Owning a flagship device like the Xiaomi Mi 9 requires all the functionality you need to live comfortably, but users often face unexpected limitations. One of the most common problems is the lack of built-in phone recording in the standard Phone app, which is puzzling, especially for those who have moved from earlier models or devices of other Chinese brands where this option was present by default.
The situation is not due to hardware technical limitations, but due to legal nuances and privacy laws in different countries. Google, which develops the Android operating system, and Xiaomi are forced to take into account the laws of the countries where smartphones are shipped. As a result, in global versions of MIUI Global firmware, the feature is often hidden or completely removed from the standard caller.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the ways you can activate the recording of conversations on the Xiaomi Mi 9. We will look at both software methods for changing the region and using third-party applications if standard methods do not work. You will understand why this feature is hidden, and learn how to safely return it without disrupting the system.
Why the phone call record for Xiaomi Mi 9 is missing
The main reason for the lack of a record button in the dialing interface is because of Google’s privacy policy: Starting with certain versions of Android, access to the audio stream during a call was significantly limited for third-party apps and even system functions, which was done to prevent covert surveillance, but hit functionality for those who are used to doing business or recording important information through the phone.
Xiaomi’s Global ROMs are following these guidelines to be eligible for Google Play services, while China ROMs and some regional builds (such as those for Ukraine, Russia or India at certain times) may have included this feature, so whether or not a record is available depends on which version of the software you installed on your Mi 9.
⚠️ Attention: Forced activation of hidden features through region change may affect some services, such as Google Pay or news feeds.Always back up important data before making system changes.
It is important to understand the difference between the lack of a feature in the menu and the physical impossibility of implementing it. The hardware of the Xiaomi Mi 9, including microphones and a processor, is fully ready to process and save the audio stream. The problem is exclusively software and is solved either by “deception” of the system that defines the region or installing alternative software.
Changing the region as a way to activate the function
The simplest and safest method, which doesn't require rooting or flashing, is to change the region in the smartphone settings. The logic of MIUI is that it's legal for certain countries to record conversations, and by switching regions, you make the phone think it's in a country where it's legal, and the corresponding option appears on the menu.
To implement this method, you need to go to the system settings. The path is usually: Settings → Advanced Settings → Region. In the list of countries that opens, you need to choose the country where the recording function is exactly present, most often the users are India, Indonesia, Singapore or Vietnam.
☑️ Checking before changing the region
After a region change, the phone interface can partially change the language of some system applications if the region is not fully localized, but the main language of the system remains the same. Some widgets, such as the news feed or the weather, can change to adapt to a new geographic area, this is normal behavior that does not affect the performance of the gadget.
If you change region in the Phone app and you have a record button or a call setting, it works. Now, when you make an outgoing or incoming call, you can activate the recording by pressing the corresponding button on the screen, and it's important to note that you can record automatically if you set this in parameters, or manually.
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After activating the recording via region change, remember to return to call settings and enable automatic recording for all numbers or only for selected contacts so you don’t miss important conversation moments.
Set up automatic and manual recording
Once the feature is available, it is crucial to set it up properly so as not to store gigabytes of excess garbage or, conversely, not to lose critical information. In the settings of the Phone application (usually available through three points in the corner of the screen or through the system settings menu), a new section dedicated to recording calls appears.
You can choose the mode of operation here. Manual mode requires your participation: during a conversation, a button appears on the screen that you need to press to start fixing. Automotive mode is convenient because the phone itself starts recording when you connect. MIUI also has a flexible setting: you can set an automatic entry only for certain numbers from the contact book or, conversely, for everyone but a select few.
| Setup parameter | Description of function | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Record all calls. | Automatically save every incoming and outgoing call | It takes a lot of space, it’s hard to find the right one. |
| Record of selected numbers | Fixing only contacts from the list | Optimal for business and important customers |
| Notice of recording | Necessary to comply with etiquette and laws | |
| File format | MP3 is compatible with all players |
The voice notification feature, which is activated at the beginning of a conversation, says that the conversation is being recorded, is an important ethical and legal aspect. In many countries, recording without warning of the other party is illegal, and using this feature can have consequences.
Files are stored in the internal memory of the device. The path to them is usually standard: Internal memory → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. However, depending on the version MIUI It is recommended to periodically check this folder and transfer important records to the cloud storage or to the computer, as when resetting the settings they will be lost.
Use of third-party applications for recording
If the region change didn't work, as it sometimes does on the latest versions of Android 10/11/12, where Google has closed the loopholes even tighter, third-party developers come to the rescue. There are many applications on Google Play that specialize in recording calls. The most popular and time-tested are Call Recorder - ACR, Cube ACR and TapeACall.
These applications work independently of the Xiaomi system caller, and they use their own drivers and audio capture techniques. However, due to Android's security policy, installing these programs requires broad permissions, including access to a microphone, phone, and in some cases, special access permissions (Accessibility) so that the application can "press" response and write buttons for you.
⚠️ Note: Third-party apps may not work properly on new versions of Android, recording only your voice or silence instead of the voice of the interlocutor.
When using third-party software, it is important to properly configure the sound source. In the settings of the recorder application, you often need to manually choose a recording method (for example, VoIP or a standard audio source). On the Xiaomi Mi 9 with its quality microphones, it often helps to turn on the hands-free mode during a conversation if the program can not capture the voice of the interlocutor in normal mode.
Some advanced users prefer to install modified versions of Google’s Phone system app or ports from Chinese firmware, a more complex method that requires removing system updates and preventing automatic updates through the Play Market, which allows the native recording feature to return, but carries risks of instability.
Risks of using modified callers
Where records are stored and how to manage them
Understanding the structure of MIUI file storage is essential to effectively manage recorded dialogs. By default, all audio files are folded into a single folder, which can eventually turn into chaos if you lead an active phone life. Xiaomi Mi 9 has a fast drive, but it is not rubber, and the place needs to be controlled.
For easy recording management, the best way to do this is to use the built-in Dictophone or Sound Recorder app, which is part of the MIUI ecosystem, and it groups records by date and type (meetings, lectures, calls), and from there you can do basic editing: cropping the beginning and end, removing noise, or renaming the file for quick search.
- 📂 Standard path: /Internal Storage/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/
- 📂 The Way for Some Third-Party Applications: /Internal Storage/CallRecords/
- 📂 The way for Google Calls (if recording is supported): /Internal Storage/Call recording/
If you plan to use records as evidence or just keep them for a long time, it is recommended to configure sync with the cloud. Xiaomi Cloud can sync recordings of the recorder, but the amount of free storage is limited. The alternative is to automatically download the folder with records to Google Drive or Yandex.Disk through their applications with the function of autoloading photos and videos (sometimes you need to select a specific folder manually).
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Regular cleaning of the folder with call records is a mandatory procedure to maintain the performance of the smartphone and free up valuable space on the drive.
Problems with sound quality and their solution
Even when the feature is successfully activated, Xiaomi Mi 9 users may experience poor recording quality, the interlocutor may not be heard, or his voice will sound like a barrel. This is often due to the peculiarities of the noise cancellation in the smartphone. Mi 9 microphones are tuned to suppress extraneous noise, and sometimes they perceive the voice of the interlocutor as noise, especially when talking on speakerphone or via VoLTE.
To improve quality, try changing the recording source in the voice recorder or third-party application settings. If you use a standard caller, try switching the sound to the speaker during a conversation (loud communication) - this often makes the voice of the interlocutor louder and more legible in the recording, as the second microphone (bottom) begins to work more actively.
Quality can also suffer when using a codec. EVS (Enhanced Voice Services on networks 4G/LTE. In the mobile network settings, you can try switching the network type to 3G/2G temporarily, if the record is critical, although it will reduce the overall quality of the communication, in most cases, the problem is solved by updating the recorder application or the system itself. MIUI.
Legal aspects and ethics of recording
The technical ability to record a conversation does not always mean that it is legal to use the recording. The laws of different countries, including the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and EU countries, treat recording telephone conversations differently. In general, recording a conversation in which you participate is most often permissible for personal use, but publishing or transferring to third parties without the consent of the interlocutor may be illegal.
The use of a court record also has its nuances: the court can only accept an audio recording as evidence if it is obtained legally and does not violate the right to privacy. So, even with the technically advanced Xiaomi Mi 9, always weigh the consequences.
In corporate settings, the rules can be even stricter: Recording customer conversations with employees of companies is often regulated by internal and federal communications laws, and make sure that your actions do not conflict with your organization's security policies.