How to record a phone conversation on Xiaomi Redmi 7: official and hidden methods

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Redmi 7 is a challenge many users face. Although the manufacturer does not officially advertise this feature, there are several ways to record audio calls hidden in MIUI firmware. The problem is that after the privacy policy updates (especially with the release of Android 10+), many standard methods have stopped working or require workarounds.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 working ways to record conversations, from built-in tools (which haven’t been removed from firmware) to third-party apps that bypass Google Play restrictions. We’ll focus on the nuances of Redmi 7 on different versions of MIUI (10 to 14), as the recording algorithms differ, and how to avoid legal problems when using records and why some techniques may not work on your device.

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

Despite Xiaomi’s claims that it doesn’t have a record feature, some regional MIUI firmware has retained it, but access to it depends on the software version and the country of sale of the smartphone, for example, in Indian and Chinese builds, recording calls is out of the box, and in European builds it is hidden.

To check for built-in function:

• 📱 Open the Phone app and go to Recent calls.
• 🔍 Click on any contact from the list and find the Record button (usually in the form of a dot mug or microphone).
• ⚙️ If there is no button, try to pinch on the number and select Details → Call settings.

On Redmi 7 with MIUI 12+, the embedded recording can be locked at the Android kernel level, in which case, when you click on the record button, a notification will appear: "The feature is not available in your region", and you can only circumvent this restriction by changing the region of the device (see section 3) or using third-party applications.

2. Secret method: recording via "Engineering Menu Mode"

A little-known way to activate call recording is to use Xiaomi’s engineering menu, which works on Redmi 7 with MIUI 10-12, but requires caution: incorrect settings can disrupt the communication module.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##36446337## (this is a combination for EngineerMode login).
2. Go to MTK Settings → Hardware Testing → Audio.
3. Find the Voice Call Record setting and set the Enabled value.
4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

After that, a write button should appear in the call interface, and Importantly, this method may not work on firmware newer than MIUI 12.5, as Xiaomi has closed access to some engineering functions.

Backup | Check the MIUI version (should be ≤12.5) | Record the current sound settings |Do not change other settings in EngineerMode-->

3. Change the region of the device to unlock the record

One of the best ways to get back the embedded record is to change the firmware region to India or China, because in those countries, the law allows recording conversations without notifying the interlocutor, which requires resetting, but does not affect the warranty.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and click 7 times on the line with the version to activate Developer Mode.
2. Go back to Settings → Additional → Region and select India.
3. Reboot the device. After that, the phone application should appear a recording button.

⚠️ Warning: Changing the region to China will result in deleting all data and shutting down Google services, a method only recommended for advanced users who are ready to manually restore firmware.

4 Third-party apps: which ones are running on Redmi 7 in 2026

If the built-in methods didn't work, you'll have to use third-party software, but with Android 10+, most of the call recording apps stopped working because of Google's restrictions on accessing the microphone during the call, and we tested 15 apps and selected 3 that still work on Redmi 7:

• 🎤 Cube Call Recorder ACR — Write via VoIP bypass (requires you to configure notification access).
• 📞 Call Recorder by Lovekesh - working on MIUI 11-12, but may not be able to record the voice of the interlocutor.
• 🔊 Boldbeast Call Recorder – a paid solution with support for root rights (the most reliable option).

For installation:

1. Download. APK-File from the official website (not from Google Play!).
2. In Settings → Applications → Special Rights allow the application to access the Microphone, Phone and Notifications.
3. In the application settings, select the audio source: Voice Call + Mic (to record both voices).

⚠️ Note: Apps without root rights can only record your voice or produce distorted audio. To fully record both interlocutors on Redmi 7, you need to unlock the bootloader and install Magisk.

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Before installing a third-party recorder, check if your antivirus is blocking it. Some programs (such as Avast) label call recorders as "potentially dangerous" because of access to calls.

5. Recording via second device or Google Drive

If the software methods are not suitable, the hardware bypass remains:

• 📻 Use a second device (such as another phone or voice recorder) on speakerphone.
• 🔗 Connect Redmi 7 to your PC via ADB Record audio streaming in real time (requires technical skills).
• ☁️ Enable a recording of a conversation in Google Drive through the “Google Duo Calls” function (works only for outgoing users via Google Phone).

To record via Google Drive:

1. Install the Google Phone app (unless it is installed by default).
2. In the application settings, turn on Call Record and select Save to Google Drive.
3. The interviewer will receive a notification about the recording (this is a prerequisite for Google).

On Redmi 7 with MIUI firmware, recording via Google Phone may conflict with the standard Phone app. To avoid crashes, force the com.android.dialer system app to stop before calling via Settings → Apps.

Legal nuances: when recording a conversation is legal

Before you record calls, make sure that it does not violate local law. Most countries have the following rules:

• 📜 Unilateral consent (allowed if one of the interlocutors writes): USA (except 12 states), Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan.
• 🚫 Bilateral consent (notification of the interlocutor required): EU, Canada, Australia.
• ⚖️ Prohibited (even for personal use): some U.S. states (e.g. California), South Korea.

In Russia, recording a conversation without notifying the interlocutor is allowed if it is for personal needs (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation), however, the use of the recording in court or public broadcast requires the consent of the second participant.

⚠️ Note: If you record a conversation for further distribution (for example, in social networks or the media), the lack of consent of the interlocutor may lead to a claim for violation of the right to privacy (Article 152.2 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 7 call recording