How to set up a phone call record on Xiaomi

Modern smartphones, especially Android-based models, often face limitations in standard call functionality due to changes in Google’s privacy policy. Xiaomi and Redmi users, who are used to conveniently recording conversations on the built-in version of MIUI or switching to HyperOS, may find that the usual button has disappeared. This is puzzling, since in previous firmware this option was available out of the box and worked without additional settings.

The introduction of Google Dialer as a standard application for calling on global firmware versions has changed the landscape of telephony. If previously it was enough just to activate the slider in the settings, now device owners have to look for workarounds. Recording conversations has become a feature that requires either special manipulation of the region or the use of alternative methods. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to solve this problem for various models, from the old Redmi Note to the latest flagships of the Xiaomi 14 series.

It is important to understand that methods can vary dramatically depending on the version of the operating system and the region for which the device is released. Chinese firmware (CN) versions often retain native recording, while global (Global) and European (EEA) are deprived of this function at the software level due to legal regulations. However, engineering menus and specialized applications allow you to recover lost functionality. We will consider both secure methods and more complex options for advanced users.

⚠️ Warning: Recording telephone conversations without warning may violate your country’s laws. Before activating this feature, make sure you do not violate privacy rights and communications law.

Google Dialer on MIUI and HyperOS

The main reason for the loss of the recording feature was Google's requirement that smartphone manufacturers use the standard Google Phone app. Unlike the old MIUI Dialer, the new call has strict restrictions. When you try to turn on a recording, the system automatically warns the interlocutor with a voice message that a conversation is being recorded, which is done to comply with privacy laws, but for many users has become a serious inconvenience.

Owners of devices that have switched to HyperOS notice that the interface of the call settings has become more concise, but less functional in terms of customization. → Annexes → The phone often does not contain the call record option, instead it offers cloud services or third-party solutions, but there are hidden settings that can be accessed through region change or use. ADB-team.

It's worth noting that on some models, such as the Redmi Note 12 or Poco X5, functionality can return after a regional shift to India or Indonesia, because these countries allow for less restricted recording of conversations, but even then, voice alerts are often left behind, and deeper intervention is required to fully remove the restrictions.

The differences between Chinese and global firmware are huge. In the Chinese version of MIUI CN, recording works perfectly, without warning and with saving files in a convenient format. Global versions are not because of GDPR and other regulations. If you don't plan to flash your device, you'll have to put up with restrictions or compromise in the form of third-party software.

Standard Including Methods through System Settings

Before you get to the tricky ones, you should check the standard settings, because some versions of the software still have the feature available. First, you need to open the Phone app and go to the settings menu, which is usually hidden behind three dots or a gear in the corner of the screen. Look for the "Recording calls." If it's present, you're lucky, and just activate the switch.

In some cases, the function is hidden deeper. Try to go to Settings → System Applications → Phone → Recording settings. Here you can automatically record all incoming or outgoing calls. You can also set the record only for certain numbers from the contact book, which is convenient for recording important conversations with customers or support services.

• 📱 Open the Phone app and click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
• ⚙️ Select Settings, then find the Call Record section».
• 🔘 Activate the Automatic Recording switch or select specific contacts.
• 💾 Specify a save path if the system offers a choice between internal memory and SD-card.

If the menu doesn't have "Record Calls," try changing the region of the device. Go to Settings → Additional Settings → Region and select India, Indonesia or Malaysia. After changing region, restart your smartphone and check your call settings again. This method often helps return the native feature without installing additional software, although it does not guarantee that there is no voice alert.

Use of third-party applications for recording

When systems fail, Google Play has a leading role in this field, with Call Recorder’s Cube ACR app, which can bypass Android’s limitations by recording audio not only through a microphone but directly from the system’s audio stream, but with newer versions of Android (11, 12, 13 and above), access to audio streams is severely limited, which can reduce recording quality or make it impossible without root rights.

Another popular solution is TapeACall or Appliqato's Automatic Call Recorder, which uses conferencing to record: when you call, the app creates a three-way connection, where the third party is the recording server, and the downside is the paid subscription and the dependence on the quality of the mobile network, since the voice passes through a third-party server.

For Xiaomi users, there are also modified versions of the system call, which can be found on developer forums such as: 4PDA or XDA. Installation requires removal of updates to the standard “Phone” application and installation APK-Important: When installing modified system applications, there is always a risk of a brick or unstable operation of the communication module, so back up.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK-Files from unverified sources can cause your device to become infected with viruses. Use only verified forums and check files with antivirus before installing.

Some applications require special permissions via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), and once you install the recorder application, connect your phone to your computer and type a command to allow access to mode, which allows the application to run in the background without the limitations of MIUI, which is critical for stable recording.

Cloud recording and synchronization

Xiaomi offers its own cloud storage Xiaomi Cloud, which can be used to synchronize conversation records. This is convenient because even if you lose or break your smartphone, the history of negotiations will remain. To activate, you need to log into your Mi Account and enable voice recorder synchronization or call records in the cloud settings, if this option is available in your region.

The alternative is to use Google Drive. Many third-party recording apps allow you to set up automatic uploads to the Google cloud immediately after a call is complete.This frees up the smartphone's internal memory, which on models with a small storage capacity (64-128 GB) quickly runs out due to the large number of audio files.

When setting up cloud sync, make sure you use a Wi-Fi connection to avoid wasting mobile traffic. Audio files, even compressed ones, can take up a significant amount of space. It is also recommended to periodically check available space in the cloud, as free rates are often limited to 5-15 GB.

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Use WAV instead of MP3 if every nuance of the conversation matters, but remember that WAV takes up 5-10 times more disk space.

Advanced Methods: ADB and Engineering Menu

For power users who aren’t afraid of the command line, there is a method to activate hidden functions via ADB. This method allows you to enable a recording in Google Dialer without voice warning, although on the latest versions of Android Google is actively fighting this. To start, you need to turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the build number in Settings → About phone) and activate “Debugging by USB”.

Connecting your smartphone to your PC, you have to type in a command to get a list of packages and find a call packet. Then pm grant commands can give you extended permissions to the application. However, the most effective way is to use specialized scripts that change the region flag in the system database at a level that is only available through debugging.

adb shell pm grant com.google.android.dialer android.permission.READ_CALL_LOG


adb shell pm grant com.google.android.dialer android.permission.WRITE_CALL_LOG




adb shell pm grant com.google.android.dialer android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO

The engineering menu (#3646633##) on MediaTek processors also allows you to adjust the parameters of the audio track. In the Audio → Debug Info → Audio Tuner section, you can try to change the path of sound, but this requires deep knowledge and can lead to the disappearance of sound in the speaker or microphone.

Solving common problems and errors

A common problem is that the voice of the person is not sounding in the recording, and this is because modern smartphones use noise cancellation, which can cut the frequencies that the person is talking to when the microphone is recording, and in such cases, the speakerphone is turned on during the conversation, which changes the path of the sound.

Another mistake is to stop recording after a system update. An update to MIUI or HyperOS often resets permissions for third-party applications. You need to re-enter the battery settings and allow auto-start and background work for the recorder application.

• 🔇 No sound of the interlocutor: turn on speakerphone or use a headset.
• 📉 Recording is interrupted: add the app to the power saving exceptions.
• 📂 Files are not saved: check the memory access rights and free space.
• 📱 App crashes: clear cache or reinstall latest version.

If you use a third-party call, make sure it is assigned by the default app to make calls. Otherwise, the system may block it in favor of a standard dialer. You can check this in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three Points → Default Applications → Phone.

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The most stable result on modern versions of Android is a combination of a third-party application with special features and power savings.

Where are the records stored and how to transfer them

By default, conversation records on Xiaomi are stored in internal memory in a folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec or Recordings/call_rec, Depending on the firmware version and the application used. Files usually have an extension.mp3 or.m4a. You can find them through the standard Files Explorer in the category Records or Recorder».

To transfer records to the computer is the easiest to use USB-Connect your smartphone in file transfer mode (MTP) You can also use the Mi Drop app (now called ShareMe) to wirelessly transfer large amounts of data to a PC or other smartphone over Wi-Fi.

Clean your records folder regularly, as they can take up gigabytes of space. Set up automatic deletion of old records over 30 days in the settings of the voice recorder or call app, which will help avoid a situation where the phone stops accepting calls due to overflowing memory.