Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face a situation when it is urgent to fix an important conversation, but the regular feature is not available or works incorrectly. This may be due to regional restrictions, updates to the Android operating system or features of the MIUI shell. In recent versions of firmware, the manufacturer often changes the location of settings, and in some regions preinstalles Google Dialer, which has its own nuances of operation.
Understanding how audio works in your particular model helps you avoid missing key information during business or personal conversations. There are several ways to solve the problem, from activating hidden system settings to installing specialized third-party applications, the choice of method depends on the version of MIUI and the type of dialer installed.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the options available for modern Xiaomi models, learn how to change the region to unlock features, how to set up automatic recording for all incoming ones, and how to circumvent the restrictions introduced in new versions of Android.
Features of the function in MIUI and Android
Xiaomi’s smartphone conversation recording feature is closely integrated into the system dialer. However, Google’s policy and data security requirements are constantly changing. In older versions of MIUI (up to 11-12 versions), the feature was available by default in most regions.
Regional alignment is key: If the settings menu includes Russia, Ukraine or EU countries, the entry button may not be available due to legal restrictions on processing personal data. Switching to a region with less stringent rules, such as India, Vietnam or Singapore, often returns the necessary functionality without installing additional software.
Another important aspect is the transition to Google Dialer: Starting with MIUI 12 and up, many global firmware versions replace the standard call with a Google app, in which the recording of the conversation is accompanied by a voice alert for both interlocutors, and it is almost impossible to get around this with regular means. System recording in MIUI Dialer does not alert the interlocutor with voice, unlike Google Dialer, which is a critical difference for many users.
⚠️ Note: Before activating the recording, make sure that you are not violating the laws of your country.In some jurisdictions, recording a conversation without warning the second party is illegal.
Users should keep in mind that recording quality depends not only on the software, but also on the hardware. Microphones used to capture the voice of the interlocutor (usually the lower or upper speaker) can work with interference if the phone is pressed to the ear incorrectly or closed with a cover.
Replacement method for activating recording
The easiest and most effective way to return a standard recording feature is to change the region in your smartphone settings, which does not require root rights or third-party apps, making it safe to guarantee the device. The algorithm is simple, but requires careful choice of parameters.
To start, open the settings menu of your Xiaomi Redmi. Find the Additional (or Advanced Settings) section and select Region. In the country list that opens, you need to select the country where the recording functions are legally and technically implemented in firmware.
You should choose India or Vietnam. You can change the interface of the phone after you change region, and it can change in some ways: the format of the date, the currency in some apps, and the format of the time. This is the normal reaction of the system. After you switch, go to the Phone app, click on three dots in the corner and select Settings. There should be an option called Recording calls.
If the button doesn't appear after changing the region, try clearing the Phone app cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Phone → Memory → Clear the cache. Rebooting the device also helps you apply new regional settings.
- 🌏 India – the most popular choice, guaranteed to include recording and automatic recording for all numbers.
- 🇻🇳 Vietnam is a great alternative if India is not suitable for some reason or the interface seems inconvenient.
- 🇸🇬 Singapore is another working option often used in global firmware versions.
- 🇮🇩 Indonesia – also suitable for activating hidden dial functions.
It's important to understand that changing regions doesn't just affect the call, it can change the list of topics available, the news feed in the browser, and recommendations in system applications, but for most users, it's an acceptable fee to be able to automatically record all incoming and outgoing calls.
Set up automatic call recording
Once the function is activated through a region change, or if it was initially available, it needs to be configured correctly. Manually turning on the recording during each conversation is uncomfortable and often leads to the user forgetting to press the button on time.
Go to the phone app settings. Go to the Call Record section, and you'll find some important switches that you can use here, first of all, activate the "Record Automatic Calls" slider, which will allow the system to start recording when you connect.
☑️ Set up automatic recording
You can then configure filters. You can choose which numbers to write down. You can choose all numbers, all numbers except contacts, contacts only, list numbers, or all numbers except lists, depending on your privacy and internal storage needs.
Files are stored in the memory of the device. By default, the path to them: Internal drive → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. In newer versions of Android (11 and above) the path may change to an internal drive → Recordings → Call. This folder can be accessed through a standard conductor or when connected to a PC.
⚠️ Warning: Automatically record all calls can quickly fill up your smartphone memory. Check your available space regularly or set up cloud sync if this option is supported.
Automated recording quality is usually high, because it uses system-based audio capture, but if the network signal is bad, there may be breaks in the recording, make sure that the Phone application is allowed to run in the background and it is not removed by the power saving system.
Solving the problems with Google Dialer
Google Dialer is one of the most difficult things for Xiaomi users, and it only allows recording a conversation with a mandatory voice notification that says, "Talk recording has started." This is a privacy requirement that Google requires, and it cannot be circumvented by standard methods.
If you have Google Dialer installed on your device (a blue handset icon with the letter G or just a standard blue handset with Google interface), changing the region will not help return a quiet record. In the settings of such an application, the recording option is often absent or only works with a warning.
There are several ways to address:
- 🔄 Installation MIUI Dialer is an attempt to install Xiaomi's Phone system application from third-party sources. It's complicated, requires finding a compatible version. APK and may lead to unstable work.
- 📱 Third-party applications – using programs like Cube ACR Or Automatic Call Recorder. They're trying to intercept the audio stream, but on Android 9.+ Their effectiveness is reduced due to system limitations.
- 🔧 Root rights – obtaining superuser rights allows you to modify system files and return a native record, but this deprives you of guarantees and is dangerous for inexperienced users.
Can I remove Google Dialer?
For users who are critically important to record without notice, the only legal and safe option is to use a hands-free connection in combination with a voice recorder of another device, or to search for older versions of firmware (which is not recommended for security reasons).
The table below compares the capabilities of different types of dialers:
| Characteristics | MIUI Dialer (Xiaomi) | Google Dialer | Third-party annexes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recording without notice | Yes (region change) | No. | Depends on the Android version |
| Automatic recording | Yes. | No (only handheld) | Yes (with limitations) |
| Stability of work | Tall. | Tall. | Medium/Low |
| Demands a Root. | No. | No. | Often required for Android 10+ |
Use of third-party applications for recording
If the standard methods don’t work, Google Play apps come to the rescue, a niche that has long been dominated by Cube ACR, Appliqato’s Automatic Call Recorder, and TapeACall, but with the release of Android 9 and subsequent versions, Google has shut down the direct audio stream (Audio Record API), making it difficult for these programs to work.
Modern applications use different workarounds, such as using Accessibility Services to automatically turn on speakerphones and record audio through a microphone, which reduces recording quality by recording audio from the speaker, including echoes and ambient noise.
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When using third-party recorders, be sure to give the application all the permissions requested, including access to the microphone, phone and, critically, rights to "Special Features." Without this, the automatic recording will not work.
To set up Cube ACR on Xiaomi, you need to:
- Install the application and launch it.
- Enable all permissions in the welcome window.
- Activate "App Connector" in the Android special features menu.
- In the settings of the application itself, select the sound source "Voice call (mic)" or experimental options.
- Add the application to MIUI power saving exceptions so that the system does not "kill" the recording process.
Third-party solutions are very much dependent on the smartphone model, and they work perfectly on some devices, and they record silence on others, because of the different implementations of audio drivers by manufacturers.
Where are the records stored and how to find them
Once a file is successfully written, it needs to be saved somewhere. In Xiaomi smartphones with a MIUI shell, the folder structure may not be obvious to the beginner. By default, all audio files, including voice recordings and calls, are collected in one place, but have different subfolders.
To find a recording of a conversation, open File Manager. Go to Internal Drive. Next, it depends on the Android version:
- 📂 Android 10 and below: MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec.
- 📂 Android 11 and above: Recordings folder → Call or Recordings → call_rec.
You can also find records through the Dictophone or Sound Recorder app. The app interface usually has tabs or menus that switch between Dictophone, Interview and Phone. When you select the Phone tab, you'll see a list of all recorded conversations sorted by date.
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The files are.m4a or.mp3. You just need to copy them from your phone to listen to them on your computer. If the file doesn't open, try changing the extension to.mp3 or using a universal player like VLC.
Remember to periodically transfer important records to your computer or cloud storage. If you reset your phone or break it, files from internal memory will be irretrievably lost if you do not configure sync with Mi Cloud or Google Drive.