The Xiaomi Mi 9, launched in 2019, has become a flagship that is still popular today for its price-performance balance. However, one of the most popular features for many users remains the ability to record telephone conversations. The built-in MIUI system often allows you to do this natively, but depending on the firmware region and the Android version, the functionality can be hidden or limited by law.
Device owners often face a situation where the standard call interface does not offer "Write" buttons or automatic dialog saving, which is due to Google's privacy policy, which tightly regulates app access to the microphone during a call.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to set up automatic or manual recording of conversations on the Xiaomi Mi 9. We will look at standard methods through the MIUI shell, the features of working with Google Dialer and third-party solutions that guarantee the result. It is important to understand that the success of the procedure depends on the specific version of the software installed on your device.
Features of recording calls on the shell of MIUI
The MIUI shell installed on the Xiaomi Mi 9 has historically had a built-in conversation recording module. In Chinese and some European firmware versions, this feature is available out of the box and does not require additional software installation. The user only needs to activate the appropriate switchboard in the phone book settings. However, in global versions focused on markets with strict privacy laws, this functionality is often hidden.
The MIUI standard recorder is highly audio-quality because it works at the system level, capturing the stream directly, rather than through the speaker microphone, and avoids the extraneous noises and voices that are often heard when using third-party applications. The key advantage is that you can automatically record all incoming and outgoing calls without you.
⚠️ Note: In some regions, using automatic recording of conversations without warning may be contrary to local law.
If you upgraded to Android 9 or later, the standard call interface might have changed, instead of the native MIUI Dialer call, you could have Google Phone, which has different rules for accessing the audio stream, in which case the standard settings might not work the way you used to, requiring more in-depth intervention or a change in approach to the problem.
Set up automatic recording in a standard call
To start with, check if you have a native recording feature available. Open the Phone app and go to settings. If you see Call Record, you're lucky that the system allows you to manage this functionality directly. You can usually choose the settings menu to work: record all numbers, only unknown or only selected contacts.
Inside the recording settings menu, you can also specify whether to play back a voice notification when you start recording a conversation, which is an important ethical and legal nuance that helps you comply with the rules of communication. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec, From where they can be easily removed or transferred to a computer.
☑️ Checking the call settings
If the switch is missing or inactive, it means your current firmware version is blocking the feature.Trying to change the region in your phone settings (Settings → Settings → Region) sometimes helps unlock hidden features, but this doesn’t work on all MIUI builds. Often changing the region to India or Singapore returns the functionality of your native call.
Google Dialer and Android 9+ Limitations
Since Android 9, Google has implemented strict restrictions on access to audio streams during a call for all applications, including system ones. On the Xiaomi Mi 9, which originally came with Android 9, this means that many third-party apps from the Play Market can only record silence or your voice, but not the interlocutor.
The standard Google call, which often replaces native on global firmware, also has a recording function, but it works specifically. When you activate a record, the system loudly announces: "Talk recording begins," and this phrase is heard by both interlocutors. It is almost impossible to turn off this warning by regular means in current versions of Google Phone without root rights or modification of system files.
However, you can check the settings as follows:
- 📞 Open the Google Phone app.
- ⚙️ Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings».
- 🔊 Go to the section "Recording calls».
- ✅ Activate the slider "Automatically record incoming/outgoing».
If this partition is missing, then the operator or device manufacturer has blocked this function at the software level, in such a situation, you can either put up with a loud notification or look for alternative, more complex ways to solve the problem, such as installing modified versions of applications.
Use of third-party applications for recording
When the standard funds don’t meet the requirements, third-party developers come to the rescue, and apps like Call Recorder – ACR, Cube ACR or Automatic Call Recorder from Appliqato are the leaders in this niche, but on the Xiaomi Mi 9 with its aggressive MIUI energy saving system, installing them requires additional training.
The main problem with third-party recorders on Android 9+ is that they can’t capture the voice of the interlocutor through the standard API. Developers bypass this using special accessibility modes or VoIP methods. When installing such an application, you will need to give it a lot of permissions, including access to a microphone, phone and, importantly, “Special features”.
Why can’t the app hear the conversation?
For stable operation of third-party software, it is necessary to properly configure the system:
- In the battery settings, find the installed application.
- Select the "No Limits" mode.
- Enable auto-start and fix the application in memory (lock in the menu of open applications).
Without these steps, MIUI will simply kill the recording process minutes after the screen is turned off, leaving you without an important conversation. It is critical to also disable the option "MIUI Optimization" in the developer menu if the application is not working properly, although this may affect other system functions.
Comparison of recording methods: Characteristics table
To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you assess the pros and cons of each method in the context of using the Xiaomi Mi 9.
| Method | Sound quality | Automation | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native MIUI (China/India) | Perfect. | Complete. | Low. |
| Google Dialer | Good. | Full (with voice) | Low. |
| Third-party annexes | Medium/Low | Requires settings | Tall. |
| Root + Modules | Perfect. | Complete. | Very high. |
As you can see from the table, native solutions always win in quality and stability. Third-party applications are a trade-off that global firmware owners have to make. The only way to get perfect quality on global firmware without restrictions is to flash the device to the Chinese version of MIUI or install custom builds with an unlocked bootloader.
However, flashing carries the risk of loss of warranty and possible inoperability of banking applications (Google). Pay/Samsung Pay can stop working without additional dances with a diamond like Magisk Hide. Therefore, for most users, fine-tuning the existing software remains the best option.
Advanced settings and troubleshooting
If the record is going on but the files are not saved or corrupted, the problem can be overflowing memory or access rights. On the Xiaomi Mi 9 with its fast drive, this is rare, but checking the save path will not hurt. Make sure the application is allowed to change files on the device. In modern versions of Android, access to folders is limited, and the recorder needs to explicitly specify the folder to save.
Another common problem is recording silence instead of talking. It's a classic symptom of Android security blocking audio. In some cases, turning on the speakerphone before you start a call helps, but it's inconvenient. There are special scripts for ADB that can change the audio routing settings, but they require a PC connection and command line knowledge.
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Use Mi Cloud or Google Drive cloud storage to automatically upload records, which will free up space on your smartphone and save data in the event of a device loss.
For advanced users who are ready to experiment, there is a method of replacing the system call file. APK-home-call MIUI It often returns the recording functionality without voice notification, but can lead to unstable operation of the call interface.
⚠️ Warning: Replacing system applications (calls, contacts) can cause a cyclic phone restart (bootloop). ADB restore access.
Also worth mentioning is the file format. As a standard, records are saved to.mp3 or.m4a. If you use third-party software, try changing the recording codec in the settings on AMR - this format takes up less space and sometimes improves with older audio chip drivers, although it loses as a voice.
Legal aspects and data storage
When recording conversations, you should be aware of the responsibility. In Russia, according to article 138.1 of the criminal code and article 137 of the criminal code, illegal trafficking of special technical means intended for secret information is prohibited.
The use of the record as evidence in court also has its nuances: the court can only take into account the record if it is obtained legally and does not violate the rights of others. If you warned the interlocutor about the recording (as does a staff Google call), the legal force of such recording is higher.
Keep your conversation archives secure. Files can contain sensitive information such as passwords, card data, personal secrets. Regularly clean or encrypt your records folder. On Xiaomi Mi 9, you can use the built-in Hide Files feature in the Explorer to protect your records from unauthorized access when your phone is unlocked.
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Data security: Regularly check the folder with records and delete unnecessary, so as not to take up memory and not risk leakage of confidential information in the event of a cloud hack or loss of your phone.
In conclusion, the Xiaomi Mi 9 remains a powerful communication tool, and when set up properly, it allows you to effectively manage your call archive, and the method you choose depends on your technical background and willingness to compromise between convenience, quality and legal purity of the process.