How to record a phone conversation on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9

Modern smartphones have long since ceased to be just a means for voice communication, becoming powerful tools for business and personal communication. However, despite the abundance of features, the basic ability to capture an important dialogue on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 can be an unexpected problem for the new owner.

The reason is because of Google’s privacy policy changes that have been implemented in the latest versions of Android, which forced MIUI to remove native recording from the standard Phone app in many regions to meet strict international security standards, creating the illusion that it is impossible to perform a simple action, although in fact the solution is quite effective.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the ways you can save audio from the line, from hidden settings in the region to using third-party software. You will learn how to activate the desired functionality without obtaining superuser rights and what nuances should be considered when choosing a method. It is important to understand that each method has its own characteristics of sound quality and usability.

Why the Redmi Note 9 recording button is missing

The main reason for the feature’s disappearance is the move to global firmware versions that are strictly Google’s rules. In earlier versions of the MIUI shell, recording a conversation was available out of the box for all regions, allowing users to record important agreements in one click. With the release of Android 10 and subsequent versions, Google banned third-party applications and system functions from accessing the microphone during a call without special permission, which conventional programs cannot obtain.

This restriction also applies to the standard dialer app, which is now often labeled Google Phone. Depending on which country the smartphone was purchased or which region is set in the settings, the interface can be radically different. If your device is focused on the European market, the probability of not having a native feature tends to be one hundred percent, while versions for India or Indonesia often retain this ability.

⚠️ Attempt to force installation of system applications from other regions ADB It can lead to unstable operation of the communication module or a complete failure of the phone to make calls.

It is also worth noting that the absence of a visible button does not always mean that the function is completely blocked at the kernel level. Often it is enough to simply change the software region of a device to unlock hidden features of the interface. However, before embarking on technical manipulations, it is necessary to understand the legal consequences. In some countries, recording a conversation without warning the interlocutor is an offense, so use the knowledge gained responsibly.

📊 What region do you have in your phone settings?
Russia
Europe (Global)
China
India/Indonesia

Replacement of the region to activate the function

The easiest and safest way to return the recording capability is to change the region in the system settings. This method does not require additional software installation and works on most Redmi Note 9 devices. The algorithm is simple: open the settings menu, find the option “Advanced settings” or “Additional”, and then select “Region”.

After changing the region, the smartphone interface may change a little: new applications from local services will appear, and a cherished button should appear in the standard call. If the button does not appear immediately, try clearing the cache of the Phone application or simply restarting the device.

However, this method has its limitations: In some MIUI updates, even if you change region to India, the button may not appear if the Phone system application has been forcibly updated through the Google Play Store to a version where the feature is cut globally, in which case only the rollback of the application version or the use of alternative methods will help.

☑️ Post-region verification

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Use of third-party applications for recording

If system methods have not helped, specialized applications from the Google Play Store come to the rescue. The leader in this niche is the Call Recorder application - ACR, which can bypass the system's limitations using various methods of audio capture. For owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, it is important not only to install the program, but also to properly configure its permissions, since the aggressive MIUI energy saving system can block the work of background processes.

Once installed, you must provide the application with all the permissions requested: access to microphone, phone, contacts and storage. Particular attention should be paid to setting up the Recording Method in the application itself. For Android 10 and higher, you often need to choose a method related to accessing the root folder or using special features (Accessibility) so that the program can automatically turn on the recording when you start a call.

  • 📱 Call Recorder - ACR: Powerful tool with flexible codec settings and cloud synchronization, supports automatic writing.
  • 🎙️ Cube ACR: Can record not only ordinary calls, but also conversations through messengers (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram), which is important for business negotiations.
  • 📼 TapeACall: A paid, high-quality audio solution that works through conferencing, allowing you to bypass Android system limitations.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, the interlocutor may hear characteristic clicks or periodic recording warnings, as these programs often use a speakerphone or conference line to capture sound.

Don't forget about battery settings. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps, find the recorder installed, go to Energy Saving, and select No Limits mode, which will prevent you from stopping recording in the middle of an important conversation because of the power savings.

Comparison of recording methods on Xiaomi

The best way to choose depends on your priorities: audio quality, process automation or no need to install additional software. Native recording (after changing the region) provides the best quality, since sound is written directly from the digital stream, not through the microphone. Third-party applications often have to write sound from speakers, which reduces intelligibility, especially in noisy places.

The table below compares the main characteristics of the different approaches to solving the problem on the Redmi Note 9 device:

MethodSound qualityAutomationDifficulty setting up
Regional change (India/Indonesia)High (digital)Complete.Low.
ACR Appendix (without root)Medium/LowComplete.Medium
Cube ACR appendixAverage.Complete.Tall.
Recording through speakerphoneLow (noise)Hand-heldLow.

As you can see from the comparison, trying to activate a hidden system function through a region change is the preferred option, it does not require installing questionable software and guarantees stable operation, but if this method did not work on your version of firmware, you will have to resort to third-party developers.

What are Root Rights and Are They Needed?
Root rights give you full control of Android, and to record conversations, you may need the app to have direct access to the audio stream, bypassing Google's restrictions, but obtaining root rights voids the warranty and can disrupt banking applications.

Customization of the quality and format of files

Once you have decided on the way to record, it is important to adjust the file saving settings. In the standard Xiaomi recorder, which is activated by changing the region, the settings are in the menu of the call itself (three dots or a gear), there you can choose the recording format: AMR or MP3. AMR format takes up less space but has lower quality, while MP3 provides better audibility, but consumes memory faster device.

For third-party applications like ACR, settings are even more flexible. You can choose an AAC codec that provides excellent quality with low bitrate. You can also set up a rule to automatically delete old records so that the memory of the Redmi Note 9 phone does not overflow, for example, you can set the saving of only the last 100 records or deleting files older than 30 days.

Remember to check the file saving path. By default, records can be saved to internal memory in a folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec Or the root folder of the application, and knowing the exact path, you can quickly find the files you want through the file manager or set them up automatically to the cloud.

💡

Use cloud services (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk) to automatically upload records, which will save your data in the event of loss or breakage of your smartphone.

Where to look for saved records and how to share them

Searching for recorded conversations can vary depending on the method you choose. If you use the native MIUI function, all the records are integrated into the call history. Just open a call log, click on a particular number or contact, and under the subscriber's name you will see a voice recorder icon or a time stamp of the record.

To transfer the file to the interlocutor or save it to the computer, you need to find the audio file itself. In the file manager (Conductor) go to the Audio section» → «Recordings" or manually along the way Internal Memory/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. Files usually have an extension.m4a or.mp3. You can click on the file for a long time, select “Send” and transfer it via messenger or Bluetooth.

In third-party applications, the file management interface is built into the program itself. There is usually a "Records" or "History" tab where files are sorted by date and contacts. From this interface, the "Share" function is also available, which opens the standard Android menu for transferring a file.

⚠️ Note: When transferring files via instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), audio quality can be compressed. To transfer in original quality, use the "Send as a file" or "Document" function».

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will the recording be notified to the interviewee?
When using the native feature after changing the region to Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, no audio notifications are usually received for the interlocutor. However, when using third-party applications, especially those using hands-free or conferencing mode, the interlocutor may hear characteristic clicks or automatic voice message about the start of recording.
Can I record conversations from WhatsApp and Viber?
The standard call recording feature on Xiaomi is not good at VoIP services. To record conversations in instant messengers, you need to use specialized applications, such as Cube ACR, which have special permissions and settings to capture sound from these applications.
Will the region reset when the system is updated?
In most cases, the region change is a persistent setup and is saved after the firmware update. However, if the update is major (for example, transition from the firmware update to the new update). MIUI 12 on MIUI 13 or HyperOS, the system can reset the region to default (by default). SIM-card IP-In this case, the procedure for changing the region will have to be repeated.
Why does the recording stop in a few minutes?
This is most often due to aggressive energy savings in MIUI. The system kills the recording process, considering it a background task that consumes resources. You need to manually prohibit energy savings for the recorder application in the battery settings, as described in the section on third-party applications.
Where are the records stored after the change of region?
Files are saved in internal memory along the way: Internal memory/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. They are also available through the “Dictorphone” or “Sound recording” app in the “Conversation Records” category, if such a tab is present in the interface.

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The most stable and high-quality result on the Redmi Note 9 is the change of the region to India or Indonesia, which activates the built-in system recorder without loss of sound quality.