Recording conversations on Xiaomi Redmi: how to turn on and configure correctly

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.

  1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
  2. Dial a number or select a contact to call.
  3. During the conversation, pay attention to the screen – 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:

  • πŸ“± Type the combination in the Phone application: ##6484## (on some firmwares this will activate the test menu of the record).
  • πŸ” Check the Settings section β†’ Special facilities β†’ Sometimes the option is hidden there.
  • 🌐 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 Xiaomi’s standard phone app doesn’t support recording, you can install alternative software from Google, which works on most Redmis with Android 12/13/14:

  1. Download the Google Phone app from Google Play.
  2. Set it with the default app for calls to Settings β†’ Apps β†’ Default β†’ Phone app.
  3. During the call, click on the β€œMore” button (three dots) and select β€œTalk Record”.

Advantages of the method:

  • πŸ”Ή Works on all Redmis with Google Mobile Services support (GMS).
  • πŸ”Ή Records are saved to Google Drive (you can set up automatic synchronization).
  • πŸ”Ή There are no restrictions on the duration of the recording (unlike some third-party applications).

πŸ’‘

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.

AnnexFeaturesConsReference
Cube Call Recorder ACRRecord both sides (even MIUI) and Google Drive, Dropbox, automatically delete old records.Paid version for recording VoIP (WhatsApp, Telegram).Google Play
Call Recorder by LovekeshRedmi Note 12/13 support, recording encryption, quick access widget.The commercial is free.Google Play
TruecallerRecord + 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:

  1. Open the Phone app and dial ##4636##.
  2. Select "Phone Information" (or "Phone Information").
  3. Scroll down to the "Turn on VoLTE" section and turn it on (if disabled).
  4. Go back to the main menu and select Audio β†’ Voice Call.
  5. Find the "Record Call Audio" option and set the "Enabled" value.

Warning:

⚠️ 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.

Before you turn on the record, make sure you do not violate local laws. Most countries have the following rules:

  • πŸ“œ 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).
  • βš–οΈ It is forbidden to distribute records without the consent of the second participant (including publication in social networks).
  • 🚨 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: β€œThe conversation is recorded").
  • πŸ“± 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, β€œTalk recording may violate the laws of your country.” This is not a lockdown, but a reminder to comply with local regulations.

What happens if the tape is used against you?
If your interlocutor recorded a conversation without your knowledge and uses it against you (for example, for blackmail or in court), you can challenge the evidentiary power of the recording. In most countries, such recordings are considered inadmissible evidence if they were obtained in violation of privacy laws.

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 echoConflict 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:

  • πŸ“ For the standard phone application: /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ or /sdcard/Recordings/Call/.
  • πŸ“ For Google Phone: /sdcard/Google/Phone/Recordings/ (synced with Google Drive).
  • πŸ“ For Cube Call Recorder: /sdcard/CubeBackup/CallRecord/.

To export the records:

  1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer mode).
  2. Copy files with the.amr or.mp3 extension to any folder on your computer.
  3. To save space, convert.amr to.mp3 using an online converter.

πŸ’‘

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.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I turn on a Redmi without root rights?
Yes, on most models, this is possible with the standard Phone app (for Chinese/Indian firmware) or third-party programs like Cube Call Recorder. Root is only required to record VoIP calls (WhatsApp, Viber) on new versions of MIUI.
Why does the recording stop in 2 minutes?
This is a MIUI energy saving limitation. Add an app to write in battery optimization exceptions: Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Battery Optimization β†’ Select an app β†’ No restrictions.
How to record a call on speakerphone?
Standard MIUI tools do not support recording when hands-free is on. Use Cube Call Recorder with Record via Speaker option or connect an external recorder.
Legal: Can I use the record in court?
In Russia, recordings of conversations are allowed as evidence in civil and administrative cases, if they are obtained legally (you are a participant in the conversation), criminal proceedings require court permission to use such recording.
There's no way to do it. What do we do?
If your Redmi model (like the Note 13 Pro+) blocks the recording at the firmware level, there are two options: Install custom firmware (like Pixel Experience), where the recording function is unlocked; use a second device (like another smartphone or voice recorder) to record the conversation over the handset.