How to listen to a phone call on Xiaomi: official and hidden methods

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones is a feature that appears in MIUI firmware and disappears due to changes in Google policy and local laws. In 2026, recording capabilities depend on the device model, MIUI version (14 or 15) and firmware region. For example, on global versions (Global ROM), recording is often disabled by default, while on Chinese (China ROM) or Indian (India ROM), it can be accessed out of the box.

If you didn't find recorded conversations in the standard Phone app, it doesn't mean they didn't: files could have been saved in a hidden folder or required special playback software. In this article, 5 proven ways to find and listen to recordings, including little-known tricks for devices without built-in recording functionality. We'll also look at why some files aren't played through a standard player and how to convert them.

1. Where are the default conversation records on Xiaomi stored

If your Xiaomi automatically recorded calls (or you turned it on manually), the files are saved in one of three folders, depending on the MIUI version:

• 📁 /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — mainland MIUI 12-14. Here, the files are named by template. Incoming_1234567890.amr or Outgoing_9876543210.amr, where numbers are the date and time of the Unix timestamp format.
• 📁 /sdcard/Recordings/Call/ — Alternative path for some models (e.g. Poco) F5 or Redmi Note 12 on MIUI 15).
• 📁 /sdcard/Android/data/com.android.providers.media/ — hidden folder where records can get when using third-party applications.

To see hidden folders, connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager that supports displaying hidden files (such as Solid Explorer or Solid Explorer). FX File Explorer. Important: files in.amr or.3ga They are not always played by a standard player – they may need to be VLC or MX Player.

⚠️ Attention: On Android devices 13+ and MIUI 15 file-access /Android/data/ It's limited. To open it, you either have to use it. ADB, or grant root rights.

2. How to turn on the recording of conversations, if it is not in the settings

If the Phone app doesn't have a record button, it doesn't mean it can't be activated. Here are 3 working methods for different versions of MIUI:

Method 1: Hidden configuration through code (MIUI 14–15)

Dial in the phone application combination:

##2663##

After that, you will see a test menu where you need to select Auto answer → Enable call recording. Note: it does not work on all models (checked on Redmi Note 11 and Xiaomi 12T).

Method 2: Activation via ADB (PC required)

If the first method did not work, connect the phone to the computer with installed ADB-Drivers and execute the command:

adb shell settings put global call_recording_enabled 1

Then restart the device. After that, the Phone app settings will show up as Recording conversations.

Install ADB on PC|Enable USB debugging on Xiaomi|Plug phone to computer |Execute adb devices command to check communication |Enter recording activation command-->

Method 3: Installation of modified APK (for advanced)

XDA Developers and 4PDA forums have patches for the Phone app that unlock the record. For example, MIUI 15 is suitable for a modified Dialer.apk from user @ives. Risk: installing third-party APKs can cause Google Play Protect to crash or block.

⚠️ Attention: On Android devices 14 and MIUI 15 The recording of conversations can be blocked at the kernel level, in which case only the firmware of the custom recaveri (for example, the kernel) will help, TWRP) and manual editing of the file /system/build.prop.

3. How to listen to recordings through the standard application "Phone"

If the recording of conversations is turned on, you can find it directly in the call log:

1. Open the phone application → tab Journal.
2. Find the right call (marked with an icon) 🎤, if there is a record).
3. Slip on the record → at the bottom will appear button Play or Listen.

If there is no button but you are sure that the recording was, try:

• 🔍 Long press on the call → Details. → scroll down.
• 📥 On some firmware, the record is downloaded only after clicking on the cloud icon (for example, on Redmi). K50).
• 🔄 Update the Phone app via Google Play – sometimes the feature appears after the update.

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If the recording is distorted, try converting it to.mp3 via Online-Convert..amr compresses the sound, making the voice sound like a "robot."

4. Third-party applications for recording and listening

If the built-in methods don’t work, install one of the apps we tested on Xiaomi 13 Pro (MIUI 15) and Poco X5 (MIUI 14):

Important: With Android 10+, apps are not allowed to record sound from a microphone while calling without notifying the other person, so many programs (such as Cube ACR) use a workaround - recording through a speaker (VoIP method), which reduces the quality.

5.Why records are not played and how to fix it

A common problem is that there are files, but when you try to listen, you get an error: "Format not supported" or "File corrupted."

• 🔊 Incompatible format:.amr files or.3ga They don't open with a standard player. VLC or MX Player with codecs.
• 🔐 File damage: If a record is interrupted (for example, due to battery discharge), restore it via Audacity (File menu). → Import → Raw Data).
• 📱 Limitations MIUI: Some firmware has encrypted files. Try copying them to your PC and opening them via FFmpeg with the command: ffplay. -i damaged_file.amr

Critical information: On Xiaomi with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra),.m4a records may contain geolocation metadata. To delete them, use the command:

exiftool -geotag= input.m4a

(Installation of ExifTool on PC is required).

6. Legal aspects of recording conversations on Xiaomi

In most countries, recording telephone conversations is only permitted with the consent of the interlocutor.

• 🇷🇺 Russia: Recording without notice is allowed if you are a participant in the conversation (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation).
• 🇺🇸 12 states (e.g. California) require consent from all participants.
• 🇪🇺 EU: Pos GDPR Recording without consent is considered a breach of confidentiality.

On Xiaomi with MIUI 15 (global version), before recording begins, a voice notification automatically plays: "This conversation is recorded"; you can only turn it off via ADB or root rights.

⚠️ Note: In India and China, the use of third-party recording applications (e.g. Boldbeast) may be blocked by the carrier. MIUI Protection against “illegal” recordings is built in for these regions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Xiaomi

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On Xiaomi with MIUI 15 and Android 14, the most reliable entry is through the Cube ACR app with the “Write through Access Module” setting. This method bypasses Google’s restrictions, but requires manual settings to Settings → Special features.