Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature for recording important conversations, interviews or evidence in controversial situations. However, many users face difficulties: somewhere the option is hidden in the settings, somewhere it requires activation through the engineering menu, and some models do not have it out of the box. In this article, we will discuss all working methods for recording calls on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices running MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14, including bypassing restrictions for new versions of the firmware.
It is important to take into account the legal nuances: in most countries, recording a conversation is allowed only with the notification of the interlocutor (except if you are a participant in the conversation and record it for personal needs).
Built-in call recording in MIUI: where to look and how to turn on
On most Xiaomi smartphones, the conversation recording feature is integrated into the standard Phone app, but its visibility depends on the MIUI version, firmware region and device model. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with global firmware, the option may be hidden, whereas on the Chinese version it is available by default.
To check for the presence of the function:
- 📱 Open the Phone app and go to the Recent tab.
- 🔍 Press on. ⋮ (three points) in upper right corner → Select Settings.
- 🎤 Scroll down to the Record of Conversations section (if no item, read the next section).
- 🔄 Turn on the Automatic Recording Switch or select Record Manually.
If the option is active, a button will appear on the screen during the call. 🎤 Recording (usually next to hands-free and hold-up keys) on devices with MIUI 15 for the European region, the entry may be blocked due to requirements GDPR — in this case, it will help to change the firmware region or use workarounds.
Activation of hidden recording function through engineering menu
On some models (such as the Xiaomi 13T or POCO F5), call recording is disabled at the software level, but it can be unlocked through the engineering menu, which requires caution - wrong actions can disrupt the phone.
Instructions:
- Open the Phone app and enter the code ##36446337## (alternative code for new models: ##4636## → go to Usage statistics → Engineering mode).
- From the engineering menu, select MTK Settings → Telephony → Call Recording.
- Activate Enable Call Recording and save your settings.
- Reset the device.
After the reboot, the Phone app should have a write button. If the menu doesn't open, it's possible that your model is running a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and requires a different approach (see next section).
Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Make a backup copy of the data|Remember the current network settings|Have an unlock code on hand SIM-map (PUK)
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Recording calls to Xiaomi with Snapdragon processor
Devices on Qualcomm Snapdragon (such as Xiaomi 12 Pro or POCO X5 Pro) are often devoid of built-in recording due to the limitations of the chipset.
- Cube Call Recorder ACR (the most reliable option for Snapdragon) download it from Google Play, give access to the microphone and contacts, then enable the record in the app settings.
Cube Call Recorder ACR supports recording in.mp3 or.wav format, automatically saves files to the cloud and is able to transcribe conversations into text. Minus - the free version limits the recording duration to 3 minutes.
Why is there no built-in recording on Snapdragon?
Recording settings: format, storage and notifications
If you were able to activate the recording, configure its parameters for convenience:
| Parameter | Recommendations | Where to change |
|---|---|---|
| File format | .mp3 (compact) or.wav (high quality) | Phone settings → Recording conversations → Format |
| Storage area | Internal memory or SD-card (if supported) | Settings → Memory → Place of saving records |
| Notification of the interlocutor | Enable automatic voice alert (requirement of law in some countries) | Recording settings → Notification of the record |
| Auto-removal | Set a storage limit (for example, 30 days) | Settings → Autocleaning |
By default, records are saved in the folder MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec (For built-in functionality or in the application directory (for third-party solutions), to avoid losing important files, regularly transfer them to your computer or to the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
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If the recording is interrupted after 1-2 minutes, check the battery saving settings: add the Phone app or Cube ACR to the exception list (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization).
Legal aspects: when recording a conversation is legal
In most countries, recording telephone conversations is governed by privacy laws, and here are the key rules for popular regions:
- 🇷🇺 Russia: It is allowed to record a conversation if you are a party to it (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation), the use of the recording in court is allowed if there is strong evidence.
- 🇪🇺 European Union (GDPR): The explicit consent of the interlocutor is required (oral notification is not enough – you need confirmation in text form).
- 🇺🇸 United States: Laws vary by state, and in most cases, notice to one party (unilateral consent) is sufficient).
- 🇨🇳 China: Recording is only allowed for personal use, distribution without consent is prohibited.
⚠️ Note: If you plan to use the record in court or to resolve a conflict, please specify the evidentiary requirements in advance. In some cases, notarization of the file or expert opinion on its authenticity may be required.
To avoid problems, always notify the person you are recording (e.g., "The conversation is being recorded to record the arrangements. Do you mind?") This will not only protect you legally, but also increase trust.
Frequent problems and their solutions
If the recording is not working or errors occur, check the following points:
- 🔇 No audio in the recording: Make sure the microphone is not blocked by other apps (check in Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Microphones: In some models, turning off noise suppression helps.
- 📵 Recording ends: Turn off power saving mode for Phone or Cube app ACR.
- 🚫 Grey option: This means that the recording is blocked by the operator (for example, MTS or Beeline may restrict the function at the level of the user’s computer). SIM-Try using another card. SIM third-party.
- 🔄 Record is saved but not played: Check the codecs in the player or convert the file through VLC Media Player.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 15 and Android 14 some recording apps (like Boldbeast) may require root rights to work properly. Remember that getting root access voids the warranty and increases the risk of hacking your device.
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If neither method worked, try switching to firmware for another region (e.g. global to Chinese) temporarily, using the Mi Flash Tool and the official Xiaomi ROM.