How to completely disable recording of conversations on Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro: 5 proven ways

Automatic recording of phone conversations on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro may come as a surprise to users, especially if the feature is activated without explicit consent. In some regions, this option is turned on by default due to local legal requirements (for example, in India or China), and in other cases, it is launched by third-party applications or erroneous MIUI settings. But regardless of the reason, constant recording eats up space in memory, drains the battery and raises privacy issues.

In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to disable call recording, from standard settings to hidden developer settings. We will focus on the nuances of MIUI 12/13/14 firmware, because the interface and location of options may differ. If you find that the phone keeps conversations in spite of your actions, here you will find a solution even for non-obvious cases.

Before you start settings, make sure that the problem is not related to viruses or malware. Some Trojans disguise themselves as system services and secretly record calls. Scan through Security → Virus Scanner or install Malwarebytes from Google Play. If no threats are detected, go to the instructions below.

1. Disable recording through the phone's standard settings

The most obvious way is to deactivate the feature in the settings menu. On Redmi 9 Pro, the path to the option may vary depending on the version of MIUI, but the general logic is maintained.

Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen). In the upper right corner, click three dots (⋮) and select Settings. In the list, find the Conversation Record (sometimes hidden in Additional or General Settings). Translate the slider to Off position. This will turn off automatic recording for all incoming and outgoing calls.

If the Recording Conversations item is not on the menu, check out the alternative path:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the phone in the list and open its settings.
3. Slip on the Permission and scroll to the Microphone.
4. Disable microphone access for the Phone app (this will block recording but may interfere with voice commands).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 12.5 for the Indian region) the recording option is hidden deeper. If you can't see it in your phone settings, try the following method.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Make sure there are no third-party recorders on the phone.

Close all background apps before changing settings

Backup important records (if any)-->

2. Check the Dictophone application and hidden services

On the Redmi. 9 Pro for recording calls can answer not only the system application Phone, but also built-in recorder (or Recorder in global firmware). MIUI/sound_recorder internal.

To turn it off:

1. Open the Recorder (the microphone icon in the application menu).
2. Go to Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
3. Find the Automatic Record or Call Record option and deactivate it.
4. Delete all existing records if they are not needed (they take up space in memory).

If your firmware does not have a separate Dictaphone application, check for hidden services:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Show all applications (three dots in the corner).
• 📱 In the list, find com.miui.voicerecord or com.android.incallui.
• ⚙️ Open the app settings and turn off autostart, notifications, and reset the cache.

⚠️ Warning: Deleting or forcing system applications (e.g. com.miui.voicerecord) can cause your phone to crash.If you're not sure what you're doing, skip this step and use alternative methods.

3.Using Developer Mode for Deep Settings

If the standard methods didn't work, you'll have to go to the developer's settings, which is suitable for power users, because it requires care.

First, activate the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified “You became a developer”).
3. Return to the main Settings menu – there will be a new section Additional → For developers.

Now turn off the background recording:

• 🛠️ In the developer menu, find Inactive apps).
• 🔧 Add to the list the recorder and the phone (this will limit their background activity).
• 🚫 Turn off the option to Allow recording from the lock screen (if any).

For full control, you can block access to the microphone at the system level:

1. In the developer settings, find debugging over USB and activate it.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and execute the command to ADB: adb shell pm revoke com.miui.voicerecord android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO adb shell pm revoke com.android.incallui android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB Some functions may be disrupted (e.g. voice assistant or video calls) If problems arise after execution, return permissions by the command:

adb shell pm grant com.miui.voicerecord android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO

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If you are not familiar with ADB, use the MIUI Hidden Settings utility from Google Play. It allows you to manage hidden settings without a command line.

4. Verification of third-party applications and viruses

Sometimes, calls are not recorded by system tools, but by third-party programs.

• 📱 Monitoring applications (e.g. Auto Call Recorder, Cube) ACR).
• 🛡️ Spyware (installed without the user's knowledge).
• 💼 Corporate decisions (if the phone was issued by the company).

To identify the culprit:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Permissions → Microphone.
2. Look at the list of apps that have access to the microphone. Turn off the suspicious ones.
3. Install NetGuard or GlassWire to monitor network activity – some programs send records to servers.

If you have found an unknown application:

• 🔍 Check its name on Google (often spyware masquerades as system services, for example, com.system.service).
• 🗑️ Remove it through Settings → Applications (if there is no Delete button, first disable Device Administrator in the security settings).
• 🔄 Reset your phone to factory settings if you suspect a deep infection.

Critical information: Some Redmi 9 Pro firmware (especially Chinese ones) record calls with com.xiaomi.midrop, which is responsible for transferring files, and disable the microphone and storage if you notice suspicious activity.

5. Resetting and alternative solutions

If neither method works, there are two radical options:

1. Reset to factory settings (will delete all data, but guaranteed to clear the system of unwanted features).
2. Reflashing to the global version of MIUI (will eliminate regional features, for example, forced entry in Indian firmware).

Resetting instructions:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings.
• 🔄 Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
• ⚠️ Before resetting, save important files (photos, contacts) to your PC or cloud.

For flashing:

⚠️ Warning: Flashing to unofficial versions of software (such as LineageOS) deprives you of warranty and can lead to problems with the camera, sensors or mobile network. If you are not sure about your skills, contact the Xiaomi service center.

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Factory reset is the surest way to eliminate unwanted call recording, but it erases all data. Always back up before reset!

Legal aspects and confidentiality

In some countries, recording telephone conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited by law. For example, in Russia, according to Art. 138 of the Criminal Code, unauthorized recording can be qualified as a violation of the confidentiality of correspondence.

• 📜 You warn the interlocutor about the record (in business correspondence this is often spelled out in contracts).
• 🚨 You do not distribute records without the consent of the participants in the conversation.
• 🔒 Keep records in a secure location (e.g., in an encrypted archive).

If you find that your conversations were recorded without your knowledge (for example, via a corporate phone), you have the right to:

1. Request an explanation from the employer and delete records.
2. To address to Roskomnadzor with a complaint about violation of personal data processing.
3. Restore privacy through phone settings (as described above).

On Redmi 9 Pro, the default call records are stored in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/calls/


or




/storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/

Delete these files if they contain confidential information.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls to Xiaomi