Recording conversations on Xiaomi Mi 8: all working ways in 2026

Owners of Xiaomi Mi 8 often face the need to record phone conversations — whether for the capture of important business information, evidence in controversial situations or just for convenience. However, the standard features of MIUI on this model are not always obvious, and after updates, the interface may change. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to enable recording, including hidden firmware features, alternative applications and bypassing the limitations of Android.

The Mi 8 (codename Diploma) is that the model came out in 2018 with MIUI 9 based on Android 8.1 Oreo, but many users have upgraded to MIUI 12/14 with Android 10/11. This means that the recording methods depend on the firmware version. We will take into account all the nuances to make the instruction work regardless of your current build.

Important: In some countries, recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor may violate privacy laws.

1. Standard recording via the Phone application (MIUI 9-12)

On the Xiaomi Mi 8 stock firmware, the recording function is built into the Phone app, but it needs to be activated beforehand.

Open the Phone app and go to Recents, and tap the three-point menu here (⋮) In the top right corner, select Settings. In the list of options, find "Talk Record" - it can be hidden under the subsection "Additional" or "General Settings.

If it doesn't, then your version of MIUI doesn't support it, so move on to the following.

• 📱 MIUI 9/10: Recording is activated automatically when you press a button during a call (mic icon).
• 🔄 MIUI 11+: Requires manual activation in the settings Phone → Recording. → Enable the record.
• 🚫 Restriction: Does not work on some global firmware (e.g, EEA).

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 12.5+ Android 11 has blocked Google from accessing API The standard method may not work — you need to roll back rights or root access.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Update the Phone app via Google Play

Clear the cache of the Phone application in Settings → Applications

Provide all permissions for the phone application

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2. Recording via Google Phone (for GMS firmware)

If your Mi 8 has Google Services firmware installed (GMS), you can use the Google Phone app (it's com.google.android.dialer), which works even on Android 11, where the standard record is blocked.

Download Google Phone from Google Play (if it’s not by default) and make it the default app for calling Settings → Apps → Default Apps → Phone.

1. Open Google Phone and go to Recent Phones.
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner and select Call Settings.
3. Find the Call Record section and activate the option.

Important: Google Phone only stores records to the Google Drive cloud, not to the device. ADB-team.

Stock MIUI (Global)

Stock MIUI (Chinese)

Custom (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.)

I don't know.

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3. Third-party applications for recording (without root)

If the standard methods don't work, third-party apps come to the rescue, and the most reliable options for the Mi 8 are:

• 🎤 Cube Call Recorder ACR — Supports VoIP recording (you need to enable this). ACR → Settings → VoIP recording works on Android 10, but requires you to adjust the sound source.
• 📞 Call Recorder – Automatic Call Recorder (from Appliqato) – automatically records all calls, but can conflict with energy saving MIUI.
• 🔊 Boldbeast Call Recorder is one of the few apps that bypasses the Android 11 restrictions on some firmware.

Before installing, check the permissions:

Settings → Applications → Permissions Management → Microphone (include)


Settings → Applications → Autorun (enable for application)




Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization (disable for the app)

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 12.5+ applications can be blocked from accessing the microphone during the call, in which case only disabling the battery optimization or installing through the phone will help. ADB:

adb shell pm grant com.boldbeast.recorder android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO


adb shell pm grant com.boldbeast.recorder android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE

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If the app doesn't record incoming calls, try turning on Do Not Disturb mode with an exception for this app.Sometimes MIUI blocks background activity due to aggressive memory management.

4. Recording by means of ADB-Teams (for advanced teams)

If none of the methods worked, you can try to enable a hidden recording function through ADB. This method does not require root rights, but you need basic knowledge of working with the command line.

Connect Mi 8 to your PC, enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then Additional → For Developers → USB Debugging) and execute the command:

adb shell settings put global call_recording_support 1

Then restart your phone and check for the recording button in the standard Phone app. If there is no button, try an alternative command:

adb shell am start -n com.android.dialer/.CallRecorderEnableActivity

These commands simulate the activation of a function at the system level, but do not work on all firmware. On MIUI 13/14, additional configuration may be required via Shizuku or AppOps.

5 Where records are stored and how to export them

By default, the call records for Xiaomi Mi 8 are saved in the folder:

/sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

or (for Google Phone):

/sdcard/CallRecordings/

The files are.amr or.mp3 and are named by pattern: PhoneNumber_Date_Time.amr.

To transfer the recordings to PC:

1. Connect your phone to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Go to the folder with the records (see the paths above).
3. Copy the files to the hard drive.

If you don't have a folder, check the settings of the write application - the save path may have changed. On MIUI 12+, records can be automatically archived in the Mi Cloud (Xiaomi cloud).

6. Solving recording problems

If the recording is not working, check the following points:

• 🔇 No audio in the recording: Turn on speaker while calling (some apps only record through the speaker).
• 📵 The app does not start: Add it to the battery optimization exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
• 🚫 Grey Recording Button: Update your firmware or roll back to an older version MIUI.
• 🔄 Recording ends: Turn off Traffic Savings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks.

On Android 11+, resetting the phone app can help:

Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage → Clear data

Critical error: If the recording stopped working after the MIUI update, try installing an alternative firmware (e.g., Pixel Experience) or using an external recorder with the hands-free on.

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Xiaomi Mi 8 S MIUI 12.5+ Android 11 standard call recording is locked at the system level.The only working options are Google Phone (cloud only), ADB-team-or-root.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Mi 8