Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi: all ways and settings

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a feature that can be useful in business correspondence, to fix important agreements or just to save memorable conversations. However, the implementation of this option in MIUI has its own peculiarities: the firmware version depends not only on the presence of a built-in recorder, but also on its location on the menu. Moreover, since 2023, the manufacturer began to restrict access to the feature in some regions due to legal requirements.

In this guide, we will look at all the current ways to record calls on Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi devices, from standard MIUI 14/15 tools to third-party applications with advanced capabilities. We will focus on the hidden setting “Auto-Record for all contacts”, which often goes unnoticed by users, but greatly simplifies the process.

Built-in call recording in MIUI: where to look and how to turn on

Starting with MIUI 12, the conversation recording feature is integrated into the standard Phone app, but its location and availability depend on the device model and firmware region. On new smartphones (such as the Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the option can be hidden by default.

To activate the recording:

1. Open the Phone app and go to Recent (calling history) section.
2. Put it on the icon. ⋮ (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Scroll down to Record conversations (on some firmware it is called Call Recorder).
4. Turn on the Automatic Record switch and select the contacts or numbers for which the rule will apply.

On smartphones with MIUI for POCO (e.g. POCO F5), the path may be different: Phone settings → Additional → Record conversations. If you don’t have an option, your firmware doesn’t support out of the box (often found on devices for the European market).

Why there is no menu entry option: regional restrictions

Since 2022, Xiaomi has been removing the built-in recorder from firmware for a number of countries (including the EU and the US) due to privacy laws.If you don't see the Record conversation item in the settings, the reasons may be as follows:

• 📍 Regional firmware: Devices with firmware EEA (Europe) or Global are often deprived of this feature. MIUI In Settings → The phone.
• 🔄 Update: After update to MIUI 14/15 The option may have disappeared (especially on older models like the Redmi Note). 10).
• 📱 Device model: Budget smartphones (e.g. Redmi) A2) Sometimes they don’t support recording due to hardware limitations.

Solving the problem:

⚠️ Note: Installing firmware for another region (e.g. India or Russia) will return the recording function, but may disrupt Google services and banking applications!

Alternative applications for recording calls

If the built-in feature is not available, use third-party programs. The best options for Xiaomi:

Before installing, check the app's permissions: it must request access to Microphone, Phone, and Storage. Android 10+ will also require permission to Overlay over other apps (to display recording notifications).

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If the app does not record the voice of the interlocutor, try to turn on the hands-free mode for 1-2 seconds during the call - this will often "wake up" the microphone.

Automatic recording for all contacts

Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden option to record all incoming and outgoing calls without manual triggering.

1. Open the phone → Settings → Record conversations.
2. Select Automatic Recording and select All Numbers (or All Contacts).
3. Activate the Record Switch automatically.
4. In the Storage section, specify the folder to save files (we recommend choosing Internal Memory → CallRecords).

After that, all conversations will be saved in.amr or.mp3 format (depending on the model), files can be listened to through any audio player or sent via messenger.

Call to test number made|The file appeared in the CallRecords folder|The quality of the recording (no noise)|Record backup set up-->

Legal nuances: where recording conversations is prohibited

Before using the call record, check your country's laws, and in some regions, recording a conversation without the consent of the person involved is considered a violation of the right to privacy and is punishable by fines:

• 🇪🇺 European Union (GDPR): Recording is only allowed with a notification from the second party (e.g., a voice message at the beginning of a call).
• 🇺🇸 12 states (e.g. California) require bilateral consent.
• 🇷🇺 Russia: Recording without notice is allowed, but distribution without consent is prohibited (Article 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
• 🇨🇳 China: Recording conversations without permission is considered an offence.

To avoid problems:

⚠️ Warning: If you're recording a business call, start the conversation with the phrase, "The conversation is being recorded for internal use." This will protect you from allegations of privacy violations.

Where records are stored and how to export them

By default, the records files are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

or (on new firmware):

/storage/emulated/0/CallRecords/

To transfer the recordings to your computer or to the cloud:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Copy files with the.amr or.mp3 extension to any folder on your computer.
3. To back up to the cloud (like Google Drive), use the Google Files app or MIUI File Manager.

If the records are not displayed in the folder:

• 🔍 Check if system files are hidden (enable the display of hidden folders in the file manager settings).
• 📁 Try to find entries through keyword search call_rec.
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes files become visible only after a reboot.

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Clean your records folder regularly: files take up space in your internal memory and can slow down your smartphone.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Xiaomi users often face the following difficulties when recording calls:

If none of the methods helped, try resetting the settings of the Phone application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the phone and select the Warehouse.
3. Tap Clear the data and Clear the cache.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions