How to turn on a conversation record of Xiaomi Mi 9

Owners of Xiaomi Mi 9 often face a situation where the standard phone recording function stops working or becomes unavailable after a system update.This is due to changes in the privacy policy of the Android operating system that Google has implemented in recent years. However, the need to record important agreements, technical support conversations or legally significant conversations does not disappear. Fortunately, the MIUI shell offers flexible tools to solve this problem, even if standard methods seem hidden.

There are several ways to activate a recording on your device, and the specific method depends on the version of the firmware installed (Global or China) and the year of release of the software. In some cases, it is enough to simply activate the hidden setting, in others, you will need to install specialized applications from trusted sources. It is important to understand that recording a conversation on modern versions of Android requires certain permissions, which the system by default limits for security purposes.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current methods to return the functionality of recording calls to the Xiaomi Mi 9. We will look at the regular system tools that can be hidden in the menu, and also turn to proven third-party solutions if the built-in functionality does not work.

Use of the built-in MIUI functionality

The MIUI shell installed on Xiaomi smartphones has historically had a built-in call recording module. On Xiaomi Mi 9, this functionality can be activated by default or hidden depending on the firmware region. First, check the phonebook's standard settings. Open the Phone app and click on the gear icon or three dots in the corner of the screen to enter the settings menu.

In the list that opens, you have to find a item that might be called Call Recording or Call Recording. If you see this section, you're lucky that it allows you to record all the numbers that you're in and out of, or you can set up an automatic record of only certain contacts inside the menu, and that's the most stable method that doesn't require you to install any additional software.

However, if the settings menu does not have a record, it means that your version of Google Dialer is blocking this feature, in which case we move to a deeper setting through a hidden menu or region change, sometimes changing the region in the general settings of the system to countries where recording is allowed by law, such as India or Singapore, although this method is increasingly less common on recent versions of Android.

Importantly, when using embedded recording, both people hear the notification of recording beginning, which is an Android security requirement that cannot be circumvented without root rights, and the sound quality is usually high, since it uses a direct digital stream rather than a microphone.

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If you have changed region but the feature has not appeared, try clearing the Phone app cache through the app settings so that the changes take effect immediately.

Activation through the hidden settings menu

If the standard call settings menu doesn't have the right item, you can try activating it through a hidden engineering menu or a special code. This method often works on global firmware devices where the function is formally present but hidden from the user.

Enter the following combination in the dial: ##86583##. After entering the last star, the pop-up message “Voice recorder was enabled” or “Voice recorder was disabled” should appear on the screen if the function was already active. Once the code is successfully entered, return to the call settings – there should be a new item to manage the record.

There is also an alternative code for some versions of MIUI: ##8683797##. It can activate regional restrictions, allowing you to select a country where recording calls is allowed. Select any country other than your current one if your country has strict restrictions, or try to choose India or Indonesia, as for these markets the feature is often built-in by default.

⚠️ Attention: Entering engineering codes can change the behavior of the system. If the phone is unstable after entering the codes, reset the phone app or restart the device. Do not change the settings, the value of which you do not understand.

Once the hidden function is activated, it is recommended to check its operability by calling another number. Make sure that the file is stored in the device memory and the sound is recorded clearly. If the code does not work or gives an error, then your firmware version completely blocks this functionality at the kernel level, and you will have to use third-party applications.

Set up automatic recording of conversations

Once the recording function is activated, it is crucial to set up the automation correctly. Manually turning on the recording during a conversation is often uncomfortable, especially if you need to urgently capture information in the first seconds of the dialogue. Xiaomi Mi 9 allows you to flexibly manage the recording rules so that you do not forget to turn on the recorder at the right time.

From the recording settings menu, you can select All Calls mode, which will allow you to save an audio record of each incoming and outgoing call, which is convenient for full archiving of communication history, but requires regular memory cleaning. A more sensible approach is to choose Selected Numbers mode, where you manually add contacts with which you need to record conversations.

Also worth paying attention to the recording quality settings: some versions of MIUI have a choice between standard and high quality, high quality takes up more space, but provides better speech intelligibility, which is critical for important negotiations, and you can configure the recording notification: it can be quiet or standard, warning the interlocutor.

Record files are usually saved in a folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec Or in a standard Dictophone folder. Check this directory periodically, as overflowing memory can cause new files to stop writing. Some users prefer to move the folder with records to the cloud for security.

Third-party applications for recording calls

When Google and Xiaomi’s system limitations completely block the built-in recording, third-party apps come to the rescue. Since the Xiaomi Mi 9 is Android-based, there are many solutions available in the Play Market Store. However, due to the limitations of the Android 9 API and higher, many of them work unstable or record sound only through a microphone, which reduces quality.

One of the most reliable solutions is the Cube ACR app, which can bypass many system restrictions using Accessibility Service, and once installed, the app will request a number of permissions, including phone, microphone and storage, and you need to carefully go through the rights setting process, otherwise the recording will be error-free.

Another popular option is TapeACall or Appliqato's Automatic Call Recorder. These applications often use the conferencing method to record: when a call is made, the app adds a third participant (a recording server) to mix voices, a method that requires a stable Internet connection and can be paid for long conversations.

When installing third-party software, pay attention to the permissions requested. If a simple voice recorder asks for access to your contacts and geolocation without an obvious need, this can be a sign of collecting personal data. Always check the developer's reviews and ratings before installing.

Solving Sound Quality Problems

A common problem when recording calls on Xiaomi Mi 9 is low voice volume or the presence of extraneous noises. This can be due to both software settings and the peculiarities of noise cancellation. If you hear yourself well, and the interlocutor is barely noticeable, try changing the source of the recording in the application settings.

In some recording applications (such as Cube ACR), you can force the voice call source or voice communication source to be selected. If you use a microphone, the phone will write sound through an external microphone, picking up street noise and echoes. Switching to an internal channel often solves the problem, but requires the app to have the appropriate rights.

It's also worth checking the noise reduction function in the smartphone's sound settings. Sometimes aggressive noise cancellation cuts the voice frequency, making speech indistinct when recording. Try turning off the sound improvement or switching the sound profile to Standard during important conversations.

If the problem persists, make sure the speaker of the speaker is not clogged with dust.A dirty speaker can distort the sound, which is then captured when recording.A regular cleaning of the speaker's mesh with a soft brush can greatly improve the situation.

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For the best recording quality on Xiaomi Mi 9, use the built-in MIUI functionality, as it has direct access to the audio stream, unlike third-party applications that depend on the microphone.

Legal aspects and data storage

Using the call recorder feature, it is important to be aware of your country’s laws. In many jurisdictions, recording a conversation without warning is illegal and may result in liability. The built-in recording notice (“This call is being recorded”) serves just to comply with this requirement.

Keeping recorded files also requires attention. It is not recommended to store records of important conversations only on the device, as in the event of loss or failure of the Xiaomi Mi 9 information will be lost. Use cloud services or regularly copy files to your computer. The folder with records is often hidden from gallery scanners, so search through the file manager.

You should also consider that when you reset your settings to factory, all records will be deleted. If you plan to sell the phone or transfer it to another person, be sure to extract the records in advance. Formatting a memory card or cleaning the application data will also affect the call archives.

In a corporate environment, the use of call recording is often governed by company internal rules.Make sure that using the voice recording feature on your work phone is not against your organization's security policies, especially if you are processing personal customer data.