How to permanently disable the recording of conversations on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi (or Redmi/POCO) automatically records all phone calls? This feature can be useful for business negotiations, but often causes inconvenience: it takes up memory, creates privacy problems or just annoys with notifications. Unfortunately, in the latest versions of MIUI 12-14, the call recording option is hidden deep in the settings - or not at all in the menu. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disconnect, including hidden settings and radical measures for persistent cases.

It's important to understand that the methods differ depending on the smartphone model (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro vs Redmi Note 10), the firmware version (MIUI Global/China/EEA), and even regional features. We tested the instructions on devices with MIUI 13.0.6 and MIUI 14.0.3 — the results are summarized in the table below. If the standard settings don't work, don't rush to reset the phone: there are workarounds through ADB and third-party apps.

1. Standard method: through phone settings

On most Xiaomi smartphones, call recording is managed via the Phone app, but in the latest versions of MIUI, this section can be hidden - especially on China ROM firmware.

  1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
  2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Choose "Settings».
  3. Go to the section "Recording conversations" (or Call recording in English firmware).
  4. Turn off the Automatic Record slider and delete existing records through Record Management.

If the “Recording Conversations” item is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

  • 📱 For MIUI 14: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Phone. → Permits → Sound recording → shut down.
  • 🔍 For older versions: in the phone settings, find additional → Special facilities → Recording calls.

Make sure you have the latest version of the Phone app | Check the firmware region (Global/China) | Back up important records | Close all background apps before changing your settings-->

Why might not work? In some regions (e.g. the EU), call recording is blocked at the firmware level due to privacy laws (GDPR), in which case the standard method won't work - go to method 3 or 4.

2. Disconnection through Application Permissions

If the phone doesn't have a direct option to control the recording, you can block the phone app from accessing the microphone, which is a radical method: it will turn off all audio recordings during calls, including voice notes.

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. Find the Phone app (or com.android.dialer) and select it.
  3. Go to "Permissions» → «Microphone».
  4. Select “Disallow” or “Only during use of the application” (the second option is less reliable).

⚠️ Note: After that, the app will not be able to record any calls, but there may be problems with voice commands (for example, in Google Assistant.

What if permissions are reset after the update?
In some versions of MIUI (especially China ROM), permissions are reset after a system update. To avoid this, before the update: 1. Back up your settings via Settings → Additional → Backup. 2. After updating manually check the permissions for the Phone application. 3. If the problem is repeated, consider flashing on Global ROM (see method 5).

Alternative: Instead of completely banning the microphone, you can turn off automatic recording via ADB (method 3), leaving the option of manual recording for important conversations.

3. Hidden commands: Disconnect via ADB

If standard methods don't work, you'll have to use USB debugging and ADB. This is the most reliable way to run China ROM firmware or custom builds.

  • 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
  • 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
  • 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (preferably original).

Steps to disable the recording:

adb shell settings put global call_recording_enabled 0


adb shell pm revoke com.android.dialer android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO




adb shell pm revoke com.android.dialer android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE

Transcript of commands:

  • The first line disables the system function of the recording.
  • The second and third remove the phone application from the microphone and memory.

⚠️ Note: After these commands are executed, all existing records will remain in memory – they must be manually deleted through Files. → Internal storage → MIUI → sound_recorder. It may also be necessary to restart the device.

Global Stable|China Stable|EEA (Europe)|Castomic (xiaomi.eu, PixelExperience)|Don't know-->

4. Third-party applications for recording management

If you don't want to mess with ADB or you're afraid of losing functionality, you can use third-party utilities, which don't always work 100 percent, but they often help where standard methods are powerless.

AnnexFunctionalConsReference
Call Recorder BlockBlocks automatic recording, maintains manual modeRequires root or ADBGoogle Play
MIUI Hidden SettingsUnlocks Hidden MIUI Options, Including Call RecordingDoesn't work for MIUI 14.APKMirror
App OpsSystem-level authorization managementA complex interfaceXDA

Important: Most of these applications require permission to access special features (Settings → Special Features → Installed Services) without which they will not be able to block the recording.

💡

If you use Google Phone instead of Xiaomi’s standard Phone app, call recording can be managed via Google’s settings. Check: Settings → Google → On-Device Services → Call Recording.

5. Radical method: flashing on Global ROM

If nothing helps and the recording function is critically intruding, consider changing the firmware from China ROM to Global ROM. In MIUI global builds, call recording is often disabled by default or easily managed via menus.

  1. Download the firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website (choose Global Stable).
  2. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
  3. Install firmware via Fastboot or Recovery (instructions are available on XDA-Developers).

⚠️ Warning: Flashing resets all data on the phone and may result in a loss of warranty:

  • 📲 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
  • 🔋 The battery charge must be at least 60%.
  • 🔧 Make sure the smartphone model matches the firmware version (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G ≠ Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G).

💡

Flashing to Global ROM is an extreme method, but it is guaranteed to solve the problem with recording calls to China ROM. After installation, check the region in Settings → Additional → Region and if necessary, change to your country.

6 How to delete existing call records

Even after the function is disabled, the old records remain in memory and take up space, and they can be found and deleted manually.

  1. Open the Files app (or any file manager, such as Solid Explorer).
  2. Cross the path: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/ or /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/CallRecord/
  3. Select all files (usually.amr or.mp3) and delete them.

If there is no folder, try searching for keywords:

  • 🔍 Enter the file manager search: call_record, recording or.
  • 📁 Check Download, Music and Download folders Android/media — Sometimes the records are saved there.

For complete cleaning: Use the SD Maid or Files by Google app to find the remaining tails. After removal, it is recommended to clear the cache of the Phone app:

  1. Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage → Clean the cache.

Frequent problems and solutions

Even after you turn off the record, you're still experiencing bugs, and here are the most common situations and ways to fix them:

Problem.Reason.Decision
Recording continues after disconnection in settingsFailure of the system service com.android.dialerClear the data of the Phone application or use ADB
No folder, but memory is busy.Files hidden or damagedUse Root Explorer or Adb shell ls /sdcard/MIUI/
After the MIUI update, the recording turned on again.Resetting settings when updatingRepeat disabling through ADB or permissions

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F4) Call recording is managed by the service menu. To get there, type in the phone app code:

##4636##

Then select “Phone Information” and search for the Call Recording option.

Can I only turn off the recording for specific contacts?
Yes, but not on all firmware. MIUI 12-13 has an "Exceptions" option in call recording settings. If you don't, use the Call Recorder Block app (see Method 4) to create a blacklist for automatic recording.
Why does it still go after you turn off the recording in the settings?
This is a China ROM or custom firmware bug. Solution: Check the permissions for the Phone application (method 2). Follow the ADB commands from method 3. If it doesn't work, change the firmware to Global ROM.
Where are the phone records for Xiaomi stored?
Main ways: /MIUI/sound_recorder/ — standardization. /Recordings/CallRecord/ — newer versions MIUI. /Android/media/com.android.dialer/ — If you use Google Phone. If you don't have folders, you can save your records to the Mi Cloud (check Settings). → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Call records).
How do I get my call record back if I disabled it through ADB?
Follow the commands: adb shell settings put global call_recording_enabled 1 adb shell pm grant com.android.dialer android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO adb shell pm grant com.android.dialer android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE After that, restart the phone and check the settings in the phone application».
Will the call recording work after the factory reset?
Yes, reset will return all default settings, including call recording (if it was activated initially) to avoid this: Before reset, turn off the recording via ADB (method 3).