Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where the device automatically stores an audio record of every incoming or outgoing call.This feature, built into the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, can be useful for storing important information, but in everyday use it quickly fills up memory and creates redundant files.
Many users do not know where exactly the settings responsible for this process are hidden, since the interface of the system application Phone is periodically changed by developers. Automatic recording can turn on itself after the system update or when the first activation is activated. SIM-cards if a certain scenario worked.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways to deactivate this option, from standard menus to hidden region settings, how to clean up already accumulated files and why sometimes the right switch may not be in the interface.
The main reasons for automatic recording activation
The Xiaomi smartphone conversation recording feature is implemented at the level of the MIUI Dialer system application. It is not third-party software, but is built deep into the Android operating system with a proprietary add-on. Often activation occurs unnoticed by the user, for example, when changing the region or after a major firmware update.
It's worth noting that in some regions, recording calls by default is prohibited by privacy laws. However, if you're using a device designed for the global market but with settings in China or India, the feature may behave differently, and it's also important to distinguish between a regular recording of a conversation and a recording on a recorder that is activated by a separate button during a call.
The main reason users want to turn off this option is memory saving: Audio files, even compressed ones, take up space that could be used for photos or apps, and constantly recording all contacts creates chaos in the file system, making it difficult to find really important dialogs.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling the recording function does not delete files already created.You will have to manually clean the folder with the conversation archive if you want to free up disk space.
Understanding the logic of the system helps you find the right switches faster. The system dialer has its own independent settings that are not duplicated in the general menu of the phone settings, which often confuses beginners who are looking for an option in the section “Sound” or “Apps”.
Disabling the recording through the standard settings menu
The easiest and most reliable way to stop automatic conversations being saved is to use the built-in Phone app menu.The interface may vary slightly depending on the MIUI or HyperOS version, but the logic remains the same for all modern models, including the Redmi Note and the POCO F series.
First, you need to open the Phone app, which usually has a green or blue phone icon, and in the upper right corner of the screen is a three-dot button or a gear icon that opens the drop-down menu, and that's where the key parameters of the system caller are hidden.
- 📞 Click on the menu icon (three dots) and select Settings.
- 🔍 In the list that opens, find the Call Recording section).
- 🚫 Turn off the top switch Record calls automatically.
- 🗑️ If necessary, select the option to clean old records.
Once you do this, the phone will stop creating new audio files for incoming and outgoing calls, and if you want to record a specific conversation, you will have to do so manually by pressing the recording button during the call, unless the option is blocked by the carrier or region.
☑️ Checking the recording settings
It is important to check if you have exceptions for certain numbers. Call Record menus often have a "Selected Numbers" subsection where you can activate the call mode for contacts from the phone book. Make sure the switch is in the All Calls position (to make the rule globally applicable) or select Nothing if this option is available in your version of the software.
Set up exceptions and selective recording
Sometimes the user doesn't have to shut down the function completely, but only limit it, for example, you may want to record only calls from unknown numbers or, conversely, only from specific contacts, and the flexible configuration of the recording filters allows you to optimize memory usage.
The call settings menu often includes Selected Numbers, and if you click on it, you'll see a contact list or source selection, and you can switch from All Calls to Selected Numbers, which is a useful feature for those who are waiting for an important call from a courier or colleague, but do not want to record conversations with relatives.
| Recording mode | Description of action | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| All calls. | Records every incoming and outgoing call | Not recommended due to memory consumption |
| Selected numbers | The entry is only for contacts from the list. | Optimal for controlling specific individuals |
| Nothing. | Complete shutdown of automatic recording | The best choice for most users |
| Unknown numbers | Record only those who are not in contact | Useful for protection from fraudsters |
When selecting Selected Numbers, the system will prompt you to add specific contacts from the phone book, which creates a whitelist, and only calls from those numbers will be archived. All other calls will be conducted as normal without creating audio files.
⚠️ Note: When you change the write mode (e.g., from All to Nothing), previously configured exceptions may reset.
You also need to look at the behavior of the system when calling over Internet protocols. Some versions of MIUI try to apply the rules of recording to VoIP calls, although technically this is often impossible without third-party software. Don't be surprised if you don't find calls through WhatsApp or Telegram in the logs of the record, even if the feature is enabled.
The influence of the region on the call recording function
One of the most common reasons for the disappearance or, conversely, the forced appearance of the recording function is the setting of the Region in the system. Xiaomi strictly adheres to the privacy laws of different countries, so the functionality of the phone changes depending on the location chosen.
If you are in a country where recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited (for example, some states of the United States, certain countries of Europe), the Call Record menu item may disappear completely from the settings of the Phone application, in which case it will not be possible to turn it on or off in standard ways.
To regain the ability to manage the record, many users switch to Singapore, Indonesia or China, where the recording function is built-in by default and has no strict restrictions, but it is worth remembering that changing the region can affect the operation of other services, such as Mi Pay or news feed.
- 🌍 Go to Settings. → Advanced settings → Region.
- 🇸🇬 Select a country where call recording is permitted (e.g. Singapore).
- 🔄 Restart the device to apply changes.
- 📞 Check the phone app menu for recording settings.
Once you change region and set up the settings, you can flexibly control automatic recording, and if your goal is to just turn it off, make sure that the switch doesn't activate itself by default after the region changes, and often when you change location to write-friendly, the system turns on this feature automatically.
Cleaning up accumulated records
Once you've successfully disabled automatic recording, there's probably a lot of old audio files on your device that take up space and interfere with navigation, and you can find them through a standard conductor or gallery, but the right way is through the system folders.
Recorded conversation files are usually stored along the way. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec or in a folder Recordings/call_rec The exact path depends on the Android version and shell. For quick cleaning, you can use the built-in Cleanup tool in the Security app.
Open the Security app (green zipper icon), select Cleanup. The system will scan the device and prompt you to delete Garbage or specifically Call Records. This is the safest way to delete files without hitting system logs or important documents.
If you prefer manual control, use Explorer. Go to Audio or Records. You can sort files by date and delete files from past months. Be careful not to accidentally delete voice notes taken through a recorder.
⚠️ Attention: Deleted call records don't always end up in the bin. When manually cleaned through the conductor, they can disappear permanently.
To free up the maximum amount of space, it is also recommended to check the cloud services. If you have synced with Google Drive or Mi Cloud, copies of the records may have gone to the cloud.