How to record a phone conversation on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro

Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro often face the need to maintain an important dialogue, whether it is a business discussion or a conversation with government agencies.However, unlike some other models, this version of MIUI can be hidden or limited to regional settings, due to Google’s tightening policy on user privacy, which directly affected the standard Android capabilities.

There are several proven ways to activate this option, from changing the region in the system settings to installing specialized software. It is important to understand that the quality of the audio recording depends on the chosen method and version of the operating system. In some cases, you may need to intervene in system settings to circumvent software limitations.

Next, we will discuss in detail the algorithms of actions that will help you set up automatic or manual dialog fixation, we will consider both standard shell tools and third-party solutions if standard paths are not available. Be careful when you follow the steps, as the interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the firmware.

Activation through standard MIUI settings

The first and most reliable way is to use the built-in MIUI shell functionality. In most regions, including Russia and CIS countries, the call recording function is built into the system call by default. To activate it, you need to open the Phone application and find the gear icon or the three-dot menu icon in the upper right corner of the screen. After going to the menu, select Settings or Call Record.

In the window that opens, you'll see the "Record Calls Automatically" switch, and if you activate this setting, your smartphone will start saving all incoming and outgoing calls without you, and you can also set up only certain numbers to record, which is useful for saving memory. Files are saved in a hidden folder and are accessible via an embedded audio player or file manager along the way. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec.

However, if you don’t see “Call Record” on the menu, it could mean that your region is installed in a country with strict privacy laws (such as India or EU countries), in which case, changing the region in the general settings of the system to “Russia”, “Kazakhstan” or “China” often returns the missing feature.

⚠️ Note: When you change region, some system applications may update or change their interface. Make sure you have a stable Internet connection before performing this procedure to avoid synchronization errors.

Setting up automatic and selective recording

Once activated successfully, you can have enhanced audio management capabilities, set up automatic recording for all numbers, or create separate lists for favorite contacts, especially when you need to control communication with specific services or counterparties without loading memory with unnecessary files.

The file save format is standard for Xiaomi, MP3 or M4A, which provide good quality at a reasonable size. If you use older versions of Android, AMR may be available, but it has lower sound quality.

It is important to regularly check the fullness of the internal drive, as long conversations in high quality can take up a significant amount of memory.The system does not always warn about the lack of space for a new record, so old files may stop being saved or replaced with new ones depending on the selected cyclic recording settings.

Use of third-party applications for recording

If the standard methods to activate the function failed, third-party applications from Google Play come to the rescue. The most popular and stable solutions are Cube ACR, TapeACall and Automatic Call Recorder. These programs bypass system limitations by intercepting audio stream at the system level or through accessibility services.

When you first run an application, you will need to provide a number of permissions, critically important is access to a microphone, phone and, in some cases, special features (Accessibility). Without granting rights to "Special features", the application will not be able to automatically turn on the record when a call arrives.

The quality of recording through third-party software on Android 10 and higher can vary. Due to blocking access to the system audio output, some applications record sound only through the microphone, which can lead to background noises. To improve quality, it is recommended to bring the phone closer to the ear or use loudspeaker if the situation allows.

⚠️ Warning: Third-party apps may conflict with the system call, causing delays in answering a call or increased battery consumption.If you notice a phone is unstable, try disabling the auto-start application.

Features of working on different versions of Android

The Redmi 8 Pro was originally released with Android 9, but later received an update to Android 10. With the release of the “dozens”, Google implemented strict restrictions on recording conversations, banning applications from accessing the telephony API, which led to the fact that new versions of the firmware, the staff record may not work correctly or completely absent.

On the Android 9 versions of MIUI, recording is system-based without restrictions. The user hears the beep to start recording, and the interlocutor can also hear periodic warnings. On Android 10 and above, these signals can be silenced or absent, which creates legal nuances of using the record.

If you upgraded your firmware and the feature is gone, returning to the previous version of Android (rollback) is only possible through unlocking the bootloader and flashing it, which is a difficult procedure. It is easier to adapt to new conditions using cloud services or alternative methods of capturing information.

Where are the records stored and how to find them

By default, all conversation records on Xiaomi are stored in the device’s internal memory.The standard file path looks like internal memory./MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. You can find them through the standard Files Explorer or by connecting the phone to the computer in the drive mode.

For ease of listening, there's a separate Dictophone app, which sorts records by date and time, and inside the app you can edit files, crop them off, or add them to your favorites, and you can sync with the Mi Cloud cloud if it's activated in your account settings.

Files are understandable, usually containing a date, time and phone number or contact name. This makes it easier to find the right dialogue through built-in file search. If you use third-party applications, the path to the files may differ, but they usually create their own folder at the root of the internal storage.

Solution and technical nuances

One of the common problems is that there's no audio on the record, and this is often the case when you use a Bluetooth headset or hands-free communication in conjunction with third-party recorders, and in these cases, the system can redirect the audio stream, and the recording application simply "does not hear" the interlocutor.

Another problem is that you automatically delete old records, and the voice recorder settings can have a limit, like, "store the last 100 records." If you want to archive, you should turn off or transfer important files to your computer or cloud storage regularly.

If after all the manipulations, the record never appeared, check if you have modified versions of system applications or third-party themes that can block system functions.

💡

For maximum recording quality through third-party apps, turn on speaker mode immediately after answering a call, which will allow the microphone to pick up sound with the speaker, rather than through a closed audio channel.

💡

MIUI staff funds are always preferred over third-party counterparts due to the stability of operation and integration into the system, but require the correct configuration of the region.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)