How to record a conversation on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: from standard tools to hidden chips

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is still one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but its owners often face the problem: how to record a phone conversation if MIUI does not have a built-in voice recorder for calls? In this article, we will analyze all working methods - from official solutions to workarounds that do not require root rights.

It is important to understand that recording capabilities depend on the firmware version (MIUI 12/13/14) and regional restrictions. For example, in some countries, recording calls is prohibited by law, and Xiaomi blocks this feature software, but even in such cases there are legal workarounds - about them below.

We tested all the methods on the Redmi Note 9 (model M2003J15SC) with the latest updates, and if your smartphone is running custom firmware or has modified software, some of the methods may not work.

1. Built-in call recording in MIUI: where to look and how to turn on

The checklist question is, is there any built-in entry in your version of MIUI? The answer depends on the region and the firmware version. In official global builds (MIUI Global), the feature is often disabled, and in Chinese (MIUI China) or Indian (MIUI India) it may be available.

To check:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Recording Conversations section (if not, proceed to the next method).

If there is a point, activate it and choose which calls to record:

• 📞 All incoming/outgoing – Automatic recording of each conversation.
• 🔍 Selectively – manually start recording during the call (button will appear on the screen).
• 📁 Contact only – entry only for numbers from the phone book.

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI The recording only works for VoIP calls (via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.) but not for regular mobile calls!

2. Hidden function of recording through the engineering menu (no root)

Few people know, but Redmi Note 9 has a hidden engineering menu where you can activate call recording even if it's not in the settings, which works on most versions of MIUI, but requires caution - wrong actions can disrupt the stability of the system.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##36446337###
2. The MTK Engineer Mode menu will open (if the code doesn’t work, your smartphone is on a Qualcomm processor – try ##4636##).
3. Go to Telephony → Audio → Normal Mode.
4. Find the Voice Call Record setting and set the Enabled value.
5. Save the settings and restart the phone.

After that, the phone application should have a recording button during the call. If it's not there, check the folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec In internal memory: records may be saved automatically, but without notification.

3. applications for recording calls: TOP-5 proven options

If the built-in methods don't work, third-party apps will come to the rescue, and we've selected the 5 most reliable ones that work on the Redmi Note 9 without root rights and do not violate Google Play's privacy policy:

Important: On MIUI 14+, some apps may not work due to Android 12+ limitations. In this case, before installing, go to Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Recording Sound and allow the app to access the microphone during calls.

Make sure that Android settings allow access to the microphone for the app |

Disable battery optimization for the application (Settings → Battery → Optimization)|

Check the free space on your phone (records take ~1-2 MB/minute)|

Download the app only from the official store (Google Play or Mi App Store)

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4. Recording via second telephone or external recorder

If software methods are not suitable (for example, due to legal restrictions), you can always use hardware solutions. This method is universal and works on any phone, including the Redmi Note 9.

You'll need:

• 📱 Second smartphone (or tablet) with voice recorder.
• 🔊 External microphone with 3.5 mm connector (if you need better quality).
• 🎧 Headphones with microphone (for discrete recording).

How to write:

1. Put the second phone next to the Redmi Note 9 (microphone to speaker).
2. Turn on the recorder on the second device (for example, the standard Dictophone app on Xiaomi).
3. Start a conversation on the main phone and the recording will go automatically.
4. After the call is complete, save the file and transfer it to the main device.

⚠️ Attention: In this way, the quality of the recording depends on the acoustics of the room. In noisy places (street, cafe), it is better to use an external microphone connected to the second phone via an adapter. USB-C → 3.5 mm.

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If you have a Xiaomi Mi Band or Amazfit smartwatch, some models support recording audio through a built-in microphone. For example, the Amazfit GTR 4 can record up to 10 minutes of audio notes – that’s enough for a short conversation.

5. Rooting and modified firmware: for advanced users

If you're willing to take drastic measures, getting root rights or installing custom firmware (like LineageOS) will open up access to a full call record, but this method is only suitable for advanced users, because:

• 🔓 Violates Xiaomi’s Guarantee.
• 🛡️ Increases security risk (vulnerability to malware).
• 🔄 Can lead to a “brick” of the device in case of an error.

If you do, here is a brief instruction:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (Mi Account is required).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for Redmi Note 9 (Merlin model).
3. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.
4. Install Call Recorder for Magisk via Magisk Manager.

After that, the phone will have a full file record of calls with the option of selecting format (MP3, WAV) and bitrate. But remember: on MIUI 14+, even with root, some modules may not work due to changes in the Android kernel.

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Rooting is a last resort. Before the procedure, make a full backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and save files to your PC.

Legal aspects: can conversations be recorded without consent

Before you record calls, make sure that it does not violate local laws.

• 🇷🇺 Russia: Recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor is allowed if you are a participant in it (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation).
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine: Notification of the recording is required (Article 307 of the Criminal Code).
• 🇪🇺 EU: In most countries (Germany, France) recording without consent is prohibited and punishable by a fine.
• 🇺🇸 Laws vary by state (California requires consent of all participants).

To avoid problems:

• 📢 Always notify the person about the recording (e.g., “The conversation is recorded to record the information»).
• 📝 Keep the records no longer than necessary.
• 🚫 Do not distribute records without the consent of participants.

On Redmi Note 9 you can configure automatic notification about the record through applications like Cube ACR (in the settings there is an option “Notify the interlocutor”).

7 Where records are stored and how to keep them

By default, the call records on Xiaomi are saved in one of the following folders (depending on the recording method):

• /storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings/ – for most third-party applications.
• /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — for embedded recording (if enabled).
• /storage/emulated/0/Download/CallRecorder/ – for Automatic Call Recorder.

To avoid losing important records:

1. Regularly transfer files to your PC or cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
2. Use automatic sync applications (e.g. Cube ACR + Dropbox).
3. Set up automatic deletion of old records (in the application settings).

Record formats:

• AMR is compact but low quality (suitable for voice notes).
• MP3 – Balance between quality and size.
• WAV is the best quality, but big files (suited for important conversations).

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To save space, convert WAV to MP3 using the Audio Converter app (available on Google Play) this will reduce file size by 5-10 times without significant quality loss.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Redmi Note 9