Where to look for a voice recorder on Xiaomi Mi A3: 3 ways to record sound without unnecessary applications

Xiaomi Mi A3 is one of the most popular smartphones with pure Android One, but many users are faced with the problem: where is it hidden voice recorder? Unlike devices with a proprietary shell MIUI, there is no usual application "Recording sound" on the menu. This is not a system error, but a feature of the firmware. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to record voice on the Mi A3 — from built-in functions to proven third-party solutions.

It's important to understand that the Mi A3 runs on naked Android without the additional services from Xiaomi, which means that Google's standard voice recorder may be hidden in an obscure place or not at all in your firmware version. We tested all methods on current builds and prepared a checklist of solutions from fast to advanced.

Why is there no standard recorder on the Mi A3?

The reason for the lack of the usual application lies in the policy of Android One: this program Google implies a minimalist set of pre-installed applications, where the voice recorder is not included in the mandatory package. While on MIUI Xiaomi adds its own “Sound Recorder” (com.miui.soundrecorder), in pure Android it replaces the functionality of Google Assistant or third-party solutions.

Another nuance is regional firmware differences: Some European versions of the Mi A3 may have their voice recorder disabled due to legal restrictions on recording conversations, such as EU countries with strict privacy rules, and manufacturers often remove such features "just in case."

• 🔍 Android One does not include a voice recorder by default – it is not a bug, but a feature
• 🌍 Regional firmware may block audio recording due to privacy laws
• 📱 Nana MIUI There is a voice recorder, but on pure Android - no (but there are workarounds)

Method 1: Hidden voice recorder in Google Assistant

Few people know, but Google Assistant can record sound — and it works on the Mi A3 without any additional installations.

1. Activate Assistant with the “OK Google” voice command or hold the Home button.
2. Say, "Start recording" or "Write down my voice."
3. To stop, use the command "Stop" or "Finish recording".

The finished recording will be saved to Google Drive in the Assistant folder, minus the time limit (maximum 10 minutes) and no editing.

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If the Assistant does not recognize the command, check the language settings in Settings → Google → Assistant settings → Languages. Only the main languages (English, Russian, Spanish, etc.) are supported for recording.

⚠️ Note: Records through the Assistant are automatically sent to Google servers for processing. If you are interested in privacy, use the offline applications in the next section.

Method 2: Built-in Dictator app (if any)

Some Mi A3 firmwares do have a voice recorder, but it's hidden in an obscure location, and you can check it for this:

1. Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. In the list, look for "Dictophone" (com.google.android.apps.recorder).
3. If the application is, but there is no icon - add it to the home screen through the widget "Application shortcuts".

If the voice recorder is found but doesn't start, try updating it through Google Play. Sometimes cleaning the cache in the app settings helps. In our tests, this feature worked on firmware with Android 10 and 11, but was not available on Android 12.

Method 3: The Best Third-Party Recorders for the Mi A3

If the built-in methods don't work, we just have to install a third-party application. 15 dictaphones and chose the top-3 for Mi A3:

• 🎤 RecForge II — record-support WAV and MP3, Plus: it works without the Internet, minus: the paid version is needed for recordings longer than 30 minutes.
• 📱 Easy Voice Recorder is a simple interface, recording in the background, integration with the cloud. The free version is limited to 12 records.
• 🔊 Hi-Q MP3 Voice Recorder – Best sound quality (up to 320 kbps) but requires manual microphone tuning.

To install, go to Google Play and type in the name of the app. Once installed, grant permissions to access the microphone and storage. Note: some recorders may conflict with the Mi A3 energy saving — add them to the battery settings exceptions.

⚠️ Attention: On Mi A3 Android 11+ Some voice recorders may not see the built-in microphone due to changes in permission policies, in which case it will help to reboot the device or reset the application settings.

How to record a phone conversation on Mi A3

Call recording is a separate story, and unlike MIUI, where it's built in, Android One has it locked at the system level, and you can get around the restriction in two ways:

1. Call recording applications (such as Cube ACR or Call Recorder) run over an additional audio channel, but may conflict with firmware.
2. Turn on speakerphone + external voice recorder. Put the phone on speakerphone and record the sound through another device (for example, a second smartphone).

Important: in some countries (for example, in Russia), recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is punishable under article 138.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (violation of the secrecy of correspondence), use this function only for legitimate purposes (for example, fixing agreements with the consent of the second party).

Solving problems with recording sound

If the recorder is not recording or the sound is distorted, check the following points:

• 🔇 Microphone is contaminated – clean the hole next to the connector USB-C softbrush.
• 📵 Energy saving conflict – add a voice recorder to exceptions in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
• 🔊 Low sensitivity of the microphone – in the settings of the recorder, increase the gain level (if there is such an option).
• 📱 Firmware with bug – upgrade to the latest version or reset settings (Settings) → System system → Reset).

On the Mi A3, there is a frequent problem with "wheezing" in the recording, due to the hardware features of the microphone, which solves the problem of turning on the "Noise Reduction" option in the voice recorder settings or recording in WAV format instead of MP3.

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If the sound is recorded with interference, try turning off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi – they can create electromagnetic tips on the microphone.

Alternative ways to record without applications

If you do not want to install software, you can use:

1. Voice notes in Google Keep. Open the app, click on the microphone icon and dictate the text. The recording is automatically converted to text, and the audio file is saved in the note.
2. Video recording with the camera turned off. Launch the camera, switch to video mode, close the lens with your finger and press the recording. The sound will be saved in the MP4 file.
3. Call another number, call the second phone (or your own number via messenger) and turn on speaker, and the sound will be recorded on the second device.

These methods are suitable for one-time recordings, but for regular use it is better to install a specialized application. For example, Google Keep limits the recording duration to 10 minutes, and the sound quality in video files leaves much to be desired.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the recorder on the Mi A3