Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi 9T: all working methods in 2026

Xiaomi 9T (also known as Redmi K20 in the global version) is a popular smartphone with powerful stuffing, but the call recording feature is not always available out of the box. Depending on the region, the version of MIUI and the operator’s policy, the ability to save conversations can be blocked. In this guide, we will analyze all the current methods of recording – from hidden settings to third-party applications – and also talk about legal aspects and technical limitations.

It is important to understand that recording calls is not only a technical issue, but also a legal one. In some countries (e.g. Russia), recording a call requires the consent of the second person, otherwise it may be considered a violation of personal data law.

In the article you will find:

• 🔍 Hidden functions MIUI For the record (if available in your firmware)
• 📱 Top.-5 Applications for recording with pros and cons of each
• ☁️ Cloud services with automatic transcription
• ⚙️ Manual inclusion through the engineering menu (for advanced ones)
• ⚠️ What to do if the record does not work (common errors and fixes)

If you own a Xiaomi 9T Pro or another Snapdragon 730-based model, most of the instructions will also work – the differences are minimal. To check the exact version of the firmware, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

1. Verification of the built-in recording function in MIUI

On some versions of MIUI 12-14 for Xiaomi 9T, the call recording feature may be hidden, but not removed.

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Recording Conversations section (if not, proceed to the next method).
4. Activate the switch and select which calls to record: All, Incoming Only or Outgoing Only.

If there is no record of conversations, this means that:

• 📌 Your firmware is global (for example, MIUI Global) where the function is disabled for legal reasons.
• 📌 Installed European version of the software (EEA), where the record is locked at the system level.
• 📌 The phone was purchased from a telecom operator who disabled the option (for example, MTS, Beeline).

In this case, changing the firmware region or using third-party applications (about them below) will help, but be careful: changing the region can lead to loss of warranty and unstable operation of some features (for example, NFC or 4G).

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Before changing the firmware region, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will save contacts, SMS and application settings.

2. Top.-5 Applications for recording calls to Xiaomi 9T

If the built-in feature is not available, the best option is to install a specialized application, and we tested dozens of programs and selected those that work consistently on the Xiaomi 9T with MIUI 12-14 and Android 10-12.

Before installing, check the application permissions in Settings → Apps → Permissions. To record calls, you will need:

• 📞 Calls (access to the log)
• 🎤 Microphone
• 💾 Memory (to save files)

Install the application from the official store|Provide all necessary permits|Check the free space on the phone (minimum 500 MB)|Configure automatic saving to the cloud (optional)-->

Manual recording through the engineering menu

For advanced users, there is a way to activate the hidden recording function through an engineering menu (MTK Engineer Mode or Qualcomm Service Mode), which does not work on all firmware, but can help if standard methods are not available.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect actions in the engineering menu can lead to network failure or loss IMEI. Follow the instructions exactly!

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636## This will open the Testing menu.
2. Select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to the Turn on radio log section and turn it on.
4. Go back to the main menu and select Audio → Normal Mode.
5. Find the VoIP Call Audio Recording option and set the Enabled value.
6. Reboot the phone.

After you reboot the Phone application, you may see a recording button. If you don't have one, try:

• 🔄 Repeat steps after rebooting.
• 📱 Set up an alternative call (e.g. Google Phone from Google Play).
• 🔧 Reset network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting settings.

4. Record conversations via Google Drive or cloud services

If you don’t want to install additional apps, you can use automatic recording via Google Drive or specialized cloud services, a method that is suitable for those who often conduct business correspondence and need backups.

To set up:

1. Install the Google Phone app (unless it is installed by default).
2. Open the Settings. → Recording calls.
3. Turn on Auto Write and select Google Drive as the save location.
4. Specify the folder for records (for example, Call Recordings).

Advantages of the method:

• ☁️ Files are automatically synced to the cloud.
• 🔍 It is easy to search for records by date or number.
• 📱 Doesn't take up space on the phone.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Note: Google may restrict entry in some countries (e.g. EU).
• 🔊 The quality of the sound depends on the speed of the Internet.
• 💰 Only 15 GB of space is available on Google Drive.

Alternative cloud services:

• 📌 Dropbox + Call Recorder by Lovekush (Integration through the API).
• 📌 OneDrive (requires manual downloading).
• 📌 Yandex Disk (suitable for users from Russia).

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Cloud services are convenient for backups, but don’t guarantee 100% privacy. If the record contains sensitive information, use local storage with encryption.

5. Legal aspects: can conversations be recorded without consent?

The legality of recording telephone conversations is governed by the laws of each country, and in most cases, one-way recording is permitted if:

• 📜 You are a participant in the conversation.
• 🎧 Recording is for personal purposes (for example, a memo).
• 🚫 No intention to release the record publicly.

But there are nuances:

• 🇷🇺 In Russia (Article 23 of the Constitution), recording without the consent of the second participant is allowed, if it does not violate his rights.
• 🇺🇸 In the United States, laws vary by state: some (such as California) require the consent of all participants.
• 🇪🇺 In the EU (GDPR) Recording without consent is considered a breach of privacy unless a “legal necessity” is proven».

⚠️ Note: If you are recording a conversation for trial, investigative journalism or commercial purposes, be sure to notify the person at the beginning of the call:

"Good afternoon, let me turn on the tape to record the terms of the deal. Do you mind?"

Otherwise, the record may be considered inadmissible evidence.

6. Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even after you set up the recording, you can have a crash, and we've collected some common errors and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try:

1. Reset your phone settings to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Reset).
2. Install custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS or xiaomi.eu).
3. Use an external voice recorder (connect the second phone in hands-free mode).

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Xiaomi 9T