Owners of budget but popular smartphones like the Redmi 9A often face unexpected limitations due to changes in Googleβs security policy. In particular, how to activate the built-in dialog fixing feature becomes critical for those accustomed to the convenience of earlier MIUIs. The standard mechanism, which has been in operation for years, has been forcibly disabled at the software level in many regions, including Russia and the CIS.
But that doesnβt mean youβre left without the ability to save important conversations. There are several proven and effective ways to get around these limitations to get back the functionality you lost. In this article, weβll go into detail on how to activate recordings through third-party utilities, use special codes to activate hidden menus, and the nuances of working with Google Dialer.
It is important to understand that the choice of method depends on the specific version of the firmware (Global, EEA or Chinese) and the version of the Android operating system. Some methods require a connection to a computer, while others are solved by installing one application in a couple of minutes.
Why did you miss the phone call record for Xiaomi Redmi 9A?
The main reason for the disappearance of the usual record button was the policy of Google, which began to severely restrict the access of applications to the microphone and audio stream during phone conversations, this was dictated by privacy reasons, but in practice deprived millions of people of a convenient tool. Xiaomi, following the requirements of the American giant, was forced to remove the built-in recording mechanism from stock firmware for the markets of Europe and Russia.
On smartphones Xiaomi Redmi 9A, which were originally supplied with a shell MIUI 11 or 12 based on Android 10, the situation is twofold. In some cases, the feature is physically present in the system, but hidden from the user depending on the regional settings. SIM-In other cases, the record codecs are simply cut from the system partition, making it impossible to activate them without deep intervention.
It's worth noting that regional settings play a key role: If your smartphone was purchased officially in Russia, you'll likely get a version of Google Phone with a stripped-down functionality. If the device comes from China or Indonesia, the likelihood of having a native feature is much higher, which is why users often look for ways to "turn" their phone into a global or Chinese version software.
To make matters worse, when updating through an OTA (over the air), Google can block previously used methods again, so the most reliable way to do so at the moment is to use specialized third-party applications that can bypass the limitations of the Android API, emulate the operation of the system recorder by recording sound through a speaker or alternative channels.
Using the Cube ACR application for recording
One of the most powerful tools to solve this problem on Xiaomi 9A The Cube app is ACR. It is designed specifically to bypass the limitations of Android 9, 10, 11 and later. Unlike standard voice recorders, this app can intercept the audio stream of VoIP (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram) and regular audio streams. GSM-call-up.
To get started, you need to download the installation file (APK) from the official developer site, because in Google Play, the application version often has a stripped-down functionality due to store rules. Once installed, the system will require a wide range of permissions, you will need to give access to the microphone, contacts, storage and, most importantly, allow work in the background and on top of other windows.
βοΈ Cube setup ACR
The key is to adjust the audio source (App Connector). The application has a special switch that requires special features. Without this step, recording in new versions of Android will not work. After activating the service in the Cube ACR settings, it is recommended to choose the source of the sound "Voice Call" or "Mic" if the first one does not work.
The app allows you to flexibly configure rules: you can only record favorite contacts, ignore incoming from unknown numbers or archive all conversations. Files are stored in the memory of the smartphone and can be automatically uploaded to the cloud, which protects them from loss when you change the device.
Activation of the hidden function through region change
There's a method that allows you to activate native recording without installing third-party software, but it doesn't work on all versions of the firmware, and the idea is to change the region of the phone and clean the data from the Phone system application, which can return the record button to the call interface.
To do this, go to Settings β Additional Settings β Region. Select a country where the recording feature is legally permitted and supported by the manufacturer, such as India, Indonesia or Serbia. After changing the region, the smartphone interface may change slightly, new widgets or services will appear specific to the selected country.
Next, clear the cache and data of the Phone app. Find the Phone app list (a green handset icon, often from Google or MIUI Dialer), go to its properties and click Clear Data. Don't worry, your contacts and call history won't be lost, only the settings of the app itself are reset.
β οΈ Note: This method does not guarantee 100% results on new versions. MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 13 If the recording button does not appear after the region change and the data clear, then your version of the codec has no physical recordings or is locked at a deeper level.
After you've done the manipulation, restart your smartphone. When you make an incoming or outgoing call, look carefully at the screen: a recording button may appear in the interface. If it's there, but it's inactive, try pressing it during the conversation. Also check the call settings, there may be a "Call Record" item that was previously hidden.
Set up automatic recording of conversations
If you've managed to activate a recording function (whether native or through an app), it's crucial to set it up automatically. Manually turning on the recording every time is uncomfortable and often leads to an important conversation moment being missed. Automation eliminates the need to remember to turn on the recorder.
In the standard MIUI app (if you have it left or restored), the setting is on the phone path β Settings (three dots or gear) β Call recording. Here you need to activate the Auto Record switch. You can also choose the recording mode: "All numbers" or "Selected numbers." In the second case, a whitelist or blacklist is created, which is very convenient for filtering unnecessary information.
For users of third-party applications like Cube ACR or Automatic Call Recorder, the logic is similar. In the settings menu, look for Auto Record. Here you can set rules: record only outgoing, only incoming or all calls. Some applications allow you to set up a record only after the subscriber responds, so as not to pick up the beeps.
Remember to check the memory capacity regularly. Audio files, especially in high quality, take up space. In the application settings, specify the save path to the memory card (if your Xiaomi 9A has a microSD installed) so that internal storage of the system does not overflow.
Problems with recording via Google Phone
Many Redmi 9A users use the standard Google Dialer, which replaced MIUI Dialer, and the problem is that when you record a conversation, Google Dialer loudly announces the phrase "Call is being recorded" or "Call is being recorded" that the person hears, which often causes embarrassing situations.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to remove this voice notification completely in the official version of the app, as it is a requirement of the legislation of many countries. However, there are modified versions of Google Dialer Mod that have this restriction removed.
If you're using a modified version, you may need to reset your app data and re-grant permissions. It's important to understand the risks: using untested software always poses a potential security risk. So if you're embarrassed by voice notification, it's best to use third-party recorder apps that record audio through a microphone without activating Google's system notifications.
Also worth mentioning is the problem of the quiet sound of the recording, because if you can hear yourself well, but you can barely hear the other person, try to turn on the speaker while you're talking, which will improve the quality of the recording through the microphone, because the sound will come from the speaker directly into the microphone of the device.
Comparison of recording methods on Xiaomi
To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have prepared a comparative table of the main methods, each of which has its pros and cons, depending on your requirements for quality, safety and convenience.
| Method | Sound quality | Difficulty setting up | The risk of blocking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native MIUI (Regional Change) | High (digital) | Low. | Medium (may disappear after the update) |
| Cube ACR (App Connector) | High/Mediocre | Medium | Low. |
| Google Recorder (mode) | High. | High (search and installation of APK) | High (instability) |
| Speaker + Dictaphone | Low (noise) | Low. | Absent. |
As you can see from the table, the native method of changing the region produces the best results, but it is the least stable over time. Third-party applications require initial configuration, but then work steadily even after system updates. Using hands-free is the last resort, which is worth resorting to only if others do not work.
The Impact of Android Updates on Recording
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Does the interviewer hear that the recording is going on?
Where are the recordings of conversations on Xiaomi 9A stored?
Can I record conversations from WhatsApp and Viber?
Why did the recording button disappear after the firmware update?
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The most stable solution for long-term use is the Google Dialer (for calls) + Cube ACR (for recording), as it does not depend on the vagaries of regional MIUI settings.
To sum up, the Xiaomi Redmi 9A remains a functional device capable of recording conversations despite software limitations, and the key is to keep your hands on the first setback and try the alternative methods described above.