Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a feature that can be useful in business correspondence, to record important agreements or simply to save memorable conversations. However, in recent versions of MIUI (especially on Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10C and later), the standard recording method is often hidden or blocked due to legal restrictions in some countries.
It's important to understand that recording is dependent on three things: MIUI version, regional firmware and smartphone model. For example, Redmi is out of the box for the Chinese market, whereas global versions often cut it down. We tested the instructions on current MIUI 14/15 firmware (Android 13/14) and only collected working solutions. If you come across the message "Talk recording is not available" - do not despair: in 90% of cases, the problem can be solved without root rights.
1.Official method: recording through the standard application "Phone"
On some Xiaomi Redmi models (mainly in the Chinese and Indian markets), recording conversations is built into the standard Phone app.
- Open the phone application (pipe icon).
- Dial a number or select a contact to call.
- During the conversation, pay attention to the screen β if the feature is active, you will see the Record button (usually red) next to the hands-free and call retention keys.
If there is no button, try calling the hidden menu:
- π± Type the combination in the Phone application: ##6484## (on some firmwares this will activate the test menu of the record).
- π Check the Settings section β Special facilities β Sometimes the option is hidden there.
- π Make sure that the region of India or China is selected in the phone settings (in Settings). β Additionally. β Region: Reset the device after changing region.
Replace the region with India/China|Reboot your smartphone|Check the recording button during the call|Update the Phone app in Google Play-->
Attention! Global ROM only works on Redmi models older than 2021 (e.g. Redmi Note 9/10) and newer devices (Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 11 Prime) have the feature locked at the software level.
2. Alternative method: using Google Phone (for MIUI on Android 12+)
If Xiaomiβs standard phone app doesnβt support recording, you can install alternative software from Google, which works on most Redmis with Android 12/13/14:
- Download the Google Phone app from Google Play.
- Set it with the default app for calls to Settings β Apps β Default β Phone app.
- During the call, click on the βMoreβ button (three dots) and select βTalk Recordβ.
Advantages of the method:
- πΉ Works on all Redmis with Google Mobile Services support (GMS).
- πΉ Records are saved to Google Drive (you can set up automatic synchronization).
- πΉ There are no restrictions on the duration of the recording (unlike some third-party applications).
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If the Google Phone recording button is inactive, check if the "Talk Record" option is enabled in the app settings (Settings β Recording Conversations).
Limitation: The feature may not work on Chinese firmware (without GMS) or on models for the EU market due to privacy legislation.
Third-party applications: TOP-3 proven solutions
If the official methods didn't work, we'd have to use third-party software, and we tested dozens of apps and selected the three most reliable ones.
| Annex | Features | Cons | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cube Call Recorder ACR | Record both sides (even MIUI) and Google Drive, Dropbox, automatically delete old records. | Paid version for recording VoIP (WhatsApp, Telegram). | Google Play |
| Call Recorder by Lovekesh | Redmi Note 12/13 support, recording encryption, quick access widget. | The commercial is free. | Google Play |
| Truecaller | Record + number detector. Integration with contacts. Free for basic functions. | Requires registration. | Google Play |
Important: On MIUI 14+, some applications may not capture the voice of the interlocutor due to the limitations of Android 12+. In this case, only installing custom firmware or using a second device to record will help.
Standard (MIUI) |Google Phone|Cube Call Recorder|Truecaller|Other/Do not use-->
Manual inclusion through the engineering menu (for advanced)
If you're ready to dive into the system's settings, you can try activating the recording via the engineering menu. This method works on Redmi Note 10/11/12 with Android 11-13 firmware:
- Open the Phone app and dial ##4636##.
- Select "Phone Information" (or "Phone Information").
- Scroll down to the "Turn on VoLTE" section and turn it on (if disabled).
- Go back to the main menu and select Audio β Voice Call.
- Find the "Record Call Audio" option and set the "Enabled" value.
Warning:
β οΈ Attention! Changes to the engineering menu can cause the communication module to malfunction. Do not change other settings unless you are sure of their purpose.
If there is no "Record Call Audio" option, try the alternative code:
##83781##This code opens the Voice Call Test Mode menu, where the recording option is sometimes available.
5.Legal nuances: when recording conversations is allowed
Before you turn on the record, make sure you do not violate local laws. Most countries have the following rules:
- π Unilateral recording (without notifying the interlocutor) is allowed if you are a participant in the conversation and use the recording for personal purposes (for example, fixing agreements).
- βοΈ It is forbidden to distribute records without the consent of the second participant (including publication in social networks).
- π¨ In the EU (including Russia), a notification of the interlocutor is required to record a business conversation (for example, a voice message at the beginning of a call: βThe conversation is recorded").
- π± In some countries (e.g. California, USA) recording a conversation without the consent of both parties is a criminal offense.
Xiaomi Redmi with global firmware may display a warning on the first attempt to record, βTalk recording may violate the laws of your country.β This is not a lockdown, but a reminder to comply with local regulations.
What happens if the tape is used against you?
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after successful recording activation, Xiaomi Redmi users face typical errors.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The gray recording button (inactive) | Limit MIUI for your region. | Change region to India in settings or use third-party software. |
| Only your voice is recorded. | Android 12+ is limited to apps without root. | Install Cube Call Recorder with the option "Record via Bluetooth" (set requires). |
| Records are not retained. | Not enough space on the device or blocking antivirus. | Clear the memory and add the application to the antivirus exceptions. |
| Interlocutor hears an echo | Conflict with noise reduction function in MIUI. | Turn off "Voice Improvement" in Settings β Sound β Sound Effects. |
Tip for Redmi Note 12/13 owners: If recording is interrupted after 5-10 minutes, check your battery optimization settings. Add the write app to the No Limits list (Settings β Battery β Battery Optimization).
7 Where records are stored and how to export them
By default, the conversation records on Xiaomi Redmi are saved in the following folders:
- π For the standard phone application: /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ or /sdcard/Recordings/Call/.
- π For Google Phone: /sdcard/Google/Phone/Recordings/ (synced with Google Drive).
- π For Cube Call Recorder: /sdcard/CubeBackup/CallRecord/.
To export the records:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer mode).
- Copy files with the.amr or.mp3 extension to any folder on your computer.
- To save space, convert.amr to.mp3 using an online converter.
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Record files take up little space (about 1MB per minute in.amr format), but they can grow quickly: set up automatic deletion of old in-app entries or manually clean the folder once a month.