Recording conversations on Xiaomi Redmi: how to configure and not break the law

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones can be useful in a variety of situations, from fixing important business agreements to saving memorable conversations with loved ones. However, not everyone knows that modern Redmi models (starting with MIUI 12) lost their built-in call recording feature due to stricter privacy policies. In this article, we will analyze all the available ways – from hidden settings to third-party applications – and explain how to do it legally and safely.

It is important to understand that recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor may violate the laws of your country. For example, in Russia, according to Art. 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and Federal Law On Communications, recording negotiations is allowed only with the notification of the second party (except when the recording is conducted in self-defense or by a court decision).

Technically, the recording process on Xiaomi Redmi depends on the firmware version and device model. Old devices (before MIUI 11) had built-in functionality, and new ones require additional software installation. Below we will look at both options, as well as alternative methods for Android 10+ devices, where Google limited access to the API calls for third-party applications.

1. Verification of the presence of an embedded recording function

Before installing third-party apps, make sure your Xiaomi Redmi doesn’t support out-of-the-box recording, which is saved on some models for specific regions (e.g. India or China).

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Call the phone and make a call (or take an incoming call).
3. During the conversation, pay attention to the screen: if there is a “Write” button in the interface (usually with a microphone icon), the function is active.

If there is no button, try calling the hidden menu:

• 📱 Enter the dialer code: ##6484## (to check the recording module).
• 🔍 On some firmware, the ##4636## code opens the testing menu, where the status of the recording module can be displayed in the Phone Information section.

⚠️ Warning: Test codes can reset network settings or cause unstable phone performance. Do not use them on custom firmware devices (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

If there is no built-in feature, go to the next section. For convenience, we have compiled a compatibility table of popular Redmi models:

2. Set up recording via the “Phone” application (for supported models)

If your device supports the built-in recording, you can activate it in the settings of the Phone app. Here is a step-by-step instruction:

1. Open the phone app.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the section "Recording conversations" (or "Call recording" in English firmware).
4. Turn on the “Write Automatically” switch or select the mode: 🔄 All calls - recording incoming and outgoing. 📞 Only incoming. 📱 Selectively – entry only for contacts from the “Favorites».

SD-map

After activation, all conversations will be saved in the folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/calls or Recordings/Call. The files are.amr or.mp3 and include the name of the subscriber number and date.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI EU) The recording may not work due to Google restrictions, in which case it will help to change the region of the device to India in the settings. → Region.

Check the available space on the device (1 hour of recording ≈ 50 MB)

Activate permission to access the microphone for the Phone application

Make sure that the interviewee is notified of the recording (by law)

Turn off energy saving modes for stable operation-->

3. Use of third-party applications (for MIUI 12 and later)

If you don't have a built-in feature, you'll have to install a third-party app. The best options for Xiaomi Redmi are:

• 🎤 Cube Call Recorder ACR — supportive MIUI 12/13, record.mp3 Or.wav, there's cloud storage. ADB.
• 📱 Call Recorder – Automatic Call Recorder – simple interface, automatic decryption of conversations (paid) Works without root, but may not record calls via VoIP (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 🔊 Truecaller – In addition to spam detection, it has a built-in record (not available in all regions).

Let’s look at the Cube Call Recorder ACR:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. At the first launch, grant permissions to: 🎙️ Access to the microphone. 📞 Reading call logs. 📁 Storage (to save files).

• 🔘 Sound source → Microphone + VoIP (for recording both interviewees).
• 📁 Conservation folder → indicate the path (for example, Download/CallRecords).
• 🔄 Recording mode → Automatically or on request.
• For stable operation on Android 10+ execute the command through ADB: adb shell pm grant com.catalinjurjiu.callrecorder android.permission.READ_CALL_LOG adb shell pm grant com.catalinjurjiu.callrecorder android.permission.WRITE_CALL_LOG adb shell pm grant com.catalinjurjiu.callrecorder android.permission.PROCESS_OUTGOING_CALLS

On Android 11 and later, apps without root rights can only record your voice (due to Google restrictions), both of which require root or a Bluetooth headset that supports recording.

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If the app doesn’t record calls, try disabling battery optimization for it in the App settings → Special Access → Battery Optimization.

4. Recording via Google Drive (alternative method)

If you don’t want to install third-party apps, you can use the built-in screen recording feature with saving sound in Google Drive, which is suitable for recording important conversations, but has limitations:

• ✅ No root.
• ❌ Records the entire screen (see the phone interface).
• ❌ Low quality of sound in the hands-free communication.

Instructions:

1. Activate screen recording: Swipe down the notification bar. Find the Screen Record icon (or add it to Settings → Notification Panel). Swipe down and select Record Sound.

Make a call and start recording.

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Google Drive

To extract only audio tracks, use applications like MP3 Video Converter or online services like Online-Convert.

5 Legal aspects: how not to break the law

In most countries, recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is considered a violation of the right to privacy.

• 📜 You notified the interviewee of the recording before the conversation (orally or through an autoinformer).
• 🚨 Recording is done in self-defense (e.g. threats or blackmail).
• ⚖️ There is a court decision or a law enforcement request.

In Russia according to the Resolution of the Plenum of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation №3 of 2019, the record may be used in court as evidence if it:

1. Does not violate the secrecy of correspondence (Article 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
2. It is a conversation between one of the participants (not a third party).
3. It does not contain information constituting a state secret.

In the EU (including countries like Germany or France), the requirements are stricter: recording without the consent of the interlocutor can lead to a fine of up to € 20,000 under the GDPR. In the US, laws vary by state: in California, the consent of all participants in a conversation is required, and in Texas, only one.

⚠️ Warning: If you're recording for work (such as interviews or client conversations), make sure to include the phrase at the beginning of the conversation: "The conversation is recorded for documentation. By continuing, you agree to the recording.

6 How to save and organize records

By default, the record files take up a lot of space and quickly clutter up the device's memory.

• ☁️ Automatic Cloud Upload: Set up sync with Google Drive, Yandex Drive or Mi Cloud.

For easy search, use tags in file names, such as:

2026-05-15_ Ivanov Ivan Supplies Agreement.mp3


2026-05-10_ Mom Congratulation with DR.amr

For decryption of records suitable services:

• 🎧 Otter.ai – Automatic decryption (free up to 600 minutes/month).
• 📝 Google Docs – upload the file and use the Voice Enter feature».

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Regularly clean records containing personal data (card numbers, passport details, etc.) to avoid leakage of information when stealing or selling a phone.

7. Solving recording problems

If the recording is not working, check the following points:

If the problem persists, try:

1. Clear the cache and data of the Phone application (Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage).

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Xiaomi Redmi