How to Enable Recording of Conversations on Xiaomi Phone: All Ways + Security Tips

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature that helps you capture important details of negotiations, save evidence for litigation or just remember verbal agreements. However, many users face difficulties: somewhere the option is hidden in the depths of MIUI, somewhere it is not at all, and in some countries the feature is blocked at the firmware level. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to enable recording calls, from standard tools to workarounds for models where the option is disabled by default.

While it seems simple, the process can vary depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS), the firmware region and even the carrier. For example, on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with global firmware, recording conversations is available out of the box, and on the POCO F5 for India it will have to be activated through hidden settings, we tested all methods on current models from 2023 to 2026 and collected checklists for each case.

We warn you in advance: in some countries (for example, in Russia), recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor may violate the law on personal data (152-FZ).

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1. Standard method: recording via the application "Phone"

On most Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12-14 or HyperOS firmware, recording conversations is built into the standard Phone app, but its location can vary. Here is a general instruction:

Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen) in the upper right corner, tap the three-point menu (⋮) and select Settings. Go to Record Conversations. If there is no such item, the function is disabled at the firmware level (see Section 3).

In the entry menu you will see several options:

• 🔄 Automatic Recording – All incoming/outgoing calls will be saved without confirmation.
• 🎤 Manual recording – the button will appear during the conversation (click on the ••• → Write it down).
• 📁 Rescue folder – by default, files are in the Internal Drive → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec.
• 🔒 Notification of the interlocutor – the option is enabled by default in the EU and the USA (you can not turn off).

Important: On some models (such as the Xiaomi 13T Pro), the recording button only appears after the conversation begins, and if you don’t see it right away, wait 5-10 seconds or switch to speaker and back.

Open the Phone app | Check for "Recording Conversations" in the settings | Select mode (auto/manual) | Check free space on your phone (1 hour of recording = ~10 MB) | Make a test call to check--->

2 Where the records are stored and how to listen to them

By default, all records are saved in format.m4a (AAC-codecs) and take about 10MB per hour. Find them through the standard Records app (Mic icon) or through any file manager along the way:

Internal storage /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

To listen to the tape:

1. Open the phone application → tab Journal.
2. Put it on the right call. → There'll be a badge down there. 🎧 Recording.
3. To remove, hold your finger on the recording and select Delete.

If the recording is not reproduced, check:

• 🔊 Availability of sound in the speaker (possibly the file is corrupted).
• 📱 Player compatibility (try it out) VLC or MX Player).
• 📎 File format (if the extension is.amr, use a converter).

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To quickly find the record, type in the file manager search query call_rec — The system will show all saved conversations.

3.What to do if the recording function is not in the settings

If the Phone menu does not include the Recording of conversations, the reason may be one of the following reasons:

1. Regional restrictions: In firmware for the EU, US and India, the feature is disabled due to privacy laws.
2. Obsolete version of MIUI: The versions below MIUI 11 have a different recording (see spoiler below).
3. Modified firmware: Custom builds (like LineageOS) often remove this feature.

Decisions:

• 🌍 Change the firmware region to China or Russia (requires unlocking the bootloader).
• 📱 Install an alternative call app (e.g. Google Phone or Truecaller).
• 🔧 Activate hidden settings through the engineering menu (instruction below).

Warning: Changing the firmware region or using an engineering menu can cause the phone to reset to factory settings. Create a backup of the data in advance!

4. Alternative methods: third-party applications

If the standard methods don't work, use third-party utilities. We tested 5 popular applications and compiled a comparison table:

For installation:

1. Download. APK-file from an official website (e.g. Cube) ACR).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access.
3. Launch the application and grant permissions to access the microphone and calls.

⚠️ Note: Call recording applications may conflict with the standard Phone app. If incoming calls stop working after installation, disable auto-start of the third-party utility in the battery settings.

5 Problems and Errors: What to Do When Recording Fails

Common problems and their solutions:

• 🔇 No sound in the recording: check if the microphone is switched off during the conversation (POCO X5 Pro) recording is only on speaker.
• 📵 Application does not see calls: provide all permissions in Settings → Annexes → Permit management.
• 🔄 Recording ends: Turn off battery optimization for the write application in Settings → Battery → Optimization.
• 📱 Phone reboots: this may be caused by a conflict with custom firmware. Try resetting the network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset).

If the problem persists, check:

Logs of the system

Through the Mi Logger app (available in the Mi App Store), find errors with the CallRecorder tag.

Incompatibility with Android (on Android 13+ additional permissions are required).

- Conflict with applications to block calls (for example, Should I Answer?).

Legal aspects: can conversations be recorded without consent

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

• 🇷🇺 Russia: Article 23 of the Constitution and Article 152-FZ allows recording without consent if you are a participant in the conversation (but not for distribution).
• 🇺🇸 In most states, at least one-party consent is required).
• 🇪🇺 EU: by GDPR Recording without consent is prohibited (final up to 20 million) €).

To avoid problems:

Always notify the interlocutor about the recording (in MIUI this can be enabled in the settings).

Do not distribute the recordings without the consent of the other participant.

Store files in a secure location (for example, in an encrypted folder Mi Safe).

⚠️ Note: In court, recordings without notice may be considered inadmissible evidence, even if you are a participant in the conversation.Consult with a lawyer before using in controversial situations.

7. How to protect records from outsiders

Records of conversations contain confidential information, so they must be protected:

1. Encryption: Use apps like Signal or Cryptomator to encrypt folders call_rec.
2. Backup: automatically send entries to Google Drive or Mi Cloud (enable Settings → Xiaomi Accounts → Sync).
3. Access Restriction: in Settings → Applications → Permissions → Storage disable folder access for all applications except Phone.

For additional security:

• 🔐 Set a password to the folder with records through Mi File Manager (Long press). → Password-protected).
• 🧹 Clean old records regularly (keep no longer than 30 days if they are not needed for business purposes).
• 📵 Turn off notifications about new entries on the lock screen (Settings) → Notifications → Phone).

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The best way to protect your records is to store them in an encrypted cloud (like Proton Drive) with two-factor authentication.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Xiaomi