How to record a conversation on Xiaomi Mi 9: all the ways from regular to hidden

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Mi 9 is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from fixing important business negotiations to preserving evidence in controversial situations. However, the standard features of MIUI are not always obvious, and after system updates, functionality may change. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to record calls on Mi 9, including hidden settings, third-party applications and bypassing Google restrictions.

The Xiaomi Mi 9 (codenamed cepheus) is that it came out in 2019 with MIUI 10 based on Android 9 Pie, but today most devices run MIUI 12-14 with Android 11-12. This means that recording methods that worked on older versions can be blocked or transferred to other menus. We tested each method on current firmware and indicate where you need to unlock the bootloader or superuser rights (root).

Important: Since 2022, Google has tightened its policy on apps for recording calls on Google Play, and many popular utilities (like Call Recorder – ACR) have been removed or lost functionality, and we will show you how to circumvent these restrictions legally.

1.Minute Call Recording in MIUI: Where to Look and How to Enable

Starting with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi has integrated the built-in conversation recording feature, but it is hidden by default in some regions due to legal restrictions.

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select the Record of Conversations (if no item, see the next section).
4. Activate the Automatic Record switch or select Record manually.

If the Record Conversations item is not on the menu, it means that the feature is blocked for your region.

• 📱 Change the region MIUI: Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Region and select India or Russia (where the feature is allowed). After changing region, restart the phone.
• 🔄 Update the Phone app: Sometimes the feature appears after an update via Google Play.
• 🛠️ Install a modified version MIUI (e.g. xiaomi.eu, where restrictions are lifted.

Where are the records stored? Files are saved in a folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec It's in the internal memory —.m4a (AAC), bitrate ~64 qbit/s. To listen to the recording, open the Recorder app or any file manager.

⚠️ Note: In some countries (e.g. the EU), recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor violates the law. GDPR. Before using the function, clarify local legislation.

2. Alternative ways to write without root: applications from third-party sources

If the feature is not available, you can use third-party apps, but after Google banned the Play Market, only stripped versions remained, and we tested the following solutions:

The most reliable option without root is Boldbeast Call Recorder.

1. Download APK from the official website (boldbeast.com).
2. Install by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install Unknown Applications).
3. Select Record Mode → Alsa (for Mi 9) Fix → Fix Call Recording → Change Audio Controls Tune Audio Route → Group2

Download APK from the official website |Allow installation from unknown sources |Select Record Mode → Alsa|Apply Fix Call Recording |Reboot phone-->

On Xiaomi Mi 9 with MIUI 13+ and Android 12, the app may not record the voice of the interlocutor due to Google restrictions, in which case only root or modified firmware will help.

3. Recording conversations with the second device

If the software methods do not work, you can use hardware solutions:

• 🎧 Headphones with microphone: connect wired headphones to the Mi 9, turn on recording via a voice recorder app (such as Easy Voice Recorder) and place the microphone next to the phone speaker.
• 📱 Second device: put a second smartphone or voice recorder next to you with the recording on.
• 🔊 Bluetooth headset: some models (e.g. Sony) WH-1000XM4) Allows you to record sound from the microphone to the connected device.

For better quality:

• Use a directional microphone (e.g., BOYA BY-M1).
• Close in a quiet room without echoes.
• Turn off the noise emitter in the microphone settings (Settings → Sound → Microphone Quality).

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If you're recording through headphones, turn on Monosound mode in the special features settings (Settings → Special Opportunities → Monosound) to improve the intelligibility of the voice of the interlocutor.

4. Recording through the engineering menu (hidden method)

The Xiaomi Mi 9 has a hidden recording feature via the engineering menu (#4636##).This method doesn't work on all firmware, but it can help if other methods are not available:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636##.
2. Go to the Usage Statistics section → Phone information.
3. Scroll down to the Modem block and find the Audio item.
4. Enable the VoIP Call Recording option (if any).

If there is no item, try the alternative code:

#847## (for testing the microphone)
#36446337## (to enable logging)

These codes can reset network settings or cause errors -- use at your own risk. After application, restart your phone.

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu can cause mobile communication loss or modem malfunction.Before experimenting, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

5. Recording with ADB (for advanced users)

If you have access to ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can enable hidden write functions through commands, which does not require root, but you need unlocked developer rights:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect Mi. 9 Open the terminal and type: adb shell settings put global call_recording_support 1
4. Reboot the phone. After that, the phone application should have a recording button.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell am start -n com.android.server.telecom/.settings.CallRecordingSettings

This method works on MIUI 12-13, but can be blocked in new updates. MIUI 14 requires an additional command:

adb shell cmd phone call-recording enable

6. Root-rights entry: full control

If you are ready to get root rights, additional opportunities will open up:

• 🔧 Xposed Framework + Call Recorder module: allows you to record both sides of the conversation on any Android.
• 📱 Magisk Module: For example, CallRecorder XDA Developers who bypass Google’s restrictions.
• 🛠️ Editing System Files: Changing build.prop to unlock hidden features.

Instructions for installation through Magisk:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi).
2. Install Magisk and download the CallRecorder module from the repository.
3. Activate the module in Magisk Manager and restart the phone.

After that, the Phone app will have a full record on both sides. Files will be saved to /sdcard/CallRecorder/.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the phone! also it can lead to a loss of warranty and problems with Google Pay (due to SafetyNet).

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Root rights are the best way to record, but they require technical skills and no warranty, and only use this method if other options don't work.

7 Legal aspects: can conversations be recorded

Before you record calls, read your country’s laws:

• 🇷🇺 Russia: recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor is allowed if you are a participant in the conversation (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine: consent of both parties is required (Article 31 of the Constitution).
• 🇪🇺 EU (GDPR): Recording without consent is prohibited and punishable by a fine of up to 4% of the company's annual income.
• 🇺🇸 The laws vary by state, and most require at least one party consent).

Recommendations:

• Always notify the person about the recording (for example, the phrase: “Conversation is recorded to record information”).
• Do not distribute the recordings without the consent of the participants.
• Store files in a secure location (for example, in an encrypted MIUI/Private folder).

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Xiaomi Mi 9