How to turn on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 recording of phone conversations: all ways

Recording phone conversations on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 can be useful in a variety of situations, from fixing important business negotiations to preserving evidence in controversial moments. However, not all users know that the smartphone out of the box supports this feature – it is simply hidden in non-obvious settings or requires additional manipulation. In this article, we will analyze all working methods for activating recordings, including standard MIUI tools and third-party solutions, and discuss legal nuances that are worth remembering.

The main problem that Redmi Note 9 owners face is the lack of an explicit write button in the call interface, which is due to Google policy and the limitations of Android 10/11 on which the device runs. However, workarounds exist, and we will discuss them in detail. Importantly, the functionality may vary depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12/13/14) and regional software - in some countries, recording of conversations is blocked at the system level.

Before you go to the instructions, check your firmware version: open Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If you have MIUI 14 Global or newer, some methods may not work – in this case you will need to use third-party applications. Also note that recording conversations without notifying the interlocutor may violate local law (more on this in the last section).

Method 1: Built-in recording through the Dictator application

The simplest and most legal method is to use Xiaomi's standard Dictophone app, which is pre-installed on all Redmi Note 9 devices and allows you to record calls manually or automatically. Here's how it works:

1. Open the Dictophone app** (the microphone icon on your desktop or in the application menu).
2. Go to the Settings section (cog in the upper right corner).
3. Activate the option Record conversations and select mode: 🔹 Manual – recording begins at the press of a button during a call. 🔹 Automatically for all - all incoming/outgoing are recorded. 🔹 For selected contacts – setting up a “white list».

Microphone.

Phone.

When activated during the call, a recording notification will appear at the top of the screen (if you choose manual mode). Files are saved in the MiSoundRecorder folder in internal memory. Importantly, in some versions of MIUI 13+, automatic recordings may not work for outgoing calls - this is a system limitation.

Are access rights configured for the "Dictophone»|Is there enough free memory (records are taken up) ~1 MB/minute)|Do not disturb mode is on for important contacts|Is the app updated via Google Play?-->

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If the recording button does not appear during the call, try restarting the phone or clearing the Dictator app cache in the settings (Settings → Apps → Recorder → Memory → Clear the cache).

Method 2: Hidden recording function in call settings

MIUI 12 and below (and some regional versions) have a hidden recording option that is activated via the phone menu, which does not require additional software installation, but may not be available in new updates.

1. Open the phone app** (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the Record of Conversations section (if not, it is not suitable for your version of MIUI).
4. Turn on the slider Record automatically and select: 📞 All calls - no exceptions. 📥 Only incoming. 📤 Only outgoing. ⭐ Selected contacts – you will need to manually mark the numbers in the address book.

Confirm permissions to access the microphone and phone logs.

If the Conversation Record section is missing, your version of MIUI is not supporting it, so move on to the next way, and the recordings will be saved in the CallRecord folder on the internal drive, and note that in the Indian and Chinese versions of MIUI, this feature may be blocked at the firmware level.

Business negotiations |Personal reminders |Fixing evidence |Another |I never record-->

Method 3: Third-party applications for recording

If the built-in methods don’t work, third-party programs from Google Play will come to the rescue, and we recommend three proven applications that are compatible with the Redmi Note 9:

Before installing any of these applications:

• 🔧 Disable battery optimization for the selected application (Settings) → Annexes → [Name of name] → Battery → No restrictions).
• 📱 Provide all the permissions requested (microphone, phone, storage).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone after setting up – this will help avoid crashes.

If even after these actions, the recording doesn’t work, try to turn on the developer mode and activate the option Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then return to Additional → For Developers).

Where records are stored and how to export them

Depending on the chosen recording method, files are saved in different folders:

• 📁 Built-in dictaphone: /storage/emulated/0/MiSoundRecorder/ or /storage/emulated/0/CallRecord/.
• 📁 Third-party applications: usually /storage/emulated/0/[Title annexes]/ (e.g, CubeACR/).

To export the records:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode when connected).
2. Go to the entries folder (see the paths above) and copy the files you want (usually.mp3 or.amr format).
3. To send by mail or messenger, use the built-in “Conductor”** (Menu → Send).

If the records are not displayed in the folder, check:

• 🔍 Are files hidden (enable the display of hidden folders in the Explorer).
• 🗑️ Is the folder cleaned by a system cleaner (Settings) → Memory. → Cleanup).
• 📱 Does the application use cloud storage (check the program settings).

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Record files take up a lot of space – clean the folder regularly or set up automatic deletion of old files in the app.

Legal aspects of recording conversations

Before using the recording, please read the laws of your country, and most regions have the following rules:

⚠️ Note: In Russia, recording a conversation without notifying the interlocutor is allowed if you are a participant (resolution of the Plenum of the Supreme Court). №35 of 2019), however, the use of such a record in court can be challenged if the other party proves that her rights have been violated.

If you record conversations for business purposes (such as contract negotiation), you must:

• 📢 Notify the person at the beginning of the conversation (for example: “The conversation is recorded for the record»).
• 📝 Keep records no longer than necessary (on the principle of minimum sufficiency).
• 🔒 Restrict access to files (especially if they contain personal information).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after setting up correctly, recording conversations on the Redmi Note 9 can malfunction.

Problem 1: The recording is terminated or not started

• 🔋 Check battery power – at levels below 15%, the system can pause background processes.
• 📵 Make sure that no Traffic Savings mode is activated during the call (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks).
• 🔄 Reinstall the recording app (if you use a third-party one).

Problem 2: Low quality sound

• 🎙️ In the application settings, select the format WAV or MP3 (128 kbit/s instead AMR.
• 📱 Turn off the noise reduction function in the microphone settings (Settings) → Sound. → Call quality).
• 🔊 Check if the microphone is covered with a cover or finger.

Problem 3: The app doesn't see the record

• 🔍 Use the built-in Explorer** (Xiaomi) instead of third-party file managers.
• 📂 Check the folder. Android/data/[Application name packet apps/ - sometimes records are stored there.
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the system doesn’t update the media base right away.

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI The record stopped working, try to roll back to the previous firmware version via Fastboot or wait for a patch from Xiaomi. In some cases, resetting to factory settings helps (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and reset, but it will delete all data from the phone.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions