Recording conversations on Xiaomi Mi 10: 5 working ways (including hidden MIUI features)

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Mi 10 (including Mi 10 Pro and Mi 10 Ultra) is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from saving important business information to capturing evidence in controversial situations. However, standard MIUI capabilities are limited by many countries, and built-in call recording may not be available in your region. This article will reveal all the current methods, from hidden firmware settings to third-party applications with circumvention of restrictions.

We tested all the methods on the Xiaomi Mi 10 with MIUI 12/13/14 firmware (Android 10-12) and highlighted the key nuances: where the record is stored, how to avoid notifying the interlocutor, and why some methods stop working after updates. Special attention will be paid to the hidden MIUI function for recording calls through the engineering menu, which is not even written about in the official documentation. If you are looking for a solution without root rights or with minimal security risks, here you will find step-by-step instructions with visual hints.

1. the built-in recording function in MIUI: Where to look and why she's not here.

The official MIUI firmware for Xiaomi Mi 10 includes a built-in recording module, but its visibility depends on:

• 🌍 Firmware Region: In India, Russia and China versions, the feature is active by default, and in global versions, the function is active by default (EU/Global) — hidden due to privacy laws.
• 📱 Versions MIUI: into MIUI 12.5 and newer recording can be blocked at the Android kernel level.
• 🔄 Security updates: after patches from 2021/09/01 Google restricts access to microphone during calls for third-party apps.

To check for built-in function:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Dial the number and start the call.
3. When you talk, look for a Record button (a microphone icon or a mug) on the screen, and if you don't have one, move on to the following methods.

⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. the United States), recording calls without notifying the interlocutor violates Act 18. U.S. Code § 2511, please specify local regulations before using.

2. Hidden entry through the engineering menu (no root)

This method only works on MIUI firmware 12.0-12.5 for Xiaomi Mi 10/Pro/Ultra and allows you to activate the recording without third-party applications. The MTK Engineer Mode contains undocumented settings of the telephony module, including the forced recording mode.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##36446337## (if it doesn't work, try ##4636## → Phone info → Network selection → MTK Settings).
2. Go to Hardware Testing → Audio → Normal Mode.
3. Find Voice Call Record and set the Enabled value.
4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

After activation during the call, a write button will appear (it may require 1-2 reboots) and the recordings are stored in the folder:

/sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

3. Recording applications: top-5 circumvention MIUI

Standard Google Play apps (like Call Recorder or ACR) often don’t work on the Xiaomi Mi 10 because of the microphone access lock during calls. We selected 5 solutions that circumvent these restrictions:

For installation:

1. Download APK from the developer’s official website (not from Play Market!).
2. In your phone settings, allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Installation of unknown applications.
3. Launch the application and grant rights to Microphone, Warehouse and Phone.

Enable USB debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI → 7 times press) | Allow APK installation from the browser | Disable MIUI Optimization in the developer settings | Check free space (minimum 500 MB)

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⚠️ Note: Boldbeast apps may conflict with Google Phone (standard call app) MIUI). If the recording does not start, install an alternative dialer, such as Simple Dialer.

4.Recording via ADB: for advanced users

If none of the previous methods worked, you can activate the recording via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which does not require root rights, but you need basic command line skills.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. On your phone, turn on USB Debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB.
3. Connect Xiaomi Mi 10 The command is: adb shell settings put global capture_call_audio 1
4. Reboot the phone. After that, the standard phone app will have access to the recording.

To reverse the changes, do:

adb shell settings put global capture_call_audio 0

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If ADB can't see the device, try reinstalling Xiaomi USB Drivers drivers or using the original cable from the bundle. Cheap cables often don't support data transfer.

5. Alternative methods: voice assistant and second phone

If software solutions don’t fit, consider hardware workarounds:

• 🎤 Voice assistant: When you call, activate Google Assistant with a voice command, "OK, Google, start recording." Minus, both your voice and the sound from the speaker (echo).
• 📱 Second phone: Put a second smartphone next to you with the voice recorder running. Use a directional microphone for better quality (e.g., a direct microphone, BOYA BY-M1).
• 🔊 Bluetooth headset: Some models (e.g. Sony) WH-1000XM4) Have built-in recording of conversations through an accompanying application.

For the recorder method:

1. Open the standard Dictaphone app on Xiaomi Mi 10.
2. Turn on speakerphone during the call.
3. Click Recording in the recorder. The file will be saved in /sdcard/Recorder/.

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Recording via a second phone is the only legal method in countries where covert recording of conversations is prohibited (for example, in most states of the United States).

6 Where records are stored and how to protect them

By default, the call records on Xiaomi Mi 10 are saved in one of the folders:

• /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — built-in MIUI.
• /sdcard/CallRecorder/ – for most third-party applications.
• /sdcard/Recorder/ – if a standard recorder is used.

To protect records from accidental deletion:

1. Move files to the cloud: Settings → Xiaomi Cloud → Backup → Select folders
2. Encrypt the folder with records through File Manager Pro (built-in password protection function).
3. Turn off automatic cleaning in Settings → Storage → Cleanup by adding a folder with records to exceptions.

The recording format is usually.amr or.mp3. For PC listening, use VLC Media Player or Audacity (the latter allows you to remove noise and improve quality).

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

If the recording does not start or is interrupted, check:

If after the MIUI update, the recording stopped working:

• Reset the settings of the phone application:
• Reverse to the previous firmware version via the Mi Flash Tool (instructions on xiaomi.eu).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions