How to record a conversation on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: all ways with detailed instructions

Recording phone conversations on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 can be required in a variety of situations, from fixing important business agreements to saving memorable conversations with loved ones. However, not all users know that the smartphone’s capabilities are limited out of the box – standard MIUI firmware does not include a built-in voice recorder for calls, due to both technical limitations of Android and legal nuances in different countries.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to record conversations on Redmi Note 8 – from using hidden firmware functions to third-party applications with advanced features. We will focus on the legal aspects of recording in Russia and CIS countries so that you can avoid problems with the law, you will learn how to set up automatic recording for all incoming / outgoing calls and where stored files are stored.

Important: Before recording conversations, always notify the person you are recording if required by local law, and in some regions, a hidden recording may be considered a violation of the right to privacy.

1. Standard MIUI features: Is there a built-in call record?

Firmware MIUI Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 (model ginkgo/willow) It does not initially include the phone app's call recording feature, which is due to Google's policy of using Android. 9 Pie has restricted the audio stream of apps during calls for security reasons, but there are two nuances:

• 🔍 In some regional firmware versions (e.g. India or China), the write function can be activated via hidden settings. Check this by typing the code ##4636## in the phone app and going to the Testing menu».
• 📱 On newer Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 and higher), call recording is implemented via the Mi Cloud service, but on the Note 8 this method does not work.

If your smartphone is purchased from an official Russian store, there is likely no built-in recording function, in which case you will have to use third-party solutions, which will be discussed later.

⚠️ Note: Attempts to activate hidden recording via the engineering menu (#4636##) can cause malfunctions in the phone module.

2. applications for recording calls: TOP-3 proven solutions

The most reliable way to record a conversation on Redmi Note 8 is to install a dedicated app, and we tested dozens of programs and selected the top three options that work stable and do not require root rights:

To install any of these applications:

1. Go to Google Play and find the app by name.
2. Click “Install” and wait for the download to be completed.
3. Launch the app and give access to the microphone, contacts and memory of the device.
4. In the settings, enable the option “Autorecord” for incoming / outgoing calls.

Check the available space on the device (minimum 500 MB)

Disable battery optimization for the app

Set up exceptions in the "permissions" for the microphone

Test call to check recording quality-->

Cube Call Recorder ACR is our choice as the most stable solution, and it uses an alternative method of recording via VoIP protocol, which allows you to bypass the limitations of Android.

• 📵 Turn off the "Do Not Disturb" mode during calls.
• 🔊 Set the microphone volume to maximum in the application settings.
• 📶 Connect to the network 4G Wi-Fi for stable work.

3. Manually enable recording via Google Drive (for Android 10 and below)

If your Redmi Note 8 runs Android 9 Pie or Android 10, you can use the built-in call recording feature via Google Drive.This method does not require installing third-party apps, but has limitations:

1. Open the Phone app and go to Settings → Call Record.
2. Select the option “Record all calls” or “Record only selected calls”.
3. Enable sync with Google Drive in your account settings.
4. After the call is completed, the recording will automatically be uploaded to the Call Recordings folder on the Drive.

Please note:

• 🔴 The method does not work on all versions. MIUI (tested MIUI 11 and MIUI 12).
• 📁 Records take up space in the cloud – when used actively, you may need a paid subscription to Google One.
• 🔊 Recording quality is lower than that of specialized applications (mono sound, 8 kHz).

⚠️ Note: Starting with Android 11, Google has completely blocked access to the audio call stream for third-party apps.If your Redmi Note 8 has upgraded to MIUI 12.5+ Android 11-based, this method will not work.

4. Recording the conversation via a second phone or voice recorder

If the software methods are not suitable (for example, due to the limitations of Android 11), you can use hardware solutions. This method is guaranteed to work on any smartphone, including the Redmi Note 8, but requires additional hardware:

Option 1: Second smartphone in hands-free mode

1. Put a second phone (or tablet) next to you with a voice recorder running.
2. Turn on the Redmi Note 8 hands-free mode (Green tube → speaker).
3. Start recording on the second device (you can use a standard voice recorder or Voice Recorder).
4. After the call is completed, save the recording and, if necessary, cut the unnecessary fragments in the audio editor.

Option 2: External recorder with 3.5 mm connector

Connect to Redmi Note 8 via adapter USB-C → 3.5 mm external recorder (e.g. Sony) ICD-UX570 or olimpus WS-853). This method gives you better sound quality because the microphone is optimized for recording speech. ₽).

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If you use a second phone to record, place it as close to the Redmi Note 8 speaker as possible, but don't close the microphone with your hand. You can use a tripod or stand for better sound.

5. Hidden MIUI settings: how to activate recording via the engineering menu

For power users, there is a way to enable call recording through the MIUI engineering menu. This method doesn't work on all firmware, but it can be useful if other options are not available. Use it at your own risk!

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##4636##.
2. In the menu that opens, select “Phone Information”.
3. Scroll down to the "Turn on SIP debugging" item and turn it on.
4. Go back to the main menu of engineering settings and select Audio → Voice Call.
5. Activate the option of VoIP Call Recording (if available).
6. Reboot your smartphone.

Once you reboot, the Phone app may have a recording button during the call, but this method:

• 🔧 It only works on MIUI 10 and MIUI 11. MIUI 12+ Menu items may not be available).
• 📵 May cause failures in the communication module (up to loss of network).
• 🔄 After updating the firmware settings will reset.

⚠️ Note: If after changing the settings in the engineering menu, the network signal is lost, reset the communication settings: → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

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The engineering menu is designed for testing and debugging, so don't change the settings that you don't know what they're supposed to do, because that can knock your smartphone out.

6 Where records are stored and how to export them

Depending on the method of writing, files can be saved to different folders, and here's where to look for records on the Redmi Note 8:

To transfer the recordings to the computer:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 8 to your PC via USB-cable.
2. Select file transfer mode (MTP) in the notification on your smartphone.
3. Open the folder with records (see the table above) and copy the files to the hard drive.

To save space on your smartphone:

• 🗑️ Clean your records folder regularly (for example, once a month).
• ☁️ Set up automatic cloud upload (e.g. Yandex Drive or Google Drive).
• 🔄 Use archiving of old records in format ZIP.

7. Legal aspects: can conversations in Russia and CIS be recorded?

Before recording telephone conversations, read the legislation of your country. In Russia and most CIS countries, the following rules apply:

Russia (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, Art. 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation):

• 📞 Recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited if it is carried out for the purpose of dissemination or blackmail.
• 🎤 If the record is made for personal use (e.g., recording of agreements), it is permissible but cannot be used in court as evidence without the consent of the other party.
• ⚖️ In civil proceedings, the record can be accepted by the court if it confirms your position and obtained legally (for example, the interlocutor was notified of the record).

Ukraine (Article 31 of the Constitution, Article 182 of the Criminal Code):

• 🚫 Recording without consent is considered a violation of the secrecy of correspondence and is punishable by a fine or correctional labor.
• ✅ A record is allowed if one of the interlocutors is notified of it in advance.

Kazakhstan (Article 18 of the Constitution, Art. 147 of the Criminal Code):

• 📱 Recording for personal use is allowed, but distribution without consent is prohibited.
• 📌 In court, a record may be accepted if it confirms facts relevant to the case.

Recommendations for compliance with the law:

• 🗣️ Always notify the person at the beginning of the conversation (e.g., "I'm turning on the recording to record our agreement. You don't mind?»).
• 📝 Keep a log of records indicating the date, time and participants of the conversation.
• 🔒 Keep records in a secure place and do not pass them on to third parties.

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If the recording of the conversation is used in court, you will receive the written consent of the interlocutor in advance or confirmation that he was notified of the recording.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8