Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face an unpleasant situation: after updating the system or installing a new application to record conversations, the built-in voice recorder ceases to retain the voice of the interlocutor. This is due to the aggressive security policy of the Android operating system, which in recent versions blocks third-party applications from accessing the microphone during a call. It is here that Cube ACR comes to the rescue - one of the few solutions that can circumvent these restrictions, but requires a competent initial configuration.
The problem is relevant for all devices based on the shell MIUI and HyperOS. Standard recording methods often lead to the fact that you hear only yourself, and the interlocutor remains inaudible. For Cube ACR to work correctly, you need to perform a number of specific actions that go beyond the usual installation from Google Play. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances that will allow you to record conversations with high quality without losing audio data.
Special attention should be paid to the sources of sound, since it is the choice of the right parameter that determines the final quality of the file. On Xiaomi devices with Android 11 and above, recording is possible only through hands-free mode or special workarounds (App Connector), since direct access to the system audio stream is blocked. Do not expect that the application will work immediately after installing out of the box, ignoring the settings will lead to empty files or recording silence.
Installation and basic permissions in MIUI
The first step is to install the app correctly. although Cube ACR available in the Google Play Store, for Xiaomi devices it is often recommended to download the full version from the official developer's website, since the version from the store may have a stripped-down functionality due to Google's policy. APK-file or complete download from the market, do not rush to open the application - first you need to give it all the necessary rights.
MIUI is known for its tight permission management. When the Cube first runs, ACR will request access to the microphone, phone, and storage. You must agree to all requests. If you miss this stage or accidentally deny access, the application will not function. Unlike other programs, access to "Above Other Applications" and background work is critical here.
To check the correctness of the settings, perform the following actions:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All apps and find them in the Cube list ACR.
- 🎙️ Make sure that the "Microphone" resolution is set to "Allow Always".
- 📂 Check access to Files and Multimedia by selecting the option Allow management of all files".
It is important to understand that Xiaomi can automatically close the background processes to save battery power. To avoid this, find the "Start" option in the permissions menu and activate it, which will allow the Cube ACR to run with the system and be ready to record an incoming call at any time.
⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI After updating the system, permission settings may be reset. Periodically check whether the automatic operation of the application in the background has turned off.
Setting up App Connector to bypass restrictions
A key element of successful recording on modern versions of Android is the App Connector feature, which is a special accessibility service that allows an application to intercept the audio stream where standard methods are blocked by the system. Without activation of this component on Xiaomi Redmi with Android 10+, the recording of the interlocutor will most likely not be conducted.
To activate, you need to go to the special features settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the shell version, but it usually lies at Settings → Additional settings → Special. In the list that opens, find the Cube ACR App Connector and switch the slider to the active position. The system will issue a warning that the application will see all the actions on the screen, which is standard service procedure and must be confirmed.
Once you turn on the connector, open the Cube ACR app itself and go to "Other" or "Record settings." Here you will be asked to select a sound source. If the App Connector works correctly, an option associated with that connector will appear in the source list. Select it to prioritize this method of audio capture.
Why does App Connector not work?
If the standard connector fails, developers suggest using alternative methods, such as the Cube ACR Helper, which is an auxiliary application that installs separately and requires USB debugging to work, but 90% of the time Redmi is able to properly configure the built-in App Connector.
Optimization of battery life and energy saving
One of the main reasons Cube ACR stops recording calls to Xiaomi is its aggressive power saving mode, which aims to shut down any processes that consume resources in the background, considering them inactive, and to keep the application running steadily, it must be excluded from the battery optimization.
Go to Settings → Battery and Performance (or simply “Battery”). Go to the Cube ACR app list. Here you need to change your energy saving strategy. Instead of the standard mode, select “No Limits.” This will prevent MIUI from killing the recording process even if the phone screen is turned off.
Follow the following steps to consolidate the result:
- 🔋 In the same menu, click AutoStart and make sure the switch is green.
- 🔒 Open the menu of recent apps (swipe from bottom up with retention), find the Cube window ACR, Hold it and press the lock to fix it in memory.
- 📡 If you have Ultra Battery enabled, turn it off as it blocks the background work of most services.
☑️ Checklist of battery optimization
Ignoring these settings will cause the app to fall asleep minutes after the screen is turned on, and as a result, if you get a call an hour after your last phone use, the recording may not start or be interrupted in the middle of a word.
Choosing a Sound Source and Codecs
Record quality is directly dependent on the audio source selected. Cube ACR settings in Record → Main Sound Source feature several options. Xiaomi owners are most relevant to Voice Communication and Voice Call. However, because of Google's blocking, these sources can bring back silence.
If standard sources don't work, try switching to Microphone, and in this mode, the app will record sound through a microphone, which means you need to turn on the speakerphone during a conversation to record the voice of the interlocutor. This is not the perfect solution, but it guarantees the result when other methods are blocked by the system.
Also worth paying attention to is the file format. The default is MP4 or M4A with AAC codec. This is the best choice for balancing quality and size. However, if you're facing playback issues or audio artifacts, try changing the codec to PCM (WAV). The files will take up more space, but they're less prone to coding errors across devices.
| Sound source | Description | Recommendation for Xiaomi |
|---|---|---|
| Voice Call | Direct capture of the telephone stream | Trying first is often blocked. |
| Voice Communication | For VoIP and messengers | Good for WhatsApp/Telegram calls |
| Microphone | Recording through a microphone | It requires a loudspeaker, but it always works. |
| App Connector | Special accessibility service | The best choice for Android 10+ |
Experiment with settings.What worked on the Redmi Note 9 may require different settings on the Redmi Note 13 due to differences in Android versions and security patches.
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Use MP4 with AAC codec to save space. WAV (PCM) format only for short but critical conversations where maximum quality is needed.
Recording calls from messengers (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram)
Modern communication has shifted to instant messengers, and Cube ACR can record calls from Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram and other applications, and to do this, you need to activate the appropriate switches in the "VoIP Applications" section in the application settings.
The way it works here is similar to regular calls, but there is a caveat: the application must “understand” that a call is being made over the Internet, which requires that Cube ACR have permission to use the microphone for that particular messenger (if the system requests) and that App Connector is active.
Often users complain that the recording is going on, but only one side is heard, and this is solved by the following actions:
- 📞 Make sure that in the Cube settings ACR Enabled entry for a specific messenger.
- 🎚️ In the VoIP source settings, select "Voice Communication" or "Microphone".
- 🔊 When you call through WhatsApp/Viber keep your phone on speakerphone if the source is "Microphone" so that the speaker does not block the voice of the interlocutor.
⚠️ Note: The latest versions of WhatsApp and Telegram have added additional protection. If you hear a warning "This chat is screenshot protection enabled" or similar, recording may be technically impossible without root rights due to encryption of the audio stream at the OS level.
Solving common problems and errors
Even with the right setup, there can be failures. The most common problem on Xiaomi is the lack of audio from the interlocutor. If you checked all the permissions and sources, but the problem persists, try clearing the Cube ACR app cache and restarting the smartphone. Sometimes the audio system services stick and require a restart.
Another common mistake is that files are written but are empty or last 0 seconds, which almost always indicates that the application was "killed" by the power saving system when the call started. Go back to the battery section and make sure that the "No Limits" mode is really active and hasn't been reset by the system update.
If nothing helps, you can try using it. ADB-Special rights teams (PC required):
adb shell pm grant com.catalinagroup.callrecorder android.permission.READ_PRIVILEGED_PHONE_STATEThis command gives the app extended rights to read the phone's state, which in some cases helps bypass locks, but for ordinary users, it's enough to set up the App Connector and battery correctly.
Remember that MIUI is constantly updated.What worked in version 12 may change in version 14.Watch updates to the Cube ACR app itself on Google Play, as developers regularly release patches for compatibility with newer versions of Android.
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The key to success at Xiaomi is a combination of three factors: the enabled App Connector, the “No Limits” Battery Mode, and the right sound source (often Voice Call or Microphone).