How to completely disable call recording on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro: all ways

Why Xiaomi is recording calls and can it be turned off?

Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro smartphones running MIUI can automatically record phone conversations by default, a feature useful for business negotiations or storing important information. However, not all users like to have their conversations saved without explicit consent. Moreover, in some countries, this practice is governed by privacy laws, and accidental leakage of records can lead to unpleasant consequences.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable the recording of calls on the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro, from standard MIUI settings to manually deleting system files (for power users), and explain why the feature can turn on itself after updating the firmware and how to prevent this.

Important: If you’re using the Mi 8 Pro with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), some of the instructions may not work, so please refer to the alternative firmware section.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in options, which will work if the call recording is activated through the Phone app or the Call Recorder app.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the Recording of Conversations section (on some versions of MIUI it may be called Auto Recording).
4. Turn off the Automatic Recording Switch.
5. For reliability, also uncheck the boxes from the items Record all calls and Record selected numbers.

If you don't have a Conversation Recording section on your menu, it's managed through the Mi Recorder system app. Go to the next way.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI (for example, MIUI 12.5 for global firmware) the write option is hidden in Additional settings → Special facilities → Check this path if you don't find an item in the main menu.

☑️ What to check before disabling the record

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Method 2: Deactivation via Mi Recorder

On the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro, the Mi Recorder system application (or com.miui.voicerecord in the list of programs) can answer for recording calls. Its settings are not always available through the Phone interface, so you will have to act separately.

Steps:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search box, enter Mi Recorder or Recording.
• 🛠️ Select the app and press Permissions.
• 🚫 Disable the permissions of the Microphone and Warehouse – this will block the recording.
• 🗑️ To completely disable, click Disable (the application will remain in the system, but will stop working).

If the Disable button is inactive, the application is protected by the system, in which case the disabling via ADB will help.

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After disabling Mi Recorder, check the folder MIUI/sound_recorder on an internal drive, where old records can be stored, and they can be deleted manually or through the Files app".

Method 3: Delete records and reset settings

Even after the feature is turned off, old records can remain in the phone's memory. They must be manually deleted, otherwise they will take up space and can be accidentally played back.

How to clean the vault:

1. Open the Files app (or any file manager).
2. Go to the folder. MIUI → sound_recorder (If not, check Recordings or CallRecord).
3. Select all files with the.amr or.mp3 extension and delete them.
4. For safety, clear the basket.

If the records are stored in the Mi Cloud:

• 🌐 Visit i.mi.com from your account.
• 📁 Go to the Records section or other files.
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files and clean the cloud cart.

⚠️ Note: If you use Google Drive to back up, the records could be synced there automatically. → Call Recordings in your Google account.

Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods fail, you can block system-level call recording using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your phone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. 7 times click on the MIUI version until the notification appears.

USB debugging

Settings → Additional → For Developers

Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.voicerecord

This command will completely disable the system application recording.

adb shell pm enable com.miui.voicerecord

Once you execute the command com.miui.voicerecord will disappear from the list of applications, and the recording of calls will be blocked at the OS level. This method works even after resetting, if you do not perform a full wipe.

Method 5: Using third-party applications to block

If system methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities that block access to the microphone during calls, such as App Ops or Bouncer.

Example from App Ops:

• 📥 Install the app from Google Play.
• 🔍 Find the phone or Mi Recorder in the list.
• 🚫 Turn off the resolution of the microphone and audio recording.
• 🔄 Restart your phone to apply changes.

The advantage of this method is flexibility: you can only allow a record for specific applications (for example, WhatsApp), blocking it for system services.

⚠️ Note: Some permission blocking applications (e.g. XPrivacyLua) require root rights. MIUI and result in loss of warranty.

Features for custom firmware

If your Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro has an unofficial firmware installed (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or HavocOS), standard MIUI methods will not work, in which case call recording is managed via:

• 📱 Built-in firmware settings (Call Recording section in Phone Settings).
• 🛠️ Magisk modules (e.g. Call Recorder Disabler).
• 🔧 Editing the build.prop file (for experienced users).

For AOSP-based firmware (like Pixel Experience), call recording is often disabled by default. If it's active, check:

1. Settings of the application Phone → Call Recording.
2. Permissions for com.google.android.dialer.
3. Modules in Magisk Manager (if root is installed)

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On custom firmware, call recording is most often implemented through Magisk modules, which can be turned off in the module menu without removing root rights.

What if the recording is turned on by itself?

Some Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro users are faced with the fact that call recording is activated after updating MIUI or rebooting the phone.

• 🔄 Automatic updates to system applications (e.g. Mi Recorder gets new permissions).
• 🤖 Work failures MIUI, When the settings are reset to the factory.
• 📱 Conflicts with third-party applications (for example, antiviruses or optimizers).

How to prevent spontaneous inclusion:

1. Turn off automatic updates for Mi Recorder in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Recorder → Auto-update.
2. Create a rule in the Security app (Block section) to prevent Mi Recorder from running in the background.
3. Check the app’s permissions periodically after major MIUI updates.

If the problem recurs, consider turning off through ADB, which is the most reliable way.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls to Xiaomi