How to record a conversation on Xiaomi 9T: a guide

Owners of Xiaomi Mi 9T often face an unexpected limitation: once the operating system is upgraded to Android 10 or higher, the regular call recording feature disappears from the menu, due to Google’s strict privacy policy, which banned third-party apps from accessing the audio stream during a conversation.

Fortunately, there are proven ways to get around these limitations to get back the recording functionality. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to set up automatic recording through hidden system settings, how to use specialized applications and what nuances you need to consider for MIUI. You will learn about legal ways to save audio and understand why a standard recorder does not work during a call.

We will look at the technical features of the audio track in modern smartphones and offer the most stable solutions. It is important to understand that each method has its advantages and disadvantages, which can affect the quality of the final file. Recording a conversation on Xiaomi 9T is possible only with the use of special methods to bypass the system limitations of Google.

Why the phone call record on Xiaomi 9T is missing

The problem of not having a recording feature in the standard Phone app came about for a reason: Since Android 10, Google has implemented strict API restrictions that block apps from accessing the microphone and speaker simultaneously during an active connection, meaning that any third-party programs downloaded from the Play Market either record silence or require complex manipulations to turn on the hands-free connection.

For Xiaomi Mi 9T owners, the situation is made worse by the fact that global versions of MIUI firmware often pre-installed Google Dialer instead of Xiaomi’s native Chinese app. It was in the Chinese version of the software that the native recording function was built in, which is activated by a single button, in the global version this option was cut at the code level to meet international privacy standards.

However, the system files that are responsible for this feature often remain in the firmware but are hidden from the user. The company's engineers have left it to be activated through special codes or modifications to system settings. Understanding this architecture allows us to recover lost functionality without the need for root rights, which is a safe and effective solution.

• 📱 Google Dialer blocks access to audio stream at the core level of the system.
• 🌏 Global firmware MIUI Deprived of native call recorder.
• 🔒 Root rights are not always required to restore function.

It is worth noting that attempts to use older versions of Phone applications often result in system instability or a complete failure of the communication module, so the most sensible approach is to configure the current version of the software or use proven alternative methods, which we will discuss later.

Activation method through MIUI codes and settings

The most reliable way to return a record is to try to activate the hidden feature in regional settings. Some versions of MIUI for Xiaomi Mi 9T work by switching the region to countries where recording calls is legally allowed, such as India or Singapore, which forces the system to review the list of available features and unlock the desired item in the menu.

You first need to go to the device settings and find the Region, and then you need to reboot your phone and check the Phone app, and if that works, you'll have a recording button in the caller's interface, and a switch in the call settings, but it doesn't work on all firmware versions.

⚠️ Note: When you change region, your device may change your recommended app lists and news feeds. Return the region only after checking for the recording feature, but keep in mind that the feature may disappear again.

Another option is to use an engineering menu, although it is often closed on global firmware. If you are lucky and the code ##3646633## works, you can try to find audio settings, but this requires high skill. A safer way is to install patched versions of system applications that do not require deep intervention.

• 🇮🇳 Changing the region to India often unlocks hidden features.
• 🔄 Reboot is mandatory after changing the location settings.
• ⚙️ The engineering menu is not available on all assemblies MIUI.

Use of third-party recorder applications

If system methods fail, specialized applications come to the rescue, and the most effective solution at the moment is the Automatic Call Recorder from Appliqato or Cube ACR. These programs use special availability services to emulate clicks and control audio flow, bypassing the standard Android restrictions.

When installing such an app on the Xiaomi 9T, it needs to be given maximum permissions, the system will persistently warn about the risks, but to work properly, the recorder needs access to a microphone, phone and display over other windows. Without these permissions, recording will be interrupted or kept quiet.

Special attention should be paid to the settings of the sound source, in the application settings you need to choose the option of "Voice Call" or "Mic" if the standard one does not work, sometimes you need to turn on the speaker automatically when you start recording, which can be inconvenient, but guarantees the preservation of the voice of the interlocutor.

On the latest Android 12 or 13 updates, even these apps can run unstable, requiring constant rechecking of settings.

Installation of a patched Google Dialer

The most elegant solution for the Xiaomi Mi 9T is to replace the standard Phone app with a modified version. Enthusiasts create patches for Google Dialer that have native recording feature built in, without the need for hands-free, which ensures the best sound quality and usability.

To install this version, you must first remove updates to the standard Phone application through the application settings or disable it. APK-a patched version file from a verified resource, for example, XDA Once installed, it is important to prevent this app from automatically updating to Google Play, otherwise the feature will disappear again.

⚠️ Warning: Installing modified system applications carries potential risks. Make sure you download the file from a trusted source to avoid malicious code. Always check the digital signature APK.

Once installed successfully, a signature recording button will appear in the dialing interface, and when you talk, just press it and the system will store the dialog in the device’s memory, a method considered the “gold standard” for Xiaomi users, since it preserves the integrity of the system and does not require complex manipulations with each call.

• 📥 You need to disable the auto-update of the application in Google Play.
• 🗑️ Requires removal of updates to the stock app "Phone».
• ✅ The quality of the recording is identical to the factory Chinese analogue.

Alternative ways to capture conversation

In cases where software methods are not possible or prohibited by corporate security policies, hardware solutions remain. The easiest but effective way is to use a second device. You can turn on the recorder on another smartphone or tablet and put it next to the Xiaomi 9T speaker while you are on speakerphone.

There are also special voice recorders integrated into smartphone cases, or headsets with recording function, which connect via a 3.5mm connector (which the Mi 9T has) or Bluetooth and save the conversation regardless of the phone's operating system, which guarantees 100% results regardless of Android updates.

Another option is to use conferencing services that provide a server-side recording function, which requires you to create a conference, add a conversation partner, and activate the recording through the operator's menu, but this method can be paid and requires the Internet.

And don't forget the smartwatches, because some Wear OS models allow you to stream the sound of a call to a watch, where it can be recorded by a separate recorder app, although the sound quality may not be perfect because of the compression of the transmission channel.

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To improve the recording quality through the microphone of the second device, use headphones with a microphone connected to the recording gadget, and bring the headphone microphone closer to the speaker of the phone.

Legal aspects and storage of files

When recording conversations, it is important to be aware of your country's laws. In most jurisdictions, recording a conversation without warning can be a violation of personal data law or privacy. Before using the recording functions, read local regulations to avoid legal consequences.

Record files are usually saved in a folder MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec Or in the directory of a particular recorder application in internal storage, regularly copy important records to a cloud drive or computer, because when you reset your settings or flash your phone, all data will be irretrievably lost.

Organizing a record archive is key to making things work, and many apps allow you to add tags, notes, and categories to each file, and use those features to quickly find the right dialogue among hundreds of other files at the right time.

• ⚖️ Warning the interlocutor about the recording is often mandatory.
• ☁️ Regular backup protects against loss of important data.
• 📂 Systematization of files will speed up the search for information.

⚠️ Note: The use of recordings of conversations as evidence in court is possible only if the procedure for obtaining them is followed.

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The most stable method for Xiaomi 9T is to install a patched Google Dialer, but it requires caution when choosing a file source and turning off auto updates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)