Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro: all working methods in 2026

Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is the flagship of 2018, which is still relevant thanks to the powerful hardware and support for custom firmware. However, owners of the device often face the problem: how to record a phone conversation if MIUI does not have built-in call recording? In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, from hidden features of the system to third-party applications, and discuss legal aspects that many forget.

It's important to understand that since Android 9 Pie (and the Mi 8 Pro originally came with Android 8.1 Oreo, but supports an upgrade to MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11), Google has tightened its privacy policy, which means that many of the call recording apps have stopped working correctly, but workarounds still exist — and we've tested them.

The article will be useful not only to the owners of the Mi 8 Pro, but also to users of other Xiaomi smartphones based on Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (for example, Mi 8, Mi Mix 2S), as hardware limitations and solutions for them are identical.

Why is there no built-in call record in the Mi 8 Pro?

The reason for the lack of a conversation record function lies in three factors:

• 📱 Google policy: with Android 9 recording calls through API Prohibited from third-party applications, manufacturers can only embed the function in their own dialers.
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: in some countries (e.g. the EU) recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited by law.
• 🔧 Hardware limitations: Mi 8 Pro uses Snapdragon 845 chipset, which does not support recording VoIP calls (WhatsApp, Telegram) at the iron level.

Interestingly, some versions of MIUI in China have the default call recording feature, which is due to local laws where privacy requirements are less stringent, but reflashing the device to the Chinese version of MIUI is a risky decision: you lose support for Google Play and face localization problems.

⚠️ Note: if you upgraded the Mi 8 Pro to Android 11 (MIUI 12.5+), Many of the applications that record calls will stop working because of changes in the microphone access policy, and then you'll have to use workarounds, which we'll talk about below.

Method 1: Hidden MIUI recording function (not working on all firmware)

In some versions of MIUI for Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro, the call recording function is hidden, but it can be activated via an engineering menu, which only works on firmware up to MIUI 12 (Android 10) and requires root rights or an unlocked bootloader.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and type the code: ##6484## (this will call the test menu of the communication module).
2. Go to Audio → Call Record.
3. Activate the Enable Call Recording option.
4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

After that, a recording button should appear in the standard dialer during the call, but on firmware newer than MIUI 12.0.1, this method stopped working due to security updates.

Make sure the MIUI version is below 12.5

Check for root rights (if necessary)

Make a backup copy of the data

Charge your phone at least 50%

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If the code doesn’t work, try an alternative:

Dial in: ##4636## → Select “Phone Information” → Scroll down to “Call Record” → Turn on the option.

⚠️ Attention: activation of hidden functions through the engineering menu can lead to unstable operation of the communication module. If after changing the settings, the sound in the speaker disappears or the microphone stops working, reset the network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

Method 2: Applications for recording calls (with reservations)

On Android 10 and later, most of the apps for recording calls from Google Play have stopped working due to Google's limitations.

• 🔄 Cube Call Recorder ACR — One of the few apps that can still record calls to the Mi 8 Pro, but requires manual audio source setup.
• 📱 Boldbeast Call Recorder – supports recording on devices with Snapdragon 845, but only with the correct configuration of VoIP-mode.
• 🔊 Recording via a second phone – if software methods don’t work, you can use a second smartphone in hands-free mode and record sound through it.

Let’s take a closer look at the Boldbeast Call Recorder setup, as it’s the most reliable solution for the Mi 8 Pro:

1. Install the application from the official website (the outdated version is in Google Play).
2. Start and select Record Mode → 1 (for Snapdragon 845).
3. In the audio settings, set Record Format → WAV (for better quality) Fix Noisy → Enable (removes noise) Tune Audio Route → Mode 4 (for recording both interlocutors)

Restart your phone and check the test call record.

If none of the applications work, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔕 Your carrier blocks the recording (for example, VoLTE calls are often not recorded).
• 🔊 In Android settings, access to the microphone for the application is disabled.
• 📵 Unofficial firmware with modified audio libraries installed.

💡

If Boldbeast does not record the voice of the interlocutor, try to enable the Change Audio Route → Mode 9 option in the application settings. This activates an alternative recording path, but can reduce the sound quality.

Method 3: Google Voice Recording (USA and some regions only)

If you use a U.S. Google account, you can record calls through Google Voice, which works independently of your phone model, but has serious limitations:

• 🌎 Available only for numbers registered in the United States.
• 📞 Only incoming calls are recorded (outgoing - no).
• 🔊 Interviewee hears notice of record (law requirement).

Instructions:

1. Install the Google Voice app from Google Play.
2. Register a US number (a VPN and a US address are required).
3. In the application settings, enable the Call Recording option.
4. During the call, press 4 on the keyboard – the recording will begin after the voice notification.

All recordings are stored in the Google cloud and available for listening in the web version of the service, the disadvantage of the method is low sound quality and delays in international calls.

Method 4: Recording through an external device (most reliable method)

If the software methods do not work, the hardware solution remains - writing through:

• 🎧 Headphones with microphone: connect headphones to the Mi 8 Pro, turn on speakerphone and record sound through a voice recorder.
• 📱 Second phone: Put the second smartphone next to you and record the conversation through its recorder (quality will be worse due to echoes).
• 🎤 External voice recorder: professional devices like Sony ICD-UX570 or Zoom H1n They provide better quality, but require additional costs.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ It works on any version of Android and MIUI.
• ✅ It doesn’t depend on the limitations of Google or Xiaomi.
• ✅ You can even record VoIP calls (WhatsApp, Telegram).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Low quality of sound when recording through a speaker.
• ❌ Additional equipment is required.
• ❌ The interviewer may hear echoes or extraneous noises.

💡

If you need to record important conversations regularly, an external recorder is the most reliable solution, for example, the Zoom H1n costs about $100, but provides studio-quality recording and is independent of Android updates.

Legal aspects: can you record conversations without consent?

The legality of recording telephone conversations is regulated by the laws of your country, and here are the key points for popular regions:

In Russia, recording a conversation without notifying the interlocutor is not a violation if you are a participant in the conversation (Decree of the Plenum of the Supreme Court). №However, distributing the record to third parties without consent may result in liability under Article 137 of the Criminal Code (“Infringement of privacy»).

In EU countries (for example, Germany, France) recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited and punishable by heavy fines under the GDPR. Exception is if the recording is for official purposes and the interlocutor is notified in advance (for example, “the conversation is recorded to improve the quality of service”).

⚠️ Note: Even if recording conversations is allowed in your country, some messengers (such as WhatsApp, Viber) prohibit recording VoIP calls in their user agreements.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When recording calls to Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro users encounter typical errors.

• 🔇 No voice recording: Check if VoIP is enabled in the app settings (relevant to Boldbeast). Turn off VoLTE in the settings SIM-Cards (sometimes operator blocks recording) Try another app (e.g. Cube) ACR instead of Boldbeast).
• 📵 App doesn't see calls: Give the app permission to access Call log in Android settings. Turn off battery optimization for the record app. Reinstall the app from the official website (versions from Google Play are often cropped off).
• 🔊 Poor recording quality: In the application settings, select the format WAV instead MP3. Turn off the audio compression (Audio Compression) → Use an external microphone (e.g. via an adapter) USB-C → 3.5 mm).

If none of these methods helped, the reason could be:

• 🔄 Unofficial firmware: some custom ROM (LineageOS, for example, breaks the work of audio drivers.
• 🔧 Damaged audio chip: If the microphone or speaker is not working properly, the recording will also fail.
• 📡 Network problems: if a signal is bad, the recording may be interrupted.

💡

If you’re using the Mi 8 Pro with custom firmware (like the Pixel Experience), try flashing a call recording kernel like FrancoKernel, which is optimized for the Snapdragon 845 and often solves audio problems.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions