How to record a conversation on Xiaomi: current methods 2026

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have become an integral part of business communication, where fixing agreements is often critical. However, from certain versions of the MIUI shell to the new HyperOS, the company faced severe restrictions from the Android operating system, which made it difficult for users to record conversations.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the existing ways to solve this problem, from built-in tools to specialized software. Recording conversations on Redmi and POCO devices may vary depending on the region of the firmware (Global, Chinese, EEA) and the version of Android. We will look at the technical nuances that allow you to circumvent Google’s restrictions, and provide current instructions for 2026.

Before we get to specific actions, it’s important to understand that the lack of a write button in the interface is not a bug, but a consequence of changes in Google’s privacy policy. Starting with Android 10 and especially Android 14/15, access to the audio stream during a call for third-party applications has been almost completely blocked, forcing manufacturers, including Xiaomi, to look for workarounds or rely on standards that do not work in all countries.

Built-in recording function in the Phone application

The easiest and most reliable way is to use the standard functionality that is pre-installed in the Phone app. In most cases, if you use a Chinese firmware version or a special European build, this feature works flawlessly, it allows you to automatically record incoming and outgoing calls, saving them in a gallery or file manager in MP3 or M4A format.

However, if you have Global ROM installed, you may notice that the write option has simply disappeared from the menu, due to Google’s licensing restrictions in your region. In some cases, the feature may be hidden but available through engineering menus or special codes, although this method is increasingly less common in recent versions of HyperOS.

⚠️ Warning: Trying to change your device region through standard settings may result in some system applications being reset and Google Pay (Wallet) services being disrupted, so proceed carefully.

To check for the feature, go to the Phone app, click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings. If there's a Call Record in the list, you're in luck. You can set the automatic entry on the menu for all numbers or only for favorite contacts, and select audio quality.

If the feature is on but you can't hear the person in the recording, check the noise reduction settings. Sometimes MIUI Optimization filters sounds too aggressively, considering the voice of the person as background noise, in which case it helps to turn off the "Sound Improvement" function in the Bluetooth settings if the call is through the headset.

Set up automatic recording and file management

The proper organization of recorded conversations is a key point for those who care about archiving data. Xiaomi's built-in voice recorder not only saves files, but also sorts them. By default, all records go to the folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec And if you know the path, you can set up automatic sync with the cloud.

To set up automatic recording, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Open the Phone app and go to settings via the menu.
• 🎙️ Find the Call Record section and activate the switch.
• 🔔 Select "All Numbers" for Full Locking or "Selected Numbers" for Point Control.
• ☁️ If available, enable sync with Xiaomi Cloud or Google Drive to avoid losing data when changing your phone.

It is important to note that recording quality is directly dependent on the codec and connection type. VoLTE (Voice over LTE) calls are digitally transmitted in high quality, which ensures the integrity of the recording, while the old 2G/3G standards can produce characteristic noise and distortion that are difficult to remove software.

Files are managed through a standard Explorer, and they're named by date and time of the call, which makes it easier to search. SIM-Cards or using Dual SIM, Rename important conversations manually, adding the name of the interlocutor or the essence of the question.

Global ROM problems and solutions

Smartphones purchased from official retailers outside China are most likely to face downsized functionality, and global firmware strictly follows EU and US laws where recording a conversation without warning from the other party may be illegal, so Xiaomi software blocks this feature at the system level.

There are several technical ways to get back to you, but they require a certain amount of care. One method is to change the region in your system settings. Go to Settings → Additional Settings → Region and select India, Indonesia or Singapore. After the reboot, check the settings of the calls. In some cases, this returns hidden menus.

A more radical method is to flash the device to the Chinese version (China ROM) or install custom firmware (Xiaomi.eu), the firmware Xiaomi.eu is based on the Chinese version, but has built-in English and Russian, as well as unlocked functionality, including native recording of calls without Google restrictions, which is the most effective way to gain full control of the device.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader and flashing the device voids the official warranty. Wrong actions can turn the smartphone into a brick".

If you’re not ready to flash, you’ll need to use third-party solutions, which we’ll discuss below, but it’s worth remembering that with every Android security update, Google closes the loopholes that developers of such apps exploit.

Third-party applications for recording conversations

When embedded tools are not available, Google Play apps come to the rescue, but in 2026, there are very few programs that actually work, most of which either require root rights or record audio through a microphone, resulting in poor quality and echoes.

One of the few solutions that continues to work is the Cube ACR app. To work properly on new versions of Android, you need to provide special permissions through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or through the special features menu. Without these manipulations, the app will only record your voice.

Instructions for setting up Cube ACR:

• 📲 Download the app from the Play Market or APK-file.
• ⚙️ When you first start, give all the permissions you request, including access to microphone and phone.
• 🔧 If the recording is not going, turn on the “App Connector” mode in the settings of special features of Android.
• 🎚️ In the settings of the application itself, select the VoIP or Mic sound source for experiments.

Other popular apps, such as Automatic Call Recorder or TapeACall, often switch to a paid basis or stop working after a system update, and many of them obtrusively warn the interlocutor about recording by voice, which is not always convenient.

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Use No Sound mode on the speaker while you're talking when using third-party apps, which sometimes helps reduce echo levels and improve the legibility of the voice of the interlocutor in the recording.

Also worth mentioning are apps that record calls via instant messengers (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram). Xiaomi's built-in call doesn't write them. This requires specialized programs that record the sound of the system, but their effectiveness depends heavily on the version of Android and the model of the processor.

Use of codes and engineering menus

In the bowels of the system MIUI HyperOS and Hidden Engineering Menu, available through special USSD-Previously, code ##6484## or #3646633## allowed you to enter the testing mode, where you can activate hidden functions. However, in modern versions of Xiaomi security, these codes are often blocked or only lead to basic iron diagnostics.

However, you can try to activate hidden features through the Settings app. Go to About Phone and quickly tap 10 times on the MIUI or HyperOS version to activate the developer mode. Then, in the advanced settings, look for items related to logging or debugging.

adb shell pm grant com.android.phone android.permission.READ_PRIVILEGED_PHONE_STATE

Executing these commands via ADB on a computer can force hidden functions in system applications, such as connecting your phone to your PC, enabling debugging over USB, and entering a command in the terminal, but beware: an incorrect command can cause a cyclical reboot of the Phone service.

There's also a code myth ##8558##, include QA-Menu to test all features, including recording.In practice on new Redmi Note and Xiaomi smartphones 14/15 This code often does nothing or requires an engineer's password.

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Engineering codes are an unstable method that stops working with every major Android security update.Rely on them only as a temporary solution.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions