How to completely disable the recording of calls on Xiaomi: all ways

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones can be a useful feature for business negotiations or storing important information. However, many users face a situation where automatic recording is turned on without their knowledge, takes up space in memory or even creates legal risks in some countries. Depending on the version of MIUI and the phone model (be it Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or flagship Xiaomi 14), the ways to disable this feature may vary.

In this article, we will look at all the current methods, from standard settings to hidden developer parameters, and explain why a record can be turned on voluntarily after MIUI updates. Particular attention will be paid to models with Android 13/14, where the logic of the function has changed. If you are looking for a way not only to disable the record, but also to delete all previously saved files, here you will find a solution.

Why does Xiaomi record calls without permission?

The MIUI call recording function is activated by default in some regions (e.g. India or China) due to local legal requirements, but even on European firmware, it can be activated automatically when:

• 📞 The first call from a new contact (the system offers to write "for the future")
• 🔄 Updates MIUI Up to the new version (reset some settings)
• 📱 Use of the branded Phone application (Calls) with the active option "Autorecord"
• ☁️ Sync with the Mi Cloud if you previously enabled a backup of your settings

It is important to understand that Xiaomi is not only recording for outbound calls, but also for incoming calls: files are saved in.amr or.mp3 format and can take up to 5-10 MB per hour of conversation. When you use your phone actively, 1-2 GB of unnecessary data is accumulated per month.

⚠️ Note: In some countries (e.g. the EU), recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor may violate privacy laws.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard phone settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI options. It works on most models, including the Redmi 10/11/12, POCO F4/F5 and Xiaomi 13/14:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → select Settings.
3. Go to the section Record conversations (on some firmware - Record calls).
4. Turn off the automatic recording slider.
5. Make sure that the list below does not contain any active rules for individual contacts (e.g., “Record all calls from unknown numbers”).

If you don't have a record of conversations on the menu, it's hidden deeper on your model.

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone → Permissions → Microphone

Here you can block access to the microphone for the Phone app, but this will disable the recording completely, including manual mode.

Make sure the "auto-record" slider is grey|Check the contact exclusion list|Reboot your phone to apply changes|Remove old records from the folder MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec

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Method 2: Delete records and clean memory

Disabling the function does not delete files that are already saved. They need to be manually cleaned, otherwise they will take up space in memory.

For quick cleaning:

1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
2. In the search box, enter call_rec.
3. Select all the files found → click Delete.
4. Clean the Recycle Bin (files are stored there for 30 days).

⚠️ Note: If you use Google Drive for backup, records may be duplicated in a folder Backup/Call Recordings. Check it out on the web version of the Disc.

Yes, I noticed it before |No, I just found out |Knowledge, but didn't pay attention |I have a different brand of phone-->

Method 3: Disconnecting through Developer Settings

On some firmware (especially the Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K50 and POCO F4 GT), the standard settings do not give full control over the recording.

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the USB Debugging option and turn it on (this will unlock hidden settings).
4. Scroll down to Log and disable: Log log calls Record conversations (system)

Reboot the phone.

This method is guaranteed to disable the entry at the system level, but can be reset after the MIUI update, and it also blocks call logs that are used for statistics (for example, in Google Contacts).

Method 4: Use ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If standard methods fail, you can force the recording to be disabled via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for MIUI 13/14 and requires a computer to:

1. Download Platform Tools from the Android website.
2. Turn on the phone to debug USB (see the previous section).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Adb devices adb shell settings put global call_recording_enabled 0 adb shell pm clear com.android.server.telecom
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause your phone to malfunction. Don't change other settings unless you're sure they're there.

💡

If you still record after you execute the commands, check for updates to the Phone app in Google Play. Sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions.

Method 5: Reset the settings of the "Phone" application

If the recording is turned on by itself, the application settings may have gone wrong, in which case the factory reset (without data loss) will help:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone.
2. Click Memory → Clear the data (this will delete the call history!).
3. Go back and select Reset (or Remove Default settings).
4. Reboot the phone.

After discharge:

• ✅ Call recording will be disabled
• ❌ The history of the calls will disappear (but contacts will remain)
• ⚙️ You will have to reconfigure a quick dial and selected contacts

This is the most radical method, but it's effective if other methods don't work. Use it last.

💡

Phone is the most reliable way to disable recording, but it also removes call history. Before you do it, export important numbers.

What if the recording is still being done?

If none of these methods worked, the problem may be:

1. A third-party firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu or custom recovery) can be embedded in the system, so the solution is to reflash the phone to the official MIUI Global.
2. A virus or malware that mimics a record. Check your phone through Google Play Protection or Malwarebytes.
3. Mistake of a particular version of MIUI, for example, MIUI 13.0.4 for Redmi Note 11 had a bug that spontaneously turned on the record, the solution is to upgrade to the latest version.

If you suspect that the recording is being done in a covert way (for example, for espionage), follow these steps:

1. Check the permissions of all applications in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Microphone.
2. Install NetGuard or PCAPdroid to monitor network activity.
3. Disable Mi Cloud and other cloud services in Settings → Accounts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls to Xiaomi