How to record a conversation on a Xiaomi phone: all the ways from standard to hidden

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from fixing important business negotiations to preserving evidence in controversial situations. However, not everyone knows that recording capabilities depend on the device model, MIUI version, and even regional restrictions. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways – from built-in features to third-party applications, as well as talk about the legal nuances and technical tricks that will help to get a quality record.

It is important to understand that the legality of recording conversations varies from country to country: some regions require you to notify the person about recording, in others it is strictly forbidden without their consent. We do not call for breaking the law, but only describe the technical capabilities of Xiaomi devices. If you plan to use the recordings for official purposes (for example, in court), consult a lawyer in advance.

Technically, Xiaomi smartphones based MIUI The 12 and later have a built-in call recording feature, but it's often hidden or limited. e.g. on some Redmi Note 10 Pro models or POCO X3 Pro option is available only for SIM-In this article, we'll show you how to get around these restrictions by legal means without rooting or dangerous hacking.

1. Built-in MIUI recording function: where to look and how to turn on

Starting with MIUI 11, Xiaomi has added call recording support, but it depends on the firmware and the region, for example, on global versions (Global ROM), the feature may not be available, while on Chinese (China ROM) or Indian (India ROM) it is available by default.

1. Open the phone application (green handset).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Call Recording section.

If you don't have a clause, your firmware doesn't support the function, so you can try changing the region in your phone's settings (like India), but that would require a device reset, and the alternative is to use TWRP to install the modified firmware, but that's risky and voids the warranty.

If the function is available, its setting is intuitive:

• 📱 Automatic Recording: You can select the records of all calls or only for certain contacts (for example, from Favorites»).
• 🔊 Sound source: Some models allow you to record only your voice, only the interlocutor, or both channels (full duplex).
• 📁 Storage: Files are saved in a folder MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec format.m4a or.

⚠️ Attention: On models with Android 12+ and MIUI 13+ Google has blocked access to the API Call recording for third-party applications, which means that even if you install recording software from the Play Market, it may not work without root permissions.

2. Third-party applications for recording: TOP-5 working solutions

If the feature is not built or is not satisfied with the quality, third-party apps come to the rescue, but due to Google restrictions, many of them have been removed from the Play Market.

To install most of these applications, you will need to allow installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install Unknown Applications).

Disable battery optimization for the application|Check the permissions to access the microphone and storage|Test recording the conversation to check quality|Set exceptions in Auto Start (for the MIUI)-->

On Xiaomi models with a Qualcomm processor (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+), applications with support for the Alsa driver show better results than on devices with MediaTek (POCO M4 Pro), this is due to the peculiarities of processing audio streams by chipsets.

3. Hidden recording without notifying the interlocutor: risks and workarounds

Many users are looking for ways to record without notifying the interlocutor. Technically, this is possible, but it is important to understand the legal consequences. In Russia, according to Art. 138 of the Criminal Code, recording a conversation without consent is allowed only if you are a participant in it and do not distribute the recording publicly.

If you still decide to record secretly, here are the working methods for Xiaomi:

• 🎤 External voice recorder: connect a second phone or a specialized voice recorder (e.g. Sony) ICD-UX570) The downside is low quality and extraneous noise.
• 📱 Speak-of-mouth mode + Screen recording: Enable speakerphone and use the built-in recording screen (Settings) → Additionally. → Screen recording. The sound will be recorded with the video.
• 🔌 Recorder adapter: Devices like RecorderGear connect between the phone and headset, recording both channels. Works on any model, including the Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 and later, the system can block the recording of the screen during the call for security reasons. ADB-commands or root rights.

For the most reliable result, combine methods.

1. Use Boldbeast with the Alsa driver setting to record voice.
2. In parallel, turn on the screen recording (to record the time and date of the call).
3. Save the call log through Settings → Apps → Phone → Storage.

4. Record quality setting: bitrate, formats and noise cancellation

Even if you've achieved a work record, the quality of the record may be poor, and the basic parameters to look at are:

• 🎚️ Bitrate: optimal value - 128-192 kbit / s Below - artifacts will be heard, above - files will take up a lot of space.
• 📁 Format:.m4a (AAC) It gives you a better ratio of quality to size,.wav – no losses, but heavier.
• 🔇 Noise suppression: Boldbeast has a built-in filter, but it can eat up part of speech.

On Xiaomi with MIUI 13+, you can manually configure the write settings via ADB (without root):

adb shell settings put global call_recording_audio_source 3


adb shell settings put global call_recording_format 1

Where:

• audio_source 3 — microphone recording and speaker (full duplex).
• Format 1 is.amr format (for space saving).

To check the current settings, use the command:

adb shell settings list global | grep call_recording

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If the recording is quiet, try to increase the volume of the microphone through the engineering menu: dial ##4636## in the phone, select Audio → Microphone and set the level to 200-250.

5 Where records are stored and how to keep them

By default, the files of call records on Xiaomi are saved in one of the folders:

• /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — built-in.
• /storage/emulated/0/CallRecorder/ for most third-party applications.
• /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/[package_name]/files/ — If the recording is done via VoIP.

To avoid losing important records:

1. Back up your folder on Google Drive or Mi Cloud.
2. Use applications like Solid Explorer to automatically sync to the cloud.
3. Export.mp3 records for long-term storage (the.amr format may get damaged over time).

If the Suddenly records are gone, check:

• 🗑️ Recycle Bin folder in the file manager MIUI.
• 🔍 Cleaning settings in Security → Cleaning (sometimes files are deleted as “junk»).
• 📱 Phone app cache (sometimes records are temporarily stored there).

6.Alternative methods: Recording via PC or cloud

If none of these methods work, you can record conversations through a computer connection or cloud services, which are more difficult to set up, but give you more control over quality.

Method 1: Recording via PC (using Scrcpy + Audacity)

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB with debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times pressed; then Additional → For developers → Debugging over USB).
2. Install Scrcpy to broadcast the screen to your PC.
3. Launch Audacity and select Stereo Mix (for Windows) or BlackHole (for macOS) as your sound source.
4. During the call, the recording will go directly to the PC in high quality.

Method 2: Cloud recording via Google Voice (US/Canada)

• 🌐 Register your number in Google Voice (required) VPN for Russia).
• 📞 In the settings, turn on Call Recording.
• 🔗 All calls will be automatically recorded and saved to your Google account.

Method 3: Use SIP-record-holder

If you call via VoIP (like Zoiper or Linphone), these apps often have a built-in recording feature.

1. Install Zoiper from Play Market.
2. In the account settings, turn on Record calls.
3. Specify the folder to save (for example, /sdcard/VoIP_Records/).

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Cloud recording methods (Google Voice, SIP) are the most reliable from a legal point of view, since many services notify interlocutors about recording automatically.

7 Legal aspects: what is and what is not allowed

Before you record conversations, check out your country’s laws, and here’s a quick overview of the key regions:

If you are recording a conversation for litigation, make sure that:

• 📄 The file was not edited (can be verified through metadata or hash amount).
• 🕒 The recordings include the time, date and voices of both interlocutors.
• 📎 Decryption is attached (can be done via Otter.ai).

⚠️ Note: In Russia, telephone records cannot be used as the only evidence in criminal cases (Article 75 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Xiaomi