Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S: official and alternative methods

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S is a popular smartphone with flexible settings, but the feature of recording calls in it is not always obvious to users. Unlike the flagship models Mi or POCO, where the option can be integrated into the standard application Phone, you need to either activate hidden settings or use additional tools. This article will help you to figure out how to properly configure recording conversations without risking the privacy of the interlocutor or losing important audio files.

It is important to understand that the legislation of many countries (including Russia) regulates the recording of telephone conversations. According to Art. 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, recording a conversation without the consent of the second participant is allowed only in cases where you are one of the parties to the conversation and the recording is conducted for personal needs (without distribution). In the business sphere or for judicial purposes, the verbal consent of the interlocutor will be required.

Method 1: Built-in recording function in the Phone application

On the Redmi Note 9S with MIUI 12/13/14 firmware, call recording can be hidden in the depth of settings. This method works without installing third-party apps, but requires pre-activation. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the Phone app and go to the Recent tab.
2. Tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Recording of Conversations section (if there is no item, see the MIUI version section).
4. Activate the switch and select the save format (.mp3 or.amr).

When you activate the call, you'll see a Record button on the screen, and you'll press it to start recording the call, and the files will automatically be saved to the folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec Please note that in some regions (e.g. the EU) this feature may be blocked due to local legislation.

Make sure the phone app has permission to access the microphone

Check the available space on the device (1 minute of recording = ~1 MB)

Turn off the "Do Not Disturb" mode for the function to work properly

Sync files with the cloud for backup-->

⚠️ Attention: In versions MIUI 14.0.5+ For the Redmi Note 9S recording may be automatically interrupted when switching to speakerphone. To avoid this, turn off the Smart Switch option in the audio settings before calling.

Method 2: Using the Dictator application

If the built-in feature is missing or is unstable, you can use the standard Dictaphone application (set by default on all Xiaomi devices).

• 📱 Open the “Dictophone” from the application menu.
• 🎤 Press the red recording button before starting the call.
• 📞 Make or accept a call - the recording will go in the background.
• ⏹️ At the end of the conversation, stop recording in the "Dictophon" and save the file.

The downside is that it captures all sounds, including ambient noise. For better quality, it is recommended to use a headset with a microphone. Files are saved in.m4a (AAC) format and take up less space than.mp3, but may require conversion to play on some devices.

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To quickly find recorded files, type:audio date:today in a search on your device – the system will display all audio files created during the day.

Method 3: Third-party applications for recording calls

If standard methods do not suit, you can install specialized utilities from Google Play. For Redmi Note 9S, you can:

• 🔹 Cube Call Recorder ACR — Supports cloud storage and voice recognition.
• 🔹 Call Recorder by Lovekesh – a simple interface with automatic recording on a white list.
• 🔹 Truecaller – In addition to the record, offers identification of numbers (requires registration).

Before installing, check compatibility with your version of Android (the Redmi Note 9S has Android 10/11 with MIUI shell). Some applications may require permission to access notifications to work properly. For example, Cube ACR requires:

1. Launch the application and provide all the permissions requested.
2. Select the Sound Source in the settings → Loud communication (for better quality).
3. Activate Auto Record and add numbers to the whitelist.

⚠️ Note: Call recording apps from Google Play are often removed due to privacy complaints. APK-files only from official developer sites (e.g. cubeacr.app) and check them through VirusTotal.

Built-in function in the "Phone" application

Standard Dictator.

Third-party applications

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Dependence on version MIUI: Why the recording doesn't work

The functionality of the Redmi Note 9S call recording depends on the firmware version, and the table below shows the key differences:

If you have updated your smartphone and the recording has stopped working, try:

1. Reset the settings of the Phone application in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone → Storage → Reset.
2. Install a global version of MIUI (not EEA) via Fastboot (instructions at xiaomifirmware.com).
3. Use it. ADB-The command to force the function: adb shell settings put global call_recording_support 1

Where records are stored and how to export them

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

• 📁 /Internal Storage/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — built-in.
• 📁 /Internal Storage/Recorder/ — for the Dictator».
• 📁 /Internal Storage/CallRecordings/ — for most third-party utilities.

To transfer the recordings to your computer or to the cloud:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Copy the folder with the records to the right place on the hard drive.
3. For cloud storage (like Google Drive or Mi Cloud), select files, click Share, and select a service.

Important: Record files are not encrypted by default. If the phone has a screen lock enabled, audio folders remain accessible when connecting to a PC without entering a password. To protect sensitive data, we recommend archiving password records (for example, through 7-Zip or WinRAR) before transfer.

Solving problems: recording does not start or ends

If the call recording is not working, check the following points:

• 🔇 The microphone is occupied by another app (such as WhatsApp or Instagram) and close all programs that use the microphone.
• 📵 Power saving mode limits background activity. Add the Phone or Recorder app to the exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
• 🛠️ Damaged system files. Run network reset: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

To diagnose the problem:

1. Try recording a voice note in the "Dictator" - if the sound is not recorded, the problem is in the microphone.
2. Check if the recording is disabled in Settings → Permissions → Special Access → Sound recording.
3. Install an alternative recording app (like Call Recorder by Boldbeast) – it bypasses MIUI restrictions.

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If the record is terminated after exactly 30 minutes, this is a restriction of the FAT32 file system on external drives: format the memory card in exFAT or save the files to internal memory.

Legal aspects and ethics of recording conversations

Technical possibility of recording does not negate legal and ethical standards, and the following rules apply in Russia:

• 📜 Private conversations: recording without the consent of the interlocutor is allowed if you are a participant in the conversation and do not distribute the recording (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation).
• ⚖️ Forensic evidence: a record may be used in court if it is not obtained illegally (Article 55 of the Civil Procedure Code of the Russian Federation).
• 🏢 Business Negotiations: In the business field, notification of the second party is required (e.g., a voice message, “Conversation is being recorded»).

In some countries (e.g. Germany or the United States), the laws are stricter: recording without consent can be considered a violation of the Federal Wiretap Act (USA) or § 201 StGB (Germany) and punishable by a fine.

Ethical recommendations:

• ✅ Tell the interviewer about the recording if the conversation concerns important issues (for example, work arrangements).
• ❌ Do not distribute records without the consent of participants, even if they do not contain any dirt.
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary records so as not to accumulate unnecessary information.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls on Redmi Note 9S