How to completely disable the recording of calls on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: a step-by-step guide

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the brand’s most popular budget smartphones, but its automatic conversation recording feature is often questioned by users. Many people find that the phone stores audio files of all incoming and outgoing calls without explicit consent, taking up memory and creating risks of leaking confidential information. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to disable recording, including hidden MIUI settings, and explain why standard methods may not work on some versions of the firmware.

It is important to understand that the mechanism for recording calls on Redmi 4X depends on the MIUI version (8 to 12) and regional firmware (global, Chinese, EEA). For example, in Chinese versions, the function can be blocked at the system level, and in global versions it is available for customization. We tested all methods on the firmware MIUI 9.6, MIUI 10.3 and MIUI 11.0 to provide relevant solutions.

If you are afraid that the recording is kept secret from you, check the folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/calls any file manager, files with the.amr extension or.mp3 This is a confirmation of the function's activity.

1. Disable recording through the standard settings of the application "Phone"

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Phone (or Calls) app options. However, on Redmi 4X, this path is not always available due to the firmware features. If there is no menu item, move on to the next sections.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
• ⚙️ Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings».
• 🔊 Scroll down to the "Recording of conversations" section (or Call recording in English version).
• 🚫 Translate the slider to the "Off" position or uncheck the "Automatic Recording" box».

If the "Recording Conversations" section is not on the menu, it means that your version is not on the menu. MIUI In this case, try an alternative method through System Settings (described below) or use it. ADB-commando.

2. Deactivation through system settings (hidden section)

On some Redmi 4X firmware, the call recording option is hidden in System Settings under the pseudonym "Special Features" or "Advanced" (which runs on MIUI 9.6 and MIUI 10.3 (global versions).

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → More
2. Select “Special features” (or Additional settings).
3. Find the "Talk Recording" or "Call Recording" section.
4. Turn off the Automatic Record option and save the changes.

If a partition is missing, try typing a record request or call record into the settings search bar. The system can give hidden menu items. On Chinese firmware, this method does not work due to manufacturer restrictions - you will need to manually edit configuration files or use ADB.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Make sure you have a global firmware (EEA/Global)

Backup important calls (if necessary)

Battery charge not lower than 30%-->

3.Use of ADB-commands

If standard methods didn't work, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) option remains, but it's a universal option, but requires a smartphone to be connected to a PC and basic command line knowledge, and it was tested on Redmi 4X with MIUI 11.0.2.0 and successfully disables recording at the system level.

Instructions:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable debugging.
3. Get Redmi on board. 4X PC-only USB-cable and select File Transfer Mode.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(Your device serial number should appear.)

adb shell settings put global call_recording_enabled 0

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.incallui/.CallRecordingNotificationService

After you execute the commands, restart the phone. Call recording will be disabled at the system level. To return the function, replace the 0 by 1 in the first command and delete the second line.

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If ADB does not recognize the device, try installing Xiaomi USB Drivers from the official website or using the Mi PC Suite program.

4. Verification and deletion of existing records

Even after the function is disabled, old records can remain on the phone, they must be manually deleted to free up memory and eliminate the risk of data leakage, and files are stored in two possible locations:

• 📁 folder MIUI/sound_recorder/calls — standard-place MIUI 8–11.
• 📁 folder Recordings/Call — alternative path on some firmware.
• 🔍 Search the file manager with a.amr filter or.mp3.

How to delete:

1. Open any file manager (e.g., Explorer or Mi File Explorer).
2. Go to the folder Internal drive → MIUI → sound_recorder → calls.
3. Select all files (with a long press) and click "Delete".
4. Clean the cart if the manager supports it.

To completely clean the cache of the call recording, it is also recommended to reset the settings of the Phone application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the phone (or “Calls”) and select it.
3. Click on “Storage” → “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data”.

5. Comparison of disabling methods according to MIUI versions

The effectiveness of methods depends on the firmware version, and the table below shows the data on compatibility of methods with different versions of MIUI on Redmi 4X:

If your version of MIUI is not listed in the table, check it in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. For Chinese firmware (CN), most methods will not be enough – you will need to flash it to the global version or use Magisk modules.

6. Alternative solutions: third-party applications and firmware

If none of the methods worked, consider the following options:

• 🔄 Flashing to custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) is a radical method, but it completely removes Xiaomi's built-in services, including call recording. Requires unlocking the bootloader!
• 📱 Use of an alternative call app (e.g. Google Phone or Truecaller) These applications are not integrated with the recording system MIUI.
• 🛡️ Disabling the recording permission for the “Phone” application»:

For the last method:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone → Permissions.
2. Find the resolution of “Audio Recording” or “Microphone” and turn it off.

Please note that disabling permissions can cause your phone to malfunction (e.g., you won’t hear someone else).

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On Chinese firmware (MIUI CN), call recording is often locked at the kernel level, and the only working ways are to stream to the global version or use ADB with root rights.

7. Risks and consequences of disabling the record

Before deactivating the function, evaluate the possible consequences:

• ⚖️ Legal aspects: In some countries (e.g. Russia), recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited by law.
• 📱 Loss of important data: If you used the records for work or personal purposes, pre-copy them to your PC or cloud.
• 🔄 Return of the function after the update: After the update MIUI You can reset your settings. Check the status of the record after each update.

Also note that on some Redmi 4X firmware, turning off recordings may result in:

• Disappearance of the item "Recording conversations" in the menu of the application "Phone".
• Errors when trying to turn the function back on (solved by resetting the application settings).
• Increased call connection time (up to 1-2 seconds) due to disconnection of background services.

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If after disabling the record you notice communication problems (call breaks, no sound), try resetting the network settings: → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

Frequently asked questions

If none of these methods worked, your firmware may have been modified by the manufacturer or carrier, in which case the only reliable way is to completely flash the device to the official global version of MIUI via the Mi Flash Tool.