How to Record a Phone Call on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: All Working Ways in 2026

Xiaomi Redmi 9T is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but the call recording feature doesn’t always work out of the box. Depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14), the firmware region and the operator’s policies, recording capabilities may vary. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways, from built-in tools to third-party applications, and also talk about the legal subtleties that are important to consider before recording conversations.

If you have never recorded a call on Redmi 9T before, start by checking your version: go to Settings → About → About → MIUI. This will determine which method is right for you. For example, in European firmware, the recording feature is often disabled due to privacy laws, and in global versions it may be necessary to activate through an engineering menu.

Important: the recording of telephone conversations is regulated by the laws of your country; in some regions (for example, in the EU) the consent of the interlocutor is required for recording, and in others (for example, in Russia) a notice of recording is sufficient, we do not recommend using the recordings in court or for blackmail - this may entail legal liability.

1. Built-in MIUI recording function: how to enable and configure

Redmi 9T with MIUI 12.5 and later (global/Indian version) has a built-in call recording feature, but it's often hidden to activate it:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select a Conversation Record (if there is no item, read the next section).
4. Activate the switch and select which calls to record: All, Favourite Only or Unknown Only.

If there is no record of conversations on the menu, it means that:

• 📱 You have European firmware (EEA) where the function is legally disabled.
• 🔄 Your version of MIUI is outdated (update via Settings → System Update).
• 🛠️ The function is blocked by the operator (try changing SIM- to another network).

On the Redmi 9T with MIUI 13+ firmware, the global version automatically saves call recording to the MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec folder on internal memory. The files are.m4a format and occupy ~1 MB per minute of conversation.

2. How to unlock call recording through the engineering menu

If the built-in feature is missing, it can be enabled via an engineering menu (powered by MIUI 12-14), which does not require root rights, but only works until the phone restarts.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and dial the combination: ##6484## (or #2663## for new versions).
2. Select Audio → Volte Setting → Call Record.
3. Activate the Enable Call Record option (if any).
4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

The phone application should then have a recording button on the call (usually in the form of a dot mug) if the method does not work:

• 🔧 Try another combination: ##3646633## → MTK Settings → Audio → Normal Mode → Type.
• 📵 Make sure you don't have EEA- firmware (European).
• 🔄 Upgrade your phone to the latest version MIUI.

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu may cause modem malfunctions. If the network is lost after activation of the recording, reset the network settings to Settings → SIM- Maps and Mobile Networks → Settings Reset.

3 Top-5 applications for recording calls to Redmi 9T

If the built-in methods don't work, we're left with third-party applications, and we tested 15 programs and selected the 5 most reliable ones for the Redmi 9T:

Before installation, check:

• 📌 Compatible with your version of Android (on Redmi 9T it's Android 10/11/12).
• 🔒 Permissions: The application needs rights to Microphone, Warehouse and Phone.
• 📡 Communication quality: Some programs do not record the voice of the interlocutor poorly when the signal is weak.

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If the application does not record the voice of the interlocutor, turn on the option “Use the built-in recording” or “Closephone Mode” in its settings.

4. Record calls via Google Drive (no apps)

A little-known way to record conversations is to use Google Drive in hands-free mode, which works on any firmware, but requires a second device (a laptop, tablet, or other phone).

Instructions:

1. Open Google Drive on your second device and create a new record: Create → More → Voice recording.
2. On Redmi 9T, turn on speakerphone during the call (button with speaker).
3. Bring the second device with the running record to the phone speaker.
4. After the conversation, save the record in the cloud or download it.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Does not require installation of software on Redmi 9T.
• 📁 Records are automatically saved to the cloud.
• 🎤 Good sound quality with proper microphone positioning.

Disadvantages:

• 📱 We need a second device.
• 🔊 The interviewer will hear an echo if the microphone of the second device is too close.
• 📡 Doesn't work for headphone recordings.

⚠️ Warning: Using this method, the person may hear the sound of the recording (if the microphone of the second device is sensitive). To avoid suspicion, step back to a quiet place or use the headphones with a microphone on the second device.

5. Legal aspects: can calls be recorded without consent

Recording of telephone conversations is governed by privacy and personal data laws, and the rules vary by country:

In Russia, recording of a conversation is allowed without the consent of the interlocutor, if:

• 📞 You are a participant in the conversation.
• 🔊 You do not distribute the recording publicly.
• 📝 The record is used for personal purposes (e.g., fixing agreements).

If you plan to use the record in a disputed situation (for example, to resolve a conflict with a bank or support team), it is better to:

• 📢 Notify the interviewee in advance: "The conversation is recorded to record information."
• 📄 Save notification confirmation (e.g., in SMS or chat).
• 🔒 Store records in a secure location (not in cloud services).

6 Where records are stored and how to restore them

Call records on Redmi 9T can be stored in different locations depending on the recording method:

• 📁 Embedded recording MIUI: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ (format.m4a).
• 📱 Third-party applications: usually in the CallRecordings or AudioRec folder on internal memory.
• ☁️ Cloud services: Google Drive, Dropbox, or your own application cloud (e.g. Cube ACR).

If the records are missing:

1. Check the Recycle Bin folder in the file manager (records can stay there for up to 30 days).
2. Use data recovery software such as DiskDigger or Recuva (requires root for deep scanning).
3. Check cloud backups (if sync with Google Drive or Mi Cloud is enabled).

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On Redmi 9T, call records are not included in the standard MIUI backup. To avoid losing them, manually copy the call_rec folder to your computer or to the cloud.

If you use Cube ACR or similar applications, records can be exported to:

1. Open the application → section Records.
2. Select the desired file → Share → Save to...
3. Select a cloud (Google Drive, Telegram) or local folder.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When you record calls on Redmi 9T, you're going to see some common mistakes, and we've put together solutions for the most common cases.

If none of these methods worked, try:

• 🔄 Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting settings.
• 📱 Install custom firmware (e.g., Pixel Experience) where the recording function is running by default.
• 🛠️ Contact Xiaomi Service Center (if the problem is hardware, for example, the microphone is faulty).

⚠️ Warning: On Redmi 9T with MIUI 14 and Android 13+, some call recording apps may not work due to Google's new restrictions on accessing phone API. In this case, use the hands-free method and a second device.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions