Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer a wide range of features that are often hidden in the back of the menu. One of the most popular features is the ability to record phone conversations, this may be necessary to save important information from the bank, confirm agreements with business partners or just for a personal archive. However, the standard settings of MIUI and HyperOS systems are not always obvious, and in some regions the function may be limited by law.
In this article, we will discuss how to activate automatic recording of all incoming and outgoing calls, as well as how to manage individual files. You will learn where to look for saved audio files, how to configure their cleaning and what to do if the built-in tool stops working. Understanding these nuances will allow you to effectively use the phone as a professional communication tool.
It is worth noting that the algorithms of the MIUI shell change periodically, and the location of some items may vary depending on the firmware version. However, the basic logic of the Phone application remains the same for most devices of the brand.
Activation of a function in a standard application
You don't need to install third-party software to get started. The built-in mechanism of Android in conjunction with the Xiaomi shell completely solves this problem. The first step is to open a standard call app, which usually has a green or blue icon called the "Phone." That's where all the switches are located.
When you start the app, look at the three dots in the top right corner of the screen, and clicking on this icon will open the drop-down menu where you want to select Settings. Inside this section, you can control all call settings, including recording conversations. If you don't see this item right away, make sure you use the system dialer, not a third-party counterpart from the store.
In the menu that opens, look for the "Call Record" line, and you'll see the main switch, and activating it will trigger the automatic saving of all incoming and outgoing connections, which is the most convenient mode, because you don't have to remember to turn on the recorder when you call.
There's also the option of selective recording, and if you don't like automatic mode, you can activate "Write down selected numbers," which allows the system to ignore normal conversations and only record contacts from a specific list, saving memory space.
☑️ Checking the recording settings
Fine adjustment of recording parameters
Once the basic function is activated, the system will suggest setting up additional parameters. This is a critical step, because by default the sound can be too quiet or, conversely, too loud. In the recording settings menu, you will find a speaker volume slider. Experiment with its position to find a balance between the audibility of the interlocutor and your own voice.
Another important option is recording notification: In some regions, the law requires that the interlocutor be warned that the conversation is being recorded, the MIUI system allows you to turn on or off a voice warning, and if you turn it off, you will hear a characteristic beep at the beginning of the conversation, and the interlocutor will not (or vice versa, depending on the version of the firmware).
Note the "Clean records" option, which allows you to automatically delete old files, freeing up space, and you can set the system to delete records over a certain period of time, so that the internal drive is not overflowing with unnecessary audio files.
⚠️ Warning: Voice alerts can sound very loud even at low volume. If you're recording an important conversation where silence is needed, you'd better use manual activation mode or third-party apps with hidden recording.
Why did the recording setting disappear?
Managing the exclusion and contact list
Xiaomi's flexibility allows you to create detailed rules for different subscribers, so if you've turned on automatic recording of all calls, but you want to exclude some numbers, use the "Write down selected numbers" feature, in which case the system will ignore everyone except those you add to the list.
To add contacts, click on the appropriate menu item, your phone book will open, where you can select specific numbers, you can also enter the number manually, which is useful for monitoring the work of couriers, delivery services or communication with specific customers.
- 📞 All numbers: absolutely all incoming and outgoing calls are recorded indiscriminately.
- 📝 Selected numbers: entry is only for contacts added to a special exclusion list.
- 🚫 Do not Write: Completely abandoning the function, even if the main switch is active.
On dual-symbol devices, check the settings for each line separately if the menu allows it. In recent versions of HyperOS, settings are often applied globally to all SIM cards.
Where do files are stored and how do you find them?
Users often wonder where exactly audio files are stored. By default, the system creates a special folder at the root of internal memory. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. Accessing files directly through a file manager is not the only way.
The most convenient way to listen to a recording is through the same phone app, open a call log and find the number you want, and if you've recorded a conversation, there's a little voice recorder or tape recorder next to the number or contact card, and you tap it and you'll immediately open the record player.
For mass file management, you'd better use the Dictator or the standard Explorer app. There's a separate Phone tab in the recorder, where all files are sorted by date, and you can rename, delete or send them via messengers, and the file format is usually.m4a or.mp3, which makes it compatible with most players.
⚠️ Note: When cleaning the cache of the Phone or Recorder application, the recorded files can be deleted without recovery.Be sure to copy the folder before resetting your phone settings. call_rec computer or cloud.
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Use Google Drive (Mi Cloud) to automatically sync your records folder, which will save your information in the event of loss or breakage of your smartphone.
Comparison of recording methods on different versions of MIUI
The interface and recording capabilities vary significantly depending on the operating system version: Owners of older devices on MIUI 11-12 have more direct access to the features, while in MIUI 13-14 and the new HyperOS, Google has increased restrictions on access to the microphone during a call.
Below is a table showing the main differences in call recording functionality at different stages of shell development:
| Shell version | Automatic recording | Warning | Access to files |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI 11 / 12 | Full access | Tune in. | Direct access in the folder |
| MIUI 13 / 14 | Limited (depending on region) | often forcefully | Through the Dictaphone app |
| HyperOS 1.0 | Strict control | Loud/Non-switching | Secure folder |
| Global ROM | Frequently blocked | No (no function) | N/D |
If you upgrade to a new version and the feature is gone, it may be due to a change in region in your phone settings. Changing the region to India, Singapore or Russia (depending on the current patch situation) sometimes returns the ability to record, but this is a temporary solution.
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On the newer versions of Android (13+), third-party apps access the microphone during the call is blocked by the system, so the built-in voice recorder remains the only stable solution.
Addressing common problems
Despite the system's fine-tuning, users can encounter errors, and the most common problem is that the recording is on, but the voice is not heard, only your voice, and this is solved by calibrating the volume in the recording settings, and it's worth checking whether the bottom microphone is covered with a cover or a finger while you're talking.
Another problem is that files are not saved. Check if there is free space on the device. If the memory is full, the system will not be able to create a new audio file. Also make sure that the Phone application is given all the necessary permissions in the Settings section → Applications → Phone → Permissions.
- 🔇 No sound of the interlocutor: increase the volume of the speaker in the recording settings or turn off noise cancellation.
- 💾 File not created: check free space and memory access rights.
- 📵 Unavailable: Change region in your phone settings or use third-party software (with limitations).
In some cases, cleaning up the phone app helps, and it will bring the settings back to factory settings, and you'll have to re-activate the recording, but often it eliminates software glitches that block the recorder.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party apps from the Play Market on Android 11 and up often cannot record conversations due to Google's security restrictions.They either record silence or require complex manipulations with the help of the user. ADB. Xiaomi's built-in tool works more stable.