. You'll need to find a file with the right signature to be accepted by the system as a system application. Once you install the call settings menu, you'll have a full-featured recording functionality hidden in the global versions.
The main steps to implement this method:
- 🔍 Find the current version MIUI Dialer APK For your Android version (matching versions is important!).
- 📲 Remove updates to the current Phone app through the app settings.
- 💾 Set up the downloaded one. APK-file by allowing installation from unknown sources.
- 🚫 Turn off the automatic update of the Phone app in Google Play, otherwise the system will replace the mod back to the original.
Risks of replacing system APKs
Google Play Protect can also mark files as dangerous, requiring real-time protection to be disabled.
Comparison of methods of recording conversations
To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you weigh the pros and cons of each method, taking into account your technical skills and audio quality requirements.
| Method | Sound quality | Warning of the interlocutor | Difficulty setting up | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in function (CN/EEA) | High. | No. | Low. | Tall. |
| Google Phone | High. | Yes (voice) | Low. | Tall. |
| Third-party annexes | Medium/Low | No (depending on the software) | Medium | Low. |
| Replace APK (Mod) | High. | No. | Tall. | Medium |
As you can see from the table, the ideal solution is to have a feature built in your firmware, but if you use a global version and you don't want to hear a robotic voice, the only solution is to modify the system software, but that requires technical knowledge.
💡
For the average user, it is safest and easiest to use Google Dialer with a voice warning, as this guarantees the stability of the phone and no conflicts with the security system.
Where to look and how to keep records
Once you have setup, it is important to know where the files are saved. Depending on the method chosen, the path to audio files may differ. In a standard Xiaomi file manager, they are usually in a folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec plainly Recordings/call_rec.
If you use Google Phone, you can find records by opening your call history, selecting a specific number and clicking on the voice recorder icon, or going to the history settings. Physically, files can be along the way. /internal storage/Phone. For easy access, it is recommended to configure synchronization with cloud storage.
Automating the process eliminates the need to remember to turn on the recorder before every important call.Tune the recording rules for specific contacts so that you do not clog the phone's memory with unnecessary conversations with couriers or spam.
☑️ Checking the recording settings
Remember to check the available space on your device periodically, as audio files, especially in high quality, can take up a significant amount of space.Use built-in cleaning tools or set up automatic deletion of records over 30 days.