Recording the conversation on Xiaomi 9A: the full guide

Owners of budget smartphones like the Redmi 9A often face the need to save important conversations, which may be due to business correspondence, confirmation of agreements or personal reasons. However, the standard MIUI shell does not always offer obvious access to this feature, especially in global versions of firmware, users can search for the record button during the call and not find it, which is puzzling.

The problem lies in the regional restrictions and privacy laws that Xiaomi complies with, and in some regions, such as Europe or India, the default recording feature is hidden or completely removed from the Phone system app. However, there are several proven ways to circumvent these restrictions and return a useful option to your gadget.

In this guide, we will detail how to turn on a call recording on Xiaomi 9A without obtaining superuser rights. We will look at the built-in functionality settings, working with regions and installing alternative applications if the standard methods do not work, you will learn where to look for hidden menus and how to set up an automatic record of all incoming calls.

Check the built-in function in the Phone application

The first step should always be to carefully check the standard features of your device. In most cases, especially in the CIS versions, the feature is already built in, but simply not activated by default. To start, open the standard Phone app and find the menu icon, which is usually represented by three dots or stripes in the corner of the screen.

Once you go to the settings, you need to carefully study the section related to recording calls. If your region allows this feature, you will see Call Record. Here you can select the automatic recording of all numbers or only certain contacts from the phone book, which is the most stable and high-quality way to capture audio.

⚠️ Note: If you do not find the Call Record item in the Phone app settings, it means that your firmware region is blocking this feature at the legislative level.

It's important to understand that the quality of the recording depends on the microphone and the speaker. With hands-free, the sound can be louder, but with more echoes. In normal mode, the voice of the interlocutor is recorded from the internal channel, which ensures the clarity of the sound, but only if the software allows it to be done by the manufacturer.

To activate manual mode, you just need to press the corresponding button on the screen during a conversation. If it is not there, try to fold the settings application and open the call menu again. Sometimes the interface requires a status update.

• 📱 Open the phone app on the home screen.
• ⚙️ Click on the three dots in the upper right corner to call the menu.
• 🎙️ Select “Settings” and find the “Call Record” section».
• ✅ Activate the Automatic Record switch for all or selected numbers.

Changing the region to unlock the function

If the standard method didn't work, the most effective solution is to change the region temporarily in the system settings, which is a safe procedure that doesn't require data resetting or flashing the device, and the idea is that MIUI changes the set of available features depending on the country you're in.

To change the region, go to the basic Settings of your smartphone. Scroll down to the bottom of the list to the optional item or immediately find the Region section. In the list of countries that opens, you need to choose a country where the recording functions are not limited. The optimal choice is often India, Singapore or Russia, if they are available in the list.

Once you change region, the smartphone interface can reboot, and in some cases, the set of pre-installed applications will change. Don't worry: this is normal behavior. Go back to the Phone app and check for a recording button. If it appears, you can safely use the function, and the region can be returned later, although the function may disappear.

It is worth noting that in some global versions of Android (starting with 11 and above), Google has implemented strict restrictions on recording calls, even changing the region in this case may not help if the restriction is sewn into the system libraries, in which case the system can warn the interlocutor that the conversation is being recorded, or simply not allow the feature to be turned on.

• 🌍 Go to "Settings» → «Additionally» → «Region».
• 🇮🇳 Choose a country with less stringent laws (e.g. India or Russia).
• 📞 Check the phone app for a record button.
• 🔄 If necessary, return the original region after activation of the function.

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If the function did not appear after changing the region, try to clear the cache of the Phone application through the application settings, and then restart the smartphone.

Use of third-party applications for recording

When the Xiaomi 9A’s built-in tools fail or are hidden by the manufacturer, third-party solutions come to the rescue from the Google Play store. There are many applications that intercept the audio stream and save it to a separate file. However, due to Android’s security policy, new versions of the operating system restrict third-party software from accessing the microphone during a call.

One of the most popular and effective solutions is the Appliqato or Cube ACR Automatic Call Recorder app, which requires a wide range of permissions, including access to microphone, phone and storage, and after installation, you must follow the on-screen instructions to configure the sound source.

An important nuance is the setting of the recording source. In modern versions of Android on Xiaomi 9A, the standard source may not work, recording silence or only your voice. In the settings of the recorder application, you need to experimentally choose the source of sound, for example, “Voice Call” or “Microphone”, and be sure to turn on the hands-free mode for better quality if the program requires it.

⚠️ Note: Third-party apps may not work properly on Android 11 or higher due to Google restrictions.

Some recorders offer cloud storage and synchronization, which is convenient for storing archives. However, it is worth remembering data security: do not upload confidential conversations to unknown servers. Local storage on a memory card or internal memory of the device is a safer option.

Automatic recording and filters setting

Once the recording function is successfully activated, whether built-in or through third-party software, it is critical to set up the automation correctly. Manually turning on the recording is inconvenient and often leads to an important conversation moment being missed. Automatic mode allows you to record all incoming and outgoing calls without user intervention.

In MIUI recording settings, you can create exception lists or priority number lists, for example, you can set the system to automatically record only numbers that are not in your phone book, which is useful for recording conversations with unknown subscribers, couriers or support services.

Also worth paying attention to the file storage format. The standard format is.m4a or.mp3. The former takes up less space, the latter is more compatible with various players. If the memory on Xiaomi 9A is limited, it is recommended to check the folder with records and delete old or unnecessary files, or set up automatic cleaning of records older than 30 days.

For advanced users, you can set up notifications, you can turn on the audible alert at the beginning of the recording to know that the process is underway, but remember that in some countries, the law requires you to warn the interlocutor about the recording, so an audible signal can be a legal requirement.

• 📂 Set up a save folder, preferably on a memory card, so as not to fill up the internal storage.
• 🗑️ Activate the “Delete After Call” function only if the recording fails, otherwise the files will be lost.
• 🔊 Enable audible recording start notification to monitor the process.
• 📞 Use filters to record only certain contacts or unknown numbers.

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Automatic recording saves time and ensures that no important conversation is missed due to the user’s forgetfulness.

Where are the records stored and how to transfer them

Understanding the structure of the Android file system is essential to managing the conversation archive. By default, all records are stored in the device's internal memory in a hidden or system folder, and can be found through the standard File Explorer or any other file manager installed on the Xiaomi 9A.

The path to embedded records MIUI This is usually as follows: Internal memory → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. If you used a third-party application, the folder can be called by a developer name, such as CallRecorder or Apliqato. Knowing the exact path, you can quickly copy the desired files to your computer or send them through instant messengers.

You can use standard Mi Cloud sync or third-party services like Google Drive and Yandex Disk to transfer records to the cloud. Auto-uploading allows you to back up your archive, which is especially important because if you reset your phone or break it, all local records will be irretrievably lost.

⚠️ Note: When connecting a smartphone to a computer through USB The record folder may not be visible until you allow access to files on your phone screen. select File Transfer Mode in the notifications.

Formatting memory cards or resetting your phone to factory settings will destroy all data, so regular backup is a critical procedure for those who use call recording for work purposes. Don't rely on the device's internal memory alone.

Solving and eliminating errors

Despite the ease of setting, users can face a variety of problems, the most common being recording, but only one person is heard or there is silence, because Android blocks access to the voice channel, which helps to turn on the speakerphone or use the headset.

Another problem is the lack of space. Audio files, although not taking up much, when used actively can quickly fill the memory of Xiaomi 9A. The system can stop recording new conversations if the space is critically small. Regular cleaning of the cache and deleting old files solves this problem.

If the feature is gone after the firmware update, you may have changed your region or privacy settings. Check the permissions for the Phone app in Settings → Apps → All Apps → Phone → Permissions. Make sure you have access to the microphone and phone.

In rare cases, you may need to reset your networking settings, which won’t delete your personal data, but will return your call settings to factory values, which can help if the crash occurred due to a software conflict.