How to remove a call record on Xiaomi: from disabling the function to deleting files

Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face the need to monitor their call history, and the automatic call recorder feature is built into the default MIUI shell, which is convenient for storing important information but can take up space in memory or violate privacy, sometimes requiring them to completely disable this option or clear files that have already accumulated.

The process of managing records depends on the operating system version and the device’s regional settings. In recent Android 12 and higher updates, Google has implemented strict restrictions that can block recording at the system level, making old methods unworkable. Understanding the differences between deleting a specific file and disabling the feature itself will help you set up your phone competently.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at all the ways you can use it, from standard call settings to file manager, and learn how to prevent new records from being created and how to clear old conversations by freeing up space on your device.

Disabling automatic recording in a standard call

The most common scenario is to prevent your phone from recording incoming and outgoing calls on its own. The standard Phone app in the MIUI and HyperOS shells has a built-in mechanism for this. To access the settings, open the call app and find the gear icon or the three-dot menu in the top corner of the screen.

In the menu that opens, you have to select Call Record, and this is where the switch is, which is responsible for automatically creating audio files, and if the slider is active, the phone will save every conversation without you knowing it, and turning it off will instantly stop creating new records, but it won't delete existing ones.

It is worth noting that the interface may differ slightly on different models, for example, on Xiaomi Mi 11 the path may be shorter than on the budget series of Redmi Note. In some versions of firmware for EU countries, the recording function may be completely absent due to legal restrictions.

It is important to understand that disabling the feature in the settings does not affect third-party applications. If you have Google Phone or programs like Call Recorder installed, they need to be configured separately. Xiaomi system settings control only the built-in recording module.

Deletion of specific recordings of conversations

If your goal is to remove specific compromising or just unnecessary files, rather than disabling the feature entirely, the easiest way to do so is through a call log.This method allows you to selectively clear the story, leaving important dialogues intact. Open the Phone app and go to the History tab.

Find the contact or number you want, and if there's a voice recorder or microphone next to the number, you've recorded the conversation. Click on the number to reveal the details of the call. In the window that opens, you'll see a list of all the records associated with that caller.

To delete, press and hold your finger on the file you want, or select Delete (often indicated by the basket) and the system will request confirmation of the operation, after which the file will disappear from the device memory.

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Use the “Recent” feature in the call to quickly find the entry by date, even if you don’t remember the subscriber’s number.

Alternatively, you can use the control menu, click three points in the corner of your contact list, and select Edit or History Management, which will allow you to select multiple records of different subscribers and delete them in a batch, which saves you a lot of time in a mass cleaning.

Cleaning through File Manager

Sometimes the records are not displayed in the call log because of synchronization errors or crashes in the phone application database, in which case the way to access the files is to use the system explorer, all audio recordings are stored in a specific folder of internal memory, which you can manually go to.

Open File Manager and follow the following path: Internal Memory → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. In some versions of the firmware, the path may look like internal storage. → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. This is where all the files in the format are located.m4a or.mp3.

By highlighting files in this folder, you can delete them, copy them to your computer, or send them via Bluetooth. This is direct access to the file system, so deleting them here is guaranteed to free up disk space.

Be careful when cleaning through Explorer, deleting files will bypass the Phone Recycle Bin, so it will be harder to recover them with standard means, and it is recommended to pre-copy important files to the cloud.

Hiding records from prying eyes

If deleting is impractical, but you need to hide the content of conversations from prying eyes, use the Hidden folder or Second Space function. This will not remove the recording physically, but will make it invisible for standard viewing without entering a password or fingerprint.

In the security settings, find Hidden Folder. call_rec, You'll hide them from the gallery and the standard players, and they'll only be accessible through a special input-conductor entrance. PIN-code.

A more radical method is to create a Second Space, which is a full-fledged copy of the system inside your phone, so you can move the Phone app there and configure it separately, and the recordings made in the second space will not be visible in the owner's main profile.

⚠️ Warning: Moving the record files to a hidden folder can break the link between the audio file and the contact in the call log.You will hear the record, but it will not be tied to the phone number in the history.

Using folder encryption is a reliable way to protect confidential information. Even when connecting the phone to your computer in file transfer mode, the contents of hidden Xiaomi albums are not displayed without authorization on the device itself.

Problems with recording on Android 12, 13 and 14

Users who upgraded their Xiaomi to Android 12 and higher may have noticed that the recording feature disappeared or stopped working correctly.Google has implemented a security policy that prohibits applications from accessing the microphone during a call.This is a global restriction that affects all manufacturers, including Xiaomi.

Newer versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 may have a loud audible notification for the person recording the call, “Talk recording has begun,” which is not possible to remove by standard means, as this is a requirement of the Android operating system for protection.

There are workarounds, such as installing patches through ADB or using special versions of Google Phone with a modified dialect (for example, for India or Indonesia), where recording is allowed.

If the recording malfunctioned after the update, try clearing the cache of the Phone application. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Phone → Memory → Clear. This will reset the call settings, but will not delete contacts and call history.

Use of third-party applications for recording

When Xiaomi’s built-in tools are not up to date or locked, Google Play apps come to the rescue, with Call Recorder – ACR, Cube Call Recorder and TapeACall leading the way.

For the correct operation of such programs on Android 10+, it is often necessary to provide special permissions through Accessibility (Special features) or connect to a computer to activate via ADB. Without these actions, the application can only record your voice, not the interlocutor.

Third-party solutions have the advantage of being flexible, so you can set up cloud sync immediately after a call, eliminating storage of files on your device, which is ideal for those who want to "remove" a record from their phone by storing it in an archive.

⚠️ Warning: Third-party applications may conflict with system call MIUI, You can have delays in response or problems with sound.

When choosing an app, pay attention to the reviews and the date of the last update. Older versions of recorders often stop working after another Android security patch, requiring ongoing support from developers.

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Third-party apps are the only solution for recording calls on global versions of Android 12+, where the system feature is blocked or marked with notifications.

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