Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro often face the need to record important phone conversations — whether it is business negotiations, interviews or just saving valuable information. However, standard MIUI settings do not always provide an obvious way to enable this feature. Unlike flagship models, where recording calls can be integrated into firmware, budget devices often require additional manipulation.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can activate recording conversations on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, from hidden MIUI settings to third-party apps, and focus on the legal aspects of recording (to avoid legal problems) and the technical aspects that affect sound quality, and if you’re looking for a reliable way to save conversations without losing detail, this guide is for you.
Why is there no built-in call record in Redmi Note 8 Pro?
Many users wonder why the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro lacks an obvious recording button during a call, while on more expensive models (such as the Mi 10 or Mi 11), it is there.
- 📱 Firmware restrictions MIUI: In the Redmi and Poco budget series, Xiaomi often simplifies functionality to reduce processor load and save memory space.
- 🌍 Regional legal regulations: In some countries (e.g. the EU), recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited. Xiaomi can disable this feature in firmware for certain regions.
- 🔧 Technical limitations: Redmi Note 8 Pro is equipped with a chipset Mediatek Helio G90T, It doesn’t support hardware call recording as effectively as Snapdragon in flagships.
But it's still possible to record -- you just have to activate it manually or bypass, and then we'll look at all the working ways.
Method 1: Enabling a Hidden Recording Function in MIUI
In MIUI firmware for Redmi Note 8 Pro, call recording is hidden in the back of the settings. To activate it, follow the following steps:
- Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
- Go to the Record of conversations section (if not, see the next paragraph).
- Activate the Write automatically switch or select Write manually.
If you don't have a Record Conversations menu item, your version of MIUI doesn't support it, and an alternative method will help:
Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone
Update your firmware to the latest stable version
Make sure you have enough free space (records take ~1 MB/minute)
Restart your phone before setting up-->
##4636## → Testing → Phone settings → Enable call recording (if available)Important: This method does not work on all versions of MIUI. If the menu does not appear or the entry does not activate after entering the code, proceed to the next method.
Method 2: Using Third-Party Applications
If the built-in feature is not available, the best solution is specialized applications, and we tested several options and selected the most reliable ones for the Redmi Note 8 Pro:
| Annex | Advantages | Deficiencies | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cube Call Recorder | Automatic recording, cloud storage, good sound quality | Paid version for full functionality, sometimes glitch with MIUI | Google Play |
| Call Recorder by Lovekesh | Free version without restrictions, simple interface | Advertising, recording only manually | Google Play |
| Truecaller | Built-in record + number detector, synchronization with contacts | Registration is required, recording is not available in all regions | Google Play |
Before installing, check the application permissions in Settings → Apps → Permissions. To work correctly, you will need access to:
- 📞 Microphone (to record your voice)
- 📱 Telephone (to intercept calls)
- 💾 Storage (to save files)
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If the app doesn’t record conversations, try turning off battery optimization for it in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.
Legal aspects of recording conversations
Recording telephone conversations without the consent of the interlocutor may be a violation of the law in most countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and the EU. According to article 138 of the criminal code of the Russian Federation (“Violation of the secrecy of correspondence, telephone conversations”), unauthorized recording entails administrative or criminal liability if:
- ⚖️ The conversation is recorded without notifying the interlocutor (in business negotiations, you need to warn in advance).
- 🔊 The recording is used for blackmail, dissemination of personal information or for selfish purposes.
- 📄 Recording conversations of third parties (for example, recording someone else’s call through a speakerphone).
Exceptions are cases where:
- 📌 You record a conversation for personal use (for example, to keep important information in mind).
- 📌 The interviewee gives explicit consent to the recording (orally or in writing).
- 📌 Recording is done in a public place where there is no expectation of privacy (e.g. at a conference).
⚠️ Note: In some countries (e.g. Germany or France), even a private recording of a conversation without notifying the other party is considered a violation.
How can I improve the quality of the recording?
A common problem when recording conversations on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is poor sound quality: noise, echo, or a quiet voice.
- Use headphones with a microphone: Connect wired or Bluetooth headphones (such as Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones) to reduce noise and improve voice capture.
- Turn off noise cancellation in call settings: Go to Settings → Sound → Call quality and deactivate Voice Improvement option (it can distort the recording).
- Write in AAC or WAV format: In the settings of the recorder application, select a format with a bitrate of at least 128 kbit / s.
- Check the microphone: Make sure the main microphone of the phone (located at the bottom of the case) is not covered with a cover or finger.
If the sound is still bad, try an alternative method of recording via the second line:
Method of recording through the second line
Where are the records stored and how do they be saved?
By default, call records are saved in a folder /sdcard/CallRecords or /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. The files are.amr or.mp3 and are named by pattern:
CallRecord_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS_ Phone number.amrTo keep the records from going down:
- 📁 Backup: Move files to your PC or cloud regularly (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
- 🔄 Automatic synchronization: Configure in the recorder application autoexport to the cloud.
- 🗑️ Cleaning: Delete unnecessary records to avoid clogging memory (1 hour write) ≈ 60MB).
⚠️ Attention: When resetting the phone to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and reset) all records will be deleted.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after you set up the call recording on the Redmi Note 8 Pro correctly, it can malfunction.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Recording does not start automatically | There is no permission to access the phone | Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions and enable all permissions for the recorder |
| Only my voice is recorded. | MIUI blocks recording of incoming sound | Use an application with a function VOIP-Recordings (e.g. Cube Call Recorder) |
| Record files damaged. | Memory Lack or File System Error | Clear the app cache and check for errors through Settings → Memory |
| Recording ends in 5-10 minutes. | Battery optimization kills the recording process | Add the application to the optimization exceptions in Settings → Battery |
If none of these methods worked, try alternative firmware. Some custom MIUI builds (e.g. Xiaomi.eu or Pixel Experience) have built-in call recording without restrictions. However, custom software installation requires unlocking the bootloader and may be unwarranted.
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Before installing custom firmware, make a full data backup via Settings → Additional → Backup.