Many users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones face an unexpected situation: every time a call is made or made, the device automatically starts a voice recorder recording of the conversation, which can be a very useful feature for lawyers or managers, but for the average user, it often becomes a source of irritation, quickly fills up internal memory and creates awkward moments due to a loud sound notification.
With MIUI and the new HyperOS, the voice recorder’s mechanism is embedded deep in the system settings, making it sometimes difficult to find the right switch. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to completely disable automatic conversation capture, how to manage files already created, and what to do if standard methods don’t work.
Before you make any changes, it’s important to understand that disabling the feature won’t delete files you’ve already recorded.You’ll have to manually clean the storage if you want to vacate space.It’s also worth noting that in some regions, due to legal restrictions, the feature may be hidden or work differently.
Where to find automatic recording settings
The main way to control the voice recorder function is not in the general settings of the smartphone, but directly in the interface of the Phone application. The standard application, which is preinstalled on most global versions of devices, has its own set of parameters, independent of the system.
To get to the menu, open the standard "ringer" and look at the three dots or gear icon in the upper right corner of the screen, and click on them, you will be taken to the menu where you want to select Settings, and this is where the section that is responsible for the operation of the recorder during the conversation is hidden.
In some versions of the firmware, the path may be slightly different, for example, on older versions of MIUI 12 or MIUI 13, the item may be called Call Record, whereas in newer builds of HyperOS it is often renamed Call Record. Don't be afraid of the differences in terminology, the essence remains the same.
⚠️ Note: If you use a third-party call app (like Google Phone without patches or Truecaller), the settings menu may look different or not contain write options at all, as this depends on the access rights of the particular application.
When you log into the settings section, you'll see the Auto Removal or Auto Record switch, which is what causes the phone to start recording immediately after you connect to the subscriber, without your additional confirmation.
Disabling Automatic Recording Mode
The easiest way to stop automatically saving conversations is to deactivate the corresponding switchboard in the settings menu of the Phone app. However, simply turning off the feature is not enough if you have previously set exceptions or special rules for certain contacts.
Inside the record settings menu, you'll usually find two main modes of operation: All numbers and Selected numbers. If you tick against All numbers, the phone will record every incoming and outgoing call, switch this to off or select Selected numbers to remove the global limit.
If you have selected Selected Numbers, check your contact list, and it may be that people who are important to you or who you don't want to keep their conversations have accidentally been there, and you can manage the list through the Add button or the cross to remove them from the exception list.
☑️ Checking the recording settings
After making the changes, remember to return to the home call screen and make a test call, which will help ensure that the system no longer initiates the recording process without your knowledge.
Manual control and sampling
Turning off the automation completely doesn't mean you lose the ability to record important conversations. You can switch to manual control mode, which gives you full control of the situation, and in this mode, recording will only begin after you expressly consent at the time.
During an active conversation, the call control panel is displayed on the screen, there is a button with a voice recorder or the words "Record", pressing it starts the process, which the interlocutor will be notified by a loud beep (if it is not disabled in the settings).
Manual mode is especially important in situations where only a specific part of the dialogue needs to be recorded or when the conversation is personal and does not require archiving.
- 📞 Click the "Write" button on the call screen to start.
- ⏸️ Use a pause if you need to interrupt the recording without hanging up the phone.
- 🛑 Press the stop button or complete the call to save the file.
Configuring notifications and audible signals
One of the most annoying features of recording calls on Xiaomi is the loud voice signal “Recording started” and “Record finished”, which is heard by both interlocutors. Many users are looking for a way to turn off this sound, but in the standard settings of global firmware versions, this option is often not available.
However, in some regional versions (for example, China or India) or in modified MIUI builds, it is possible to turn off the sound alert, and to do this, in the same menu of call recording settings, you need to find the "Audio Alert" or "Warn about recording" item and uncheck it.
If you don’t have one on your menu, the manufacturer has tightly sewn the feature into the system level in accordance with local privacy laws, and this restriction can only be circumvented by installing third-party “caller” replacement apps or obtaining Root rights, which is not recommended for ordinary users.
Why can't you just turn off the sound?
Alternatively, you can try using hands-free mode and reduce the volume of the media, but this does not guarantee the complete disappearance of the system sound notification.
Work with archives and cleaning memory
All recorded conversations are saved in a separate Dictator app or in a special folder inside the Explorer. Files usually have the.m4a or.mp3 extension and take up a significant amount of space, especially if you haven't checked this feature for a long time.
To access the archive, open the Dictophone app and go to the Phone or Call tab, and here's a list of all the records, sorted by date, and you can listen to them, rename them or delete the ones you don't need.
To make room, the best way to do this is to use the mass cleanup function, highlight a few files with a long press and select the basket icon, and you can set up automatic deletion of old records if this option is available in your firmware version.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| File format | Usually MP3 or M4A | Compatible with any player |
| Location. | folder MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec | You can find it through the Explorer. |
| Duration | Depends on the length of the conversation. | Long files take up a lot of space. |
| Quality. | Medium (mono) | Enough for legibility. |
Remember to check this folder periodically, as the accumulation of hundreds of files can slow down the file system and make it difficult to find the information you need.
Frequent problems and their solution
Another common problem is the lack of sound in the recorded file, which often happens when using a Bluetooth headset or when the network signal is bad, and in some cases, the recording may not be maintained if another application using a microphone is running during the call, such as a voice recorder or voice assistant.
If you have updated your firmware and your settings are lost, check Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone → Memory → Clean. After that, reconfigure the recording settings according to the instructions above.
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For quick access to the last recorded conversation, use the Dictophone widget on your desktop – it allows you to run the last file with one touch.
In rare cases, the problem may lie in the damage of system files. If nothing helps, it is worth considering resetting the smartphone settings to a factory state, saving important data beforehand.
The Impact of Android Version and Region
Call recording functionality depends heavily on which region your MIUI or HyperOS version is designed for. In the European versions (Global EU), functions can be curtailed due to strict GDPR laws, while in the Chinese or Indian versions they work fully.
With the release of new versions of Android (10, 11, 12 and higher), Google restricts the access of applications to the microphone during a call for third-party developers, which is why the built-in Xiaomi voice recorder is one of the few stable solutions, but it is subject to changes from the manufacturer.
When you change region settings (“Advanced Settings” → “Region”), the write settings interface may change, but a forced region change does not always guarantee hidden features and can lead to unstable operation of other services.
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The stability of the recording function depends on the bundle: Android version + firmware region + processor model.
Always check the relevance of the information for your particular model, as even within the same brand settings can vary across devices.