How to Record a Phone Call on Xiaomi Redmi 8: All Working Ways in 2026

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Redmi 8 may be necessary to record important agreements, interviews or just save memorable conversations. However, standard MIUI features on this model are limited β€” unlike the flagship devices of the brand, there is no built-in voice recorder for calls. This does not mean that the task is impossible: there are workarounds through third-party applications, engineering menus and even cloud services.

In this article, we will look at 5 proven ways to record conversations on Redmi 8, including legal aspects (so as not to break the law), microphone technical nuances and tips for improving sound quality. Special attention will be paid to free solutions that do not require root rights or complex firmware manipulation. If you are looking for a reliable method without risk to warranty, you are on the right track.

Before you get into the instructions, note that the recording capabilities vary depending on the MIUI version and the firmware region. For example, on Chinese versions of MIUI, the functionality may differ from the global ones. You can check your version in Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ MIUI version.

1. Standard MIUI features: Is there an embedded record?

The Xiaomi Redmi 8 with factory firmware does not have a built-in call recording feature in the Phone app, which came later in MIUI 12.5+ for some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3). However, there is a hidden nuance: on certain regional firmwares (e.g., Indian or Chinese), recording can be activated via an engineering menu.

To check for hidden function:

  1. Open the Phone app and dial ##4636##.
  2. Go to the Usage statistics section (if available).
  3. Try to find the Call recording option - its availability depends on the version of the software.

If this method didn't work, don't worry: we'll look at more general methods below, and in the meantime, an important warning about the legal aspects.

⚠️ Note: In Russia, recording telephone conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited by Article 138.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (violation of the secrecy of negotiations); the exception is recording conversations for personal use if you are a participant in the conversation. In other countries (for example, the United States or the EU), the rules may differ. Always notify the interviewee about the recording to avoid legal problems.

2. applications for recording calls: TOP-3 proven solutions

The most reliable way to record a conversation on Redmi 8 is to use third-party apps, and we tested dozens of programs and selected those that:

  • πŸ”Ή They work without root rights.
  • πŸ”Ή No fee for basic functions
  • πŸ”Ή Keep records in accessible formats (MP3, AAC)
  • πŸ”Ή Minimize the risk of data leakage

Here are the best options with setup instructions:

AnnexRankings (Google Play)FeaturesCons
Cube Call Recorder ACR4.3 ⭐Automatic save by number VoIP (WhatsApp, Viber)Advertising in the free version
Call Recorder – Automatic4.1 ⭐Integration with contacts Flexible quality settings (64 to 256 kbps)Does not record some VoIP calls
Truecaller4.5 ⭐Record + Block Spam Definition of Unknown NumbersRequires registration by number

The following is a Cube Call Recorder ACR:

  1. Download the app from Google Play.
  2. Launch and provide access to the Microphone, Contacts and Warehouse.
  3. In the settings (βš™οΈ β†’ Recording) select format MP3 128 kbps quality for size/quality balance.
  4. Activate Auto Record for all or selected contacts.

⚠️ Attention: On Android 10+ So all programs use the microphone of the phone, which means that the quality of the recording depends on the volume of the speaker and the surrounding noise.

πŸ“Š What Call Recording App Are You Using?
Cube Call Recorder ACR
Call Recorder – Automatic
Truecaller
Other
Not using.

3.Write through the Engineering Menu: Hidden MIUI Functions

Xiaomi Redmi 8 with MIUI 11-12 firmware has a hidden call recording option that can be activated via the engineering menu. This method does not require root rights, but does not work on all versions of the software. Before you start, back up the data - changes to the engineering menu can lead to failures.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##36446337## (or #4636### on some firmware).
  2. Go to the Audio section (if available).
  3. Find the Voice Call Recording option and set the Enabled value.
  4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

After the reboot, the Phone app may have a recording button during the call. If it is not, check the settings in Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Phone β†’ Additional.

What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
If the code doesn't work, try 1. Use the alternative code: ##4636## β†’ Usage statistics β†’ Call recording. 2. Update MIUI to the latest version (but not higher than MIUI 12.5 - in new versions the function can be removed). 3. Install a patch through Magisk (requires root rights).

This method is unstable and may disappear after a firmware update, so if it doesn't work, move on to the next method.

4. Recording through the second line: using a second telephone or voice recorder

If software methods are not suitable (for example, due to corporate constraints), you can record the conversation in a hardware way.

  • πŸ“± Second smartphone (or voice recorder) with recording application enabled.
  • πŸ”Š Headset with microphone (for better sound quality).
  • 🎧 Headphones with a 3.5 mm connector (if you record directly through Redmi 8).

Algorithm of action:

  1. Connect the headset to the Redmi 8 and place the second phone next to the microphone.
  2. On the second phone, run a voice recorder (for example, the standard Dictaphone app on Android or Voice Memos on iPhone).
  3. Start recording before the call starts so you don’t miss important points.
  4. After the conversation is over, save the file and, if necessary, cut the extra snippets in the audio editor (for example, Lexis Audio Editor).

Advantages of the method:

  • πŸ”Ή It works on any firmware and models.
  • πŸ”Ή No need to install additional software on the Redmi 8.
  • πŸ”Ή The quality of the recording depends only on the microphone of the second device.

⚠️ Warning: When recording via a speaker, you may experience echoes or extraneous noises. To minimize them, use a noise-cancelling headset (e.g., Xiaomi Mi Noise Cancelling Earphones) and record in a quiet room.

β˜‘οΈ Preparation for hardware recording

Done: 0 / 4

5. VoIP call recording (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram)

Calls via messengers (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram) are recorded differently than standard phone calls. Most recording applications (including those we discussed above) cannot intercept sound from VoIP applications due to the limitations of Android.

Method 1: Built-in feature in WhatsApp (only for Android 10+)

Some versions of WhatsApp have a hidden call recording option to activate:

  1. Open the contact chat and start a voice call.
  2. During the call, pull the notification bar down and find the Record button (if any).
  3. Click on it – the recording will start automatically and will be saved in the WhatsApp β†’ Media β†’ Voice Notes folder.

Method 2: Use of the PC

If you need to record an important VoIP call, the most reliable method is to use a computer:

  1. Install a program on your PC to record a screen with sound (such as OBS Studio or Bandicam).
  2. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC via USB-Debugging (included in Settings) β†’ The phone. β†’ Version. MIUI β€” Press the build number 7 times, then return to Settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ For developers β†’ Debugging by USB).
  3. Run screen mirroring via scrcpy (free utility) and start recording in OBS.

This method guarantees 100% audio capture, but requires preparation. For fast recording, it is better to use specialized applications, such as VoIP Call Recorder (available on Google Play).

Before you record a phone call, it's important to understand the legal implications.

Country.Conditions of legal entryPenalties for violation
RussiaThe consent of at least one interlocutor is required (Article 138.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).Fine up to 80,000 β‚½ orthopedic.
EU (GDPR)Notification of all participants in the conversation is required.Fine up to 4% of the company’s annual turnover.
United States (depending on state)In most states, one-party consent is sufficient.In California, a fine of up to $2,500 for violation.

How to protect yourself:

  • πŸ“’ Always notify the person at the beginning of the conversation (e.g., "I'm recording our conversation to record the arrangements. You don't mind?Β»).
  • πŸ“ Store records in a secure location (e.g., in an encrypted archive or in a cloud with two-factor authentication).
  • βš–οΈ Do not distribute records without the consent of participants – this may qualify as a violation of the right to privacy.

In Russia, phone records can only be used in court if they are obtained legally (with the consent of at least one of the parties) and do not violate the secrecy of the negotiations, except for the fixation of threats or extortion, when the recording is evidence of a crime.

πŸ’‘

If you need to record a conversation for legal purposes, after it is over, send an SMS or a letter notifying the person: β€œI confirm that our conversation from [date] was recorded with your consent.”

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Xiaomi Redmi 8

Can I record a conversation without installing apps?
Yes, but with reservations: If you have MIUI 11-12 firmware, try activating the recording via the engineering menu (see section 3). Use a second phone or voice recorder for hardware recording (section 4). Without apps, it is impossible to record the conversation directly through Redmi 8 - there is no built-in functionality for this model in MIUI.
Why can't the recording app hear the interlocutor?
This is a limitation of Android 10+: apps are not allowed to record audio from the line directly. They can only use the phone's microphone. Solutions: Turn on speaker while you're talking. Use a headset with a microphone to improve the capture of the voice of the interlocutor. Check the application settings: some (such as Cube ACR) allow you to adjust the sensitivity of the microphone.
How can I improve the quality of the recording?
Follow these tips: Record in a quiet room without echo. Use the MP3 format with a bitrate of 128-192 kbps. Turn off noise cancellation in the microphone settings (if it is on). After recording, process the file in an audio editor (such as Audacity) to remove noise.
Can I record a conversation if my phone is locked?
No, standard recording applications require an unlocked screen and access to a microphone.Back-ways: Use a second phone to record (Section 4). If you have root rights, you can set up automatic recording via Tasker + AutoInput. Without root and a second device, recording on a locked phone is impossible.
Where are the recordings of conversations in the applications stored?
The path depends on the program: Cube ACR: /storage/emulated/0/CubeBackups/ Call Recorder – Automatic: /storage/emulated/0/CallRecorder/Trucaller: /storage/emulated/0/Truecaller/Recordings/ You can change the way you save in the application settings. For reliability, set up automatic backup to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).