How to enable autorecording of calls on Xiaomi: official and alternative ways

Why Xiaomi doesn’t have built-in auto recorders and what to do about it

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the surprise of not having an automatic call recorder feature in the standard Phone app, which is due to Google’s policies and local legal restrictions, and since 2022, the company has banned pre-installing call recording apps on devices with Google Mobile Services (GMS) services in a number of regions, including Russia and the EU, and MIUI firmware for global smartphone versions.

But there is a solution! The manufacturer has left a loophole for users: on some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or POCO F5), the feature is hidden in regional firmware for India and China. In addition, recording can be activated through third-party applications or alternative firmware. In this article, we will analyze all working methods, from official to bypass.

Method 1: Enabling Auto Recording through Hidden MIUI Settings

If your Xiaomi smartphone is running on firmware for India (MIUI IND) or China (MIUI CN), the chance of discovering the built-in recording feature is higher.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Scroll down to Call Record (if there is no item, go to Method 2).
4. Activate the switch Automatic Recording and select the terms: 📞 All calls are recorded incoming and outgoing; 📱 Unknown numbers only – conversations with unsaved contacts are recorded; 🔍 Selected contacts – entry only for marked subscribers.

Important: Even if Call Record is present, it may disappear after the MIUI update, which is because Xiaomi is gradually removing the feature from Google’s global builds.

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If your phone doesn’t have a record point in its settings, try changing the device region to India via Settings → About Phone → Region. After rebooting, check for the feature again.

Method 2: Using Xiaomi’s Call Recording app (hidden)

On some models (e.g. Redmi 10 or POCO X3 Pro), the call recording app is installed but hidden from the user.

1. Install any file manager with access to system folders (e.g. Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/CallRecorder/CallRecorder.apk If the file is not available, check the /system/app/ folder.
3. Copy the CallRecorder.apk file into /sdcard/ (internal memory).
4. Install. APK-Manual file (allow installation from unknown sources in security settings).

Once installed, the app will appear on the menu and automatically record calls. Please note that this method does not work on all firmware and may require root rights on new versions of MIUI 14.

Method 3: Third-party applications for auto-recording

If the built-in methods don't work, third-party utilities will come to the rescue.

Before installing, check the application permissions: it must request access to Microphone, Contacts and Warehouse. MIUI 14 may require additional permission to display over other windows (in special feature settings).

Method 4: Alternative firmware (for advanced users)

If you're willing to take drastic measures, installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) will bring back auto-recording.

• 🔧 Full control of the system;
• 📱 Built-in call recording without restrictions;
• 🚀 The absence of unnecessary applications Xiaomi.

However, there are risks:

⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware will void warranty, may cause data loss or “bricking” of the device. On models with a locked bootloader (for example, Redmi Note 11) will require unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool, which takes up to 720 hours of waiting! Instructions for power users: Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool.Install TWRP Recovery for your model (see instructions on the XDA Download firmware that supports call recording (e.g. LineageOS 20). TWRP. Make a backup copy of the data|Check the device model for compatibility|Charge the phone before 80%|Download drivers and firmware|Disable the lockdown OEM developer-setting--> Where records are stored and how to save them By default, call records are stored in the device's internal memory along the way: /sdcard/CallRecordings/ or /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ To transfer files to PC or cloud: 📁 Connect your phone to your computer through MTP and copy the folder; ☁️ Upload recordings to Google Drive or Mi Cloud (in the recording app settings); 🔗 Send important files to yourself by email or messenger, the format of the records is usually.amr or.mp3. To listen to a PC, you may need to convert to.wav via Audacity or online services. 💡Clean your records folder regularly – it can take up several gigabytes of memory. In the settings of the application for recording, set a storage limit (for example, 500 MB) or autodelete files older than 30 days. Legal nuances: can you record calls without consent In Russia, the recording of telephone conversations is regulated by Art. 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (violation of the secrecy of correspondence) and Art. 152.2 Civil Code of the Russian Federation (private life protection) Key points: 📜 You are allowed to record conversations if you are a member and do not distribute the recording; ⚖️ It is forbidden to publish records without the consent of the interlocutor (fine up to 200 thousand rubles.); 🚨 Exception: if the record is necessary to protect your rights in court (e.g. in case of threats or fraud) the rules differ in other countries, e.g. in the EU (regulation) GDPR) recording without consent is considered a violation, and in the United States (the One-Party Consent Act) the consent of one participant in the conversation (your) is sufficient). ⚠️ Note: If you record conversations for work (e.g. as a sales manager), make sure that the employment contract or internal company rules spell out permission to record negotiations. Frequent problems and solutions Xiaomi users often encounter typical errors when setting up auto record. Let's analyze the most common: Problem Reason Solution Recording does not automatically begin No microphone resolution; Application added to battery optimization. Check the permissions in Settings → Annexes → [Title of the programme] → Permissions; Disable optimization in Settings → Battery → Battery optimization. Only my voice is recorded. The operator blocks the recording from the interlocutor (for example, MTS or Beeline roaming). Use applications that support VoIP recording (e.g. Cube) ACR mode Viber/WhatsApp). Record files damaged Memory shortage or application failure. Clear the app cache and check the free space (at least you need to have a minimum). 1 If none of these methods worked, try resetting the network settings: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset the network settings. Confirm the action and restart the phone. Check the recording after the reset. FAQ: Answers to popular questions: Can you turn on auto-write on Xiaomi without root rights? Yes, but with restrictions (MIUI IND) The function can be accessed without root. In other cases, a third-party application (for example, Cube) will help. ACR), But you're the only one who can record it if the operator blocks the voice capture. MIUI call recording missing? Chances are you have upgraded to the global firmware version where Xiaomi removed the feature under Google pressure.Solutions: Reverse to the previous version MIUI; Install a third-party app; Change device region to India (risky — some services may stop working); How to record WhatsApp or Telegram calls on Xiaomi? Standard recording apps don't work with VoIP calls. Use: Cube ACR VoIP Recording (root required); Another Call Recorder (speaks through speaker, quality is worse); Built-in feature in Truecaller Premium. ⚠️ Warning: Recording VoIP calls may violate messenger rules, such as WhatsApp blocking accounts for system interference with the application, where to find call records if the application does not show them? Check the following folders through the file manager: /sdcard/CallRecordings/ /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ /sdcard/Android/media/[If you have files but don't show up in the app, clear the cache or reinstall it. Can you recover deleted records accidentally? Yes, but only if you haven't written new files on top of old ones. Use recovery software: DiskDigger (for Android); Recuva (if you copied the records to the PC) The chance of success is higher if the phone did not restart after deleting.