How to record calls on Xiaomi: from built-in features to hidden MIUI settings

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from preserving important business negotiations to capturing evidence in controversial situations. However, standard MIUI capabilities in this regard are often limited, especially after the tightening of privacy policies in the latest versions of firmware. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of recording calls, including hidden system functions, third-party applications and workaround solutions for various models from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi 14.

It's important to understand that the legality of recording conversations depends on the laws of your country, most jurisdictions require notifying the other party about recording, and we don't call for breaking laws, because the article is purely technical.

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

The MIUI 12-14 firmware has a formal call recording feature, but its location and availability vary by region and device model, and on some smartphones (such as the Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12), the option may be hidden due to local restrictions.

To check for her presence:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Go to Settings. → Recording of conversations.
3. If there is no item, try pressing three points during the call (⋮) In the upper right corner and look for the option to write.

On Xiaomi for Global Markets (EEA), the record is often disabled by default. To unlock it, sometimes changing the device region to India or Russia through Settings → Additional → Region. After changing the region, you may need to reboot and reset the settings of the Phone application.

2. Hidden MIUI capabilities: recording through the engineering menu

If the standard method didn’t work, you can try activating the recording via an engineering menu, which works on most Qualcomm-based devices (e.g., Redmi Note 11 Pro, POCO X5).

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and type the code: ##36446337## (this is a combination for Engineering Mode).
2. From the menu that opens, select MTK Settings → Telephony → Call Recording.
3. Activate the Enable Call Recording option.
4. Save the settings and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: Not all engineering menu codes are secure. avoid changes to Hardware Testing or RF Band Selection – This can disrupt the network.

After activation in the Phone application, a recording button should appear during the call (usually next to the hands-free and retention keys). MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec inner-memory.

3. Third-party apps: TOP-5 for recording calls on Xiaomi

If the built-in methods didn't work, third-party utilities come to the rescue, and we tested dozens of apps and selected those that work consistently on MIUI 14 and Android 13/14:

Before installing, check the permissions of the application. To record both interlocutors, you will need rights to:

• 📞 Telephone (access to calls)
• 🔊 Microphone (sound recording)
• 📁 Storage (Save files)
• 🔔 Notifications (for automatic recording start)

⚠️ Note: Starting with Android 10, Google has limited the capabilities of recording apps. MIUI 13+ Some utilities can only record your voice, not the person you're talking to. ADB-team.

Check the Android version in Settings → The phone.|Disable battery optimization for the app|Allow auto-start in Settings → Annexes → Permits|Create an exception for the application in Settings → Battery and productivity-->

4. Recording calls via Google Drive (bypass method)

A little-known way to record conversations is to use Google Drive, which is suitable for devices where other methods don’t work, but has limitations:

• 🔹 Your voice is recorded (the interviewee is not heard).
• 🔹 Active Internet connection is required.
• 🔹 Files are saved in the cloud, not on the device.

How to set up:

1. Install the Google Drive app and log in.
2. Open Settings → Backup.
3. Activate Call Recording (could be called Call Backup).
4. During the conversation, click on the Disc icon in the notification panel to start recording.

This method is convenient for fast storage of important information, but not suitable for full recording of dialogues, but it does not require installation of additional programs and works even on MIUI 14 with the latest security updates.

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If you only need to record part of a conversation, use the built-in Xiaomi voice recorder (Record app). Turn it on speakerphone and hold the phone to the speaker. The quality will be worse, but this method works without additional programs.

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

Calls through messengers are recorded differently than regular phone conversations, which are helped by specialized applications or functions of the messengers themselves:

For WhatsApp:

• 📱 Use the Cube. ACR (Separately configured for VoIP).
• 💻 On PC, recording is done through programs like OBS Studio (if you call from the desktop version).

For Telegram:

• 🎤 Enable Local Recording in Voice Chat Settings (works only for group calls).
• 📱 Annex OTT Call Recorder recognizes Telegram calls on most devices.

⚠️ Attention: Messengers are actively fighting record calls, for example, WhatsApp can block an account for using third-party utilities to record. ADB or rooted devices, but they cannot be completely excluded.

For owners. POCO F5 Xiaomi 13 Lite with MIUI 14 is a workaround through the second SIM-map:

1. Insert the second SIM (can be virtual via eSIM).
2. During a VoIP call, call from the second number to the first.
3. Enable conferencing and record the conversation through the standard Phone app.

6. Advanced Methods: ADB and Root Access

For users who are ready for technical manipulation, there are ways to record using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or root rights. These methods are guaranteed to work on any version of MIUI, but require skills.

Method 1: ADB-teams (no root)

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global call_recording_enabled 1
4. Reset the device.

Method 2: Magisk modules (root required)

Install Call Recorder Patch module via Magisk:

1. Download the module from XDA Developers.
2. Install it through Magisk Manager.
3. Reboot the phone.
4. In the module settings, select the recording format (e.g., AMR for space saving).

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB or the access route may result in:

• 🔴 Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• 🔴 Banking Applications Disruption (Due to SafetyNet).
• 🔴 Unstable operation of the system with the wrong commands.

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ADB-The most reliable method for new versions MIUI, But you need to connect to a PC every time you activate a record).

7 Where records are stored and how to keep them

By default, call records on Xiaomi are saved in different places depending on the method:

To transfer the recordings to the PC or the cloud:

• 📁 Connect your phone to your computer through USB (Select the File Transfer Mode).
• ☁️ Upload files to Google Drive or Yandex Drive via the app.
• 🔗 Send yourself the recordings via Telegram Saved Messages or mail.

⚠️ Note: Record files take up a lot of space. Set up automatic deletion of old files (e.g. in Cube) ACR This is done in the Settings section → Storage management. We also recommend encrypting important records, which can be done with applications like Vault or Solid Explorer.

8 Legal aspects: what can and cannot be recorded

Before you record conversations, read the laws of your country, and here are the key points for the most common jurisdictions:

• 🇷🇺 Russia: It is allowed to record conversations without notice if you are a party (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation), but using the recording in court requires proof of its reliability.
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine: Second party's consent is required (Article 307 of the Criminal Code), except for the fixation of crimes.
• 🇪🇺 EU: Most countries (Germany, France) prohibit recording without consent and are punishable by fines.
• 🇺🇸 Laws vary by state: California requires consent of all participants, Texas requires notification only.

Recommendations for the legal use of records:

• 📢 Always notify the person about the recording (e.g., “The conversation is recorded for the record").
• 📝 Record the date, time and participants of the conversation (this will help in court).
• 🔒 Keep records encrypted if they contain personal data.

If you record conversations for work, make sure that it is allowed by internal company regulations.In some industries (e.g. banking), self-recording of customer calls can be considered a violation of GDPR or 152-FZ (on personal data).

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls to Xiaomi