Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a feature that can be useful in a variety of situations, from saving important business negotiations to recording evidence for litigation. However, many users face difficulties in trying to find and play back stored audio files. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to listen to call records on MIUI devices, including built-in tools and third-party solutions.
Itโs important to understand that conversation recording and storage capabilities depend on the firmware version, phone model and regional settings. For example, on some Xiaomi devices for the European market, the call recording function may be disabled by default due to legal restrictions. Weโll look at the workarounds and alternative methods that work on most of the brandโs modern smartphones, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13.
Before you start searching for records, make sure you do not violate the laws of your country. In most jurisdictions, recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is illegal, unless you are a participant in the dialogue. This article is purely informative and does not call for violation of the rights of third parties.
Built-in call recording function in MIUI: where to look for files
On most Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 firmware and later, conversations are recorded via the standard Phone app. To find the stored audio files, follow the following steps:
- ๐ฑ Open the Phone application and go to the Journal section.
- ๐ Find a call with a microphone icon in the list (๐ค) โ This means that the conversation was recorded.
- ๐ Click on the record, then select Details โ Listen to the tape.
- ๐พ Alternative path: files are stored in a folder MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec inner-memory.
If your log doesn't have an entry icon, maybe the function is disabled to activate it:
- Launch the phone. โ โฎ (Menus) โ Settings โ Recording calls.
- Turn on the Automatic Record switch or select Record manually.
- Tell them which calls to record: all, only outgoing or only incoming.
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If the record is not saved, check the permissions for the Phone application in Settings โ Applications โ Permissions โ Microphone.
Some models (such as the Xiaomi 12T for the global market) may not have built-in recording, which can be done by installing an alternative call app, such as Google Phone, which supports recording on most Android 9+ devices.
Where conversation records are stored: file paths and formats
Call records files on Xiaomi are usually saved in one of the following places:
| Type of memory | The path to files | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal memory. | /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ | .amr or.mp3 | Standard location for MIUI |
| SD-map | /storage/XXXX-XXXX/MIUI/sound_recorder/ | .amr | If the settings are selected saving on the map |
| The Mi Cloud Cloud | Synchronize automatically | .mp3 | Requires enabled synchronization in the Xiaomi account |
| Google Drive | Call Recordings folder | .mp3 | When using third-party applications |
Files have a name in format call_rec_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.amr, where:
- YYYYMMDD - date of recording (year, month, day)
- HHMMSS is the time (hours, minutes, seconds).
To listen to.amr files, you may need a special player, such as VLC or AMR Player, as the standard Xiaomi player does not always support this format. On devices with MIUI 14+, records are automatically converted to MP3 when exported through the Phone application.
Make sure the recording function is enabled in the settings|Check the folder. MIUI/sound_recorder|Try to play back the file through VLC|Check out cloud backups-->
Third-party applications for recording and listening to calls
If Xiaomi's built-in tools don't suit you, you can use third-party apps. Here are the most reliable options:
- ๐ฒ Cube Call Recorder ACR โ It supports both directions (your voice) + The other person works on most Xiaomi models even without root rights.
- ๐ Call Recorder by Lovekesh โ simple interface, automatic recording of all calls, export to the cloud.
- โ๏ธ Automatic Call Recorder โ allows you to selectively save important conversations and add tags for easy search.
- ๐ก๏ธ Boldbeast Call Recorder is one of the few apps running on Xiaomi with Android 13+.
When installing third-party recording applications, consider the following nuances:
โ ๏ธ Note: Starting with Android 10, Google has restricted app access to the microphone while calling.On some Xiaomi models (e.g., Redmi Note 11 with a slicker-like version of the phone). MIUI 13) for a full record, you may need to enable the option For all applications in the special features settings.
Instructions for Cube Call Recorder ACR:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Launch and provide all the permissions requested (microphone, call access, storage).
- In the settings, select Record all calls or set up filters by number.
- To listen, go to the Records tab and select the desired file.
Built-in to MIUI|Cube Call Recorder|Automatic Call Recorder|Boldbeast|Other/Not used-->
How to Recover Deleted Records of Conversations
If you accidentally delete an important record, you can try to restore it, and success depends on how long it has been since it was deleted and whether memory cleanup functions have been used since then.
Recovery methods:
- ๐๏ธ Basket MIUI: Go to the Files. โ Recycle bin and check if there is no deleted record (stored for up to 30 days).
- ๐ Recovery apps: Programs like DiskDigger or Recuva (for PCs) can find files.amr/.mp3 When connecting the phone in file transfer mode.
- โ๏ธ Cloud Backups: If you have synced with Mi Cloud or Google Drive, check your archives.
To improve the chances of recovery:
โ ๏ธ Warning: Do not write new files to your device after deleting the record, this may overwrite deleted data, disable automatic call recording, and avoid installing new applications before attempting to restore.
If a record has been removed from the cloud, contact Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi) or Google Support (for Google Drive) within 30 days โ some services allow you to recover files from backups.
Legal aspects of recording conversations on Xiaomi
Before you record and listen to other people's conversations, read the laws of your country. Most countries have the following rules:
- ๐ Unilateral consent: In Russia, the United States (most states) and Canada, you can record a conversation if at least one of the participants (you) knows about the recording.
- ๐ซ Bilateral consent: In the EU, Australia and some US states (e.g. California) notification is required for all participants in the conversation.
- โ๏ธ Use in court: Records may only be accepted as evidence if they are obtained legally (subject to local laws).
On Xiaomi devices for the European market (with MIUI EU firmware), call recording is often disabled by default due to legal restrictions.
- Install a global or Chinese firmware (risk of loss of warranty).
- Use third-party applications with notification of the interlocutor.
- Enable recording via Settings โ Additional โ Special features (not on all models).
What happens if you use a recording in court without consent?
If you plan to use the recordings for legal purposes, consult a lawyer about the admissibility of such evidence in your jurisdiction. On some Xiaomi devices (such as Black Shark for the Chinese market), a voice notification of the recording automatically plays at the beginning of the recording, which helps to comply with the requirements of the law.
Problems with recording calls to Xiaomi and their solutions
Xiaomi users often face typical problems when trying to record or listen to conversations, and consider the most common cases and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Recording does not start automatically | No permission to access the microphone | Check the settings โ Applications โ Phone โ Permissions |
| Record files are not reproduced | Damaged.amr format | Convert to MP3 via Online-Convert or Audacity |
| Only your voice is recorded. | Limitations of Android 10+ | Use applications that circumvent restrictions (e.g. Boldbeast) |
| Records disappear after MIUI update | Resetting the settings of the "Phone" application | Restore backup from Mi Cloud or manually copy files |
If the built-in recording stopped working after the firmware update, try the following steps:
- Clear the phone app cache in Settings โ Apps โ Application Management.
- Reset the settings of the Phone application (calling data will be saved).
- Update the phone application via Google Play.
On Android 13 devices (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), you may need to adjust to Settings โ Privacy โ Special Options Permissions where you need to manually enable access for the recorder app.
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Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi began removing the call recording feature from firmware for the European market, in which case the only way out is third-party apps that support Android 13+.
Alternative ways to record conversations without apps
If standard methods do not work, you can use workarounds:
- ๐ง External recorder: Connect a second phone or recorder to a conversation through a speakerphone and record it.
- ๐ป PC Recording: Use programs like Audacity with headset connection.
- ๐ฑ Google Assistant: Activate voice assistant while calling with the โOK, Google, Writeโ command (not working on all models).
- ๐ Conference Call: Add your second number to the conversation with your record enabled (e.g. via Zoom or Skype).
For recording via Audacity:
- Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB-C (in audio mode).
- In Audacity, choose Stereo Mix or your smartphone as your sound source.
- Start recording before the call and stop after it is completed.
- Export the file in MP3 or WAV format.
These methods are less convenient than embedded recording, but work even on devices with maximum limitations (e.g., POCO F5 with Android 14).