How to record a conversation on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all the ways from built-in to hidden

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from saving important business negotiations to fixing evidence in controversial situations. However, standard MIUI features are not always obvious, and some methods require additional settings or third-party applications. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to record conversations, from official functions to workarounds, including nuances for different versions of the firmware.

It's important to understand that recording capabilities vary by MIUI version, by firmware region, and even by carrier. For example, some countries have a legal ban on recording conversations, and manufacturers block this feature. But for Redmi 9 (M2003J15SC/M2004J19C) there are working solutions, and we'll look at them.

1. Built-in MIUI recording function: where to look and how to turn on

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi added native-based, but with reservations, the feature can be hidden or disabled depending on the region.

• 📱 Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
• ⚙️ Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Select Settings.
• 🎤 Scroll down to the Record of Conversations section (if no item – see the next section).
• 🔄 Activate the switch and select the save format (internal memory or storage). SD-map).

If you don’t have a conversation record in your settings, it means one of three:

1. You have an outdated version of MIUI (below 12.0.3) – you need an update.
2. Firmware for a region where recording is prohibited (e.g. EU or US).
3. The operator blocks the function (often found in MTS or Beeline on some tariffs).

To check the firmware version, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. If the version is below 12.0.3, update the system via Settings → System Update. After the update, the write function can appear automatically.

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If the recording feature didn’t appear after the MIUI update, try resetting the Phone app settings: Settings → Apps → App management → Phone → Storage → Clear data. This will reset the cache and may return hidden options.

2. Alternative method: write via Google Drive (without root)

If the built-in feature is not available, you can use automatic recording via Google Drive. This method works on all versions of MIUI and does not require superuser rights.

1. Install Google Drive from the Play Market (if not installed).
2. Open Google Settings (the gear icon in the app menu).
3. Go to Google Services → Backup → Backup of calls.
4. Activate the option and select an account to save.

After that, all incoming and outgoing calls will automatically be saved to Google Drive → Backup → Calls. Less method – records are stored in the cloud, and you need the Internet to listen to them. Plus – files do not take up space on the phone and are protected from accidental deletion.

⚠️ Attention: Google may limit the storage capacity for free accounts. If you have more than 15 GB of storage, new records will no longer be saved. → Warehouse.

3. Third-party applications: which ones work on Redmi 9

If standard methods don't work, there are apps from the Play Market. However, since 2022, Google has tightened policies and many of the recording programs have been removed.

• 📲 Cube ACR — It records both ends of a conversation, but it requires you to set up access to the microphone and phone logs. MIUI 12+ rootless.
• 🎧 Call Recorder by Lovekesh – a simple interface to save files.mp3 or.aac. Supports automatic number recording.
• 🔊 Automatic Call Recorder -- lets you choose compression format and cloud backup. Minus -- shows ads.

Before installing, check the permissions of the application.

android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO


android.permission.READ_CALL_LOG




android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE




android.permission.PROCESS_OUTGOING_CALLS

After installation, open the application settings and:

1. Select the recording format (MP3 or AMR).
2. Specify a folder to save (e.g. /Storage/emulated/0/CallRecords/).
3. Activate Auto Record for all or selected contacts.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Truecaller) conflict with the writing utilities. If the records are not saved after installation, temporarily disable other applications that work with phone logs.

Install the application from an official source |Provide all the permissions requested |Check the available space on the phone (minimum 500 MB) |Disable battery optimization for the application |Test call to check the record-->

4. Hidden mode Engineering Mode: recording without applications

For advanced users, there's a way to activate the recording through the Engineering Mode, which doesn't require root, but it doesn't work on all firmware.

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636###
2. In the menu that opens, select Usage statistics.
3. Scroll down to Voice Call Recording and activate the option.
4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

If the code doesn’t work, try an alternative:

##847##

After activation, the records will be saved in the folder. /sdcard/Music/Recordings/ or /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/. The file format is.amr, which saves space but reduces quality.

5 Recording via a second phone or external device

If the software doesn't work, you have to do a hardware bypass -- you can record a conversation on another phone or a voice recorder -- and it's a universal way, but you have to prepare.

• 📵 Use a second smartphone with a voice recorder on (for example, an iPhone or another Xiaomi).
• 🎙️ Hold the microphone of the second device to the speaker Redmi 9 (distance 5-10 cm).
• 🔇 Turn on speakerphone on Redmi 9 for better sound capture.
• 📱 For better quality, use apps like Voice Recorder (Sony) or Hi-Q. MP3 Recorder.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works on any firmware and operators.
• ✅ No changes to the Redmi 9 settings.
• ✅ Recording is in high quality (up to 320 kbps).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Two devices.
• ❌ There may be extraneous noise in the recordings.
• ❌ Uncomfortable for long conversations.

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Hardware recording is the only legal way in regions where software recording of conversations is prohibited by law (for example, in some states of the United States or EU countries).

Problems and Solutions: Why conversations are not recorded

Even after you set it up properly, the recording may not work, and let's look at the typical problems and how to fix them:

If the recording is interrupted or distorted, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge (below 15% MIUI It can suspend background processes).
• 📶 Network signal (with a weak signal, the recording may be interrupted).
• 🗑️ Free space (less than 1 GB – cause of failures).

For diagnosis, turn on the developer mode and check the logs:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on this item.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Activate the Call Log and Debug via USB.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and use ADB to analyze logs: adb logcat | grep -i "record"

7 Legal aspects: can conversations be recorded legally

Before recording conversations, make sure that it does not violate local law. Most countries have the following rules:

• 🇷🇺 Russia: Recording of a conversation is allowed if you are a party to it (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation), however, using the recording in court requires notarization.
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine: Consent of the second participant is required (Article 31 of the Constitution of Ukraine).
• 🇪🇺 EU: In most countries (Germany, France) recording without consent is prohibited and punishable by a fine.
• 🇺🇸 U.S.: Laws vary by state, California requires consent of all participants, Texas only one.

If you plan to use the record for legal purposes:

1. Notify the interlocutor about the recording (for example: “The conversation is recorded to fix the agreements”).
2. Keep the original files without editing.
3. If necessary, certify the record with a notary.

⚠️ Note: In some countries (e.g. Germany), even storing recordings of conversations without consent is considered a violation of data protection law (DSGVO). Delete unnecessary files immediately after use.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Redmi 9