Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Mi 8: all ways from built-in to hidden

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Mi 8 is a challenge that users face when doing business, fixing important agreements or simply for personal safety. Despite the restrictions of law in some countries, the functionality remains in demand. The main problem of Mi 8 owners (codename dipper) is the lack of built-in recording option in the standard Phone application on the latest versions of MIUI 14/15.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, from legal (with the notification of the interlocutor) to technically complex (for experienced users), pay attention to the nuances of working on the Mi 8, taking into account its hardware features: Snapdragon 845 processor, 6 GB of RAM and the lack of a memory card slot, and find out why some applications from Google Play refuse to work on this device and how to bypass locks.

1.Can I record calls to Xiaomi Mi 8 legally?

Before we get to the technical part, it is worth clarifying the legal aspects. In 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 on the right to privacy of correspondence does not apply to telephone conversations).

• 📢 Built-in recording MIUI (If available, automatically alerts the interlocutor with an audible signal.
• 🔒 Third-party apps can bypass notifications, but it is legally risky.
• ⚖️ The use of court records is possible only if local laws are observed.

In practice, Xiaomi blocks the possibility of hidden recording in new versions of the firmware, but there are workarounds. For example, in China and India, the functionality is available out of the box, whereas in global builds (MIUI Global) it is often removed. You can check your version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

2. Built-in call recording: where to look on MIUI?

If your Xiaomi Mi 8 is running MIUI 12 or older, the chance of finding the built-in record is minimal – the company removed the feature from global firmware after the privacy scandal in 2020. However, on Chinese (MIUI China) or Indian (MIUI India) builds, the option may remain.

1. Open the phone app (Phone).
2. Dial the number and start the call.
3. During the conversation, pay attention to the screen: if there is a “Record” button (a microphone or circle icon), the function is active.

If the button is not there, try to enable it through hidden settings:

Settings → Special features → Additional settings → Call recording

Important: Even if activated successfully, the record will be saved in.amr format in the folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/calls. Quality leaves much to be desired — 8 keto/16 bit, which is worse than specialized applications.

💡

To improve the sound of the built-in recording, before calling, turn on the "High Voice Quality" mode in the settings. SIM-Cards (if supported by the operator).

3. Top.-3 Applications for recording calls to Xiaomi Mi 8

Third-party utilities are the most reliable way to record a conversation on the Mi 8, but not all of them are compatible with MIUI. We tested dozens of options and selected those that work consistently even on the latest versions of the firmware. The selection criteria: no root rights, minimal impact on the battery and the ability to save records to the cloud.

To install any of the applications:

1. Download APK from the official website (e.g. Cube ACR).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Launch the app and grant permissions to microphone, storage, and notifications.

Warning: Some apps (like Truecaller) block recording of calls to Xiaomi due to privacy policies.If the recording does not start after installation, check if the utility conflicts with other services (like Google Phone or Mi Security).

4. Record calls via Google Drive (no apps)

A little-known way to record a conversation on the Mi 8 is to use Google Drive in voice input mode, a method that is suitable for capturing important moments, but not for recording the entire dialogue.

1. Open Google Drive in your browser.
2. Create a new document (Create a new document) → Google Documents).
3. Click on the microphone icon in the toolbar (or Tools → Voice input).
4. Allow access to the microphone and start a conversation, and all words will automatically be recognized and stored in text.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔍 Text format is convenient for searching for key phrases.
• ☁️ Automatic Save in the Cloud.
• 📱 No need to install additional applications.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Recognition works in only one language per session.
• ❌ The quality depends on the noise level and the accent of the interlocutor.
• ❌ It doesn’t capture the voice of the interlocutor, only your speech.

💡

Google Drive does not replace a full-fledged record, but it is suitable for creating text notes during a conversation.

5. Hidden recording via second phone or headset

If all the software methods don't work, there's hardware bypass. On the Xiaomi Mi 8, there are two ways to do this:

1. Use of the second telephone: 📱 Put the second smartphone next to it and turn on it recording via a recorder (for example, built-in Mi Recorder). 🔊 Put on speakerphone on the Mi 8 so both voices are recorded.

Connecting a headset with a record

• 🎧 Use a Bluetooth headset with a recording function (e.g. Sony) DR-BT50GX Jabra Elite 85h).
• 🔄 Sync the headset with the Mi 8 and activate the recording through its application.

Cons of the method:

• ⚠️ Low quality of sound due to echoes and noise.
• ⚠️ Obviousness to the interlocutor (if using a loud communication).

A critical nuance for Xiaomi Mi 8: when connecting the headset via Bluetooth 5.0, there can be a delay of up to 200 ms, which will make the recording unsuitable for accurate analysis. To minimize lag, turn off the option “Double Audio” in the Bluetooth settings (Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth → Additional).

Rooting and modified firmware: last resort

If you want 100% secure recording without restrictions, you only need to get root rights or install custom firmware (like LineageOS). On the Xiaomi Mi 8, this is possible thanks to an active development community, but the process has risks:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a wait of 7-30 days).
• 🛠️ Installation TWRP and firmware with recording support (e.g. Havoc-OS).
• 🔧 Using Magisk module for hidden recording (e.g. CallRecorder).

Step-by-step instructions for experienced users:

1. Unlock the bootloader via https://en.miui.com/unlock/


2.Install TWRP: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img




3.Search Magisk: fastboot flash magisk.zip




4. Install CallRecorder module via Magisk Manager




5.Reboot and set up the recording in the application "Magisk CallRecorder"

⚠️ Attention: rooting voids the warranty and can lead to the blocking of banking applications (due to the SafetyNet trigger). NFC post-firmware modification.

Backup via Mi Cloud| Check IMEI (dig *#06#)| Download firmware for your model (dipper)| Disable encryption in settings | Charge your phone to 80%-->

7 Where are the records stored and how do they be protected?

By default, call records for Xiaomi Mi 8 are saved in:

• 📁 /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/calls/ — embedded.
• 📁 /sdcard/CallRecorder/ — for most third-party applications.
• ☁️ Cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) – if sync is enabled.

To protect files from accidental deletion:

1. Transfer the records to a computer or external drive.
2. Use a password archiver (e.g. 7-Zip with AES-256 encryption).
3. Set up automatic backup in Settings → System → Backup.

For confidential records, we recommend:

• 🔐 Delete metadata (for example, via ExifTool).
• 🗑️ Use secure removal (Shreddit app).

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls on Xiaomi Mi 8