How to turn on and use the voice recorder on Xiaomi Mi A3: instructions with pictures and tips

Introduction: why you need a voice recorder on a smartphone and features of the Mi A3

Smartphones are no longer just a means of communication, they are universal assistants in everyday life, work and creativity. The Xiaomi Mi A3 recorder is one of those tools that many users discover only when they need to record a lecture, save an important conversation or record voice notes. But unlike flagship models, where the application for recording sound is often displayed on the home screen, on the Mi A3 it has to be searched for – or even installed separately.

The Xiaomi Mi A3 is a feature of its “pure” Android One, which is a firmware without a proprietary MIUI shell. This means that the standard Xiaomi voice recorder is not here, and instead uses a basic application from Google or third-party solutions. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to enable sound recording on your device, from built-in tools to alternative programs with advanced features, and you will learn how to configure recording quality, where audio files are stored and what to do if the microphone does not work.

It is important to understand that the capabilities of the voice recorder on the Mi A3 depend on the firmware version and installed updates. If your phone has not been updated for a long time, some functions may be missing or not working correctly. Before you start setting up, we recommend checking the relevance of the software in the Settings → System → Update.

Method 1: Using the built-in Dictator app (if available)

Some versions of the Xiaomi Mi A3 firmware may have a basic audio recording app from Google.

1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Enter the word "dictophone" or "recorder" in the search bar.
3. If the app is found, tap its icon (usually a microphone on a colored background).

If the app is missing, it means that your device is using a lightweight version of Android without a voice recorder preinstalled, in which case move on to the next method.

The interface of the standard voice recorder is minimalistic:

• 🎤 Large red button – start/pause of recording.
• ⏱️ Timer – displays the duration of the recording.
• 📁 The Records List Button – Moving to the Archive.
• ⚙️ Settings – Choosing sound quality (usually 44.1 or 48 kHz).

⚠️ Attention: Built-in voice recorder on Mi A3 does not support recording of phone conversations due to Android limitations).

Method 2: Installation of the official recorder from Xiaomi (Mi Recorder)

Despite the lack of a branded MIUI shell, you can manually install the official Mi Recorder app, a voice recorder from Xiaomi with advanced features, which is compatible with the Mi A3 and offers:

• 📊 Real-time sound visualization.
• 🔍 Search by records (speech recognition).
• 📱 Widgets for quick access.
• 🔄 Automatic pause in silence.

To install Mi Recorder:

1. Download. APK-file from an official source (e.g. APKCombo or Uptodown).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Run the downloaded file and follow the instructions.

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After installing the Mi Recorder, add its widget to the home screen: long-press in free space → "Widgets" → select "Mi Recorder". This will allow you to start recording in one tap.

Method 3: Alternative applications for recording sound

If you don't like the built-in capabilities, consider third-party voice recorders, which often offer unique features such as:

• 🎧 Recording from an external microphone (via OTG-adapter).
• 📱 Synchronization with the cloud (Dropbox, OneDrive).
• 🔊 Enhancing silent sound in real time.
• 📝 Speech recognition in text.

Top.-3 applications for Xiaomi Mi A3:

1. Easy Voice Recorder – simple interface, support for MP3 and WAV formats, customizable bitrate up to 320 kbit / s.
2. Hi-Q MP3 Recorder – recording in high quality (up to 24 bits/192 kHz), built-in equalizer.
3. OTTER.ai is an artificial intelligence for transcription of speech into text with time stamps.

⚠️ Note: Phone recording applications (e.g. Call Recorder) may not work on Mi A3 Due to the limitations of Android 9+ Google policy: Use the operator's services to legally record calls.

Where are the records stored and how to transfer them to the computer

By default, audio files are stored in the device’s internal memory along the way:

/storage/emulated/0/Recordings/


or




/storage/emulated/0/Music/Recorder/

To transfer the recordings to PC:

1. Connect Mi. A3 computer-to-computer USB-cable.
2. Select file transfer mode (File Manager or MTP).
3. Open the Recordings folder (or similar) and copy the files you want.

For wireless transmission:

• 📤 Use Google Drive or Dropbox (download files manually).
• 📶 Send your email or Telegram Saved Messages.
• 🔗 Generate. QR-Code for the file using ShareViaQR.

Problem Solving: The recorder doesn't work or record the sound

If you see an error or microphone does not respond when you try recording, follow these steps:

On the Xiaomi Mi A3, the bottom microphone (near the USB-C connector) is responsible for recording the sound. If it is damaged, the recorder will only fix the top microphone (for conversations), which will worsen the quality. You can check the performance of the microphones using the engineering menu:

1. Please dial the phone application ##4636##.
2. Select Phone Information → Microphone.
3. Talk to each microphone, the indicators must respond.

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If after all the manipulations the recorder does not work, reset the application settings: Settings → Applications → Recorder → Storage → Clear the data.

Tips for improving recording quality

To keep the records clear and uninterrupted, follow these recommendations:

• 📍 Microphone location: Keep your phone 20 to 30 cm away from the sound source. A3 The main microphone is located at the bottom of the body.
• 🔇 Eliminating echoes: Record in rooms with upholstered furniture or carpets – they absorb the reflected sound.
• 📴 Airplane Mode: Turn it on to avoid interference from mobile network.
• 🔋 Battery charge: if you record for longer (more than 1 hour), connect your phone to charge – this will prevent automatic shutdown due to energy savings.

For professional recording (interviews, podcasts) use an external microphone with a USB-C adapter → 3.5 mm. Xiaomi Mi A3 supports the connection of such devices, but requires:

1. OTG-enabled adapter (e.g. Xiaomi USB-C to 3.5mm).
2. Battery-powered microphone (phantom power is not supported).
3. Setting up in the recorder: select the sound source "External microphone".

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions