Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to keep important phone conversations, whether due to work hours, legal issues or simply wanting to remember details of a private conversation.However, since the release of Android 11 and especially Android 12, Google has implemented strict restrictions on app access to the microphone during a call, making standard recording methods unworkable.
Complicating matters, global versions of MIUI and HyperOS often block recording or use voice alerts, but there are proven ways to auto-record that circumvent these limitations, and you don't have to manually turn on the recorder every time, the system will do it for you if you configure the device correctly.
In this article, we will look at all the current methods, from built-in shell tools to installing specialized modified applications. We will look at the nuances of working on different versions of Android and give recommendations for choosing software that really works in today’s environment.
Built-in recording function in the MIUI and HyperOS shell
The first thing to start with is to test your smartphone’s capabilities, and Xiaomi in some regions adds a recording feature directly to the standard phone (dialer), but it depends on the firmware region (Chinese, Indonesian or global) and the Android version.
To check, go to the Phone app, click on three dots or a gear settings, and find Call Record. If you have one, you're lucky. You can activate automatic recording for all numbers or only for selected contacts, and you can also set up audio format and file retention.
- 📱 Go to "Settings» → «Annexes» → «Challenges».
- 🔍 Find the "Call Recording" item).
- ✅ Activate the switch "Automatic recording».
- 📂 Select a folder to save files in internal memory.
It's important to understand that on global firmware (Global ROM) with Android 12 and above, this item is often missing, and this is due to Google's privacy policy. If you haven't found these settings, don't despair - there are alternative solutions, which we'll look at below.
⚠️ Note: On some global versions MIUI The recording can work, but it's accompanied by a loud voice message, "Call is being recorded," audible to both of the interlocutors (CN ROM) practically impossible.
If there's a function, it's the most stable. The system manages the resources itself, keeping the recording process from interrupted by memory shortages or battery optimization, and the sound quality is usually high, because it uses direct audio stream rather than microphone recording.
Recording problems with Android 11, 12, 13 and 14
Why was it so simple before, and now it's complicated? Starting with Android 11, Google shut down the API that allowed third-party programs to capture audio streams during a conversation, and it was done for the safety of users so that malware couldn't secretly listen to people.
With the release of Android 13 and 14, the restrictions have become even more stringent. The operating system now blocks access to the microphone for any background applications at the time of an active call. Which is why old proven programs that you could use on Android 9 or 10, on new Xiaomi smartphones record silence or your voice, but not the interlocutor.
App developers have to look for workarounds, some using Accessibility Services, others changing the source of sound, but Google is constantly patching these security holes, so the methods may stop working after another system update.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install dubious applications from unverified sources that promise "secret recording." Often under the guise of voice recorders hides malware, stealing your contacts and your personal data. SMS-code.
Users need to be aware that the struggle is at the operating system level, and no application offers 100% guarantee on all models, so it's important to test multiple options and choose one that is stable on your version of firmware.
Use of third-party recorder applications
Because embedded tools are often unavailable, third-party developers are coming to the rescue, a niche that has long been dominated by Cube ACR, but has faced limitations, and yet is one of the few tools that continues to update and adapt to newer versions of Android.
Another popular option is Appliqato’s Automatic Call Recorder or TapeACall, which often rely on hands-free or special drivers, and you need to carefully configure permissions when installing such programs on Xiaomi.
To make the recorder work properly on Xiaomi, it is critical to turn off the energy savings for this application. The MIUI/HyperOS system aggressively kills background processes. You need to go to the battery settings, find the installed recorder and select No Limits mode.
- 📥 Download the app from Google Play or APKPure.
- 🔐 Provide all the requested permissions (microphone, telephone, contacts).
- 🔋 In the battery settings, select "No restrictions".
- 🎙️ Include the item "Use speaker" (if required).
Special attention should be paid to the Call Recorder app - Cube ACR. In its settings, there is a section called "Other phone settings", where you can try to change the audio source. Experiment with the options "Voice Call", "Mic" or "Voice Communication" to find one that works for your model.
⚠️ Note: On Android 14, some apps may require Accessibility to work.Be prepared that the system will alert you to the potential risks of activating these rights.
If standard methods in apps don't give you the voice of the other person, try to turn on speaker immediately after you answer the call. This is not always convenient, but often the only way to get the microphone to transmit the voice of the other party, bypassing system locks.
Instructions for installing a modified Google Phone
The most reliable way to get a quality recording without third-party apps and voice notifications is to install a modified version of the standard Google Phone application. APK-file by unlocking hidden functions, including recording from both channels.
To start, you need to uninstall updates to the standard Phone app or simply install a modified version on top of it. It is important to download a file that matches your CPU architecture (usually arm64-v8a) and Android versions. Popular builds can often be found on 4PDA forums or on developers' Telegram channels.
☑️ Preparation for mod installation
Once you install and launch the app, go to the settings (three dots on the top right) and it should show "Call Record." Unlike the global versions, in modified builds, this functionality is active by default, and you can set up a record of all incoming and outgoing and exceptions.
The key advantage of this method is integration: it is recorded at the system level, files are saved to a standard folder, and the interface is completely consistent with the design of MIUI. The sound quality is maximum, since it uses an internal audio stream.
| Parameter | Standard annex | Modified Google Phone | Third-party recorder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound quality | High (if available) | High (direct flow) | Medium (often through a microphone) |
| Voice notification | Often | Absent. | Depends on the app. |
| Stability | 100% | 95-98% | 70-80% |
| Complexity of installation | Low. | Medium | Low. |
It is worth noting that with each major system update, Xiaomi can reset the Phone app to the factory version. In this case, the installation procedure of the mod will have to be repeated. APK-files that are considered suspicious, although they are generally safe.
Configure access rights and battery exclusions
Regardless of the method chosen, the right power saving setting is critical on Xiaomi smartphones. HyperOS and MIUI are famous for their aggressive optimization, which can “kill” the recording process at any moment, especially if the screen is out.
You need to find the installed recording app (or modified phone) in the application list. Go to Battery and select No Limits mode. This will prevent the system from limiting the background activity of the program. Without this step, the recording may be interrupted in the middle of the conversation.
Why is the recording interrupted?
Also check permissions. The app needs access to Microphone, Phone (to determine the start of a call) and Contacts (to name files). Android 13+ also requires permission to access media to save files.
Another important thing is to auto-start. In the Security app → Permissions → Auto-Start app, make sure the switch opposite your recorder is on, so that the app can run with the system and be ready to go at any moment.
⚠️ Warning: After updating the firmware, the energy saving settings may reset. Always recheck "No restrictions" after each system update.
Legal aspects and ethics of recording conversations
In the Russian Federation, according to Art. 138.1 of the Criminal Code, illegal trafficking of special technical means intended for secret information may entail liability. However, recording your own conversation for personal purposes is usually not prohibited if you are a participant in the conversation.
This is different if you plan to use the recording as evidence in court or publish it, which may require additional conditions, such as warning the interlocutor, and in some jurisdictions, recording without notifying the other party is strictly prohibited.
Use the recordings wisely, recording a conversation without warning can be considered a violation of privacy if the conversation was personal, and always assess the risks before using the recorded material.
💡
Keep backups of important records on a cloud drive or computer.The smartphone's internal memory may fail, or the file may be accidentally deleted when the cache is cleared.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does the app record only my voice and not hear the person I speak to?
Will the recording be notified to the interviewee?
Where are the Xiaomi recording files stored?
Does the recording work through messengers (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram)?
💡
The most stable method today is the installation of modified APK-Google Phone that activates the hidden system recording function without Android restrictions.