Recording calls on Xiaomi: how to turn on and configure on any smartphone

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature that helps you capture important details of negotiations, save evidence or simply keep an archive of conversations. However, many users find that the call recording option is either hidden in the depths of MIUI or not at all in standard settings. The reasons for this are different, from regional restrictions to firmware versions. In this article, we will discuss all working ways to activate call recording, both through built-in tools and using third-party applications.

It is important to understand that recording is subject to smartphone model, MIUI version and even country of purchase. For example, on devices for the European market, the feature is often blocked due to privacy laws, whereas on global or Chinese versions it is available by default. We have tested all methods on current MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 firmware (2026), so the instructions will be relevant for most modern smartphones of the brand, including the Redmi Note 12/13 series, POCO X5/F5 and Xiaomi 13/14.

Why does Xiaomi not have a default call record?

If you don’t find the write option in the phone’s menu, the reasons may be as follows:

• 📍 Regional restrictions: In EU countries (e.g. Germany, France), recording calls without notifying the interlocutor is prohibited by law (MIUI EU) function.
• 🔄 Version. MIUI: In old assemblies (up to) MIUI 12) the recording was made available through the Phone app, but was later moved to Records or removed altogether.
• 📱 Smartphone model: On budget devices (e.g. Redmi) A2 or POCO M5) The function may be missing due to hardware limitations.
• 🔒 Google policy: Google Play bans apps from recording calls without warning from 2022, which has affected Xiaomi's built-in tools.

To get around these limitations, you'll either have to change the firmware (which is risky) or use workarounds, and we'll look at both options from the official to the alternatives.

Method 1: Enabling recording through the standard “Phone” application

On most Xiaomi smartphones with global or Chinese firmware, call recording is activated right during a call.

1. Make or receive an incoming call.
2. When you talk, click on the Record button (a microphone icon or dot mug) which is usually located next to the hands-free and hold keys.
3. After clicking, a notification will appear about the start of the recording (sometimes with a voice alert).
4. To stop the recording, press the same button again.

Where do you look for recorded files? They're saved in a folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec (Use Xiaomi or Google Files file manager to access. File format —.m4a Or.amr, you can listen to them through any player.

Update the Phone app in Google Play

Check permissions for the application in Settings → Applications

Make sure you have a global or Chinese firmware (not EU)

Reboot your smartphone after the update MIUI-->

If there is no record button, try the following steps:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Phone. → Permits and enable access to microphone and storage.
• 🔄 Update the Phone app via Google Play (sometimes updates come later than firmware).
• 🌐 Check the region of the smartphone: if it is tied to the EU, the feature may be blocked.

Method 2: Use the Recorder app

On some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro or Xiaomi 12T), call recording is integrated into the standard Recorder app. It is pre-installed on smartphones with MIUI 13+, but can be hidden. Here's how to find and configure it:

Features of this method:

• ✅ Both voices (your and the interlocutor) are recorded with good quality.

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If the Records app is missing, you can download it separately from APKCombo (select the version compatible with your firmware).

Method 3: Third-party applications for recording calls

If the built-in methods don't work, third-party software will come to the rescue, and we tested some popular solutions and selected those that work well on MIUI 14/15:

• 🎤 Cube Call Recorder ACR — It records high-quality calls, supports cloud storage, minus: requires a superuser (root) rights setting to record both voices.

How to install and configure Cube Call Recorder ACR (the most versatile option):

1. Download the app from Google Play or from the official website.
2. When you first start, grant permissions to access the microphone, contacts, and storage.
3. In the settings, select: Source of the recording → Voice Call (for the first time) MIUI) File format → MP3 (for compatibility) Conservation folder → Internal memory./CallRecordings
4. Enable Automatic Recording* and add exceptions for important contacts.

Important: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14+, applications without root rights may not be able to record the voice of the interlocutor, in which case only your voice will be recorded (through a microphone), in order to record both voices, either root or special firmware (for example, xiaomi.eu) is required.

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Third-party apps are often blocked by Android updates. Check reviews from the past month before installing them – some programs stop working after new versions of MIUI are released.

Method 4: Write via Google Drive (alternative method)

If you need to record a conversation once and don't have time to set up apps, you can use Google Drive, which is suitable for emergencies, but has limitations:

1. Open Google Drive on your smartphone.
2. Start recording before the call starts and put the phone next to the speaker (in hands-free mode).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No need for root or special applications.
• ✅ The file is immediately available on all devices via the cloud.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ The quality of the recording depends on the surrounding noise.
• ❌ Only the sound from the speaker is recorded (your voice will be quieter).
• ❌ Inconvenient for long conversations (manual control required).

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For better quality, use an external microphone (such as a headset with a microphone) and place it closer to the smartphone speaker.

Solving call recording problems

If the recording is not working or only your voice is saved, try the following:

⚠️ Attention: On smartphones with Android 12+ and MIUI 14+ Google has blocked apps from accessing the call stream without root, which means most apps will only record your voice through a microphone, rather than the entire conversation.

• 🔧 Check the sound settings: Go to Settings → Sound. → Call quality and select HD-voice (sometimes it improves recording).
• 📲 Turn off battery optimization for the recording app: Settings → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Battery → No restrictions.
• 🔄 Reset network settings: Sometimes write problems are due to VoLTE conflicts. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

If nothing works, there are two options:

1. Install custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu) where the write restrictions are removed.
2. Use a second phone to record a conversation (for example, put an old device next to you with the recorder on).

Legal aspects of recording calls

Before you record conversations, make sure that it doesn't violate local law. Here are the key points for different countries:

⚠️ Note: In Russia, recording a conversation without notifying the interlocutor is allowed if you are a participant in the conversation (resolution of the Plenum of the Supreme Court). №16 of 2019), however, the use of such a record in court can be challenged if it proves a violation of privacy rights.

To avoid problems:

• 📢 Notify the interlocutor of the recording (for example: “The conversation is recorded to fix the agreements»).
• 📝 Keep a log of records: record the date, time and reason for the recording.
• 🔒 Store files in a secure location (for example, in an encrypted folder).

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls on Xiaomi