How to permanently disable the recording of conversations on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

The automatic recording of phone conversations on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is often a surprise to users, and many only detect recorded calls in the device’s memory after the disk space suddenly runs out and audio files tagged CallRecord appear in the gallery. This feature can be useful for business correspondence or fixing important agreements, but its operation without the owner’s explicit consent raises questions about privacy.

Depending on the version of the MIUI firmware (12, 13 or 14) and the smartphone model, the process of turning off recording conversations may differ, somewhere the option is hidden in the settings of the Phone application, and in some cases it will have to be deactivated through system settings or even manually deleted through the file manager. In this article, we will discuss all current methods, from standard to hidden, and explain how to completely erase already stored records if they occupy critical space on the device.

Why Xiaomi is recording conversations without demand

Xiaomi’s call recording feature is activated by default on many models, especially regional firmware for China, India or Southeast Asia.

• 📜 Legal requirements: In some countries, operators are required to keep records of conversations for litigation.
• 🔄 Backup: MIUI Can automatically save important calls to the Mi Cloud (if sync is enabled).
• 🤖 AI Assistant: in new versions MIUI The recording is used to train the voice assistant Xiao AI (It only works on Chinese firmware).
• 📱 Branded chips: for example, in the Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5 Recording is activated when the "Conference Call" mode is activated».

It is important to understand that even if you do not see the notifications about the record, the files can be saved in a hidden folder. /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. Check it with any file manager (e.g. Mi File Explorer or Total Commander).

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with global firmware (Global) ROM) The call recording feature may be disabled by default due to privacy laws in the EU and the US. If you bought the device from the official Xiaomi store in Russia or Europe, check the settings - most likely the option is deactivated.

Method 1: Disconnect via the settings of the “Phone” application

The easiest way is to deactivate the recording right in the interface of the standard call app. MIUI 12–14:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → select Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Recording of Conversations section (or Call Recording in English firmware).
4. Transfer the slider to the Off position for the Automatic Record option.
5. Remove the ticks opposite Record all calls and Record selected numbers.

If there is no record of conversations in the menu, it means:

• 🔍 Your firmware does not support the function (for example, POCO F3 European version MIUI).
• 🛠️ The function is hidden in system settings (see Method 2).
• 📱 You have a third-party app installed for calling (e.g. Google Phone).

Make sure you have global firmware (go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version)

Check the space in the memory (records can take gigabytes!)

Backup important calls (if needed)

Close all background apps (especially messengers)

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Method 2: Deactivation through MIUI system settings

On some models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi K50, POCO F4), recording conversations is not controlled through the Phone app, but through the system menu Special Features or Additional.

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Hearing aids.
2. Find the item Recording conversations (could be called Audio Monitoring).
3. Turn off the option and confirm the action.

For MIUI 13/14 firmware, the path may be different:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone → Permissions → Microphone

You have to deny access to the microphone for the Phone app, which completely blocks the recording, but can affect the voice commands.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Disabling the recording through the settings may not work due to the built-in constraints, and only remote control will help. ADB or re-flashing to the global version.

Method 3: Delete recorded files manually

Even after the function is disabled, the old records will remain in the device's memory to delete:

1. Open Mi File Explorer (or any other file manager)
2. Cross the path: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ or /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call
3. Select all files (usually.amr or.mp3) and delete them.
4. Clean the Recycle Bin in the file manager.

If there is no folder, try to enable the display of hidden files:

• 🔍 In Mi File Explorer: Click on three dots → Settings → Show hidden files.
• 📁 Total Commander: Settings → Display → Show hidden/system files.

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To avoid re-entry, add a folder. call_rec (c) Exceptions to battery optimizer: Settings → Battery → Optimization → Select applications → File manager.

Method 4: Using third-party applications to block

If the standard methods didn't work, you can use third-party utilities.

• 🛡️ App Ops (requires root): allows you to disable access to the microphone for the Phone application».
• 🔇 Disable Service: Blocks system services that are responsible for recording (not working on all models).
• 📱 Shizuku + ADB: Advanced method for disabling a function without root rights.

Instructions for App Ops:

1. Download App Ops from Google Play.
2. Provide access to special features (Settings → Special features → App Ops).
3. Find the Phone application → turn off the resolution of Sound Recording.

For Shizuku:

1. Install Shizuku and connect via ADB:


adb shell shizukucli start




2. In the Shizuku app, select "App Ops".




3. Find "com.android.server.telecom" → turn off "RECORD_AUDIO."

⚠️ Attention: Using third-party utilities may disrupt system calls.Before experimenting, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

Method 5: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If none of these methods worked, the radical way to disable it is through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which will work even on Chinese firmware without root rights.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap the build number).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the commands: adb shell pm list packages | grep -i call adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.server.telecom adb shell settings put global call_recording_enabled 0
3. Reset the device.

To return the record back, use:

adb shell pm enable com.android.server.telecom


adb shell settings put global call_recording_enabled 1

How do I verify that the recording is actually disabled?

To make sure that calls are no longer recorded:

• 📞 Call another number and talk for 10-15 seconds.
• 🔍 Check the folders. call_rec or Recordings for new files.
• 📊 Open the Settings. → Memory. → Memory analysis and find audio files with the current call time stamp.
• 🎧 During the conversation, pay attention to the microphone icon in the status bar – if it blinks, the recording is still going on.

If the files continue to appear:

• 🔄 Try another method from this article.
• 📲 Check if a third-party recording app is installed (such as Cube Call Recorder or a recorder). ACR).
• 🔧 Reset the settings of the Phone application (Settings) → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Drop it).

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If neither method works, there are two options: reflash the device to the global version of MIUI or use a third-party call app (such as Google Phone), which does not have the default recording function.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Xiaomi