How to record a phone conversation on Xiaomi: official and hidden methods

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature that can be useful for business correspondence, for recording important agreements or just to save memorable moments. However, many users face a problem: standard MIUI tools do not always allow you to turn on call recording directly, it depends on the device model, firmware version and regional restrictions.

In this article, we will explore all possible ways to activate a voice recorder on Xiaomi, from built-in tools to third-party applications, as well as the legal nuances of recording conversations, you will learn how to set up automatic recording, where audio files are stored and how to export them. We will pay special attention to the Redmi Note 12 models, POCO X5 Xiaomi 13 series flagships, where the algorithm may differ.

Why does Xiaomi not have a default call record button?

Many users notice that the new Xiaomi smartphones lack the usual recording button in the call interface, due to several factors:

• 📜 Legal restrictions: In some countries (e.g. EU) recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited. Xiaomi blocks the feature at the firmware level for such regions.
• 🔄 Version. MIUI: In the firmware MIUI 12 and later call recording can be hidden in additional settings or deleted altogether.
• 📱 Model range: Budget models (Redmi) 10A, POCO M5) The feature is often devoid of the feature, while flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra) support it out of the box".

If your device falls under these restrictions, don’t worry – we’ll look at workarounds below. For example, on some models, recording can be activated via a hidden menu of engineering settings or using the Google Record (formerly Google Phone) app.

Method 1: Integrated voice recorder in MIUI (official method)

On some Xiaomi models, recording conversations is implemented through the standard Dictator app (com.android.soundrecorder) to check for it:

1. Open the app menu and find the icon "Dictophone" (microphone on an orange background).
2. If there is no application, check the Tools folder or use a search on the system.
3. Start the voice recorder and go to the settings (⚙️) → Recording calls.

In this section you can:

• 🔄 Enable automatic recording of all incoming/outgoing calls.
• 📁 Select a folder to save files (by default) MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec).
• 🔕 Set up a notice to the interlocutor about the recording (required for legal use!).

Check the presence of the Dictophone app in the menu

Update MIUI to the latest version (settings → About Phone → System Update)

Make sure that the device has enough memory (records take ~1 MB/minute)

Enable the option to “Notify about the record” in the settings (to avoid legal problems)-->

Important: On models with MIUI 14 and newer, the path to settings may be different. If you don't have a recording option, try alternative methods in the following sections.

Method 2: Recording through Google Recording (for models with Google services)

If your Xiaomi is running Google services (not Chinese firmware), you can use the Google Record app (previously built into Google Phone), which works on most global versions of Redmi and POCO:

1. Install Google Phone from the Play Market (unless installed by default).
2. Make it the default call app: Settings → Apps → Default → Phone.
3. During the call, click the "Record" button (cassette icon) on the screen.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔍 It works even on models where Xiaomi has blocked the standard recording.
• 📤 Automatically saves entries in Google Drive (option in settings).
• 📊 Allows you to search for entries by keyword (after processing Google).

Restriction: On some Xiaomi firmware (MIUI EU, Chinese versions), Google Phone may not recognize incoming calls, in which case only root access or third-party applications will help.

Method 3: Third-party applications for recording calls

If the built-in methods don't work, third-party apps come to the rescue, and we tested a few solutions and selected the most reliable ones.

Before installing, check the app's permissions: it must have access to Microphone, Warehouse and Phone. Xiaomi may also need auto-run permission (settings → Permissions → Auto-Run).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Cube Call Recorder) use Accessibility to record, this may conflict with banking or security applications!

Where are the records of conversations stored and how to export them

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

• 📁 Built-in dictaphone MIUI: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/
• 📁 Google Recording: /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.google.android.dialer/call_recordings/
• 📁 Third-party applications: usually in the application folder (e.g, /CubeCallRecorder/).

To export the records:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (in file transfer mode).
2. Go to the appropriate folder (see above) and copy the files (.amr or.mp3).
3. To send by mail or messenger, use the "Conductor" MIUI: select files → Share.

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If the records are not displayed in Explorer, turn on the display of hidden files: open "Conductor" → ⚙️ Settings → Show hidden files.

For long-term storage, we recommend uploading records to the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) or converting them to MP3 through applications like Audio Converter..amr files take up 5-10 times less space, but may not play on some devices.

Legal aspects of recording telephone conversations

Before you turn on the record, please read the laws of your country, and in most cases the following rules apply:

• 🏛️ Russia: Recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor is allowed if you are a participant in the conversation (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation), however, using the recording in court requires proof of its reliability.
• 🇪🇺 EU: Recording without consent is prohibited in most EU countries (fine to €20,000 Exception - if the interviewee is notified of the record.
• 🌍 Other countries: In the US (most states) consent of one party is sufficient, in China it is prohibited without consent.

On Xiaomi, you can enable automatic recording notification:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Phone → Recording calls.
2. Activate the option "Notify the interlocutor" (if available).
3. Set up the notification text (e.g., “This conversation is being recorded”).

⚠️ Note: Even if the recording is permitted by law, its publication or distribution without the consent of the interlocutor may be considered a violation of the right to privacy (Article 152.2 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation!

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you record your calls on Xiaomi, you're going to see some common mistakes, and we've put together solutions for the most common cases.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔧 Version MIUI: on MIUI 13+ may require a rollback until MIUI 12.5.
• 📶 Telecom operator: some operators (e.g. MTS) block network-level recording.
• 🔒 Root rights: on custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) recording works only with root access.

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On Xiaomi 12T and newer models, the built-in call recording can be locked hardware, in which case only an external recorder or a second phone will help.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions