Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which run MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, have a wide range of features that are often hidden from the eyes of the average user. One of them is automatic recording of incoming and outgoing calls, which can be activated in some regions or activated by accident by the user, and while this option is extremely useful for storing important information, it can be annoying, occupying space in the device’s memory or raising questions from the privacy perspective of the interlocutor.
Many owners of Redmi and Poco devices face a situation where the phone starts recording conversations without their knowledge or desire. This can be due to firmware updates, resetting settings or simply inattention when the gadget is first activated. Disabling this feature requires understanding the structure of the call menu, since the standard Android settings here are often intertwined with the manufacturer’s proprietary add-ons.
It’s worth noting that the interface may vary slightly depending on the operating system version and regional firmware (Global, China, EEA).However, the logic of the Phone system application remains the same across the brand ecosystem. We’ll look at both fully disabling the feature and fine-tuning the rules for individual numbers so you can flexibly manage your digital space.
Set up a global shutdown in the Phone application
The first and most obvious step to stop automatically recording all conversations is in settings for the standard call app, and that's where the main switch controls this function is located. To get to the desired menu, open the Phone app and notice the three dots or gear icon in the top right corner of the screen, and clicking on this interface element will take you to the Settings menu, where we're interested in the Call Record section.
Inside this section, you'll see a switch called "Automatic Call Recording." If it's active (the slider is blue or orange), your Xiaomi smartphone records every conversation you have right after you connect. Turn off this switch, rendering it inactive. After that, the phone will stop creating audio files without you directly participating. However, be careful: sometimes the system suggests you choose a recording mode - "All numbers" or "Selected numbers."
⚠️ Warning: If you have selected Selected Numbers mode but the exclusion list is empty or contains many contacts, the phone can still record.Make sure the Auto Call Record switch is off completely, not just a change of mode.
Also on this menu is often the option "Notify Recording." Even if you turn off automatic recording, leaving this item active can cause the interlocutor to hear a voice warning when manually activating the recorder. For complete silence and privacy, it is recommended to uncheck this item. Remember that the changes take effect instantly, and rebooting the device is not required.
☑️ Checking the recording settings
It's important to understand the difference between manual and automatic recording. Even with automatics turned off, you still have the ability to record a specific conversation at a time by pressing the appropriate button on the screen. The voice recorder's functionality doesn't disappear, it just stops working in the background without a user command, and this gives you complete control over what dialogs are stored on the device.
Managing the exclusion list and selected contacts
Often users want to disable the recording for certain contacts, or to leave the recording only for important customers or relatives, in which case the global shutdown of the feature will not work, and you need to configure the exception list. The Call Record menu of the Phone application has an option “Do not record” or “Selected numbers”, depending on the version of MIUI.
If your goal is to block entry for all but a few people, select Selected Numbers and add the contacts you want to, and if you want to record everyone except former partners or intrusive salespeople, use All Numbers mode, but activate Do Not List Numbers. This blacklist can be used to add contacts directly from the phone book or manually type numbers.
- 📞 Open the call recording settings in the Phone application.
- 👥 Select the list management option (Black or White list).
- ➕ Click “Add” and select the contact from the address book.
- ✅ Save the changes by making sure the numbers are on the list.
Managing these lists is especially important for those who use a smartphone for work purposes, so you can set up the system so that personal conversations with family are not saved, and business negotiations are recorded automatically, just create appropriate contact groups and link the entry rules to them if the firmware version supports group policies, or simply manually add numbers to the corresponding lists.
Hidden Listing Opportunities
Remember to check these lists periodically. If you change jobs or social circles, the old settings may become irrelevant; Regularly reviewing privacy settings helps avoid situations where excess information is stored on the device for years; and, cleaning up exception lists can solve problems if the record suddenly stops working where it should.
Cleaning up memory and managing saved files
Once you've figured out how to turn off automatic recording, you should pay attention to the files you've already accumulated. The conversation records take up space in the internal memory, and if the function worked long enough, it could eat a few gigabytes. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec or can be accessed through the standard Dictator or Files app».
To access the archive, open the Dictophone app (if the records are integrated there) or go to Explorer -> Internal Memory -> MIUI. Here you will find a folder with records. It is recommended to sort files by date and delete those that are no longer valuable. This will not only free up space, but also increase the security of your data, since old conversations may contain confidential information.
| Location of the file | The way to the folder | File format | Action. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard path | /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec | .m4a /.mp3 | Removal through the Conductor |
| Through the Dictaphone | Tab "Records" -> "Calls" | Systemic | Removal through the application |
| Gallery (rarely) | The album "Recording" | .m4a | Clearing the album |
If you plan to transfer the phone to another person or sell it, simply cleaning files may not be enough, in which case it is recommended to reset the settings of the Phone application or completely clean the data to make sure that there are no traces of audio files in the cache. However, be careful: resetting the application data can remove your settings (blacklist).
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Use Xiaomi’s Security app to search for large files.Clean up often finds old conversation records you forgot to delete and suggests you delete them with a single click.
Features of work depending on the version of MIUI and the region
Xiaomi’s ecosystem is known for its variety of firmware. Call recording functionality can vary dramatically depending on which version of the shell is installed on your device: Global (global), EEA (European), China (Chinese) or India. In European versions, due to strict privacy laws (GDPR), the automatic recording feature can be completely cut off from the system or hidden.
If you upgraded from MIUI 12 to MIUI 13, 14 or the new HyperOS, the settings may have changed. In newer versions, the interface has become more minimalistic, and some items could be moved to the "Advanced" subsection. Users of Chinese firmware versions often have more advanced customization options, including writing to the cloud, which is not available in global versions.
- 🌍 Global ROM: Basic functionality, the ability to disable the record.
- 🇪🇺 EEA ROM: Limited functionality due to EU laws, recording may not be available.
- 🇨🇳 China ROM: Advanced settings, integration with Xiaomi cloud services.
- 📱 HyperOS: Updated menu design, but logic remains the same.
In some cases, especially when flashing a device or buying a smartphone brought from another country, there may be conflict between regions. If you can't find the recording settings, try changing the region in the Settings menu -> Additional -> Region. Installing India or Nepal region often returns hidden call recording features, which can then be configured or disabled as you choose.
Third-party applications for recording and their conflicts
Often, the built-in recording feature is disabled, but conversations are still recorded, in which case third-party applications installed from Google Play or other sources may be the culprit. Programs like Call Recorder, Cube ACR or Automatic Call Recorder can intercept audio stream control and record regardless of Xiaomi's system settings.
To check this, go to your phone's settings, look for the Apps section, and look at the list of installed software. If you find apps to record calls, go to their settings and turn off autorecording or delete the app altogether. App conflict can lead not only to double recording, but also to audio problems during a conversation or even system crashes.
⚠️ Note: Third-party apps on newer versions of Android (11, 12, 13, 14) are often unstable due to Google's security limitations. They can record silence instead of the voice of the interlocutor.
Also worth checking the permissions granted to applications. From the Settings menu -> Privacy Protection -> Permission Manager -> Audio Record, see which programs have access to the microphone. If there is an application you don't know about, immediately limit its rights, which will improve the overall security of your device and prevent data leakage.
Problem Solving and Frequent Questions
Despite the ease of settings, users may face various problems, such as when recording is disabled, the phone continues to create empty files or files with an error. This may indicate that the cache of the Phone application has been damaged. In this case, cleaning the cache through the application management menu will help. Go to Settings -> Apps -> All Apps, find Phone, click Clear and select Clear Cache.
Another common problem is the lack of sound in recordings or recording only your own voice. This is often due to hardware or Android version restrictions that prohibit recording voice via microphone at time. The built-in recorder in Xiaomi usually bypasses this limitation at the system level, but third-party apps do not. If the built-in recording stopped working after the update, try resetting the Phone app to factory settings.
It is also important to mention the legal aspect: the laws on recording telephone conversations differ from country to country; in some jurisdictions, you need to alert the person to the recording; in others, the notification at the beginning of the conversation generated by the phone is sufficient; you are responsible for using the recording function, so check your local legislation before mass collection of audio data.
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If the built-in settings don't help, the problem may be third-party software or damage to the system files of the Phone app. Try to delete app updates or reset it.