Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: all methods and legal subtleties

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro can be required in a variety of situations, from fixing important business negotiations to preserving evidence for litigation. However, not all users know that the smartphone’s capabilities are limited not only technically, but also legally. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of recording calls, from built-in MIUI functions to third-party applications, and also explain how to avoid typical errors and improve sound quality.

The Redmi 8 Pro (codenamed olivelite) has officially removed the call recording feature from MIUI firmware for a number of regions, including Russia and the EU, due to tighter privacy laws (e.g. GDPR in Europe), however, it is possible to bypass the restrictions - and we will show you how to do it legally and safely for your device.

It is important to understand that even if you were technically able to record a conversation, its use may be limited by law.In Russia, according to Art. 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and the Federal Law "On Communications", recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor is allowed only in cases where you are a participant in the conversation and record information for personal needs (without distribution), otherwise it qualifies as a violation of the secrecy of correspondence.

1. Check the built-in MIUI capabilities on the Redmi 8 Pro

Before installing third-party applications, make sure your firmware does not support recording calls out of the box. In some regional versions of MIUI, the feature is hidden, but it can be activated.

To verify:

Open the Phone app.
Call the phone and make a call (or take an incoming call).
During the conversation, pay attention to the screen: if there is a “Record” button (mic icon or circle) in the bottom panel, the function is active.

If there is no button, try updating your firmware to the latest stable version of MIUI. Sometimes the feature returns after updates. Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

📊 Have you ever recorded telephone conversations?

Yeah, regularly.

Yeah, but rarely.

No, but I'd like to learn.

No, and no planning.

The Redmi 8 Pro with MIUI 11-12 firmware has a hidden way to activate recordings through an engineering menu, which doesn’t work on all devices, but it’s worth a try.

Instructions:

Open the Phone app and dial the combination: ##36446337## (code to access the CIT engineering menu).
Select Modem Test → Audio → Normal Mode from the menu that opens.
Find the VoLTE Call Recording option and set the Enabled value.
Reboot your smartphone.

When you reboot the Phone application, you should have a write button, and if you don't have one, your firmware is blocking the function at the kernel level.

What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?

If nothing happens after you enter the code, your version of MIUI has blocked access to the engineering menu. Alternatively, use the MTK Engineering Mode app (only for MediaTek processor devices like the Redmi 8 Pro). Download it from Google Play, open and repeat the steps from the instructions above.

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu can cause modem malfunctions or network loss. If the mobile Internet is lost after manipulation, reset the network settings to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

3. applications for recording calls: TOP-5 proven options

If the built-in methods don't work, we've only used third-party apps, and we've tested dozens of programs and selected those that work well on the Redmi 8 Pro with MIUI 12-14.

Annex	Ratings.	Features	Cons
Cube Call Recorder ACR	4.7	High-quality recording, cloud storage, VoIP support (WhatsApp, Viber).	A premium version for advanced functions.
Call Recorder – Automatic	4.5	Automatic recording of all calls, filtering by contact.	Advertising in the free version, sometimes does not record incoming.
Truecaller	4.4	Built-in record + number detector, spam blocking.	Registration is required, and registration is not available in all regions.
RMC: Android Call Recorder	4.3	Support for MP3 format, bitrate setting, record encryption.	A complex interface, sometimes in conflict with MIUI.
OTT Call Recorder	4.2	Specializes in recording VoIP calls (Telegram, Skype).	Does not record regular mobile calls on some firmware.

Before installing, check the app's permissions. Call recording requires permissions to access the microphone, storage and call log, and if the app requests access to SMS or geolocation, it's suspicious.

✅ Check reviews and rankings on Google Play

✅ Make sure the app has been updated in the last 3 months

✅ Read the Privacy Policy (especially the retention clause)

✅ Create a backup of contacts (in case of failure)

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4. Guidance on Cube Call Recorder ACR setup

Cube Call Recorder ACR is one of the most reliable applications for the Redmi 8 Pro, and it supports both regular calls and VoIP (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram).

Step 1: Installation and initial settings:

Download the app from Google Play.
When you first start, provide all the permissions you request (microphone, storage, calls).
In the main menu, select Settings → Record format and set MP3 with a bitrate of 128 kbps for balance of quality and file size.

Step 2: Set up automatic recording:

📞 Go to Settings. → Recording calls.
🔄 Enable the option "Automatic recording».
📱 In the Exclusions section, add numbers that you do not need to write down (for example, banking services).
☁️ Activate Download to the Cloud if you want backups (Google Drive, Dropbox supported).

Step 3: Verification of the work:

Make a test call to another number. Open the app after the call is over, the record should appear in the list.

🔇 Is the microphone in the notification curtain turned off.
📵 Is there an active mode Not to disturb.
🔄 Reboot your smartphone and repeat the call.

💡

If Cube ACR does not record VoIP calls (such as WhatsApp), turn on the option Record through availability in the app settings and add Cube to the list of special features services in the Android settings.

5. Legal aspects: When is the recording of the conversation legal?

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

📜 Article 138 of the Criminal Code (“Violation of the secrecy of correspondence, telephone conversations”) – provides for fines up to 80 000 ₽ or correctional work for illegal recording.
📄 FZ On Communication» (№ 126-FZ – prohibits interception and recording of negotiations without the consent of participants.
⚖️ Resolution of the Plenum of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation № 16 (2016) – clarifies that recording a conversation by a participant for personal needs is not a violation unless it is distributed.

When recording is allowed:

👤 You are a participant in the conversation and record it for personal use (for example, a reminder of the meeting).
📝 The interviewee gave explicit consent to the recording (orally or in writing).
⚠️ You record a conversation where illegal activities (blackmail, threats) are discussed – this can be used in court as evidence.

When recording is prohibited:

🚫 You record conversations of third parties (not a member).
📢 Distribute the recording on the Internet or transfer it to outsiders without the consent of the interlocutor.
💼 Use the recording to blackmail or pressure.

⚠️ Attention: If you plan to use the recording in court, notify the person in advance of the recording of the conversation, the court may not accept the recording made in secret, even if it confirms your rightness, it is better to say, "I am recording our conversation for the record" - this will eliminate legal risks.

6. Alternative recording methods: without applications

If you don’t want to install third-party programs, there are workarounds:

Method 1: Use of the second device

Turn on speakerphone on the Redmi 8 Pro and record the conversation on another phone, voice recorder or smart watch.

Method 2: Google Drive + speakerphone

Open Google Drive on your phone.
Press + → Voice recording.
Turn on speakerphone on Redmi 8 Pro and start recording.
After the conversation, save the file to the cloud.

Method 3: Bluetooth headset with recording

Some Bluetooth headsets (such as Sony WH-1000XM4 or Jabra Elite 85h) have a built-in conversation recording feature: connect the headset to your phone and activate the recording through its app.

7. Optimizing the quality of the recording: tips and tricks

A common problem with recording Redmi 8 Pro calls is poor sound quality, such as noise, a quiet voice, or echoes.

Microphone settings:

🎤 In the recording application, select the sound source of the Microphone + Telephone audio stream (if there is such an option).
🔊 Turn off noise reduction in the settings MIUI: Settings → Sound. → Improvement of sound → Noise suppression on calls.
📶 During recording, turn off the mobile Internet (transfer the phone to the aircraft mode with Wi-Fi enabled) to avoid interference from the Internet. 4G.

Post-record processing:

🎛️ Use audio enhancement apps like Lexis Audio Editor or Audacity (on PC).
🔇 Remove the silence at the beginning and end of the recording MP3 Cutter.
☁️ For important records, save the original file to the cloud (Google Drive, Yandex Drive) in case of data loss.

Hardware solutions:

📱 If the recording quality is critical (for example, for litigation), use an external recorder connected to the Redmi 8 Pro via the Redmi Pro. OTG-adapter.
🎧 For VoIP calls (WhatsApp, Telegram), it is better to record sound through headphones with a microphone (for example, Xiaomi Hybrid Pro). HD).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

❓ Can I record calls to Redmi 8 Pro without installing apps?

Most MIUI firmware for Redmi 8 Pro has the built-in recording feature disabled, but you can try activating it via the engineering menu (see section 2) or using alternative methods, such as recording via a second phone or Google Drive.

❓ Why the recording app doesn't record incoming calls?

This is a common problem on Xiaomi due to the limitations of MIUI. Try: In the app settings, turn on the Inbox Record option. Give the app permission to autorun in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autorun. Disable battery optimization for the app: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → Select the app → No restrictions. If it doesn’t help, try another app (e.g. RMC: Android Call Recorder).

❓ Is it legal to use a recording of a conversation in court?

Yes, but with reservations. According to the practice of the Russian courts, a recording of a conversation can be accepted as evidence if: You are a participant in the conversation; the recording was not edited (original file); the content of the conversation is relevant (for example, discussion of duty, threat, agreement); however, the court can reject the recording if the interlocutor was not notified of the fixation. For security, say in advance: "I am recording our conversation for the record."

❓ Where phone call records are stored?

This depends on the application: Cube ACR: /sdcard/CubeBackup/ or /sdcard/CallRecorder/. Truecaller: /sdcard/Truecaller/Recordings/. RMC: /sdcard/RMCVR/. You can also find records through the file manager by sorting files by date of creation. The format is usually.mp3 or.amr.

❓ How to delete records so they don’t take up space?

Cleaning methods: The recording application itself usually has a History or Records section with the deletion option. Through the file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager): find the folder with the records and delete unnecessary files. Use cleaning applications like CCleaner (Small Files section). Set up automatic deletion of old records in the app (e.g. in Cube) ACR: Settings → Removal → Delete records older than 30 days).