How to record a phone conversation on Xiaomi Redmi: official and alternative ways

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from fixing important business agreements to preserving evidence in controversial situations. However, the standard features of MIUI are not always obvious, and after updates, the functionality may change. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of recording calls, from built-in tools to third-party applications, taking into account legal nuances and technical limitations.

It's important to understand that the legality of recording conversations depends on the laws of your country, and most jurisdictions require that the second subscriber be notified of the recording, otherwise the material will not have legal force, and we don't call for breaking laws, we only talk about the technical capabilities of Redmi devices.

This article is relevant for all modern models of the series: Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11, POCO X5 and others based on MIUI 14/15. If your device runs on an older version of the firmware, some methods may not work – we will warn about this separately.

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

Starting with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi has added an official conversation recording feature, but it's hidden in settings and doesn't work on all models.

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select the Record of Conversations (if no item is available, see the section on alternative methods).
4. Activate the switch and configure settings: 📱 Automatic Write for all incoming/outgoing; 🔊 Write Notice for an audible signal to the interlocutor; 📁 Save folder - select Internal Memory/Write or SD-map.

If there is no option, check:

• 🔄 Version MIUI in Settings → About Phone. The function requires MIUI 12.5+ to function.
• 🌍 Firmware Region. On Chinese versions (China ROM), recording may be disabled due to local laws.
• 📱 Smartphone model. On the budget Redmi A and Redmi Go, the feature is often missing.

⚠️ Warning: Some Xiaomi firmware only uses incoming calls to record outgoing calls, and you'll have to use third-party apps to record outgoing calls.

2. Hidden recording function via engineering menu (for advanced)

If the phone doesn’t have a recording option, you can activate it via an engineering menu, which works on most Redmi devices with Qualcomm processors (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+ with Snapdragon 695).

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and dial the combination: ##36446337## This will open the EMM (Engineering Mode Menu) menu.
2. Go to Audio → Normal Mode → Type.
3. Select Sph (microphone) and activate the Record option.
4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

Then the phone app will have a recording button during the call.

• 🔧 The method may reset after the MIUI update.
• 🎤 The recording quality depends on the microphone, and some models will hear noise.
• 📵 On MediaTek processors (e.g., Redmi 10C), the combination may not work.

3. applications for recording calls: TOP-5 proven options

If the built-in methods don't work, we've only used third-party software, and we've tested dozens of apps and selected those that work well on Xiaomi Redmi without root rights.

Before installation, check:

1. Application permissions: It must have access to the Microphone, Warehouse and Call Log.
2. Compatible with your version of Android. Redmi with Android 12+ may require manual tuning to Special Access → Sound Recording.

1. Check the Android version in Settings → About the phone

2. Allow installation from unknown sources (Settings → Security)

3. Clear the cache of the Phone application (Settings → Applications)

4. Disable Battery Optimization for Recorder App-->

4.Recording calls to Xiaomi Redmi without apps: workarounds

If you do not want to install third-party software, there are alternative ways:

Method 1: Use of the second telephone

The most reliable, but inconvenient option is to record on another smartphone or voice recorder.

1. Turn on speaker on Redmi.
2. Place the second phone next to the speaker.
3. Run the recording through the standard Dictaphone application.

Cons: low quality (echo, noise), the need to synchronize devices.

Method 2: Google Drive + speakerphone

If you have a Google account, you can use Google Drive to record:

1. Open Google Drive → Press + → Record Voice.
2. Turn on speaker on Redmi.
3. Start recording and put the phone next to you.

Plus: files are automatically saved to the cloud. Minus: only your voice is recorded (the interviewer is hearing worse).

Method 3: Bluetooth headset with recording

Some Bluetooth headphones (such as Sony WH-1000XM5 or JBL Live 660NC) have built-in conversation recording.

• 🎧 Connect the headset to the Redmi.
• 🔊 Activate the recording via the manufacturer’s app (e.g. Sony Headphones Connect).
• 📤 The file will be saved to the headset or in the cloud.

⚠️ Warning: Bluetooth can cause a delay of up to 0.5 seconds, which is critical for legal records where word accuracy is important.

5 Where records are stored and how to keep them

By default, call records on Xiaomi Redmi are saved in:

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

or (for third-party applications):

/storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings/

To transfer files to your computer or to the cloud:

1. Connect Redmi to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Open the internal memory folder → MIUI → sound_recorder.
3. Copy files with the.amr or.mp3 extension.

If there are no records in the specified folder:

• 🔍 Check the settings of the recorder application (a different directory may be selected).
• 🗑 Make sure that files are not deleted MIUI Optimizer (cache cleaner).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes records appear after a reboot.

For long-term storage, we recommend:

• 🌥 Upload files to Google Drive or Yandex.Disk.
• 💾 Create a backup copy through Settings → System system → Backup.
• 📧 Send important emails (e.g., to your Gmail account).

💡

If you take up a lot of space, convert it to.ogg (less weight while maintaining quality).

Legal aspects: can the records be used in court

In Russia, the recording of telephone conversations is regulated by Art. 138 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation and Art. 9 of the Federal Law №149-FZ. Key points:

• 📜 Consent is mandatory if you plan to use the recording in court or publish it.
• 🚨 Without consent, a record may be considered a violation of the secrecy of correspondence (Article 138.6 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
• ⚖️ Exception: If a record proves a threat to life/health or extortion, it can be accepted as evidence even without consent.

In other countries, the rules differ:

Important: even if the recording is allowed, its publication in social networks or messengers without the consent of the interlocutor can lead to a lawsuit for violation of the right to privacy.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Xiaomi Redmi users often face the following difficulties when recording calls:

Problem 1: Recording does not automatically start

Causes and solutions:

• 🔕 Battery Optimization: Disable it for the record app in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.
• 📵 Android 12+ Restrictions: Allow access to the Call Log in Settings → Apps → Special Access.
• 🔊 Conflict with other applications: Close programs that use the microphone (e.g., Shazam or Google Assistant).

Problem 2: Only my voice is recorded.

This is a typical situation for Redmi with Android 11+.

• 🔧 Use applications that support VoIP recording (e.g. Cube ACR).
• 📞 Turn on speakerphone and record via voice recorder.
• 🔄 Switch to the 2G-network (in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks) — sometimes this helps.

Problem 3: Records are missing after MIUI update

After the firmware upgrade, the folder with the records can be reset to recover the files:

1. Check the MIUI/sound_recorder/backup/ folder, and sometimes backups are left.
2. Use data recovery software: DiskDigger or Recuva (root required).
3. If the records were in the cloud (like Google Drive), check the Recycle Bin.

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Before updating MIUI, always back up your records through Settings → Additional → Backup!

FAQ: Answers to popular questions