Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi can be useful in a variety of situations, from saving important business information to fixing evidence for legal purposes. However, many users have difficulty trying to activate this feature, the fact that depending on the version of MIUI and the firmware region, the ways to enable recordings can be radically different — somewhere the option is available out of the box, and somewhere it has to be unlocked through hidden settings or third-party utilities.
In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for enabling recording conversations on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones (including the 2023-2026 models on MIUI 12-14). You will learn how to set up a built-in voice recorder, what applications to use if standard functionality is disabled, and how to circumvent recording restrictions in some countries.
Why Xiaomi can’t have a conversation record?
Before we get into the instructions, it's important to understand why the recording function is sometimes absent or unstable.
- 📍 Regional restrictions: In firmware for the EU, the US and some Asian countries, recording of conversations is often blocked due to local privacy laws. MIUI EU This option may be hidden.
- 🔄 Version. MIUI. In older versions (up to) MIUI 11) the recording was available by default, and in the new it was transferred to the settings of the recorder or completely removed.
- 📱 Smartphone model. On flagships (Xiaomi) 13/14, Mix Fold feature may work differently than on budget Redmi Note.
- 🔒 Google’s policy: Since 2022, Google Play has banned apps from recording calls without notifying the interlocutor, which has affected Xiaomi as well.
If your phone is purchased from Xiaomi’s official store in Russia, Belarus or Kazakhstan, it is likely that the recording of conversations is available by default. ROM) Or imported from abroad may require additional manipulation.
⚠️ Note: In some countries (e.g. Germany or California), recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited by law!
Method 1: Enabling recording via built-in voice recorder (MIUI 12–14)
The easiest way is to use the standard Dictaphone app that all Xiaomi smartphones have, and the latest versions of MIUI have integrated call recording into that, and here's how to activate it:
- Open the Dictaphone app (the microphone icon on your desktop).
- Go to the Settings section (cog in the upper right corner).
- Select the Call Record item.
- Activate the Automatic Record switch or set up rules for specific contacts.
After that, during the call, a recording button (usually in the form of a microphone mug) will appear on the screen. Press it to start recording the conversation. The files will be stored in the MiSoundRecorder folder in internal memory.
Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone
Update the application Dictophone through the Play Store
Permits to access microphone and memory
Create a backup of important contacts-->
If there is no Record Calls in the voice recorder settings, your firmware does not support this out of the box function, so move on to the next one.
MIUI 14
MIUI 13
MIUI 12
Old version (up to MIUI 12)
I don't know.-->
Method 2: Hidden settings for firmware without writing
On some firmware (especially Global ROM or EEA), the recording option is hidden, but it can be unlocked through an engineering menu or special commands, a method that works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with MIUI 11-14.
Instructions:
- Open the phone app and dial the code: ##2663##
- Select Auto test → Single item test → Audio.
- Find Voice Call Recording and activate it.
- Reboot the phone.
After the reboot, the Call Recorder tab should appear in the Dictaphone app. If the code didn't work, try an alternative:
##847##⚠️ Note: Not all codes work on custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu or Pixel Experience).If the phone freezes or restarts after you enter the command, reset your network settings to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting settings.
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
Method 3: Third-party applications for recording
If the built-in methods don't work, third-party utilities will come to the rescue, and we tested several apps and selected those that will work steadily on Xiaomi in 2026:
| Annex | Features | Cons | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cube ACR | High quality recording, cloud storage, VoIP support | Paid version for recordings >5 minutes | Play Market |
| Call Recorder (from Lovekesh) | Simple interface, automatic recording by contacts | Advertising in the free version | Play Market |
| Truecaller | Built-in record + number determinant | Registration, country restrictions | Play Market |
Before installing, check the permissions of the application: it must have access to the Microphone, Contacts and Warehouse.
- Launch the app and follow the setup wizard.
- Select the save format (for example,.mp3 or.aac).
- Activate Auto Record for all calls or individual contacts.
Important: Google has been blocking API recordings for new apps in the Play Store since 2023, so some utilities may require manual installation of APKs (e.g., from APKMirror).
Where are the records stored and how do they be saved?
By default, record files are stored in the phone’s internal memory along the way:
/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/or (for third-party applications):
/storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings/To transfer the recordings to your computer or to the cloud:
- 📁 Connect your phone to your PC through USB and copy the files manually.
- ☁️ Upload recordings to Google Drive or Mi Cloud (in the voice recorder settings there is an option of automatic synchronization).
- 🔗 Send the file to yourself via Telegram or WhatsApp (convenient for fast transfer).
⚠️ Note: If you use the record for legal purposes, save the original files without editing. in court may require metadata (date, time, device) that is lost during conversion or cropping.
💡
To prevent the recordings from taking up space on the phone, set up automatic deletion of old files in the Dictaphone application (Settings → Storage Management).
Solving problems with recording conversations
If the record is not running or files are not saved, check the following points:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Record button is inactive | Firmware restrictions | Install Cube ACR or change region in your phone settings |
| The record is cut off. | Optimizing the battery | Add the recorder to exceptions in Settings → Battery → Optimization |
| No sound on the record. | Locking the microphone | Check the permissions and restart the phone |
| Files are not saved. | Memory deficit | Clear the cache or transfer the records to SD-map |
If none of the methods helped, try resetting the settings of the Dictaphone application:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find a recorder and select a Warehouse.
- Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
- Reboot the phone.
💡
On Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 12 and later, recording may not work due to hardware limitations of the Dimensity processor, in which case only third-party root-rights software will help.
Legal aspects of recording conversations
Before using the record, read the rules of your country:
- 🇷🇺 Russia: It is allowed to record conversations without notice if you are a participant in the conversation (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation), however, in court it may be necessary to confirm that the recording was not edited.
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine: Consent of the interlocutor is required, otherwise the recording cannot be used as evidence.
- 🇪🇺 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 from all participants in a conversation.
If you plan to use the record in a disputed situation (for example, to resolve a conflict with a bank or customer service), notify the interlocutor in advance with the phrase: "The conversation is recorded to record information. Do you mind?". This will protect you from accusations of privacy violations.