How to record phone conversations on Xiaomi: from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from fixing important business agreements to preserving evidence in controversial situations. However, with the release of new versions of MIUI (especially after MIUI 12), the feature of embedded call recording has become less obvious or disappeared on some models. In this article, we will examine all the current ways to record conversations on Xiaomi in 2026, from hidden settings to third-party applications, and discuss legal aspects that many forget.

It's important to understand that recording capabilities depend on three factors: MIUI version, regional firmware (global, Chinese, European) and phone model. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with MIUI 14, the recording algorithm differs from Poco F5 to MIUI 15. We'll cover all options, including bypassing firmware restrictions without built-in functionality.

Before you get to the instructions, answer the question: what do you need to record conversations for? This will help you choose the best method.

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

Before MIUI 12, most Xiaomi smartphones had a conversation record available directly in the Phone app, which is now only available on some firmware, mainly Chinese (China ROM) and Indian (India ROM) versions, and if you have Global ROM, it is likely not available due to legal restrictions in Europe and the United States.

To check for the presence of an embedded record:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Recording of Conversations section (or Call Recording in English firmware).

If you don't have a point, your firmware doesn't support the function, in which case you go to method 2 (applications) or method 3 (hidden settings).

How to turn on the recording on supported firmware:

1. In the Conversation Record settings, activate the switch.
2. Select the recording mode: 📞 Automatically, all calls will be recorded. 🔄 Upon request, the recording will begin after pressing the button during the conversation. 📵 Only for select people – entry only for contacts from a special list.

SD-map

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 14/15 The recording may be interrupted if the interlocutor is using VoLTE or VoWiFi. In this case, try to disable these functions in the settings. SIM-map.

2. Third-party applications for recording: TOP-3 proven solutions

If you don't have a built-in feature, third-party apps will come to the rescue, and the rule of thumb is to choose programs that rank high (4.5+ on Google Play) and have regular updates, and here are three reliable options tested on Xiaomi in 2026.

How to set up the application for maximum reliability:

Learn about the work on your Xiaomi model|Check permissions (access to microphone, contacts, storage)|Turn off battery optimization for the app in the settings MIUI|Create an exception for the application in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start|Test the recording on a short call

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After installing the app, make a test call (for example, to another number) and check the recording quality. If the voice of the interlocutor is not heard or the recording is interrupted, try:

• 🔊 Turn on speaker mode during a conversation (sometimes improves sound capture).
• 📵 Disable VoLTE in the settings SIM-map.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone before an important call.

⚠️ Note: Some applications may conflict with MIUI Optimization is a built-in service that forcibly closes background processes. To avoid missing records, add the application to the list of Secure Applications (Settings) → Battery → Secure applications).

Hidden MIUI settings: how to return a record through the engineering menu

On MIUI 13/14 firmware for some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+ or Xiaomi 12T), call recording can be activated via an engineering menu, a method that requires caution, as incorrect changes can disrupt the phone.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Phone app and type in the code ##36446337## (this is the code to access EngineerMode on most Xiaomi devices).
2. Go to the Audio section → Normal Mode.
3. Find the VoIP Call Audio Record or Call Record Setting option and set the Enabled value.
4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

Once the phone is rebooted, a recording button will appear in the phone app when the call is made, even if it wasn't previously made, but this method doesn't work on all firmware and may reset once the MIUI update is done.

If the code ##36446337### doesn't work, try the alternatives:

• 📱 For Poco: ##4636## → Usage statistics → Audio.
• 🔧 For Redmi on Android 13: #83781## (opens the entry menu).

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If the engineering menu doesn't open, check if access is blocked through Settings → Additional → Special Features → Engineer Menu. On some firmware, it needs to be activated first.

4. Recording via Google Drive or other cloud services

If you want not only local recording but also backup, you can use Google Drive in conjunction with the built-in recording function (if any) or a third-party application, which is suitable for users who want to automatically save important conversations to the cloud.

How to set up automatic upload of records in Google Drive:

1. Install a recording app (such as Cube ACR).
2. In the application settings, find the Cloud Storage or Backup section.
3. Select Google Drive and log in to your account.
4. Specify the folder to save (it is recommended to create a separate folder, for example, Call Recordings).
5. Activate the autoboot option after recording.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔒 Records will not be lost when resetting the phone.
• 📲 Access to files from any device.
• 📊 Easy search by date or contact.

⚠️ Note: When using cloud services, make sure that recording a conversation does not violate their rules. For example, Google Drive prohibits the storage of confidential information of third parties without their consent.

5. Legal aspects: can conversations be recorded without consent

The legality of recording telephone conversations is governed by the laws of the country in which you are located, and most countries have a "unilateral consent" rule, meaning you can record a conversation if you participate in it, but you can only use the recording in court or publish it with the consent of the second participant.

Country legislation (2026):

• 🇷🇺 Russia: Recording is allowed without notice, but use of the record in court requires proof of its authenticity (Article 138 of the Civil Procedure Code of the Russian Federation).
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine: Notification of the interlocutor is required (Article 307 of the Civil Code of Ukraine).
• 🇪🇺 EU (including Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia): It is forbidden to record without consent (GDPR).
• 🇺🇸 U.S.: Rules vary by state: 12 states (e.g. California) require consent from all participants.
• 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan: Allowed without notice, but recording may not be used for blackmail (Article 147 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan).

If you plan to use the record for legal purposes:

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

6.Alternative methods: recording through a second device or headset

If the software methods don’t work (e.g., on Xiaomi with Android 14 and strict microphone access restrictions), you can use hardware solutions:

Method 1: Recording through the second device

• 📱 Put the second phone next to it and turn on the recorder (for example, the standard application Dictaphone on Xiaomi).
• 🔊 Turn on speakerphone on the main phone.
• 🎤 Direct the microphone of the second device to the speaker of the first.

Method 2: Using a headset with a record

Some Bluetooth headsets (such as Sony WH-1000XM5 or Jabra Elite 10) have a built-in conversation recording function.

1. Connect the headset to the phone.
2. Activate the recording via the manufacturer’s app (e.g. Sony Headphones Connect).
3. After the call, export the file to your phone.

The advantage of hardware is that it works even on phones with locked microphone access for third-party applications, and the disadvantage is that the sound quality is worse due to external noise.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When recording calls to Xiaomi, users experience typical errors, and here is a list of problems and proven ways to fix them.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📱 Firmware region: On Chinese firmware (China) ROM) The recording often works out of the box".
• 🔄 Android version: Google tightens rules for accessing the microphone on Android 14 – many apps stopped working.
• 🛠️ Root rights: You can install Magisk recording modules with them (e.g. CallRecorder).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions