Smartphone owners of the Chinese brand often face an intrusive feature that starts working immediately after the first SIM card is the automatic saving of incoming and outgoing calls. For many users, this becomes an unpleasant surprise when the device’s memory suddenly runs out or hundreds of audio files appear in the gallery that are completely unnecessary. Auto-recording conversations is a useful tool for the business sector, but in household use it often only clogs storage and creates inconveniences.
The interface between the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS is constantly changing, and the location of the switches may vary depending on the firmware version and region. In some cases, the standard shutdown path is hidden deep in the menu, and in others, the function is blocked by regional restrictions.
In this article, we’ll look at all possible scenarios, from standard disconnection through the Phone app to more complex cases involving regional firmware. We’ll look at the nuances of how a voice recorder works during calls and explain why settings can sometimes reset on their own. Deep system setup will allow you to control every aspect of your gadget’s operation.
The most obvious and frequently used method is to change the settings directly in the application through which the calls are made. Xiaomi smartphones use either the standard Google Dialer or the branded MIUI Dialer, and the logic of actions in them is almost identical. You do not need superuser rights or connection to the computer. Open the phone application and find the three dots or gear icons usually located in the upper right corner of the screen. By clicking on this item, you will be taken to the settings menu where you need to find the call record item. It is necessary to transfer the auto from the main entry to the entry. If the system requests confirmation of actions, agree to the change in parameters. Now your conversations will no longer be saved without your knowledge. 📱 Open the phone application on the main screen. ⚙️ Click on the menu (three dots) and select Settings. 🔍 Find the Call Record section in the Options List. ❌ Translate the switch toggle Automatic recording to the position "Off». ☑️ Checking disable entry Open the phone settings menu Find the call record Turn off auto record Check the status of the slider Make a test call: 0 / 5 ⚠️ Note: Some global firmware versions may not have Call Records on the standard menu due to EU law restrictions, in which case the standard method will not work and you will need to change the region or use alternative applications.
Features of the work depending on the version MIUI The interface of the shell XiaomiHyperOS menu structure has undergone significant changes. MIUI 12 or MIUI 13 settings were more linear, newer versions of the security system became stricter, and menu items could be renamed or moved to subcategories (CN ROM) They often have advanced recording capabilities, including recording via speaker or with improved noise cancellation, but it can be more difficult to turn off these functions there, since the system can force them to turn on in certain use cases, for example, when calling support numbers. If you upgrade to HyperOS, look out for the new privacy settings interface. Sometimes the recording function is integrated into general security settings, and there may not be a separate item in the Phone application. In this case, it is worth checking the Privacy section → Special features where permissions for the system recorder may hide. Why settings may reset? After a major system update, Xiaomi sometimes resets user privacy settings to factory values. This is done for security purposes, so that the new data protection rules take effect. If the auto record is turned on itself after the update, just repeat the disconnection procedure. The differences between versions can be significant. Below is a table showing where to look for settings in different shell versions: Shell version Location of Nuance settings MIUI 12 / 13 Phone. → Settings → Call recording Classic location, stable operation MIUI 14 Phone. → Settings → Call recording Added recording alert for HyperOS interlocutor 1.0 Phone. → Settings → Privacy Integration with the Security Center, Global’s strict rules ROM May not be available Depending on the law of the country of purchase 📊 What's your version of the shell?MIUI 12MIUI 13MIUI 14HyperOSChinese version (CN)
Users who have bought a smartphone from an official store in Europe or Russia often face a situation where the call recording function is simply not on the menu. This is not a device error, but a conscious restriction implemented by Xiaomi to comply with privacy laws (for example, GDPR in Europe). In such cases, Google Dialer, which is preinstalled on global versions, does not have built-in functionality for quiet recording or even notifying it without a loud beep. The system blocks access to the audio stream for third-party applications, which makes it impossible to use standard voice recorders from the Play Market. Going to Settings → Additionally. → And if you're in a region, and if you're in India or Singapore, you can activate the hidden functions of the system, but it has its own risks and features that you should be aware of before you experiment. 🌍 Changing the region can change the set of pre-installed applications. 🔒 The recording function may appear, but with a loud notification to the interlocutor. ⚙️ Some system services may not work well after a zone change. ⚠️ Warning: Changing the region does not guarantee a quiet record. In most cases, even after changing the region on global firmware, the smartphone will loudly announce "Recording conversation has begun" in the system language, which can be inconvenient in business correspondence.
If you can’t turn off or turn on a record because of system limitations, users often turn to third-party solutions. Apps like Call Recorder – Cube ACR or Automatic Call Recorder try to bypass system locks using special accessibility services (Accessibility Services). To work such applications on Android 10 and higher, you will need to give the application a lot of permissions, including access to a microphone, phone and overlays. Often you need to install a special support component (App Connector), which is activated through the special features menu. However, it is worthwhile to understand that third-party security records are not always running Android applications that regularly use these vulnerabilities. So after another security patch, your favorite app may stop recording the sound of the interlocutor, keeping only your voice or silence. 💡Before installing a third-party recorder, back up important contacts. Some aggressive applications may request redundant permissions, theoretically jeopardizing data security. If you decide to use third-party software, be sure to check the reviews for the current month. What worked for MIUI 13, can be completely blocked on HyperOS. The best choice is applications whose developers quickly release patches for new versions of Android.
Memory management and cleaning of old records Even if you turned off auto-recording, hundreds of old files could be saved on your device, taking up precious space. Audio recordings of conversations, especially in high quality, can weigh a lot, and their accumulation in a year of active use can take several gigabytes. To clean up, use the built-in Dictaphone application or file manager. Call recordings are usually stored in a folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec Deletion of these files is safe and will not affect the system, and it is recommended to set up automatic cleaning or manually check this folder once a month. You can also transfer archives to a cloud drive or computer to free up the internal storage of a smartphone, which is especially true for models with low storage, such as those with low storage capacity, 64 or 128 GB. 🗑️ Find the Call Record folder in the file manager. 📂 Select all files or select unnecessary dialogs. 🧹 Click the “Delete” button and confirm the cleanup. 💡Regular cleaning of the folder with the records of calls can release 2-3 GB of space, which is critical for system performance and updates installation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I record conversations on WhatsApp and Viber on Xiaomi?
The standard means of the system is not to record calls via messengers (VoIP), the feature of recording calls in the phone application works only with normal cellular communication, WhatsApp requires complex manipulation of root rights or the use of external devices, since traffic is encrypted.
Does the interviewer hear that the conversation is being recorded?
On global firmware versions and in most regions, when a record is turned on, a loud voice notification “Talk recording has begun” is heard by both interlocutors, and it is almost impossible to turn off this notification software without flashing the device to the Chinese version.
Where are the recording files physically stored on Xiaomi?
The files are stored in the internal memory of the device, and the path to them usually looks like this: → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. They can also be accessed through the Dictator app in the "List of Records" section».
The “Call Record” item disappeared after the update, what to do?
This is a common situation when upgrading to new versions of Android or MIUI. Try changing the region in your phone settings to India or Singapore. If that doesn't work, then your firmware version is completely devoid of this feature due to Google's licensing restrictions.
Does recording conversations affect the speed of the smartphone?
In the background, the recording process consumes minimal CPU resources. However, constant use of the microphone and writing to flash memory can slightly increase battery consumption. The main negative impact is filling up free space, which can slow down the system as a whole.