Xiaomi smartphones are no longer just call devices, they are full-fledged assistants in work, school and everyday life. One of the most popular features that users often search for, but do not always find is the ability to record phone conversations or voice notes through a built-in voice recorder. Unlike iPhone or Samsung, where call recording is often blocked at the operating system level, Xiaomi devices offer more flexible solutions.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Xiaomi captures conversations, from a standard voice recorder to hidden call recording using third-party apps, and learn how to save an important conversation with a customer, record a lecture, or simply take a voice note without resorting to complex manipulations. And we'll also reveal the hidden settings. MIUI, which are not written in the official instructions, but which can significantly simplify the process.
Important: Before recording conversations, read the laws of your country, in some regions, recording calls without the consent of the interlocutor may be illegal.
Built-in voice recorder on Xiaomi: where to find and how to use
Most of Xiaomi smartphones are based on MIUI 12 and later have a pre-installed Dictaphone app (or Recording sound in some localizations:
- 📱 In the menu of all applications (icon with microphone on blue / orange background).
- 🔍 Through a search system – swipe down the main screen and type “dictophone».
- 📁 In the Tools folder (if the manufacturer has grouped service applications).
If the app is missing, you can install it from Google Play called Mi Recorder (the official app from Xiaomi).
- 🎤 Large red button in the center – start/stop recording.
- ⏱️ The timer displays the duration of the recording.
- 📁 The "Records" tab - a list of all saved files.
- ⚙️ Cog icon - settings for sound quality, formats and folders of saving.
By default, records are saved in format.m4a (AAC) It has a bitrate of 96 kbps, which provides good quality with a low file weight. WAV (without compression) or MP3 Compatibility with other devices. Please note: files WAV They occupy 5-10 times more space!
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi’s built-in voice recorder cannot record phone conversations directly, and this will require additional settings or third-party apps (more on this in the following sections).
How to record a phone conversation on Xiaomi: official and informal ways
Recording phone calls is one of the most controversial features in today's smartphones, and manufacturers often limit this capability because of legal risks, but Xiaomi leaves loopholes for users.
1. Built-in call recording in MIUI (for certain regions)
Starting with MIUI 13, firmware for India, Russia and some CIS countries has a built-in call recording feature:
- Open the Phone app.
- Go to Settings. → Recording of conversations.
- If there is a point, turn on the switch and select the format of the save (cloud or local storage).
During the call, a recording notification will appear, and after the conversation is completed, the file will automatically be saved in the folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. Unfortunately, in European and global firmware, this feature is often absent.
2. Hidden recording via the engineering menu (for advanced users)
If your firmware doesn’t have a built-in record, you can activate it through an engineering menu, which works on most Xiaomi devices with Qualcomm processors (e.g., Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro):
##36446337## (Engineering Mode)
→ Audio → Normal Mode → Type → Mic
→ Select "Voice Call Mic" and turn on the recordAfter activation, all calls will be recorded automatically in the folder. /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/, But the quality can be worse than that of specialized applications, and it takes care that the wrong settings in the engineering menu can disrupt the microphone.
What to do if the engineering menu does not open?
3. Third-party applications for recording calls
If the built-in methods don't work, Google Play apps come to the rescue. The best options for Xiaomi are:
- 📲 Cube Call Recorder ACR — Supports VoIP (WhatsApp, Viber) recording, has cloud backup.
- 🔊 Call Recorder – Automatic – simple interface, automatic recording of all calls.
- 🛡️ Boldbeast Call Recorder – works even on newer versions of Android with limited.
Before installation, check:
Disable Battery Optimization for the Application in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Optimizing the battery
Give all necessary permissions (microphone, access to calls, storage)
Check compatibility with your Xiaomi model (some apps don’t work on Snapdragon) 8xx)
Backup of important data in case of failure-->
⚠️ Note: Call recording apps may conflict with Google Phone (a standard call in some Xiaomi firmware).If recording doesn't start, try changing the call to Mi Dialer or Truecaller.
Recording Quality Settings: How to Get Better Sound
The quality of the recorded conversation depends on several parameters: the choice of microphone, file format, external noise and even the position of the phone. You can optimize the sound through the settings of the recorder or the engineering menu.
Optimal settings for clean sound
| Parameter | Recommended value | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| File format | MP3 (192 kbps) | Balance between quality and file size |
| Sound source | Main microphone (bottom) | Less noise than the top microphone |
| Microphone reinforcement | +6 dB | Helps with the quiet voice of the interlocutor |
| Noise suppression | On. | Removes background sounds (street, wind) |
| Mono/Stereo | Mono | No stereo is needed for conversations, saves space |
To access the advanced microphone settings:
- Open the recorder and press on ⚙️ (gear).
- Select the Record Quality → Set up manually.
- Experiment with parameters while testing the recording in a quiet environment.
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If the recording is too quiet, try to close the top microphone (near the 3.5mm connector) with your finger while you talk, which will redirect the sound to the main microphone, which is usually more sensitive.
How to reduce noise on recordings
A common problem in recording conversations is the noise of the street, the echo in the room, or the crackling.
- 🎧 Use a wired headset with a microphone – the sound will be cleaner than through a built-in microphone.
- 📱 Press the phone with the screen to your ear, and the lower part (with a microphone) point towards the interlocutor.
- 🔇 Turn on the mode on the plane before recording, if you do not need mobile Internet – this will reduce interference from the network.
- 📀 Process the recording in an audio editor (e.g. Audacity) with a noise reduction filter.
Where are the records stored and how to transfer them to the computer
By default, all recordings from Xiaomi recorder are stored in the phone’s internal memory along the way:
/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/
or
/storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Files have names in format REC_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.m4a. To transfer them to the computer:
- Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode in the Notification Curtain).
- Open the folder Internal drive → MIUI → sound_recorder.
- Copy the necessary files to the computer.
Alternative modes of transmission:
- ☁️ Upload your recordings to Google Drive or Mi Cloud (Xiaomi’s built-in cloud).
- 📧 Send files to yourself by email (convenient for 1-2 entries).
- 🌐 Use Telegram: Send audio to Save Messages».
⚠️ Note: If the records are Suddenly disappeared, check the.trash folder at the root of the internal memory — MIUI Sometimes it moves deleted files there instead of completely erasing them, and you can restore them in 30 days.
Hidden recording of conversations: legal aspects and technical nuances
Recording conversations without the knowledge of the interlocutor is a legally complex matter, and most countries have the following rules:
- 🇷🇺 Russia: It is allowed to record a conversation if you are a participant (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation on the right to secrecy of correspondence does not apply to telephone conversations).
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine: Consent of both interlocutors is required (Article 31 of the Constitution).
- 🇪🇺 EU: In most countries (Germany, France) recording without consent is prohibited and punishable by a fine.
- 🇺🇸 Laws vary by state – some (e.g. California) require consent from all participants.
Technically hidden entry on Xiaomi is possible through:
- Special apps like Secret Call Recorder that don't show recording notifications.
- Activate recording via Tasker or Automate (automation for an incoming/outgoing call event).
- Using the second phone in voice recorder mode (the most reliable, but noticeable way).
💡
Even if the recording is permitted by law, its use in court or broadcasting to the public may be limited, and always consult a lawyer before using the recordings in controversial situations.
On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 14+ There is a function Private mode, which can hide records from prying eyes:
- Open the recorder and select the record.
- Press More. → Move it to a private storage facility.
- Set a password or fingerprint to access.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even on modern Xiaomi smartphones, users have difficulty recording conversations, and we will examine common mistakes and ways to fix them:
1. The recorder doesn't record sound.
Possible causes and solutions:
- 🔇 Microphone locked: Check if it's covered with a cover or a finger. wipe the microphone hole (bottom and top) from dust.
- 📵 No permissions: Go to Settings → Annexes → Dictaphone → Permits and enable access to the microphone.
- 🔊 Hardware malfunction: Test the microphone through the Microphone Test app from Play Market.
- 🛠️ Software failure: Reboot your phone or reset the voice recorder settings in the App Settings → Warehouse → Clear the data.
2. the recording is terminated or not retained
This problem is often related to battery optimization:
- Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization
- Find the Recorder in the list and select No Limits.
- Turn off the energy saving mode during recording.
If the files are not saved, check:
- 📁 Is there enough space on the internal drive (needs a minimum of 100 MB).
- 📱 Is Incognito mode enabled in the recorder (records in this mode are not saved).
- 🔄 Does the recorder conflict with other applications (for example, Truecaller or WhatsApp).
3. Poor sound quality on the record
If the voice of the interlocutor is barely heard or the recording is accompanied by interference:
Make sure the microphone is not covered with a cover or hand.
Try recording the conversation in a quiet room.
Turn off the Bluetooth headset (it can degrade quality)
Check the bitrate settings in the recorder (optimally - 128-192 kbit / s)
Update the firmware MIUI last-minute-->
For Xiaomi devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon, you can manually adjust the microphone sensitivity via the engineering menu (code ##36446337##), but this requires caution.