How to completely disable the recording of calls on Xiaomi: all ways

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones can be a useful feature for storing important information, but often causes inconvenience. Many users experience the system automatically saves all calls, taking up device memory and creating risks of leakage of sensitive data, a problem especially relevant for owners of devices with MIUI 12-14 firmware, where the recording function is integrated at the system level.

In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to disable call recording, from standard settings to hidden settings to radical methods for persistent cases. You will learn how to delete already saved records, why a function can turn on itself, and what to do if standard methods do not work, and we will focus on models with global and Chinese firmware, where the settings may differ.

Why does Xiaomi record calls automatically?

The MIUI conversation recording function is activated for several reasons, and it is not always at the user's will.

• 🔧 Default settings: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11) Record is enabled out of the box for all incoming/outgoing calls.
• 📱 Updates MIUI: After installing a new firmware version (especially when switching to the MIUI 13→14) settings may be reset.
• 🤖 Service applications: The feature can be activated via Security, Google Drive or third-party programs like Truecaller.
• 📡 Regional features: On devices with Chinese firmware (CN ROM) The entry is often forced due to local laws.

It is important to understand that on some models (for example, Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra or POCO F4 GT) call recording cannot be disabled by standard means due to hardware limitations, in which case alternative methods will be required, which we will discuss below.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with a corporate SIM-The card, the call record can be controlled by the company's security policies, in which case it can only be disabled through the administrator. IT-division.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

On most devices, the recording function is controlled via the phone menu, and the instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 (global/European firmware):

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → select Settings.
3. Go to the section Record conversations (on some models – Record calls).
4. Turn off the automatic recording slider.
5. To completely disconnect, remove the ticks from the points: 📞 Record all calls. 🔄 Record only outgoing/incoming 📁 Save records to the cloud (if any)

If you don't have a conversation record on your menu, it's managed through another app (see Method 2). On Chinese firmware (CN ROM) devices, this section may be hidden, requiring a region change or firmware to be globalized.

Opens the section "Recording conversations" in the settings of the phone|Automatic Recording slider is off|Checks from all types of calls are removed|Checked for no records in the folder `MIUI/sound_recorder`-->

Method 2: Disconnection through the "Security" application

On some models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi K50), call recording is managed via the Security app, which works even if the phone does not have the appropriate settings:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the Privacy section. → Recording of conversations.
3. Turn off the automatic recording option.
4. Delete all existing records via the Clear button (if available).

If your device doesn’t have a Security Conversations Recording section, try an alternative path:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone → Permissions → Microphone (disable)

⚠️ Warning: Disabling access to the microphone for the application The phone will block all functions related to voice (voice dialing, recording voice messages in messengers).

Method 3: Delete Records and Clean Memory

Even after the recording function is disabled, the old files remain in the device's memory to delete them completely.

1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
2. Go to the Category section → Audio.
3. Find the file. MIUI/sound_recorder or call_rec.
4. Select all files (long-press → ticks) and click Delete.

An alternative path to the records:

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/


/storage/emulated/0/Recordings/CallRecord/

If the folders with records are not visible, turn on the display of hidden files in the Files application settings (three points → Settings → Show hidden files).

💡

To avoid re-creating records, add an empty file with a name. `.nomedia` This will hide it from the media scanner and prevent new files from being automatically saved.

Method 4: Disconnect via Google Drive (for synchronized recordings)

If your records are automatically uploaded to Google Drive, you need to disable them separately:

1. Open Google Drive on your phone.
2. Click on the three lines in the upper left corner → Settings.
3. Select Backup.
4. Find the Call Records section and turn off sync.
5. Delete existing records manually through the web version of Drive (drive.google.com).

Also check the settings of the Google Photos app — sometimes the recordings are saved as audio files in the Audio album.

Google Photo → Settings → Backup and Sync → Device Folders → Disable "sound_recorder"

Method 5: Radical methods (ADB, root, reset)

If the standard methods don't work, you'll have to use advanced techniques, which require caution and are suitable for advanced users.

Method A: Disconnect via ADB (without root)

This will require a computer with ADB drivers installed and enabled USB debugging on the phone:

1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.incallui Note: This command will disable the call interface, which can cause crashes. Use only if other methods don't work!

Method B: Remove the system application (root required)

For devices with unlocked bootloader and root rights:

1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Manager.
2. Go to /system/priv-app/CallRecorder/.
3. Remove or rename the folder (for example, in the CallRecorder_bak).
4. Reset the device.

If the recording continues to work after all the manipulations, it may be the pre-installed software (for example, Mi Call Recorder on Chinese firmware), in which case only a complete reset or flashing on the global version of MIUI will help.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions