How to record a call on Xiaomi smartphones: 5 proven ways (including hidden)

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from saving important business negotiations to capturing evidence in controversial situations. Although MIUI offers built-in recording tools, their functionality is often limited to regional settings or firmware version. In this article, we will examine all the current ways to record calls, from standard features to circumventing restrictions using third-party solutions.

It is important to understand that the legislation of many countries (including Russia) regulates the recording of conversations. According to Art. 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, recording negotiations without the consent of the interlocutor is allowed only in cases provided for by law (for example, to ensure security).

Technically, the recording process on Xiaomi depends on the device model, MIUI version and firmware region. For example, on global versions (MIUI Global), the recording function is often disabled by default, while on Chinese (MIUI China) or Indian (MIUI India), it can be available. We will look at solutions for all cases, from official to alternative.

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

On most Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13), the recording feature is built into the standard Phone app, but its visibility depends on the firmware region.

• 📱 Open the Phone app and go to the Recent tab.
• 🔍 During the call, pay attention to the screen – if there is a Record button (usually next to the hands-free and hold keys), the function is active.
• ⚙️ If the button is not, check the settings: Phone → ⋮ (three-point) → Settings → Recording calls.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 for the European region), the option is hidden, in which case it will help to change the firmware region or install a patch through ADB.

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If the recording button appears but is gray and inactive, try turning it on manually: go to Settings → Permissions → Phone → Allow recording of sound and activate the slider.

Recorded conversations are saved in a folder MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec (File format is available through Files or Explorer.mp3, It's based on the model. 8 Gen 2 (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) is recorded in stereo mode if the speaker is switched on.

2 Why the entry is not on the menu: MIUI regional restrictions

Xiaomi is blocking firmware call recording for some regions (especially the EU and the US) because of local privacy laws, not hardware restrictions, but software restrictions that can be circumvented.

• 🚫 The recording button is missing even after the update MIUI.
• 🔄 There is no phone settings to record calls.
• 📛 When you try to record a call through third-party apps, a notification appears: Recording is blocked by security policy".

Solutions to the problem:

1. Change the firmware region to India or China (requires unlocking the bootloader).
2. Installation of the patch through ADB (works without root rights).
3. Use of alternative firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU).

Global (Global)|Chinese (China)|Indian (India)|European (EEA)|Castomic (Xiaomi.EU/LineageOS)|I don't know-->

The easiest way is to patch through ADB.

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1
3. Reset the device.

3. Third-party applications for recording: TOP-5 with pros and cons

If the built-in feature is not available, Google Play apps will come to the rescue, and we tested 15 programs and selected the best ones for reliability, recording quality and compatibility with MIUI 14/15.

Before installing, check the application permissions:

• 📞 Access to calls (READ_PHONE_STATE).
• 🎤 Sound recording (RECORD_AUDIO).
• 📁 File storage (WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE).

Install the application from an official source |Provide all requested permissions |Check the free space on the device (minimum 500 MB) |Disable battery optimization for the application-->

Important: On Xiaomi with Android 12+ Some apps may not work due to Google's restrictions on recording audio. ADB-command to circumvent restrictions (see Section 2) or use an external voice recorder with the speaker on.

4. Recording via speakerphone + voice recorder: circumvention of restrictions

If neither the built-in function nor third-party applications work, the one-size-fits-all method is recording via an external voice recorder with hands-on connectivity, which is suitable for any Xiaomi model, including the POCO F5 and Redmi K60, but has a drawback: the quality of the recording depends on the microphone and the noise level in the room.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on speaker during the call (Dynamic button on the call screen).
2. Open a voice recorder (standard sound recording or third-party, such as Easy Voice Recorder).
3. Start recording and place the phone with the microphone to the sound source (or use a second device).
4. At the end of the call, save the file and, if necessary, cut the unnecessary fragments in the editor (for example, Lexis Audio Editor).

To improve quality:

• 🎙️ Use an external microphone (e.g. Lavalier with Type-C or 3.5mm connector).
• 🏠 Record in a quiet room, without echoes.
• 📱 Place your phone on a soft surface (like a pillow) to avoid vibrations.

Warning: This method only captures your side of the conversation, so if you want to record both of your conversations, use a conference call with another phone (such as a Zoom or a Discord) and record the sound from it.

5 Hidden recording: how to record a call so that the interlocutor does not know

In some situations, a hidden record is required, such as a threat or fraud record, but remember that in most countries, it can only be used in court if three conditions are met:

1. You are a participant in the conversation.
2. The recording is conducted without violating the secrecy of communication (Article 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
3. The material provides the evidence base in the case.

Technically, a hidden entry on Xiaomi can be organized as follows:

Disable audio notifications about recording start | Hide the recording icon in the status bar (via application settings) | Use applications with the "invisible mode" function (for example, ACR) | Disguise the recording for the system process (requires root rights) | Turn off vibration at start / stop recording-->

For maximum secrecy:

• 🔇 Use applications with a delayed start (recording begins 10-15 seconds after the start of the call).
• 📴 Disable Notifications for the Dictator App in Settings MIUI.
• 🔄 Set up automatic deletion of records older than 7 days (to avoid taking up space).

On devices with a MediaTek processor (such as Redmi 10C), hidden recording through third-party applications can be blocked at the kernel level, in which case only recording through speakerphone or using a second phone will help.

6 Where records are stored and how to protect them

By default, call records on Xiaomi are saved in:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ (built-in).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings/ or /storage/emulated/0/ACR/ (third-party).

To protect records from accidental deletion or leakage:

1. Encryption: Use 7-Zip archivers with a password or apps like Secure Folder (available on Xiaomi with MIUI 13+).
2. Cloud reservation: automatically upload files to Google Drive, Yandex Drive or Mi Cloud (in the settings of the Dictator app).
3. Hidden folders: Rename the folder with records by adding dots to the beginning (for example,.secret_calls), — It will be invisible to a standard conductor.

For quick access to the records:

• 🔍 Add the folder with records to Favorites in the Files app.
• 📌 Create a shortcut on the home screen (long tap on the desktop) → Labels → Files).
• 🔄 Set up automatic sorting by date/contact (in the dictaphone settings).

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Clean old records regularly – they take up space and can become a vulnerability when your phone is lost. Use the Auto Clean feature in your application settings or the task scheduler (for example, MacroDroid).

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When you record calls to Xiaomi, users experience common errors. Here's how to fix them:

If the problem is not resolved, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: On beta firmware, the recording function may not work smoothly.
• 🔄 Application conflicts: Some programs (such as Truecaller) block the recording.
• 🛠️ System File Integrity: Reset your phone settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Reset).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions