Smartphone owners of the Chinese brand often face the need to maintain important dialogue, whether it is confirmation of the order in the delivery service or legally significant conversation. Unlike many other manufacturers, Xiaomi initially provides built-in tools for this purpose, but in the latest versions of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS functionality has become less obvious due to the privacy requirements of Google.
Complicating matters, depending on the firmware region (Global, Chinese, EEA) and Android version, the algorithms for the call can vary significantly: on some devices, recording is activated automatically, on others it requires manual activation through a hidden menu, and on others it is completely blocked at the system level. Understanding these nuances will help you quickly configure a device without installing third-party software, which often requires root rights or works unstablely.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the available methods for activating the function, from standard interface settings to more complex manipulations of system files, learn how to bypass software constraints, where to look for saved files, and what to do if the built-in tools stop working after another operating system update.
Built-in MIUI and HyperOS capabilities
Since Android 9, Google has implemented strict restrictions on recording phone conversations, which directly affected the shells of all manufacturers, including MIUI. Now when you turn on a record, the interlocutor often hears a voice warning, and the function itself can be hidden in the default settings. However, Xiaomi engineers have left the option of using a native voice recorder integrated into the Phone application.
To access the basic settings, you need to open a standard call app, which usually has a green phone icon, and in the upper right corner of the screen is a three-dot menu or a gear settings, where the call record is hidden, and this is where the basic parameters of the function, including automatic start and audio quality, are regulated.
- 📱 Automatically record all incoming and outgoing calls without user input.
- 🔊 Choosing sound quality: high, standard or low to save space.
- 📂 Indicating a folder to save audio files in internal memory or on SD-map.
It is important to note that in some regions (e.g. the European Union) due to GDPR regulations, the recording function may be completely removed from the firmware, in which case standard settings will not be available, and the user will have to look for alternative solutions or change the region of the device, which is not always safe for warranty.
⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI Global firmware may be forced to hide the recording function. If you don't see the relevant items on the menu, try changing the region in your phone settings to "India" or "China", but be aware of possible changes in the system applications.
Step-by-step: how to turn on call recording
Activating the function requires several actions to be performed sequentially in the smartphone interface. First, make sure your device is connected to the network or has a stable signal, although the Internet is not necessary for the setup itself. The process may vary slightly depending on your Redmi or POCO model, but the logic remains the same for the entire ecosystem.
Open the Phone app and click on the menu icon. Select Settings, then find Call Record. Here you need to activate Auto Record slider if you want the phone to save the conversations itself. To manually record while you're talking, the call screen will have a corresponding button, usually located next to the hands-free button.
☑️ Checklist for recording activation
If you've chosen automatic mode, the system will suggest you clarify the rules, you can set the record only for certain contacts or, conversely, ignore the favorite numbers. This is useful if you do not want to save personal conversations with loved ones, but you need to fix the working moments. All files are saved in the format.m4a or.mp3, which is played by most players.
Set up automatic recording and filters
The flexibility of automatic recording settings makes it much easier to manage your conversation archive, and you'll find room filtering options in the recording settings menu, especially for business users who negotiate dozens of times a day and can't manually manage each file.
You can create a list of numbers that will be recorded for all times, regardless of the general settings, and only unknown numbers are available, which helps to record calls from delivery services or potential scammers. To activate these functions, go to the Selected Contacts or Unknown Numbers subsection inside the record menu.
| Setup parameter | Description of function | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| All rooms. | Record each incoming and outgoing | For full recording of activities |
| Selected contacts | Record only from the contact list | To work with clients |
| Unknown numbers | Recording numbers outside the phone book | For security and control |
| Eliminate contact | Record all but selected | To exclude personal calls |
Remember to keep your memory full, because audio files, even compressed ones, take up space. When you overflow the storage, the recording of new conversations can stop automatically. You can set the save path to the SD card in your settings, if your smartphone supports this option, which will save the main memory from overload.
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Use cloud services to sync your records folder so you don’t lose important data in the event of a phone loss or breakdown.
Where are the saved conversation files located
Once a conversation is over, the file is stored in the device’s memory, but finding it through a standard file manager is difficult because of the complex structure of Android directories. By default, the system hides the entries in a system folder, access to which can be limited in new versions of the OS. However, there are several ways to quickly get to the desired audio.
The easiest way is to open the Dictophone or Screen Recording app (depending on the version of MIUI, functions can be combined). The list of records often contains a Phone tab, where all recorded dialogs are stored, sorted by date and time, from which the file can be sent via messenger or saved to the cloud.
If you prefer to work with the file system directly, use the Files Explorer built-in. The path to the directory is usually as follows:
/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/In some cases, especially on older versions of Android, the path may be different:
/Recordings/call_rec/Please note that when connecting the phone to the computer USB-cable (MTP), System folders can be hidden. Accessing them may require enabling hidden files in the Explorer settings on the PC or using special file manager applications with extended rights.
⚠️ Warning: When you reset your phone to a factory setting, all files in your internal memory, including the folder with your conversation records, will be permanently deleted.
Problem Solving: Recording is not working or no button
The situation where the recording button disappeared after the system update is one of the most common complaints of Xiaomi users: This is due to the fact that Google gradually blocks access to third-party applications and even system components to the microphone during the call.
One effective method is to change the region of the device. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Region and select a country where recording calls is legal (for example, India, Singapore or China). After changing region, restart your phone and check for a button in the Phone app.
Alternative applications for recording
The problem may also be access rights. → Annexes → All applications → Phone. → Application rights: Make sure the app is allowed to use the microphone and access memory. Sometimes reset the phone app settings (via the Clear Data menu» → «Resetting) helps to return functionality, but call history may be lost.
Use of third-party apps and Google Dictaphone
If the built-in MIUI features don’t suit you or aren’t available, the market offers a lot of third-party solutions, but it’s worth considering that starting with Android 10, Google blocks third-party apps from accessing the audio stream of a phone conversation, which means that most Google Play apps will only record your voice or silence.
Some apps circumvent this restriction by using hands-free mode and microphone recording, which reduces quality and requires the speaker to be turned on. Others require a connection via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to obtain special permissions. An example is the Cube ACR app, which has a special applet to work on new versions of Android.
- 📉 The quality of recording through third-party applications is often inferior to the system.
- 🔒 Wide permissions are required, which may raise security concerns.
- 🔄 Apps may stop working after Android updates require new versions to be searched for.
For users who are critically important for reliability, the best solution is to use Xiaomi’s built-in tools or switch to firmware, where the recording function is implemented at the system level without Google’s restrictions (for example, Chinese firmware versions or custom builds).
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The built-in recording in MIUI works more stable and better than third-party analogues, since it has direct access to the audio stream of the system, which is closed to ordinary applications.