Xiaomi’s smartphones, including the popular Redmi 9T, feature a built-in phone recorder that can be activated automatically by default. For many users, it’s a useful option that stores important information, but it quickly fills up internal memory and creates legal risks in some countries. Device owners often face a situation where every incoming or outgoing call is saved without their knowledge, causing discomfort and the need to constantly clean the storage.
In this article, we will discuss all available methods for deactivating this feature at the software level, we will look at not only the standard settings of the MIUI system, but also the nuances of working with Google telephony, and also discuss the issues of cleaning already accumulated files. Understanding how to manage automatic recording will allow you to regain full control over the audio files of your device.
Before you start changing system settings, it is important to make sure you have access to the call settings menu. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the firmware installed, but the overall logic of the operation remains the same for the entire ecosystem.
Standard settings of the Phone application
The basic and easiest way to manage the recording function is directly in the standard application that is used to make calls. In the MIUI interface, this tool is deeply integrated into the system, so it makes no sense to look for individual switches in the general settings of the smartphone. You need to open the Phone application and go to the menu of additional options.
Once you log into the settings menu, you'll need to find the section that's responsible for recording conversations. This is the key switch that controls the global state of the function. If the slider is active, the system will continue to save audio tracks, ignoring your desire to limit this process. Disabling this option is the first and most important step.
⚠️ Note: After the system update, some settings may reset to factory values, so always check the recording status after a major firmware update.
It’s worth noting that in some regions or firmware versions, the interface may offer a choice of recording format or sound quality. Even if you don’t plan to use the feature, learning these parameters will help you better understand the logic of how your Redmi 9T works. Below is a table describing the main parameters that you can find in this menu.
| Parameter | Description of function | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Call recording | Global function switch | Off. |
| Record automatically | Start recording without confirmation | Off. |
| Recording format | Type of compression of audio file | Never mind. |
| Sound quality | Bitrate of stored audio | Never mind. |
Automatic recording for specific contacts
Often users want to turn off recording for a select few, or to keep it active for a select few. Android's MIUI-based shell allows you to flexibly adjust the rules for individual contacts, especially if you're communicating with different groups of people and you don't want to keep talking to friends, but you have to keep your conversations with customers.
To set the rules for a particular number, you need to open the contact card in the phone book. At the bottom of the screen or in the action menu (three dots), there is often an option to set the record specifically for that subscriber. If you see an active switch there, it must be deactivated to stop saving the dialogue with that person.
There is also the possibility of creating exception lists, although this is less obvious in Xiaomi’s standard interface than in third-party apps. The basic principle is that global settings take priority, but individual contact settings can override them. So if the global record is turned off but for a specific number it is forced on, the conversation will still be recorded.
☑️ Checking contact settings
This means that when you change your smartphone or reset your settings, you will have to reconfigure the rules for each number from your address book.
Google Phones on Redmi 9T
The Redmi 9T runs on a clean version of Android with a MIUI shell, but global firmware versions increasingly feature the standard Google Phone app instead of Xiaomi's branded caller. This makes its own adjustments to the recording management process, as the interface and settings are radically different. Google's privacy policy is stricter, and the recording notification sounds louder and more noticeable.
To find settings in Google Phone, click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings. Next, go to Call Record. Here you will see the switch "Always Write down selected numbers" or "Always Write down unknown numbers." If your goal is to turn off the feature completely, you need to uncheck all ticks and deaktivate the main switch.
⚠️ Attention: In the Google Phone app, when recording begins, the interlocutor always hears a loud voice warning that cannot be turned off by software methods.
The difference between the two types of applications is also the format of the files being saved and where they are stored. Xiaomi’s proprietary application often saves files to a hidden folder inside the system, whereas Google can put them in the standard Recordings directory or even link them to the acca!unt. Understanding which application is (by default) on your device is critical for proper function management.
How do I know which application is default?
Third-party applications and system conflicts
If the built-in tools fail to disable the recording or the interface does not offer such features, users often turn to third-party solutions from the Play Market store. Applications like Call Recorder or Automatic Call Recorder can intercept the control of the microphone and voice recorder, ignoring the system settings of Redmi 9T. In this case, disabling the function in the standard menu will not give results.
To fully control the situation, you need to check the list of installed applications for any programs related to voice recorders or call recording. If you find such software, you either need to completely remove it, or go to its settings and disable autorun and automatic recording. Conflict between the system record and a third-party application can cause a malfunction of the speaker or microphone.
- 📱 Check the permission list for all installed apps, especially those that have access to the microphone.
- 🔍 Look for apps with names that contain the words "Recorder", "Call", "Audio" in the application manager.
- 🚫 Remove programs you don’t know that may have been installed with other software.
In some cases, third-party apps require special permissions via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) for stable operation, since modern versions of Android restrict access to the audio stream during a call for security reasons. If you have ever granted such permissions to any application, it can continue to work in the background even after removing the main interface.
Cleaning up accumulated records
Once you have successfully disabled the recording function, you are challenged to free up space from previously stored dialogs. Files can take up to hundreds of megabytes, especially if the recording was high quality and was done long ago. 9T These files are usually located in the path. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec or in the Recordings folder in internal storage.
For quick cleaning, use the built-in Explorer or Files app. Go to the directory specified, highlight all audio files (usually.m4a or.mp3) and select the deletion option. Remember to clear the Recycle Bin after that if you have such a feature in your file manager to finally free up space.
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Use Xiaomi’s Security app to search for large files. Go to Cleanup and select Audio to quickly find and delete old conversation records.
Automatic date sorting will help you delete only old records, leaving fresh ones if necessary. However, if your goal is complete confidentiality, it is recommended to delete the entire data set. Regularly checking this folder will become a good habit for maintaining order in the system.
Legal aspects and confidentiality
Recording phone conversations is regulated by law in many countries, and recording without warning is illegal in many cases. On Xiaomi devices shipped to countries with strict privacy laws (e.g., the European Union), the recording function can be completely cut out of firmware or only work with loud voice notification.
Using the Redmi 9T recording features implies the user’s responsibility to respect the rights of third parties. Even if it is technically possible to record a conversation, this does not always mean that it is legal to use the recording as evidence or simply store it. In the corporate sector, there are additional restrictions on the use of voice recorders in the workplace.
⚠️ Note: Using recordings of conversations in court or public places without the consent of the interlocutor may entail legal liability under the laws of your country.
The technical safeguards that Google and Xiaomi are implementing are designed to minimize the risks of privacy breaches, so if you find that you can’t turn off a voice alert or hide the fact of recording, it’s not a bug, but a conscious restriction imposed by the developers.
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Completely disabling the recording of conversations on Xiaomi Redmi 9T is possible only through a combination of settings of the system application and checking the rights of third-party programs.