Recording calls to Xiaomi MIUI 12: how to turn on and configure

Xiaomi’s MIUI 12 phone recorder feature can be useful in a variety of situations, from storing important business information to recording evidence in controversial conversations. However, many users find that the option is either not on the menu or is unstable, due to firmware and regional restrictions – in some countries, recording calls is prohibited by law, and Xiaomi blocks it by default.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can activate your recording, from built-in MIUI 12 tools to third-party apps, and the nuances of popular models — Redmi Note 9 Pro, Mi 10T, POCO X3 NFC, and others. We’ll focus on legal methods that don’t require root rights or complex manipulation of system files. If you’re looking for a reliable way to capture conversations without risking data loss or breaking the law, this guide is for you.

Why is there no call record on Xiaomi MIUI 12?

Before you get to the instructions, it’s important to understand why the recording feature may not be available on your device.

• 🌍 Regional restrictions: Call recording is prohibited in EU, US and some Asian regions without the consent of the interlocutor.
• 📱 Smartphone model: On budget devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) The function can be disabled by default to save resources.
• 🔄 Version. MIUI: In some assemblies MIUI 12.0.x and MIUI 12.5 is hidden in deep settings or requires activation via #4636##.
• 🛠️ Castom firmware: If you use unofficial firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the embedded recording may not work.

Interesting fact: some Xiaomi devices for the Chinese market have call recording enabled by default, but when you change region to global (Global ROM) it disappears, due to the company's policy of compliance with local laws.

⚠️ Note: In Russia, recording of telephone conversations is allowed only with the notification of the interlocutor (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation on the right to secrecy of correspondence.

Method 1: Enabling recording through the standard “Phone” application

On some devices with MIUI 12, the recording function is hidden, but it can be activated through the Phone menu, and check this method first, it is the simplest and does not require additional software installation.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
2. Click on three dots in the upper right corner (⋮) and select Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Record of Conversations section (if not, see the next method).
4. Activate Automatic Recording Switch or select Record all calls.
5. Specify the folder to save files (by default — MIUI/sound_recorder/calls).

If the Recording of Conversations section is not in the settings, try an alternative path:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone → Permissions → Microphone (include)

Check the free space on the device (records take ~1 MB/minute)

Make sure the microphone is not blocked by other apps

Turn off the power saving mode for the Phone application

Update MIUI to the latest version (via Settings → About Phone → System Update)

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On some MIUI 12.5 Enhanced firmware, the recording option only appears after the first manual activation during the call.

1. Make or take the call.
2. During the conversation, click on the Record button (Mic icon) on the call screen.
3. After the call is completed, the recording will be saved in the Records folder in the gallery.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 11+ and MIUI 12.5 Google blocks applications from accessing the microphone during calls. If the recording button is inactive, third-party software will be required (see Method 3).

Method 2: Activate through the Engineering Menu (for advanced users)

If standard settings don’t work, you can try turning on the Enginer Mode, which doesn’t work on all devices, but often works on Redmi and POCO with MIUI 12.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##4636## Some models may work ##36446337##.
2. From the menu that opens, select Engineer Mode (MTK) → MTK Settings.
3. Go to the Telephony → Audio section.
4. Find the Voice Call Recording option and set the Enabled value.
5. Save the settings and restart the smartphone.

After the reboot, check for the recording option in the Phone app. If the Engineer Mode menu is missing or the settings are not saved, then your model does not support this method.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

If the built-in methods don't work, there's an option to install specialized apps. On Android 10/11 with MIUI 12, most call recording software faces Google's limitations, but there are workarounds.

The best apps for Xiaomi:

• 🎤 Cube Call Recorder ACR — Supports recording via VoIP (bypassing the restrictions of Android 10)+), Save files to the cloud. Minus: requires you to configure access rights.
• 📱 Call Recorder by Lovekesh is a simple interface, automatic recording of all calls. MIUI 12.5.
• 🔊 Truecaller – in addition to identifying numbers, can record calls (the function is available in the premium version).
• 🛡️ Boldbeast Call Recorder is one of the few apps running Android 11 with Snapdragon. requires manual codec customization.

Instructions for Cube Call Recorder ACR:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. When you first start, grant permissions to access Contacts, Microphone and Warehouse.
3. In the application settings, select: Record → Sound source → Loud Communication (or VoIP) Format → MP3 (quality 128 kbps) Conservation folder → Internal memory./ACR
4. Enable Automatic Recording and add the app to the battery optimization exceptions (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization).

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If the app doesn't record calls, try turning on speaker mode for 1-2 seconds during a conversation. This will often wake up the microphone to record.

On devices with a Snapdragon processor (e.g. Mi 10, POCO F3), Boldbeast will need to manually specify the AMR codec in the recording settings and disable voice compression in the engineering menu.

Method 4: Recording calls via Google Drive (alternative method)

If none of the above methods worked, you can use Google Drive to record conversations, a method that is suitable for Android 9+ devices and requires an Internet connection.

How to set up:

1. Install the Google Drive app.
2. Open Settings → Backup and enable Automatic Media Copy.
3. During the call, turn on speakerphone and start recording voice through any voice recorder application (for example, voice recording from Google).
4. After the call is completed, the file will automatically be uploaded to Google Drive to the Records folder.

The advantage of this method is that it can safely store records in the cloud and not have any access rights issues, and the disadvantage is that you need to use speakerphone, which is not always convenient.

Built-in MIUI function

Third-party applications (Cube ACR, Boldbeast, etc.)

Engineering menu

Recording via Google Drive

I don't record calls.

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Solving Call Recording Problems on MIUI 12

Even after successful setup, the record may not work properly. Consider the typical errors and ways to fix them:

If after all the manipulations the recording still does not work, check:

• 🔋 Power Saving Mode: Turn it off for the recording app (Settings) → Battery → Energy saving regime).
• 🔊 Sound settings: Make sure no app blocks the microphone (e.g. Shazam or Google Assistant).
• 📲 System Updates: In some cases, the record starts working after the update to MIUI 13.

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On Android 11 devices+ and MIUI 12.5 The only reliable way to record is to use VoIP-enabled applications (e.g. Cube) ACR). Built-in functions MIUI These versions are often blocked by Google.

Legal aspects of recording calls in Russia

Before you start recording conversations, it is important to understand the legal implications.

• 📜 Consent of the interlocutor: According to article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, recording a conversation without notifying the other party can be considered a violation of the right to secrecy of correspondence.
• ⚖️ Court use: In order for the recording to be valid, it must be proven that it was not edited; it is best to notify the person in advance of the recording (e.g., say, "I am recording our conversation to record the arrangements").
• 🔒 Storage of Records: According to Federal Law № 152-FZ "On personal data", to keep records with the voices of other people can only with their consent or in cases provided by law (for example, to protect their rights).

If you plan to use the records in controversial situations (for example, when talking to collectors or when making deals), notify the interlocutor in advance, this will save you from accusations of violation of the law.

⚠️ In 2023, Roskomnadzor issued clarifications according to which recordings of telephone conversations without the consent of the second party can be considered as a violation of 13.11 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation (illegal processing of personal data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls to Xiaomi MIUI 12