Owners of flagship smartphones like the Xiaomi Mi 9 often face an unexpected limitation: the standard voice recorder feature in the Phone app stops working or is not at all. This is due to the security policy of the Android operating system, which in recent versions strictly regulates access to the microphone during a call. However, the need to fix an important agreement or legally significant conversation does not disappear. Fortunately, the MIUI ecosystem offers several workarounds to solve this problem.
There are two main scenarios: either you have regional firmware installed (China, India, Global with Google patches) where the feature is hidden, or you use the European version where it is removed completely for GDPR reasons. In the first case, it is enough to activate a hidden switch in system settings. In the second case, you will need to install specialized software or change the region. It is important to understand that recording a conversation at the hardware level is possible, but Google's software restrictions often block this process.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of activating the call recorder. We will consider the standard system tools, installing alternative shells and using third-party recorder applications. We will also pay attention to the legal aspects and technical details of the microphone in the background on a device with a Snapdragon 855 processor.
Checking the presence of built-in function in the Phone application
Before you resort to complex methods, you need to make sure that your current firmware version is really missing the standard feature. Often users simply do not find the right button in the interface, because it is hidden in the depths of the call settings menu. First, open the standard Phone application (green tube icon), which is the default system in the MIUI shell.
Click three dots in the top right corner of the screen to open the drop-down menu, and select Settings. In the list that opens, look for Call Record. If you have that section, you're lucky that the system allows you to record natively. Just put the slider in the active position, and the phone will automatically save audio files of all incoming and outgoing connections.
If you don't have Call Record, but you have a region choice in your settings, it indicates that the functionality is blocked by geographic restrictions. In some cases, changing the region in the general settings of the system helps. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Region and select India, Indonesia or Singapore. After changing the location, restart the device and check the settings of the Phone application again.
⚠️ Note: Region changes may affect some system applications, widgets, and local content availability (e.g., news feed or music service) and once the recording function is enabled, you can revert the region back to the newer versions. MIUI It can reset the dictaphone settings.
It is worth noting that on Android 10 and above, Google has implemented a voice alert to start recording (“Recording Begins”). It is almost impossible to remove this warning with regular means, since it is sewn into the system libraries of Google Dialer.
Replacement method and hidden MIUI settings
If a simple change of region in the menu did not work, you can try a deeper activation method through the engineering menu or special codes, although on modern versions of Android they are often blocked.However, for owners of Xiaomi Mi 9 with relatively recent security updates, this method can be working.
Try typing the code ##86583## in the ringer. In normal state, the system will not respond or give an error. However, if your version of MIUI is susceptible to this command, you will see a pop-up Voice recorder enabled.
To disable the feature (if it was activated incorrectly), the code #86583## is reused, which will lead to a Voice recorder disabled message. This method does not work on all builds, as Xiaomi gradually closes these loopholes in order to please Google.
Alternatively, use the SetEdit application (requires rights through the ADB or root rights, which is a complicated procedure. You need to find a parameter in the settings database. voice_recorder_enabled and change the meaning of the 0 on 1. This requires high technical literacy and can lead to unstable system operation if the wrong variable is changed.
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Before making any changes to system settings or using codes, make a full backup of the data via Mi Cloud or locally to your computer, which will allow you to restore the phone in the event of a crash.
Installation of a third-party recorder application
When standard methods are exhausted, third-party developers come to the rescue. The most effective solution to date is the TapeACall app, Call Recorder - ACR or a specialized version of Google Phone with patches. However, due to the limitations of Android, conventional apps often record only your voice or silence.
The Call Recorder app, called ACR, from NLL, is particularly noteworthy. It can bypass many limitations, but it needs to be set up properly. Once installed, launch the app and follow the configuration wizard's instructions. You'll be prompted to install ACR as the default call app, which is necessary to intercept the audio stream.
In the app settings, go to Sound Sources. Experiment with different options: Voice Call, Voice Communication or Voice Recognition. For the Xiaomi Mi 9, Voice Call mode is often optimally chosen in combination with the speakerphone on (though this is inconvenient). Some users note that turning on the speaker mode programmatically in the recorder settings helps capture the voice of the interlocutor.
- 📱 Call Recorder - ACR: powerful tool with flexible settings of sound sources and cloud synchronization.
- 📞 TapeACall: popular solution, but many features are only available on a paid subscription.
- 🎙️ Blackbox Call Recorder: an app specializing in circumventing the restrictions of Android 10+.
- 📼 Cube ACR: Another option with VoIP calls (Viber, WhatsApp) that can be useful.
It is important to understand that no third-party application gives 100% quality assurance on all versions of Android. an update to the operating system can at any time "break" the recorder, and you will have to look for a new way or wait for the update of the application itself.
⚠️ Warning: Installing apps from unknown sources (not from Google Play) carries security risks. APK-files from only verified resources, such as 4PDA or the official website of the developer to avoid the introduction of malware.
☑️ Checking the recorder settings
Use of a modified version of Google Phone
The most reliable but technically challenging way is to install a modified version of the Google Phone system app (com.google.android.dialer component). Google's official app has a built-in recording feature, but it's geographically limited. Modified versions (patches) remove these restrictions and allow you to record conversations without voice alert.
To implement this method on Xiaomi Mi 9 you will need:
- Remove updates to the standard Phone app (if possible) or disable it.
- Find and download APK-A modified Google Dialer file with recording support (often marked as "With Recording" or "Mod.
- Install the downloaded file by allowing installation from unknown sources.
- Assign a new application to the phone by default in the system settings.
The main advantage of this method is the integration into the native call interface, the recording button appears directly on the screen during a conversation, the recording quality is usually excellent, since the system audio stream is used, but the version of Google Phone must strictly comply with the Android version and the security of Google Play Services, otherwise the application will fly out.
Where to find a safe Google Dialer mod?
Comparison of recording methods and their effectiveness
To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have systematized the basic methods in the table, each with its advantages and disadvantages depending on your technical skills and audio quality requirements.
| Method | Recording quality | Difficulty | Notification of the interlocutor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regional change (India/Singapore) | High. | Low. | Got it (voice) |
| Third-party applications (ACR, etc.) | Medium/Low | Medium | No (depending on settings) |
| Google Phone Mod | High. | Tall. | No (modified) |
| A voice recorder through a speakerphone | Low. | Low. | No. |
As you can see from the table, the modified version of Google Phone provides the best user experience, but requires caution when installing. Changing the region is the safest "official" way, but it does not hide the fact of recording from the interlocutor. Third-party applications remain a compromise option when other methods do not work.
Remember that the Xiaomi Mi 9 has a high-quality set of microphones. If you use the method of recording through speaker (starting the recorder and turning on the speaker), try to stay in a quiet room. Noise suppression of the smartphone can sometimes cut off the voice of the interlocutor, taking it for background noise.
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The gold standard for Xiaomi Mi 9 is finding the latest Google Dialer mod that matches your version of Android.This gives native integration and better sound quality without unnecessary action.
Legal aspects and retention of records
Including the recording function, you should be aware of legal responsibility. In the Russian Federation, recording your own conversation for personal needs is usually allowed, however, the distribution, publication or use of the recording in court without the consent of the second party can be regarded as a violation of the right to privacy (Article 138.1 of the Criminal Code, Art. 152.2 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation).
Record files on Xiaomi Mi 9 They're usually stored in a hidden folder, and the path to them can vary: /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec or /Recordings/Call_rec. Depending on the method chosen, the files may have a format.m4a,.mp3 It is recommended to regularly transfer important records to the cloud or computer, as when resetting settings or flashing them will be irretrievably lost.
Also, consider that some messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) use encrypted communication channels, and standard methods of recording system sound do not work for them. To record such conversations, you have to use a voice recorder with a hands-free connection on, which affects quality.
⚠️ Note: The use of conversation records as evidence in court depends on the particular case and the judge's position. Often an editing examination is required, so the source file must be kept unchanged.
Check the free space on the drive regularly. HD-audio (if available in your firmware modification) takes up significantly more space than standard compressed audio. Memory overload can cause a new record to be interrupted or not to survive at all.