How to record a phone conversation on a Xiaomi smartphone: everything from built-in features to hidden apps

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from fixing important business negotiations to preserving evidence in controversial situations. However, standard MIUI capabilities are not always obvious, and legal restrictions in some countries (including Russia) impose additional difficulties. In this article, we will examine all the current ways to record conversations on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices – from embedded tools to third-party applications, including bypassing restrictions on new versions of firmware.

It is important to understand that the technical implementation of the recording depends on the version of MIUI, smartphone model and regional settings. For example, on devices for the European market, the recording function is often blocked at the firmware level, while on global and Chinese versions it can be available out of the box. We tested all methods on current MIUI 14/15 firmware (Android 13/14) and prepared step-by-step instructions with these nuances in mind.

1. Built-in MIUI recording function: where to look and how to turn on

Most Xiaomi smartphones (except the European versions) have a conversation recording feature pre-installed, but it is often hidden in the depths of settings to activate it:

1. Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
2. Go to Settings → Record conversations (on some models, the path may differ: More → Settings → Record calls).
3. Activate the Automatic Record switch or select the option to Record manually.
4. Specify the contacts or numbers for which the entry will be automatically enabled (optional).

If there is no Record conversations on the menu, then your firmware does not support the out-of-the-box function, in which case changing the firmware region (see Section 3) or installing third-party software will help.

Where are the records stored? Files are saved in a folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec (available through any file manager or in the Phone Records section of the Phone application —.m4a or.amr, played by a standard player.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with firmware for the EU (marking) EEA) The built-in record may be blocked due to requirements GDPR. Attempt to circumvent this restriction by changing the region is fraught with loss of warranty.

2. Third-party applications for recording: TOP-5 proven solutions

If the built-in feature is not available, third-party apps come to the rescue, and we selected the 5 most reliable ones, taking into account compatibility with Xiaomi and current versions of Android:

• 📱 Cube Call Recorder ACR — Maintains high quality recording (up to) 320 Kbps, which works on most models Redmi/POCO Minus: Free version limits the duration of the recording.
• 🔊 Call Recorder – Automatic – automatically saves conversations to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox) requires permission to access the microphone and phone calls.
• 📲 Truecaller – in addition to the number determinant, it has a built-in record (available in the premium version.
• 🎤 RMC: Android Call Recorder – records both ends of a conversation (your voice and the interlocutor) even on newer versions of Android.
• 🔄 Boldbeast Call Recorder is the only app that is guaranteed to work on Xiaomi with Android 10+. Requires manual adjustment of audio source.

How to install and configure? Download the app from Google Play (or APK from the developer's official website), provide all the permissions you request, and follow the customization wizard. For example, Cube ACR requires:

1. Open the application → Permissions → Enable "Call Record"


2. In the settings, select the recording format (recommended.mp3)




3. activate the option "Write Automatically" or configure rules for individual contacts

⚠️ Note: Call recording apps may conflict with Xiaomi's battery saving features. Once installed, add them to the No Limits list in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.

3. Change the firmware region: unlock hidden functions

On Xiaomi’s EU-based firmware (EEA) smartphones, recording conversations is often disabled at the system level, and one way to get it back is by changing the firmware region to global (Global) or Indian (India), a method that does not require root rights, but involves the risk of data loss.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for your model marked Global (for example, miui_GLOBAL_*.zip).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root folder of internal memory.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Select a firmware file → specify update.zip.
5. Confirm the installation and wait for the restart (it will take 5-10 minutes).

When you change region, the Phone menu will have a Record tab, and the settings will have a call recording option, which is important: this method does not work on devices with a locked bootloader and can cause you to reset your settings.

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

If software methods don't work (for example, due to legal constraints), you can use hardware solutions, and the easiest way to do this is to record a conversation on a second phone that's connected to the first phone on speakerphone.

• 📞 Put the second smartphone next to the main one and activate the voice recording on it (built-in voice recorder or an application like Voice Recorder).
• 🔊 Turn on the main phone speaker (button during the call).
• 🎧 For better quality, use an external microphone (such as a lavalier microphone) or special devices like TapeACall.

Pros of the method: does not require software installation, works on any Xiaomi models (including POCO F5 or Redmi 12).

Alternatively, an external voice recorder with a phone recorder (such as the Olympus TP-8) connects to the smartphone’s audio output via a USB-C → 3.5 mm adapter and records the sound directly.

5. Root access: system-level recording

For advanced users willing to sacrifice the warranty, there is a way to record conversations through root access, which allows you to bypass the limitations of Android and record audio directly from the telephony module. Warning: unlocking the bootloader and getting root resets all data and can lead to unstable system operation.

Instructions for models with Snapdragon processor (e.g. POCO X6 Pro):

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account binding and a wait of 7-15 days).
2. Install Custom Recovery (TWRP) and scrolle Magisk to get root.
3. Download the CallRecorder module for Magisk and activate it in the module manager.
4. Reboot the device and check for the recording option in the Phone app.

For devices on MediaTek (like the Redmi Note 13), the process is similar, but a kernel patch may be required via MTK Su. For detailed guides for specific models, look for XDA Developers or 4PDA forums.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 12+ and MIUI 13+ Google blocks microphone recordings even with root access, and only the AudioMod module with the VoiceCommunication patch will help.

6.Legal aspects: can conversations be recorded in Russia

In Russia, the recording of telephone conversations is regulated by Article 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Violation of the secrecy of correspondence”) and FZ-152 (“On personal data”).

• ⚖️ Consent is required if you plan to use the recording in court or publish it. verbal consent during the conversation (for example, the phrase "I record our conversation") is sufficient.
• 📜 Without consent, the recording is only permissible for personal use (for example, recording important information), and the distribution of such recording can entail a fine of up to 200 thousand rubles.
• 🚨 Recording conversations with the aim of blackmail or dissemination of confidential information is punishable by imprisonment of up to 4 years (Article 138.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

Other countries have different rules, such as the US (except 12 states) where one party agrees, while the EU (including Germany and France) requires the consent of all parties.

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To avoid legal problems, make it clear before you start a conversation, "I'm recording our conversation to record information. Do you mind?" and wait for the consent of the person, which will prove the legality of the recording in case of disputes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Xiaomi