The modern Xiaomi Redmi and Poco series smartphones provide users with tremendous multimedia and work opportunities, but the standard call features in the latest versions of MIUI and HyperOS can hide important options. Turning on phone recording is one of those tasks that seem trivial but face the severe limitations of the Android operating system since version 10. Google is actively implementing privacy policies that block apps from accessing the microphone during a call, making the standard feature unavailable for many regions by default.
However, Xiaomi engineers have left loopholes that allow you to activate native recording without installing questionable software. Depending on the firmware region (Global, Russia, China) and the shell version, the algorithm of actions can vary significantly. Native entry in Mi Dialer saves files in.m4a or.mp3 format directly to the device memory without requiring root rights. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to activate the function, including changing the region, using special codes and installing modified versions of the system application.
Please note that recording a conversation without warning may violate your country’s laws. Before activating the feature, make sure you do not violate personal data protection laws. Next, we will discuss in detail the technical aspects of enabling this option on various Redmi models.
Why the Xiaomi recording button is missing
Until a few years ago, recording was available to all users out of the box, regardless of the country of purchase of the device, which changed dramatically with the release of Android 10 and subsequent versions, when Google tightened security rules, and now the Phone system app (the phone) is not allowed to intercept the audio stream without the explicit permission that Google does not give standard applications in global firmware.
Owners of Redmi Note and Xiaomi Mi smartphones often find that after updating the system, the recording button disappears or becomes inactive, and this is not a bug, but a feature dictated by the policy of the OS developer. However, in regional builds (for example, for India, Indonesia or Russia), these restrictions are often absent, because local legislation or market requirements allow for such a feature.
There are several reasons why you may not see the recording button:
- 🌍 Device region: In the system settings, a region where recording calls is prohibited is selected (for example, EU countries or the United States).
- 📱 Version. MIUI/HyperOS: New versions of shells forcibly hide the function in global firmware.
- 📞 Call type: Google Dialer is used instead of Mi Dialer, which has stricter restrictions.
⚠️ Warning: Changing the region on the device may affect some system applications, such as weather, news and recommendations in the Explorer. Once you turn on the record, it is recommended to return the region if the function is retained, or to put up with modified content services.
Understanding the reason for blocking helps you choose the right method of bypassing, if the problem is only in the region, the solution will take one minute, and if the restriction is sewn into a particular version of the application, more complex manipulation of the system files will be required.
The method of changing the region: the easiest way
The most efficient and secure way to return the record button is to change the region in your smartphone settings, a method that works on the vast majority of Xiaomi and Redmi devices running MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS, and the method is to make the system think that the phone is being used in a country where recording conversations is legal.
To start, go to the settings menu. Open the settings on your desktop or in the notification curtain. Find the Additional (or Advanced Settings) section and select Region. In the list of countries that opens, you need to find and choose Indonesia, India, Pakistan or Singapore. Most often, Indonesia gives a stable result without side effects.
After changing the region, some applications can reboot the interface, and a cherished button will appear in a standard call. Now, when an incoming or outgoing call is made, the Record button should appear on the call screen. By clicking on it, you will start recording the conversation, which your interlocutor will be notified by a loud voice message (if you do not use third-party modes).
It is important to note that once activated, you can try to return the region back to Russia or your country. In some versions of the firmware, the recording function remains available even after the settings are returned, in others it disappears again. If the button disappears after the region is returned, you will have to leave the setting in the selected country or use other methods described below.
Set up the recording parameters in Mi Dialer
Once the feature is available, it is important to adjust its behavior correctly, and standard settings can be inconvenient, such as automatically recording all numbers or, conversely, no recording at all, and these parameters are controlled through the menu of the Mi Dialer call itself.
To get into the settings, open the Phone app and click on the three dots in the upper right corner (or menu button). Select Settings, then find Call Record, which gives you access to the detailed configuration of the process.
☑️ Set up call recording
The following important options are available in the settings menu:
- 🎙️ Automatic recording: allows you to record all incoming and outgoing calls without you being involved, which is convenient for lawyers or managers, but quickly fills up memory.
- 📂 File format: a choice between MP3 (better quality, larger size, and M4A (Good quality, compression, smaller size. M4A save space.
- 🔕 Audible notification: an option that plays the voice message "Conversation is being recorded" to the interlocutor. In some versions of the calls, this sound can be turned off.
You can also look at the option of "Select numbers," which is where you can set up a phone book-only contact record, or you can only record unknown numbers, and this flexible management helps you avoid recording personal conversations with loved ones, saving only business correspondence in audio format.
⚠️ Note: Automatic recording may conflict with messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) if they use the system call protocol. To record calls via Internet channels, the standard Mi Dialer function is not suitable, separate screen or sound recorder applications are required.
Installation of a modified Mi Dialer call
If changing the region didn’t help or you’re using global firmware with Google’s strict restrictions, the only way out is to install a modified version of the system application, a method that requires care, as it involves replacing the system component.
The essence of the method is to install MIUI Dialer with a recording feature enabled from Chinese or Indian firmware, which is often distributed on developer forums (e.g., in the development forums, 4PDA or XDA) form APK-Before installation, you must remove updates to the standard call or allow installation from unknown sources.
The installation process is as follows:
- Download the current version of MIUI Dialer (usually CN or IN) for your version of Android.
- Remove updates to the standard Phone application through the application settings.
- Set up the downloaded one. APK-The system can warn of potential hazards - this is the standard reaction to installing system components manually.
- After installation, restart the device and check for a record button.
Risks of installing third-party APKs
It's important to match the version of the call to the version of your operating system. 11 It may not be possible to earn Android 13. It is also important to note that after a major update MIUI/HyperOS The manually installed caller may “wipe” the original version, and the procedure will have to be repeated.
Alternative applications for recording
When system-based recordings fail, third-party apps from Google Play come to the rescue, but because of Android's limitations, they don't work like the native feature, most of which use the method of recording audio via microphone (including speakerphone) or require connectivity through accessibility services.
Popular solutions include Call Recorder - SKVALEX, Automatic Call Recorder from Appliqato and TapeACall. Each has its own features working on Xiaomi.
Comparison of popular solutions for recording:
| Annex | Type of record | I need a Root. | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| SKVALEX | System/Microphone | Preferably. | Best quality, paid, requires customization |
| Auto Call Recorder | Microphone/Speaker | No. | Simple, but often records the quiet sound of the interlocutor |
| TapeACall | Conference liaison | No. | Recording via server, paid subscription, high quality |
| Blackbox Call Recorder | Systemic | No (ADB) | Requires activation via computer, works stably |
| Cube ACR | Mixed | No. | Trying to get around the restrictions, but on new Android is often powerless |
When using third-party apps on Xiaomi, it is critical to configure permissions. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the installed recorder and allow all requested permissions, especially access to the microphone, phone and autorun. Without autorun permission, the system will kill the recording process in the background.
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For better recording quality with third-party applications without Root rights, try to turn on speaker during a conversation, which will allow the microphone to clearly capture the voice of the interlocutor, avoiding the software restrictions of Android on capturing the internal audio stream.
Where are the records stored and how to find them
Once recorded successfully, conversations are stored in the device's memory, the path to files may vary depending on the version of MIUI and the writing method chosen, and knowing the exact path is necessary to transfer files to the computer or back them up to the cloud.
In a standard Mi Dialer call, files are usually located along the following path:
/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/Or, in the newer versions of the shell:
/Android/data/com.android.fileexplorer/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/To access these folders on Android 11 and above, you may need a special file manager with extended rights, as a standard conductor restricts access to the folder. Android/data. Also, all records are duplicated in the Dictaphone or Sound Recording application, from where they can be easily listened to and sent via instant messengers.
If you use third-party apps, the path to the files will be specified in their settings, usually a folder. /CallRecordings/ Check memory occupancy regularly, as audio files, especially in format MP3, It can take up a significant amount of time when using the phone.
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System recording via Mi Dialer saves files to a hidden MIUI folder, access to which is restricted in new versions of Android, while third-party applications more often use open directories for user convenience.