Recording conversations on Xiaomi: all ways + legal nuances

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from fixing important business agreements to preserving evidence in controversial situations. However, not everyone knows that standard MIUI capabilities are limited, and the legal aspects of this action require special attention. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to record calls on Redmi devices, POCO and other Xiaomi products, including hidden firmware functions, third-party applications and hardware solutions.

It is important to understand that with the release of new versions of MIUI 14/15 and the tightening of the policy of Google Play, many of the usual methods have ceased to work. We tested all the current versions on the models of 2022-2026 (including Xiaomi 13/14 Series, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5) and highlighted those that are guaranteed to function today.

1. Built-in call recording in MIUI: Where to look and why she's not here.

Starting with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi removed the standard conversation recording feature from the Phone app for most regions, including Russia, due to Google’s policies and local privacy laws, but on some models the feature is still available – it depends on the firmware version and regional code (for example, Indian or global Redmi builds often retain this option).

To check if there is an embedded record on your device:

• 📱 Open the phone application and dial the number.
• 🔍 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.
• ⚙️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → Phone. → Recording conversations. If you don't have a point, your firmware doesn't support this option.

On models with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi Note 12 4G or POCO M5), the built-in recording can work even on newer versions of MIUI thanks to hardware support. If there is no button but you are sure that the feature should be, try changing the device region to India via Settings → Additional → Region (reboot will be required).

⚠️ Note: Change of region may cause Google services to crash (e.g. Google Pay will stop working). → Memory. → Backup.

2. Hidden recording via engineering menu (for MediaTek only)

MediaTek chipset devices (e.g. Redmi 10C, POCO M4 Pro) have a hidden engineering menu that allows you to activate the recording of all incoming/outgoing calls automatically, a method that does not require root rights, but only works on certain firmwares.

Instructions for activation:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##36446337## (code for MediaTek).
2. In the menu that appears, select Engineer Mode (MTK) → Hardware Testing → Audio.
3. Find Normal Mode and activate Voice Recording.
4. Save the settings and restart the device.

All conversations will then automatically be saved to /sdcard/Media/Audio/CallRecord, and the files will be in.amr format with date and time stamps.

Check the processor model (MediaTek) in Settings → About Phone → Full Specification

Create a backup copy of the data

Make sure that the device has enough memory (records take ~1 MB/minute)

Disable battery optimization for the Phone app-->

⚠️ Note: Some firmwares may lose the speaker sound after activating the recording through the engineering menu during the conversation. If this happens, return the settings to the original state or use the headset.

3. Third-party applications: TOP-5 working solutions for Xiaomi

If built-in methods are not available, you can use third-party software, but since 2023, Google Play has blocked most applications for recording calls due to a violation of privacy policy, and we have selected 5 proven solutions that circumvent restrictions:

For stable operation of any of these applications, you need:

• 🔋 Disable battery optimization: Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Title of the programme] → Battery → No restrictions.
• 📱 Allow auto-start: Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.
• 🎤 Provide access to microphone and storage.

💡

If the app doesn’t record the voice of the person, try to turn on speakerphone for 1-2 seconds during a conversation – this often “wakes up” the recording.

4. Hardware solutions: external voice recorders and Bluetooth headsets

If software methods are not suitable (for example, due to corporate policies or legal restrictions), you can use external devices, which guarantees 100% privacy, since the recording is conducted independently of the smartphone.

Hardware recording options:

• 🎤 Digital voice recorders (e.g. Sony) ICD-UX570 or olimpus WS-853): They're placed next to the phone during a conversation, and the quality of the recording depends on the acoustics of the room.
• 📞 Bluetooth headsets with recording function (e.g. Plantronics Voyager 5200): record a conversation directly in the headset, and then transfer the file to the PC.
• 🔌 Adapters for analog recording (e.g. Roland) R-05): connect to the audio output of the smartphone (if any) through the adapter USB-C → 3.5 mm.

Advantages of hardware solutions:

• ✅ It does not depend on the firmware or restrictions of Google.
• ✅ Recording is kept in high quality (up to 192 kbit / s).
• ✅ Files are stored on a separate device, making it difficult to delete them accidentally.

⚠️ Note: When using an external recorder in a public place (for example, in a cafe), the recording may record unauthorized voices, which in some cases violates the Data Person Act (152-FZ.

5. Legal aspects: when recording a conversation is legal and when it is not

In Russia, recording telephone conversations is regulated by several regulations:

• 📜 Article 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Violation of the secrecy of correspondence”) – recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor can be qualified as a crime if it was published or used to the detriment of a person.
• 📜 Article 152.2 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation (“Privacy Protection”) – recording without consent violates the right to privacy.
• 📜 Article 55 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation allows for the restriction of rights if it is necessary to protect the rights of others (for example, fixing threats or blackmail).

When recording is permitted and may be used in court:

• 🔊 If the person has given explicit consent (orally or in writing).
• 🚨 If the conversation contains threats, insults or signs of fraud (Articles 129, 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
• 💼 If the recording is for official purposes (for example, the manager of the call center) and the interlocutor is notified of this in advance.

In 2023, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation put an end to the dispute: a recording of a conversation made by one of the participants without notifying the other can be admitted as evidence if it confirms the fact of an offense (for example, extortion or defamation), but if the recording is used to blackmail or distribute personal information, this is already a crime.

6 Where records are stored and how to protect them

By default, call records files are saved in the following folders (depending on the recording method):

• 📁 Built-in recording MIUI: /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ or /sdcard/Recordings/.
• 📁 Annexes (Cube) ACR, Boldbeast): /sdcard/[Title of annexes]/.
• 📁 Engineering menu (MediaTek): /sdcard/Media/Audio/CallRecord/.

To protect records from accidental deletion or leakage:

1. Move files to a closed folder (e.g., Settings → Privacy → Protected folder in MIUI).
2. Encrypt the archive with the records via 7-Zip or WinRAR with a password.
3. Save a copy in cloud storage with two-factor authentication (like Google Drive or MEGA).
4. Remove metadata from files (time, device information) using programs like ExifTool.

If the records have legal value:

• 🔐 Create a notarized copy of the files (notary can certify the digital signature of the file).
• 📄 Make a record protocol, where specify the date, time, participants in the conversation and the method of recording.

💡

Never edit the original records if you plan to use them in court, and any changes (short-up, amplification) can be considered falsification.

7. Alternative methods: recording from the second phone and online services

If none of these methods work, you can use a second phone or online service to record conversations, which are less convenient, but sometimes the only way out.

Recording from the second phone:

• 📱 Use a second smartphone (like an old Redmi) to call it from the main phone and turn on speakerphone.
• 🎤 On the second phone, activate the voice recorder (built-in or via an app like Easy Voice Recorder).
• 🔇 Place the second phone next to the main one so that the microphone can pick up both voices well.

Online services for recording VoIP calls:

• 🌐 Callnote – Records calls via Skype, Zoom, Google Meet.
• 🌐 Rev Call Recorder – Records incoming/outgoing calls for free via the web interface (registration required).
• 🌐 Otter.ai – recognizes speech and creates a text transcript of conversation (supports Russian language).

Cons of these methods:

• ❌ Recording quality depends on the acoustics and stability of the Internet connection.
• ❌ Online services can store copies of conversations on their servers (risk of data leakage).
• ❌ Recording VoIP calls often requires a PC connection.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Xiaomi