Recording conversations on Xiaomi: how to turn on and configure in 2026

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a feature that appears in MIUI firmware and disappears due to tightening privacy policies. In 2026, the manufacturer officially limited this ability in most regions, but there are legal workarounds and hidden settings that not all users know about. This article will help you understand how to activate call recording on Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi devices without root rights, given the latest updates.

It’s important to understand that the technical implementation of the recording depends on the version of MIUI, the phone model and the firmware region. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with the global version of MIUI 15, the on-board algorithm will differ from the Redmi Note 12 on Chinese firmware. We will look at all the current ways, from standard settings to using third-party applications with the security requirements of Google Play.

Warning: Some methods may require system settings to be changed, which theoretically affects the warranty, but all of the steps described below have been tested on devices from 2022 to 2026 and do not require unlocking the bootloader.

Why is there no button on Xiaomi to record conversations?

Since 2021, Xiaomi has been gradually removing the built-in firmware call recording feature for the European and global markets.

• 📜 Requirements GDPR, the European data protection regulation, which requires the communication of the recording to the interlocutor.
• 🔒 Google Play Policy – From 2022, apps are prohibited from secretly recording conversations without users’ explicit consent.
• 🌍 Regional restrictions — In India, Russia, and some Asian countries, the feature may be available out of the box.

In practice, this means that even if your Xiaomi supports recording technically (hardware), the button in the call interface can be hidden software. For example, on the POCO F5 with MIUI 14.0.6 firmware for Europe, there is no option, while on the same device with Indian firmware it is.

There are technical nuances: starting with Android 10, the system restricts applications from accessing the audio stream of calls, which means that even third-party recording programs (such as Cube Call Recorder) can run unstable or require additional permissions.

Official method: check for the presence of a function in MIUI

Before looking for workarounds, make sure your firmware doesn't support recording out of the box.

1. Open the phone (calling) application.
2. Dial the number and make a test call (you can use your other phone).
3. During the conversation, pay attention to the screen – if there is a Record button (usually next to the hands-free and hold keys), then the function is active.

If there is no button, try an alternative path:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Permissions.
2. Check if there is a "Talk Record" or "Access to the microphone during calls".
3. If there is no point, your firmware does not support the system-level function.

On some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T with MIUI 14), the write button appears only after the first manual activation in the settings.

1. Open Settings → System applications → Phone → Call settings.
2. Find the item "Talk Recording" (may be called "Call Recording" in English firmware).
3. Activate the switch and select the mode: "Always write" or "Ask before recording".

Critical note: on firmware for the EU (EEA), this item may not be available even with technical support from the recording device, in which case you will need to change the firmware region or use third-party solutions.

Hidden MIUI settings: activation via engineering menu

If the standard methods don’t work, you can try to turn on the hidden menu, which works on most Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO devices with MIUI 12-15 firmware, but you need to be careful that improper actions can disrupt the stability of the system.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##6484## (some models may run ##4636## → Phone Information → Network Selection).
2. In the menu that opens, look for the “Call Settings” or “Call Settings” option.
3. Scroll down to the Call Recording option (could be called Voice Recording or Auto Recording).
4. Activate the recording by selecting All Calls or Custom.
5. Save the settings and restart the phone.

When you reboot the call interface, you should have a write button, and if the menu doesn't open or the option doesn't, your firmware blocks this method, and then try the alternative code:

##8351##

(Activates advanced audio settings, where the recording option is sometimes hidden).

Note: Changing the parameters in the engineering menu can lead to:

• 🔊 Loss of sound during calls (solved by resetting network settings).
• 📶 Problems with connecting to cellular networks (manual settings APN are required).
• 🔄 Spontaneous restart of the phone (if the parameters of the communication module are changed).

Third-party applications: which work on MIUI in 2026

If the built-in methods don’t work, there’s still an option with apps from Google Play, but since 2022, Google has tightened the rules: apps can no longer automatically record calls without notifying the other person, which means that:

• ✅ Only applications that explicitly notify the recording (e.g., playback voice messages such as "Conversation is being recorded") work.
• ❌ Hidden recorders that are recorded without notice are prohibited (they are removed from the Play Market).
• 🔧 Some programs require manual recording activation during a call (at the push of a button).

List of verified applications for Xiaomi (currently as of June 2026):

For stable operation of third-party recorders on Xiaomi, you need:

1. In the recording application settings, allow all permissions requested (microphone, call access, auto-start).
2. Add the app to battery optimization exceptions: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All applications → [recorder name] → No restrictions.
3. Disable MIUI privacy protection for the application: Settings → Privacy → Special Access → Access to calls.

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If the recording is interrupted or not saved, try reducing the audio bitrate (for example, to 64 kbit / s) in the recorder settings and disabling compression. This will reduce the load on the processor and prevent failures.

Note: On Android 12+ and MIUI 13+ devices, some apps may not see incoming/outgoing calls due to system limitations.

⚠️ Install the Call Recorder application as a system application via ADB- command: adb shell pm grant com.package.name android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE adb shell pm grant com.package.name android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO adb shell pm grant com.package.name android.permission.PROCESS_OUTGOING_CALLS (replace com.package.name with ID applications, such as com.catalinagroup.callrecorder for Cube ACR).

Alternative methods: recording via second phone or Google Drive

If none of these methods work, then there are still manual recording methods, which are less convenient, but they work on 100% of devices with no firmware restrictions.

Method 1: Using the second phone

• 📱 Put a second smartphone (or tablet) next to it with the recorder on.
• 🔊 Turn on speakerphone on the main phone (Xiaomi).
• 🎤 On the second device, start recording (for example, via a standard voice recorder or Google Drive).

Method 2: Google Drive Recording (for important conversations)

1. Open Google Drive on Xiaomi and click “+” → Voice Record.
2. Turn on speakerphone during the call.
3. Place the phone microphone closer to the speaker (or use headphones with a microphone).
4. At the end of the conversation, save the record to the cloud.

Method 3: Using smart watches

If you have a smartwatch (such as the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or Amazfit GTR 4), you can record a conversation through them:

1. Connect the watch to your phone and allow access to the microphone.
2. When calling, activate the recording via the watch app (e.g. Zepp Life for Amazfit).
3. Synchronize the recording with your phone after the conversation is over.

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Manual recording methods do not violate privacy policy, as they do not integrate into system calls, but the sound quality will be worse than direct recording from the phone's microphone.

Solution to problems: why does not work the record Xiaomi

If you have enabled a record but it is not saved or interrupted, check the following points:

If the problem persists, check the system logs:

1. Install the Logcat Extreme app from Google Play.
2. Turn on the recording of the conversation and wait for the failure.
3. Open Logcat, filter the logs by the keyword "record" or "call".
4. E/AudioRecord: start failed or Permission denied will indicate the cause.

Note: On devices with MediaTek processors (such as the Redmi Note 12 or POCO M5), the recording may not work due to the chipset’s hardware limitations, in which case only manual recording via a second phone will help.

Legal aspects: can you record conversations without consent

Before using the recording, please read the laws of your country, and most regions have the following rules:

• 🇷🇺 Russia: recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is allowed if you are a participant in the conversation (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation), however, using the recording in court requires confirmation of its authenticity.
• 🇪🇺 European Union: under GDPR recording is allowed only with the notice of the interlocutor (except for evidence for the court).
• 🇺🇸 United States: laws vary by state, most require at least one-party consent.
• 🇮🇳 India: Recording is permitted without notice unless it violates privacy (Supreme Court clarifications 2019).

Importantly, even if a record is allowed, sharing it (e.g. on social media) may be illegal, and use it only for personal use or as evidence in controversial situations.

If you plan to use the recording in court or to resolve a conflict:

• 📝 Notify the person in advance of the recording (e.g., "I am recording the conversation to record the arrangements").
• 🔊 Save original files without editing.
• 📅 Record the date and time of the call (this will help confirm authenticity).

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For legally relevant records, use applications that add metadata to the file (e.g., ACR stores phone number, date, and duration).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions