How to permanently disable recording of conversations on Xiaomi Redmi Note: 5 ways (including hidden)

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Redmi Note smartphones can be a useful feature, but it is not always convenient. Many users face the situation when the device automatically saves audio files of calls without their knowledge - this takes up space in memory, creates privacy problems and even can cause legal risks in some countries, this problem is especially relevant for owners of Redmi Note 10/11/12 and newer models, where the recording function is integrated deep into the MIUI firmware.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable conversation recording, from standard settings to hidden developer settings, how to delete files you’ve already saved, why a record can turn on on itself, and what to do if the recording option doesn’t appear on the menu. Separately, we’ll look at the nuances for different versions of MIUI (12, 13, 14) and Redmi Note models, including the Pro version. If you’re looking for a reliable way to get rid of unwanted audio, you’re on the right track.

Why does Xiaomi record conversations automatically?

Xiaomi’s call recording feature was originally intended as a tool for business communication or fixing important agreements, but in recent versions of MIUI, it is often activated by default or by accident – for example, when you press a button while you’re talking.

• 🔄 Update: After upgrading to MIUI 13/14 Some settings are reset and the recording is enabled automatically.
• 📱 Phone app: In the standard Xiaomi call there is a hidden auto-record option for all incoming/outgoing.
• 🛠️ Developer Mode: Some parameters (e.g, force_enable_call_recording) can be activated through ADB third-party.
• 📁 Sync with Mi Cloud: If backup is enabled, records can be duplicated in the cloud.

It is important to understand that in some countries (e.g. the EU or the United States), recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor may violate privacy laws, and even if you do not plan to use files, their presence on the device poses potential risks, and audio recordings take up memory space — up to 5-10 MB per hour of conversation.

⚠️ Note: On the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ The newer recording function can be linked to the Mi service. AI. If you use a voice assistant, check its settings – there may be an option to automatically fix important calls.

Method 1: Disabling recordings through standard phone settings

The easiest method is to deactivate the function in the call menu, but the interface may vary depending on the MIUI version and the Redmi Note model.

For MIUI 14 (Redmi Note 12/13 series):

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select Recording of Conversations (or Call Recording in English).
4. Transfer the slider Automatic recording to the position Off.
5. Remove the boxes opposite Record all incoming and record all outgoing.

For MIUI 12/13 (Redmi Note 10/11 series):

1. Launch the phone → magazine.
2. Put it on the icon. ⚙️ top-up → Recording calls.
3. Turn off the Auto Record option and remove all numbers from the exclusion list (if any).
4. Click Delete all records to clear the memory.

Opened the phone app.

I found the "Talk Record" section in the settings.

Turned off the automatic recording.

Delete old audio files

Reboot the phone to apply the changes-->

If you don't have a Call Record menu, you're disabled at the firmware level (relevant to the European versions of Redmi Note), so move on to the following.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global Stable) The write option may be hidden, but still work. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec through the file manager – if there are files, the record is active.

Method 2: Delete through file manager (manual cleaning)

Even after you turn off the recording in the settings, the old audio files remain in the device's memory and can be manually deleted:

1. Open the Files app (or any file manager, such as Solid Explorer).
2. Go to the folder Internal drive → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec.
3. Select all files with the.amr or.mp3 extension (these are conversation records).
4. Click Delete and confirm the action.

If the folders sound_recorder No, check out the alternatives:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call (for MIUI 14)
• 📁 /sdcard/MIUI/voice_recorder/call_rec (older)
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.providers.media/call_recording (slip-folder)

If files are not deleted (there is a “No permissions” error), use a Root Explorer (for example, FX File Explorer) or connect your phone to your PC via MTP and delete the records from your computer.

💡

To prevent the re-creation of the folder call_rec, Create an empty file called.nomedia, which will hide it from the media scanner and stop the automatic saving of new records.

Method 3: Disconnect via Developer and ADB modes

If standard methods don't work, you'll have to use hidden settings, which is suitable for power users and requires developer mode activation.

Step 1: Enable the Developer Mode

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version until the notification “You became a developer!” appears.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.

Step 2: Turn off recording via ADB (PC required)

1. Connect Redmi Note to your computer and enable USB Debugging in the developer settings.
2. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack.
3. Open the command line in the adb folder and type: adb shell settings put global force_enable_call_recording 0
4. Reboot the phone.

To completely remove the recording function, you can also execute a command:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.incallui

⚠️ Warning: This command will remove the standard call interface, and then you'll have to install an alternative call (like Google Phone).

Method 4: Using third-party calls (alternative to the standard)

If the built-in recording function doesn't turn off, you can completely replace the standard Phone app with a third-party one.

• 📞 Google Phone (official call from Google, without recording default conversations).
• 🔒 Truecaller (has a write option, but it is easy to turn off in the settings).
• 🛡️ Simple Dialer (minimalist call without unnecessary functions).

How to install Google Phone:

1. Download APK from the official website (for example, APKMirror).
2. Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources.
3. Launch the app and select it as the default call in Settings → Applications → By default.

The advantage of this method is that it has full control over the functionality, but note that some Xiaomi features (like Double-Tap to Call or Mi AI integration) may stop working.

Standard (MIUI)

Google Phone

Truecaller

Other

I don't know what I got.-->

Method 5: Resetting the call settings (last resort)

If none of the methods worked, you have to reset the Phone app to factory settings, which will remove all user settings, including hidden recording options.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the phone (or com.android.incallui) and open it.
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
4. Return and select Resetting (if available).
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: This method will delete all call history and saved settings (e.g., quick dialing or locking numbers). VCF-file.

After reset, check to see if the record has reappeared. If so, the problem is at the firmware level, and the only radical way is to flash it to a custom version of MIUI (e.g. Xiaomi.eu), where the recording function is disabled by default.

💡

Resetting the call is the last chance to disable the recording without root permissions, and if the problem persists, the firmware is to blame, and you need to reinstall the software or use an alternative call.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after you turn off the record, Redmi Note users may face unexpected difficulties.

1. The recording is turned on by itself after the update

This is a common MIUI 14 problem.

• 🔄 Reverse to the previous version of the firmware via Fastboot.
• 📵 Turn off automatic updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🛠️ Use Magisk to disable the recording module (root required).

2. It is impossible to delete records files (access error)

The reason is MIUI's limitations on system folders.

• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and delete files via Total Commander with administrator rights.
• 🔓 Use Root Explorer (requires unlocking the bootloader).
• 📲 Move files to another folder (like Download) and then delete them.

3. There is no "Recording conversations" item in the settings

This means that the function is disabled at the regional firmware level.

• 🌍 Install a global version MIUI (for example, MIUI Global instead MIUI Russia).
• 📱 Use it. ADB, as described in Method 3.
• 🔧 Reflash the phone on Xiaomi.eu (there the record is disabled by default).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions