How to Enable Conversation Recording on Xiaomi Redmi 8A: The Complete Guide

Owners of budget smartphones often face the need to save important conversations for business or personal archive. Xiaomi Redmi 8A, despite the affordable price, has functionality that may not be obvious to beginners on the first acquaintance. The question of how to turn on a recording of a conversation on Xiaomi Redmi 8A, becomes especially relevant after upgrading system components to Android 10 versions and above.

To make matters worse, Google’s privacy policies and local laws dictate their own sound practices, and in some regions, standard dialing has been replaced by Google Dialer, which by default blocks the ability to record without notifying the other person, but there are proven methods to bypass these restrictions and customize the device for a comfortable experience.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to activate the recording function, from standard settings MIUI to installing specialized software. You will learn why the recording button was lost, how to return the standard call interface and what nuances should be considered when using third-party applications to ensure maximum sound quality.

Features of the MIUI call interface for Redmi 8A

Xiaomi smartphones are based on the MIUI shell, which historically had a built-in call recording function. the user just had to press a button in the interface or configure an automatic record of all incoming and outgoing calls. However, in newer versions of the firmware for the Redmi 8A model, the interface could change depending on the regional version of the device.

If you have a Global ROM installed, there is a high probability that the standard call has been replaced by a Google app, in which case Android system constraints do not allow you to record the same way as the original MIUI Dialer did. The voice of the interlocutor may be recorded very quietly or not recorded at all without using hands-free communication.

It's important to know which dialer is installed on your device. To do this, open the Phone app and click on the three dots in the top right corner, then select Settings. If there's a Call Record menu, you're lucky you're in luck, the functionality is built in. If you see Help and Feedback or the interface looks minimal, Google Dialer is likely active.

⚠️ Note: When using standard recording tools in some versions of Android, the interlocutor may hear an audible notification of the start of recording or see a message on the screen. This is a system security requirement that cannot be disabled software without deep interference with the system.

Verifying the app version also helps determine the capabilities of the device. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and compare it with information on forums. Often users of global versions flash devices on Chinese firmware versions (CN ROM), where the recording functionality is saved in full, but this requires unlocking the bootloader.

Standard recording settings in the Phone application

If your Redmi 8A has an original Chinese call or a regional version with saved functionality, activation of the recording is via the settings menu, which is the most stable method and does not require the installation of additional software, which has a positive effect on the autonomy of the work.

To start, open the Phone app (green handset). In the upper right corner of the screen, find a three-point icon or a gear that indicates the menu. In the list that opens, select Settings, and that's where the main levers of voice control are hidden.

In the settings menu, find the Call Record section, where you will find some important options that allow you to flexibly adjust the behavior of your smartphone, you can turn on automatic recording for all numbers, or select specific contacts from the phone book whose calls will be saved forcibly.

The system allows you to choose the source of the sound, and you can choose between a microphone, a speaker, or both channels at the same time, and for the best quality, it is recommended to choose a mode in which the sound is broadcast through the speaker, although it is less convenient in public places.

Once you turn on the recording function, a small voice recorder icon will appear in the call log next to the subscriber's number, and you can click on it, listen to the conversation directly in the call interface, or go to the file in the Explorer. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec internal storage.

Solving Google Dialer Problems on Redmi 8A

Many Redmi 8A users are faced with the fact that after the update, the system automatically switched to Google Dialer.This application has strict restrictions: it does not allow you to record a conversation in the background with good quality without notifying the second party.

The first method is to check the settings of the Google Dialer itself: Open the app, click on three dots, and select Settings. Find the "Record of Calls." If you have one, activate it. Remember, when you start a conversation, the voice assistant can say, "This call is being recorded," and your interlocutor will hear it.

The second method is more radical, requiring the installation of third-party dialers such as TruePhone or ACR Phone, which can replace the standard caller and offer more advanced recording features, and require extensive permissions to access the microphone and phone to work properly.

The third option is hands-free. Google Dialer's settings often tick "Always turn on speaker while recording," which allows you to record audio through a microphone, but the quality will depend on the acoustics of the room and the distance to the phone.

Google is constantly updating its security policies, and what worked a month ago may be blocked in the new version of the app, so keep an eye out for updates to the com.google.android.dialer app in the Play Market store.

Use of third-party applications for recording

When Xiaomi and Google’s regular tools don’t meet the user’s needs, third-party software comes to the rescue.The market offers dozens of solutions, but not all of them are equally effective on Android 10 and higher, where access to audio stream is limited.

One of the leaders in this niche is the Call Recorder app - ACR. It has many settings and supports various audio formats. To work on Redmi 8A, you may need to enable special features (Accessibility) in the Android settings so that the application can automatically answer calls and start recording.

Another popular option is Cube ACR. This application can record not only ordinary calls, but also conversations through messengers (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram), if the phone supports VoIP. For proper operation, Cube ACR often requires the installation of a special auxiliary application (App Connector).

When installing these programs, the MIUI security system can block them from running, you will need to manually allow auto-start, work in the background and access to contacts, without which the recording can break when the screen is turned off.

Set up automatic recording and storage of files

In order not to miss an important conversation, it is best to set up an automatic recording. MIUI This is done through the “Settings” menu» → «Recording calls» → «Automatic recording. You can select the record of all numbers or only certain numbers.

An important aspect is where the files are stored. By default, the records are stored in internal memory. 8A With 32GB of storage, the space can run out quickly. SD-map or cloud storage.

You can use the standard Explorer app to automate the process. Create a task in the Cleanup section or use third-party utilities to sync the folder. sound_recorder Google Drive or Yandex.Disk, which will protect your data from loss when you reset your settings.

⚠️ Attention: Formatting SD-Adoptable Storage on Xiaomi often leads to problems with recording calls. It is better to use the card as a portable storage and manually change the way of saving in the settings of the recorder, if such an option is available.

Also worth paying attention to is the audio file format. MP3 takes up less space, but M4A or WAV provide better quality. For legal purposes or important negotiations, it's better to choose formats without strong compression, even if they take up more space.

Legal aspects and ethics of recording conversations

The use of the call recording function is regulated by the legislation of the country in which you are located. In the Russian Federation, according to Article 23 of the Constitution and Article 138 of the Criminal Code, everyone has the right to secrecy of correspondence and telephone conversations.

However, if you are a participant in a conversation, you have the right to record information for personal use, problems can arise if the record is published in the public domain or used in court without the consent of the other party.

In the business environment, it is common to warn customers about recording a conversation by saying, "Conversation is recorded," a requirement of many services and support services, and ignoring this rule can lead to complaints and fines for the company.

Be careful when transferring recordings to third parties. Even if you recorded a conversation with a fraudster, posting his voice online without blurring can be regarded as a violation of image and voice rights, which will entail civil liability.

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To legalize business correspondence, add a phrase to your email signature or voice greeting that says conversations can be recorded for quality control, which will create a legal basis for the use of records.

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