How to disable the recording of calls on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature for business correspondence or recording important agreements, but not all users need it. Automatic saving of audio files takes up space in memory, creates risks of leaking confidential information and can violate personal data protection laws in some countries. If you find a Recordings folder in the gallery with recordings of conversations or just want to turn off this option, our guide will help you do this quickly and without consequences.

Depending on the smartphone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.) and the MIUI firmware version (13, 14 or HyperOS), the methods of deactivating recording may vary. We have collected current methods for all versions, including hidden settings and workarounds for cases where a standard switch is missing, and we will also discuss how to delete already saved records and prevent them from being automatically created in the future.

Why does Xiaomi record calls without permission?

The default conversation recording feature is activated on many Xiaomi smartphones due to the features of the MIUI firmware.

• 📱 Local laws: In some countries (such as India or China), recording calls is allowed to protect consumers, so the feature is enabled out of the box".
• 🔄 Backup: MIUI automatically saves important data, including calls, for recovery after resetting.
• 🛠️ Debugging services: Records are used to improve communication quality (interference analysis, interruptions, etc.).

However, in most regions (including Russia and the EU), automatic recording of calls without notifying the interlocutor can be considered a violation of personal data law. Even if you do not distribute files, their presence on the device creates legal risks, and the recordings take from 100 KB to 5 MB each – if you use the phone actively, this can “eat” several gigabytes of memory in a month.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS models (e.g. Xiaomi) 14 or Redmi K70) Call recording can be integrated into the Phone app deeper than in the phone app. MIUI 13/14. If the standard methods do not work, check the section below.

Method 1: Disconnect via the settings of the “Phone” application

The most obvious and quickest method is to deactivate the recording directly in the call app, which works on most devices with MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS:

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. Scroll down to the Recording of Conversations section (or Call Recording in English firmware).
4. Transfer the slider to the Off position for the Automatic Record option.
5. Make sure that the Record all calls and Record selected numbers are also disabled.

If you don’t have a Record Conversations section in your menu, then the function is managed at the system level – go to Method 2.

Reboot your phone after the changes

Call the test number and check the Recordings folder.

Delete old records through Files

Update the Phone app in Google Play-->

Method 2: Deactivation through MIUI system settings

On some firmware (especially POCO or Redmi with custom builds), call recording is controlled through hidden system settings.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find your phone in the list and tap it.
3. Select Permissions, then Microphone.
4. Disable microphone access for the Phone app (this will block recording, but will not affect the calls themselves).

The following is the alternative route for MIUI 14+:

Settings → Special features → Additional → Call settings → Recording conversations

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the microphone for the Phone application may cause a malfunction of the voice dial or the "Speak" function. If after the changes, you have problems, return the permission and use Method 4.

Yeah, and I use it.

Yeah, but I want to shut it down.

No, I don't have that function.

I don't know how to check.-->

Method 3: Delete records through the Files app

Even after the function is disabled, the old records will remain in the device's memory to delete:

1. Open the Files app (Folder icon).
2. Go to Audio or use the search on record.
3. Find the Recordings folder (or CallRecord on some models).
4. Select all files (long tap → ticks) and click Delete.

If the folder is not displayed:

• 🔍 Check Hidden Files: In Files, click on three dots → Showing the hidden.
• 📁 Use a file manager from a third-party developer (e.g. Solid Explorer).
• 💾 Connect your phone to your PC and find records through Windows Explorer in the Internal Storage folder → MIUI → sound_recorder.

💡

If the records are not deleted, check if they are protected by the system, try moving the files to another folder before deleting them, or use root access.

Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods fail, you can block the recording of calls via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires you to connect the phone to your computer, but is guaranteed to disable the feature at the system level.

Instructions:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. Turn on the phone Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap the build number → return to Additional → For developers).
3. Connect the phone to the PC and type in the command line:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.server.telecom


adb shell settings put global call_recording_enabled 0

Once you've completed the commands, restart the device. To return the call record, use:

adb shell pm enable com.android.server.telecom


adb shell settings put global call_recording_enabled 1

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause a phone malfunction, if the calls are missing after the commands or SMS — Reset your settings through Settings → System system → Resetting settings.

Method 5: Features of the disconnection on HyperOS

The new HyperOS firmware, which debuted on Xiaomi 14 and Redmi K70, moved call recording management to another section, where the feature can be tied to the Xiaomi Cloud service, making it difficult to turn it off.

The procedure for HyperOS:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Cloud
2. Scroll down and turn off the call record sync option.
3. Go back to the basic settings and go to Apps → Application Management → Phone → Storage.
4. Click Clear Data (this will delete all records, but will not affect your call history).

If records continue to be created after this:

• 📲 Install an alternative call app (like Google Phone) and make it standard.
• 🔧 Use it. ADB-Teams from Method 4.
• 📥 Reverse to the previous version MIUI (If HyperOS is installed as an update).

💡

On HyperOS, call recordings can be automatically turned on after updates. Check the settings after each system update.

How to prevent automatic recording after updates

Many users find that after updating MIUI or HyperOS, the recording of calls is activated again.

1. Turn off automatic firmware update: Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points → Settings → Auto Update (Off).
2. Block permissions for the Phone app: Limit access to microphone, storage, and contacts (see Method 2).
3. Use Tasker or MacroDroid: Set up automatic recording shutdown after the device is restarted.

If you do not want to refuse updates, before installing a new firmware, create a backup copy of the settings through Settings → Additional → Backup and restore them after the update – this will return the previous recording parameters.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls to Xiaomi