How to record a phone conversation on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: all ways

Recording phone conversations on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 can be required in a variety of situations, from saving important business negotiations to recording evidence for legal purposes. However, standard features of MIUI are not always obvious, and in some regions the function of recording calls is completely hidden due to legal restrictions. In this article, we will analyze all available methods, from built-in tools to third-party applications, and also talk about the nuances that will help to avoid problems with the law or loss of records.

It’s important to understand that the recording capabilities depend on the firmware version, regional settings, and even the carrier. For example, on some versions of MIUI 12-14 for Redmi Note 9, the recording function may be blocked by default. But don’t rush to install the first app you find from Google Play — first check if the desired option is hidden in the depths of the system menus.

It is also worth considering that in some countries (e.g. Russia and the EU), recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor may violate privacy laws, so before using any methods, check local legislation or obtain the verbal consent of the participants in the conversation.

Check the built-in recording function in MIUI

To start with, your Redmi Note 9 may already be able to record calls, but it's just disabled or hidden. Depending on the firmware version, the path to settings may be different, but the general logic holds.

Open the Phone app (tube icon) and go to the menu ⋮ → Settings → If there's no such item, try an alternative route:

1. Run your smartphone settings.
2. Go to Applications → Application Management → Phone.
3. Press Permissions and check if the recording permission is enabled.

If the built-in feature is available, you can:

• 🔄 Choose which calls to record (all, incoming/outgoing or by contact).
• 📁 Specify a folder to save records (usually /MIUI/sound_recorder/calls/).
• 🔊 Set up a recording notification (sound signal or vibration).

If there is no "Record Conversations" item on the menu, it doesn't mean that the feature is completely missing. In some firmware, it is activated through hidden settings. MIUI (We will discuss this in the next section, and it is also worth checking whether the option is disabled by the operator - some mobile networks block the recording at the level of the mobile network. SIM-map.

⚠️ Attention: On versions MIUI Global for the European region, call recording is often disabled for legal reasons, in which case changing the firmware region (but this is risky for warranty) or using third-party applications will help.

Activation of hidden recording function through engineering menu

If you don’t have standard settings, you can try to turn on the recording via the Engineering Mode, which works on most Xiaomi devices, but you need to be careful that the wrong actions can disrupt the phone.

Follow the instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##36446337## (this is the code for logging into Engineer Mode on MIUI).
2. In the menu that opens, go to MTK Settings → Audio → Normal Mode.
3. Find Sph Record Ctrl and set the Enable value.
4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

After the reboot, the Phone app should have a write button during the call. If the Engineer Mode menu doesn't open, your firmware doesn't support this method (or the code has changed in newer versions of MIUI).

Check the version of MIUI (in Settings → About the phone)

Make a backup copy of the data

Charge your phone at least 50%

Record the current sound settings (in case of resetting)-->

If the engineering menu is missing or does not contain the necessary items, try an alternative method through the ADB-Also note that after updating the firmware hidden settings may reset, and the procedure will have to repeat.

⚠️ Warning: Changing the settings in Engineer Mode may cause the audio system to malfunction. If there is interference or echo after activating the recording, return the settings to the original state or reset the audio settings to Settings. → System system → Resetting settings.

Recording calls via ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods have failed, you can try enabling recording via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your phone to your computer and having basic command line knowledge.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 9 to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (or terminal) and type: adb shell settings put global force_call_recording true
3. Reboot the phone.

If the command is error-free, a write button should appear in the Phone app, and note that this method may not work on some custom firmware or MIUI versions newer than 13.0.5.

After successful activation, check the recording on a test call. If the write button appears but files are not saved, check the permissions for the Phone application in the system settings (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone → Permissions → Storage).

Third-party applications for recording calls

If the built-in methods didn't work, there's a third-party application option, and Google Play has dozens of call recording software, but not all of them are compatible with Redmi Note 9 and MIUI, and we tested a few solutions and selected the most reliable ones.

Application selection criteria:

• 🔒 Reliability (no data leaks, good reviews).
• 📱 Compatibility with MIUI 12-14 Android 10-12.
• 🎤 Recording quality (no noise, with the ability to select a sound source).
• 📤 Convenience of exporting records (to the cloud, on PC, through messengers).

The best apps for Redmi Note 9:

Before installing, check the app's permissions: it must have access to Microphone, Warehouse and Phone. After installation, run a test call to make sure the recording is working correctly. Some applications (such as Cube ACR) require additional audio source customization — select Voice Call + Mic for better quality.

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [App name] → Battery → Without restrictions

⚠️ Note: Some recording applications (especially from unverified sources) may contain malicious code or leak data.Install only high-rated programs (4.5)+ stars) and a large number of downloads (10M+). Also check reviews for complaints about no record or file loss.

Where records are stored and how to keep them

By default, call records (both built-in and third-party apps) are stored in the phone's internal memory. The path to files depends on the method of recording:

• 📂 Built-in recording MIUI: /MIUI/sound_recorder/calls/ or /Recordings/Call/.
• 📂 Cube ACR: /CubeBackup/ (You can change the settings of the application).
• 📂 Call Recorder by Lovekesh: /CallRecorder/.

Files are usually.amr or.mp3 formats.

1. Open the Files app (or any file manager).
2. Go to the Internal Storage and find the folder with the records.
3. For convenience, you can create a shortcut on the desktop or transfer files to the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).

If the entries are not in the expected folder, check:

• 🔍 Settings of the recorder application (possibly another path is indicated).
• 🗑️ Recycle bin or temporary files (some apps delete records after 30 days).
• ☁️ Cloud storage (if automatic export is enabled).

💡

Move important records to your PC or cloud regularly, and your phone’s internal memory can be cleared when you update or reset your settings.

For long-term storage, we recommend:

• 📤 Archive records on a computer every month.
• 🔒 Encrypt sensitive files (for example, through the 7-Zip Cryptomator).
• 📋 Keep a log of important conversations (date, interlocutor, topic) in notes.

Legal aspects of recording conversations

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

• 🇷🇺 Russia: Recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor is allowed if you are a participant in the conversation (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation), however, using the recording in court may require proof of its authenticity.
• 🇪🇺 EU (GDPR): All participants must agree, and unauthorized recordings can result in fines.
• 🇺🇸 Laws vary by state, some require the consent of all parties (e.g. California), others require the consent of one party (e.g. Texas.

To avoid problems:

• 🎙️ Always notify the person about the recording (for example: “I’m recording the conversation for the record, you’re happy with it?").
• 📜 Keep the records no longer than necessary.
• 🚫 Do not distribute the records to third parties without a good reason.

In Russia, records of telephone conversations can be used in court as evidence, but only if they are obtained in a legal way and do not violate the secrecy of correspondence (Article 138 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation).

⚠️ Note: If you are recording a conversation for a trial, consult a lawyer in advance.In some cases, the court may reject the recording as evidence if it is obtained in violation of procedure (for example, without notifying the second party in countries where it is mandatory to do so).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you set up the recording correctly, there may be some failures, and let's look at typical situations and how to deal with them:

If none of the methods worked, there may be a problem with the phone's hardware (e.g., a faulty microphone), in which case the recording can be done via an external recorder or a second phone connected to the conversation via a conference call.

It’s also worth checking to see if your antivirus or firewall is blocking your recording, and some security programs (such as Avast or Kaspersky) may perceive recording calls as a potential privacy threat.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions