How to record a conversation on Xiaomi Mi 8: all ways with instructions

The Xiaomi Mi 8, released in 2018, is still a popular smartphone among users who value the balance of performance and price, but many owners face the problem of how to record a phone conversation when the feature is often disabled or hidden in standard MIUI firmware? Depending on the firmware version, regional restrictions and operator policies, recording capabilities may vary.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to record conversations on the Mi 8 – from built-in tools to third-party applications, including bypassing the restrictions of Google Play and manual settings through ADB. Particular attention will be paid to legal methods that do not violate privacy laws (recording a conversation without notifying the interlocutor is prohibited in some countries!).

If you're using Mi 8 on MIUI 10-12 firmware, some of the methods may require root rights or additional manipulation. For MIUI 13-14, simpler solutions are available.

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

On some versions of MIUI for Xiaomi Mi 8, the conversation recording feature is present by default, but hidden in the depth of the settings.

• 📱 Firmware versions (on MIUI Global is often offline, on MIUI China - available).
• 🌍 Regional restrictions (in the EU and the US, recordings may be blocked due to privacy laws).
• 📞 Firmware models (e.g. Mi 8) SE Mi 8 Pro may have other settings).

To check for the presence of an embedded record:

1. Open the phone (calling) application.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Select Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Recording of Conversations section (if there is no item, proceed to the next method).
4. Activate the slider and select the save format (e.g..amr or.mp3).

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If the call settings do not include the "Record Conversations" option, try updating the Phone app via the Play Market or installing an APK with MIUI China (requires a reset!).

Important: on MIUI 12.5+ firmware for the European region, the built-in conversation record has been completely removed due to GDPR requirements. In this case, only the installation of alternative firmware or the use of third-party applications will help.

2. Third-party applications for recording: TOP-3 verified versions

If the built-in feature is missing, third-party apps will come to the rescue, and we tested dozens of programs and selected three of the most reliable solutions for the Xiaomi Mi 8:

Installing any of these applications requires additional permissions:

Enable permission to record audio in Android settings

Access to the Call Log and Contacts

Disable battery optimization for the application in Settings → Applications → Special access → Battery optimization

Add the application to AutoRun (in MIUI: Settings → Permissions → AutoRun)

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Cube Call Recorder ACR is our choice for the Mi 8 due to the minimum requirements and stable operation.

1. Launch the app and select the recording source: Voice through the microphone (only your voice records) or Call via VOIP (trying to capture both ends of the conversation).
2. In the settings, turn off battery saving for the application.
3. Make a test call – the record should appear in the CallRecordings folder on the internal drive.

Cube Call Recorder ACR|Call Recorder - Automatic|Boldbeast|Other |Not used-->

3. Google Drive Recording: Hidden Method for MIUI

Little-known life hack: Google Drive can record phone conversations through Voice Input, a method that works on the Mi 8 without root rights, but has limitations:

• ✅ Only your voice is recorded (the sound is not recorded from the interlocutor’s side).
• ✅ No need to install additional applications.
• ❌ It is impossible to automate – you need to manually turn on the recording during the call.

Instructions:

1. Open Google Drive and click on the icon + → Create → More → Voice recording.
2. Start recording before or during the call (hold the phone close to the speaker).
3. After the conversation is over, stop recording – the file will be saved to your Drive in.mp3 format.

To improve quality:

• 🎤 Use headphones with a microphone (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Earphones).
• 📴 Transfer the call to speaker (but note that the interlocutor will hear an echo).
• 🔇 Close all background apps consuming the microphone (e.g. Shazam or Google Assistant).

4 Manual recording enabled via ADB (for advanced)

If you’re ready to dive into the technical details, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) lets you unlock hidden recording features on the Mi 8.This technique requires a computer and basic command line knowledge, but gives you access to the built-in recorder even on MIUI Global.

Preliminary requirements:

• 🖥️ Computer with ADB-tools installed (download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock Developer Settings, then enable debugging).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or high-quality).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the Mi 8 to your PC and confirm the debugging permission on your smartphone screen.


2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.




3. Enter the commands in turn:





adb shell




settings put global call_recording_supported 1




exit





4. Reboot the smartphone.




5. After restarting, open the call and check the appearance of the "Recording conversations" item in the settings.

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Settings put global call_recording_supported 1 unlock the hidden flag in MIUI, The recording function is displayed, but on some firmware (e.g, MIUI 13 EU) This method may not work due to the additional limitations of Xiaomi.

If after the execution of commands, the record point does not appear:

• 🔄 Try repeating the procedure after resetting the call settings (Settings) → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Clear the data).
• 📲 Install an alternative call (like Google Phone) that supports Android-level recording.

5. Alternative methods: from the second phone to the headset

If the software isn’t suitable, consider hardware solutions. They’re less convenient but guaranteed to work on any Xiaomi Mi 8:

Method 1: Second phone in recording mode

• 📱 Put the second smartphone next to the Mi 8 and turn on the recorder (for example, the standard application Voice Recording on Android).
• 🔊 Transfer the call to speakerphone or use a headset with a microphone.
• 🎧 For better sound, place the second phone 10-15 cm from the main speaker.

Method 2: Digital headset with recording

Some Bluetooth headsets (e.g., Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 or Sony WH-1000XM4) have a built-in feature to record conversations through an accompanying app.

1. Connect the headset to the Mi 8.
2. Open the headset manufacturer’s app (like Sony Headphones Connect).
3. Find the Call Recording section and activate it.
4. Calls will automatically be saved in the headset or cloud memory.

Method 3: External dictaphone

Professional voice recorders (such as Sony ICD-UX570 or Olympus WS-853) connect to the Mi 8 via a 3.5 mm connector (a USB-C adapter → 3.5 mm is required) and record sound from the microphone.

• 🎙️ High quality sound (up to 192 kbit/s).
• 🕒 Long-term autonomy (up to 50 hours of recording).
• 📁 Easy file management (sorting by date/time).

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When using an external voice recorder, turn off noise cancellation in the MIUI settings (Settings → Sound → Sound Improvement) to avoid recording distortions.

Legal aspects: can conversations be recorded without consent

Before you record phone calls, make sure it doesn't violate local law.The rules vary by country:

Recommendations for compliance with the law:

• 📢 Always notify the person you're talking to about the recording (e.g., "I'm recording the conversation for the record. You don't mind?").
• 🔒 Keep records in a secure place and do not distribute them without the consent of the participants.
• ⚖️ In business correspondence, use the wording: “This conversation may be recorded to ensure quality of service".

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When recording conversations on Xiaomi Mi 8 users encounter typical errors.

Problem 1: The app does not record the voice of the interlocutor

Reason: MIUI blocks access to the audio call stream for third-party applications.

Decisions:

• 🔧 Install Boldbeast Call Recorder and select Fix for Xiaomi in the settings → Record mode: 1.
• 📱 Refuse your smartphone to MIUI China (there are no restrictions on recording).
• 🔊 Use a headset with a microphone and record through it.

Problem 2: Recording is terminated or not saved

Reason: Optimizing the MIUI battery kills background processes.

Decisions:

Add a recorder app to No Limits in Battery Settings

Disable Adaptive Battery for the App

Enable Auto Start and Secondary Start in Permissions Settings

Install the application on internal memory (not on the SD-map)

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Problem 3: Low quality sound

Causes and solutions:

• 🔇 Noise suppression MIUI: Turn off the Settings. → Sound. → Improving voice.
• 📶 Weak signal network: Switch to 3G (customized SIM-maps, if 4G VoLTE is jamming.
• 🎤 Bad microphone: Clean the microphone hole (located next to the connector) USB-C) dusty.

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If the recording is interrupted after exactly 1-2 minutes, the problem is the MIUI power saving settings. Add the recorder app to the exceptions and turn off the Deep Optimization function in the battery settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions