How to record a conversation on Xiaomi 9: all the ways

Modern smartphones, including flagship models like the Xiaomi Mi 9, are equipped with powerful functionality, but some basic features can be hidden or changed by the manufacturer. Owners often face the need to save important information from a phone conversation, whether it is a business arrangement or an order confirmation. The question of how to record a conversation on Xiaomi 9, becomes especially relevant, as standard methods may not work as in older versions of the MIUI shell.

The problem is that Google’s privacy policy is tightening, which directly affects the Android operating system. In recent firmware versions for Xiaomi Mi 9, developers could remove the native write button from the standard call interface by replacing it with third-party solutions or limiting functionality. However, there are several proven ways to circumvent these restrictions and provide a reliable archive of incoming and outgoing calls.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from built-in MIUI shell tools to the use of specialized applications from the Play Market. You will learn how to activate hidden functions, what settings you need to check first and what to do if a standard call stopped supporting recording. It is critical to understand that the recording method depends on the specific version of Android and the regional firmware installed on your device.

Built-in recording function in the MIUI shell

The first thing you need to check the owner of Xiaomi Mi 9 is the presence of built-in functionality in the standard mobile application. In Chinese and some global versions of MIUI firmware, this feature is built-in at the system level and does not require additional software installation. To activate, you should open the call app and go to the settings menu, which is usually hidden behind three dots or a gear in the corner of the screen.

You'll need to find Call Recording in the settings menu, and if you have one, you'll need to activate Auto Record or Definite Numbers slider, which is the best way to record audio directly from the digital stream, ensuring that both people are perfectly audible without background noise.

• 📱 Open the Phone app and click on the settings menu.
• 🎙️ Find the Call Record section and activate the function.
• 💾 Select mode: Record all calls or only selected contacts.
• 📂 Specify the path of preservation: internal memory or SD-map.

However, if you are using a global version of Android One or an updated shell with Google Dialer, this item may not be available, in which case the Android security system blocks access to the audio stream for third-party applications, making embedded recording impossible without root rights.

⚠️ Note: In some regions (especially in the EU), the phone’s recording function may be blocked by the manufacturer due to strict data privacy laws, even if the hardware of the phone has such a capability.

Using Google Dialer for Xiaomi Mi 9

Many Xiaomi Mi 9 users, after upgrading to Android 10 or 11, find that the call interface has changed, this is the transition to Google Dialer, which gradually replaces Xiaomi’s own development in global firmware. In this version of the application, the recording function is also present, but has its own implementation features and notification of the interlocutor.

To use the entry in Google Dialer, you need to make sure that the application is updated to the latest version through the Play Market. In the application settings, in the "Record calls" section, you should turn on the appropriate switch.

The main difference from native MIUI is the storage format and access to files. Google Dialer records are often saved to the cloud or to a secure folder, which is restricted. You can't just copy a file through a file manager without special rights, which is a security measure, but creates inconvenience for users who are used to direct access to the file system.

If you are annoyed by a voice alert or the lack of direct access to files, the only way out is to search and install an old version of the MIUI call that is compatible with your version of Android, or use third-party solutions, which will be discussed below.

Third-party applications for recording calls

When the Xiaomi Mi 9’s built-in tools are inadequate or unavailable, independent apps come to the rescue, a niche long considered to be dominated by Call Recorder, an ACR that can bypass many of Android’s system limitations. However, with Android 9 and the newer, Google has closed many loopholes for developers to look for new methods.

Modern applications like Cube ACR or Automatic Call Recorder use Accessibility Service to emulate taps or intercept audio streams. When installing such software on Xiaomi Mi 9, you will need to provide advanced permissions, including the right to overlay over other windows and access to the microphone in the background.

• 📥 Download the app from the Play Market or APK-developer's site.
• 🔐 Provide all permissions requested, including Accessibility.
• ⚙️ In the application settings, select the sound source (Voice Call or Microphone).
• 🧪 Conduct a test call to check the quality.

It’s worth noting that free versions of such programs often have restrictions: advertising, a limit on the number of records or no cloud sync. For the Xiaomi Mi 9 with its powerful processor, this is not a problem, but it is important to monitor battery consumption, as the constant operation of the microphone and processor can speed up discharge.

Setup of automation and exceptions

Effectively recording conversations on Xiaomi Mi 9 requires fine-tuning automation to avoid storing gigabytes of unnecessary dialogue with couriers or spam calls. Most quality recorders and native MIUI feature White and Black lists, allowing you to record only important contacts or, conversely, ignore certain numbers.

To set exceptions in the standard MIUI app, go to the recording settings and select "Do not write numbers" or "Write only selected ones." This is where you can contact from the phone book, which is especially useful for business users who want to archive only customer communications, leaving personal conversations private.

Also, it’s worth paying attention to the file-saving format. WAV provides better quality but takes up more space, whereas MP3 or AMR are more economical. For the Xiaomi Mi 9 with its large storage capacity, the format isn’t as critical, but if you plan to keep the archive for years, it’s better to opt for a high-bitrate compressed format.

⚠️ Warning: When setting up automatic recording, make sure that there is enough free space in the phone. Prolonged high-quality conversations can quickly exhaust free space, leading to a recording stop or system failures.

💡

Use Google Drive (Mi Cloud) to automatically upload records, which will save your conversation history in the event of loss or failure of the Xiaomi Mi 9 smartphone.

Problems with sound quality and their solution

One of the most common complaints of Xiaomi Mi 9 users is that they have a quiet voice or no voice in the recording, which is related to how the system routes audio streams. If you use a third-party app, try changing the settings to Audio Source.

It often helps to turn on speakerphones while talking, if the app is recording sound through a microphone rather than from an internal stream, which is not always convenient, but it ensures that the voice of the interlocutor is recorded through the speaker and captured by the microphone of the device. It is also worth checking the permissions in the Settings section → Annexes → Permits → Microphone.

If you use a Bluetooth headset, you may not be recording at all or you may be writing your voice, a technical limitation of many Android versions that don't mix the streams of a Bluetooth headset and system call into a single file, and in such cases, you'll have to switch to Speakerphone mode or use a built-in voice recorder that's on in parallel to get a good record.

Legal aspects and ethics of recording

Before you start recording conversations on Xiaomi Mi 9, you need to be aware of legal responsibility. In the Russian Federation and many other countries, recording a conversation in which you participate is usually allowed for personal use.

Legally, using the recording as evidence in court often requires that the person being interviewed be alerted to the recording, so if you plan to use the Xiaomi Mi 9 as a voice recorder for important conversations, it makes sense to issue a warning at the start of the conversation, which will protect you from accusations of privacy violations.

In a corporate environment, the rules can be even stricter: If you use a work phone or record conversations with customers, make sure that this complies with company policies and industry standards (e.g. GDPR in Europe or 152-FZ in Russia).

💡

The technical possibility of recording on Xiaomi Mi 9 is great, but always strike a balance between the need to fix information and the right of the interlocutor to confidentiality.

Where to find and how to manage records

After a successful record, it's important to know where the files are stored. MIUI The path usually looks like this: Internal memory → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. Here, files are sorted by date and can be easily renamed, sent or deleted. For Google Dialer, the path may be different, often files are in a hidden Recordings folder inside the app directory.

For easy archive management, it is recommended to use file managers with a sorting function by size and date, for example, Total Commander or the standard “Conductor” from Xiaomi. Regular cleaning of the archive will help to avoid memory overflow, which is especially true if you record every call in high quality.

Remember to back up important records. Move them to your computer or the cloud immediately after important negotiations. Xiaomi Mi 9 supports fast data transfer over Wi-Fi, which allows you to quickly upload bulky audio files.