How to turn on a recording of a conversation on Xiaomi Redmi 9 T: a step-by-step guide

Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 9 T have a wide range of features that are often hidden in the depths of operating system settings. One of the most popular features, especially for business people and those who are actively chatting and negotiating, is automatic or manual recording of telephone conversations. Owners of devices based on the MIUI shell often face a situation where the standard recording button is not in the call interface, which causes confusion and search for third-party solutions.

However, third-party apps from Google Play are not in a hurry to install, as they can run unstable or require complex access rights. In most cases, the problem lies not in the lack of technical capability, but in the regional restrictions imposed by the software manufacturer. Properly configuring your Redmi 9 T will allow you to use a native, high-quality recorder without unnecessary battery life.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm required to activate the call recording on your device, we will touch on the issues of changing the region, setting up automatic recording for specific contacts, and we will discuss the legal aspects of using this feature, understanding these nuances will help you effectively manage communication and save important information.

Why is there no recording button on Redmi 9 T?

The main reason for the lack of visible call recording in the standard Phone application is the legislation of various countries. Xiaomi, following international standards for the protection of personal data and privacy, by default hides this option in regions with strict privacy laws, for example, in the European Union. If your smartphone was purchased officially or has a global firmware with the region β€œRussia” or β€œUkraine”, the feature can be deactivated at the software level.

It is important to understand that the hardware of the Redmi 9 T fully supports recording audio in real time. the processor and microphones of the device cope with this task without delay. The problem is solely software restriction of the MIUI Dialer interface. Changing the digital address of the device's location allows you to bypass this restriction and unlock hidden menus.

Changing the region does not affect the operation of other system applications, does not change the interface language and does not require data reset. This is a safe procedure that takes only a few seconds. After performing simple actions in the settings, the recording button will appear in the active conversation window, and additional options for managing the audio archive will open in the call settings menu.

⚠️ Note: A change in region may temporarily affect the performance of some localized services, such as Mi Video or Mi Music, which adapt content to the selected country. SIM-map.

Instructions for activating the function through a region change

The most effective and proven way to enable a call recording on Xiaomi Redmi 9 T is to temporarily change the region in the system settings. This method does not require superuser rights (Root) and is safe to guarantee the device. You need to go to the main settings menu and find the section responsible for the general system settings.

Follow a step-by-step algorithm to activate the hidden capabilities of your smartphone. Make sure the screen is unlocked and you are on the desktop.

β˜‘οΈ Algorithm for recording

Done: 0 / 6

Once you've selected a new region, the interface can blink or reboot, which is normal behavior. Now, when you open the Phone app and make a test call or take an incoming call, you'll see the record button directly on the screen during the conversation, which is usually located at the bottom of the display next to the hands-free button.

If the button appears but the recording does not start, check if the device is in Do Not Disturb mode or if access to the microphone for the Phone app is blocked in the privacy settings. In rare cases, it is necessary to restart the device after changing the region to fully apply the changes.

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For quick access to the settings of the region, you can use the search by settings: just type the word β€œRegion” in the search bar at the top of the settings menu, and the system will offer the desired item.

Set up automatic call recording

Manually turning on a record every time can be uncomfortable, especially if you're expecting an important call and may forget to press the button on time. MIUI offers flexible settings for automating this process. To get into the control menu, open the Phone app, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings, and then Record Calls.

In this section, you'll find the Auto Record switch, and when you activate it, you can choose which calls you'll be recording without you, and you can create an exception list or a priority number list.

  • πŸ“ž All numbers: The device will automatically save the audio file of each incoming and outgoing call.
  • πŸ‘₯ Contacts selected: entry will only be made for numbers added to a special list (e.g. for work or family only).
  • 🚫 Unknown numbers: a useful option for fixing calls from unknown subscribers, which can be useful when communicating with scammers or couriers.

Files are stored in the device's internal memory. By default, they're in a folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec, But they're also accessed through the Dictophone or Files app, and the quality of the recording depends on the codec, which is usually automatically selected, but in advanced settings, you can choose between formats. AMR (smaller size) and MP3 (quality).

⚠️ Warning: When you enable automatic recording of all calls, your smartphone memory can fill up faster than usual. Check your free space regularly or set up sync with cloud storage.

Table of formats and recording quality

The quality of the final audio file depends on the selected codec and compression settings. Understanding the difference between formats will help you optimize the use of Redmi 9 T memory without losing speech intelligibility.

ParameterAMR formatMP3 formatAAC format
File sizeMinimumMedium.Medium/High
Sound qualityBasic (voice only)High.Very high.
CompatibilityAll players.All players.Modern players
RecommendationFor long archivesFor important negotiationsFor maximum quality

The choice of format affects not only the size, but also the compatibility with other devices. If you plan to transfer recordings to old phones or specific voice recorders, the AMR format will be the most versatile. MP3 is better for listening on modern smartphones and computers.

It is worth noting that when recording via the VoLTE network or messengers (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram), the quality may differ from the recording of a regular one. GSM-In some cases, the system recorder may not be activated for calls through Internet applications due to Android security limitations.

Google Dialer and Alternative Methods

In some versions of MIUI firmware, especially in global builds of recent years, the standard Xiaomi caller can be replaced by Google Phone. This application also has a built-in recording function, but it works differently: when you turn on a record, the interlocutor hears a loud voice notification β€œConversation recording has begun.”

If you are not satisfied with the voice alert or Google Dialer interface, you can try to return the standard Xiaomi caller if it is available for your model in the current version of the software. APK-File and install it as a default application.

πŸ“Š What kind of caller you have installed?
Standard MIUI
Google Phone
Third-party
I don't know.

Alternative methods, such as using third-party apps from the Play Market (such as Cube ACR), require special permissions. You will have to manually enable access to "Accessibility" in your Android settings so that the application can intercept the audio stream.

Settings β†’ Special features β†’ Cube ACR β†’ Enable

However, on Android 10 and higher (and Redmi 9 T runs Android 10/11 with the possibility of updating), Google has severely limited the ability to record third-party applications, so the native method through the change of region remains the most reliable and stable solution, without requiring β€œcrutches” and complex settings.

⚠️ Warning: Installing unverified applications to record calls from unknown sources may lead to a leak of your personal data.

Where to find and how to manage recorded files

Once the recording has taken place, the file must be found, listened to or transmitted. Xiaomi Redmi 9 T uses a standard file manager or Dictophone app, all records are structured by date, which makes it easier to navigate through the archive.

To find a file through a conductor, go to the root folder of internal memory. The path to the file usually looks like this: β†’ MIUI β†’ sound_recorder β†’ call_rec. It stores all conversations, sorted by date and time of the call.

  • πŸ“‚ View: Click on the file to open it in a standard player.
  • βœ‚οΈ Editing: Built-in editor allows you to crop the beginning or end of a conversation, removing unnecessary horns.
  • πŸ“€ Export: files can be sent via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, instant messengers or saved to the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).

If you sync with Mi Cloud, records can automatically upload to the cloud, freeing up space on your device, but remember that free cloud space is limited, and large volumes of audio files can quickly run out of space.

How to recover a deleted recording?
If you accidentally delete an important file, check the Recycle Bin folder in the Files app, the files are stored there for 30 days before final deletion, and you can also try to restore data through a computer if a lot of new information has not been written since the deletion.

For easy management, it is recommended to periodically sort files and delete irrelevant ones. Long conversations take up a significant amount of memory, and archiving them on a computer will be a smart solution for long-term storage.

In the Russian Federation, according to Art. 138.1 of the Criminal Code and Art. 23 of the Constitution, recording a conversation without warning the interlocutor may be considered a violation of the right to privacy of communication, if the recording was not conducted by the participant of the conversation for personal needs and was not distributed to third parties.

It is important to distinguish between a record for personal use (for example, to keep in mind the details of a contract) and the publication of the record in the public domain or its use as evidence in court without the consent of the other party, in which case there may be legal difficulties in recognizing such evidence as admissible.

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Recording a conversation for personal needs by one of the participants in the conversation is usually not prohibited, but the distribution of this recording without the consent of the interlocutor may entail.

Business ethics is about alerting people to a conversation that is being recorded, which demonstrates respect and transparency, and many companies are required to alert customers to a record for quality control purposes, saying this at the beginning of an automatic response.

Use the Redmi 9 T record function responsibly, designed for your convenience and security, not to infringe on other people's privacy, and balancing personal interests with conversational rights is a sign of digital literacy.

Does the change in the region affect the work of banking applications?
No, changing the region in the system settings does not affect the operation of banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.) and services with increased security requirements. GPS, IP-addresses and data SIM-However, if you change a region to a country under sanctions, some services may limit functionality, but for popular regions (India, Indonesia, USA) there are no problems.
Can I record calls from messengers (Viber, WhatsApp)?
The standard MIUI and Google Dialer call recording feature is primarily for regular cellular communications (GSM/3G/4G VoLTE). Internet messaging calls use other audio streams. They often require third-party applications with advanced access rights, and even they can run unstable due to Android's security policy, which prohibits audio interception inside other applications.
Does the person hear a click or a signal when recording?
When using the native recording function on Xiaomi Redmi 9 T (after changing the region), no audible signals, clicks or voice notifications are received for the interlocutor. The recording occurs completely unnoticed by the second party.
What if the recording doesn’t work after the region change?
If changing region to India or Indonesia didn’t help, try clearing the phone app cache. Go to Settings β†’ Apps β†’ All Apps β†’ Phone β†’ Clear β†’ Clear cache. Also make sure the app has permission to access the microphone and memory. In rare cases, a full reset of the phone’s settings helps, but this is a last resort.
Where is the backup of the recording settings stored?
Automatic recording settings are tied to Mi Account and local configuration files. When you reset your phone to factory settings without first syncing through Mi Cloud, the recording settings may be lost, and the activation procedure through a change of region will have to be repeated. Backup contacts and calls in Google Account does not save the voice recorder settings.