Recording calls on Xiaomi: all ways from standard to hidden

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from saving important business negotiations to capturing evidence in controversial situations. However, not everyone knows that recording capabilities depend not only on the device model, but also on the version of MIUI firmware, regional restrictions and even the carrier. In this article, we will examine all the current ways – from embedded tools to third-party applications – and also tell you how to get around typical problems with sound quality and file preservation.

Xiaomi’s feature is that it periodically changes its approach to recording: in some versions of MIUI, it is available out of the box, in others it is hidden in the development settings, and in firmware for the European market can be completely removed due to legal restrictions. We tested all methods on devices from Redmi Note 10 Pro to Xiaomi 13 Ultra and collected working solutions for different scenarios. Important: before using the record, clarify the legality of such practices in your region – in some countries this requires the consent of the interlocutor.

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

Starting with MIUI 12 and up, many Xiaomi models have built-in conversation recording, but its location and availability depend on the firmware version. In global and Chinese builds, it is usually active by default, and in European (EEA) it can be disabled.

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Recording of Conversations section (or Call Recording in English firmware).

If you don't have a point, your firmware doesn't support out-of-the-box, in which case you can try updating MIUI to the latest version or using alternative methods in the following sections. Note that even if you have a built-in record in Xiaomi, it can work unstable with VoIP calls (for example, via WhatsApp or Telegram).

The built-in entry in MIUI has several features:

• 📱 Automatic Save: Record files appear in the folder MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec memory.
• 🔊 Sound quality: monophonic sound with a sample rate of 8 kHz (enough for speech, but not for music).
• ⚠️ Limitations: Does not work with some SIM-Operator cards that block network-level recording.

⚠️ Attention: In the firmware MIUI 14 for the European region, the call recording function may be blocked at the kernel level. ADB or modification of system files cause failures in the communication module.

2. Hidden entry through the engineering menu (for advanced)

If your firmware doesn’t have a built-in recording, but the device supports it at the hardware level (like Qualcomm Snapdragon models), you can try activating the function through an engineering menu, which works on most Xiaomi and Redmi devices, but you need to be careful that wrong actions can disrupt the network.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the code: ##4636##
2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to Turn on/off call recording and turn on the option.
4. Reset the device.

Once activated, the Phone app will have a recording button during the call, and note that this method may not work on devices with MediaTek processors (such as the Redmi Note 11 or the POCO M4 Pro) because they have a different architecture of the communication module.

3. Third-party apps: TOP-5 for Xiaomi with pros and cons

If the built-in methods don’t work, third-party apps come to the rescue, we tested dozens of programs and selected those that work stably on Xiaomi without root rights. The main criterion for selection is the ability to record both sides of the conversation (many applications record only your voice).

Best options:

• 🥇 Cube Call Recorder ACR — Supports VoIP (WhatsApp, Viber) recording, automatic saving to the cloud, but requires you to configure access rights.
• 🥈 Call Recorder by Lovekesh – simple interface, recording format.mp3, But sometimes you miss the beginning of the conversation.
• 🥉 Truecaller – In addition to recording, it offers number identification, but the recording is only available for premium users.
• 🔹 RMC: Android Call Recorder – Records in high quality (16 kHz), but can conflict with MIUI on some devices.
• 🔹 Call Recorder – Automatic – Automatic recording of all calls, but requires constant work in the background (consumes battery).

Before installing any call recording app, follow the following steps:

Disable battery optimization for the application in MIUI settings

Provide all the permissions requested (microphone, memory, telephone)

Check compatibility with your version of Android (some apps don't run Android 13+)

Create an exception for the application in the settings "AutoStart" (MIUI may block background work)-->

Important: On Android 10 and higher devices, apps are not allowed to record audio from the communication line without using the operator API, so many programs record sound through the microphone, which reduces quality and can capture extraneous noise.

4. Google Drive recording: an unexpected life hack

Few people know, but Google Drive has a built-in audio recording feature that can be adapted to record phone conversations, which is suitable for devices where other methods do not work, but require the on-hand drive.

1. Open Google Drive and click on the + icon in the lower right corner.
2. Select the audio recording (or audio recording).
3. Start the conversation by turning on speakerphone.
4. After the call is completed, stop the recording – the file will automatically be saved to your Drive.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Security: Files are stored in the cloud and protected by a Google account.
• 📱 Universality: Works on any device, including Xiaomi with custom firmware.
• 🎧 Quality: Recording is done in stereo format (44.1 kHz) if the phone microphone supports it.

Disadvantages:

• 🔊 Only your side of the conversation is recorded (unless you use speakerphones).
• ⚠️ In some regions, recording via speakerphone may violate privacy laws.

💡

If you need to record a conversation without a hands-free connection, hold a second phone with a voice recorder running to the speaker of the main device. The quality will be worse, but this method works 100% of the time.

5. VoIP call recording (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

Calls via messengers are recorded differently than regular phone calls, because they are transmitted over the Internet, not through the cellular network. There are two reliable ways to do this at Xiaomi:

Method 1: Built-in WhatsApp entry (hidden feature)

WhatsApp's beta version has a call recording feature, but it's not available to all users, so you can activate it:

1. Install the beta version of WhatsApp from Google Play.
2. Swipe up the screen during the call – if the function is active, a write button will appear.
3. After the call is completed, the recording will be saved in the chat as a voice message.

Method 2: Use the Cube Call Recorder ACR application

It's one of the few apps that can capture sound from VoIP calls.

1. Install Cube Call Recorder ACR and provide all permissions.
2. In the application settings, select VoIP calls and enable the Record WhatsApp calls option.
3. Activate Root Mode (if you have root rights) or Non-root Mode (worse, but not required).

⚠️ Note: Recording VoIP calls may violate the user agreement of messengers. For example, WhatsApp officially prohibits recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor, and your account can be blocked for system violations.

6 How to improve the quality of your Xiaomi recording

A common problem when recording calls on Xiaomi is poor sound quality: noise, a quiet voice or cutting off the beginning of a conversation.

Problem 1: Recording is too quiet

• 🔊 Increase the microphone volume in the recording application settings (if there is such a setting).
• 📱 V MIUI Go to Settings. → Sound and vibration → Call quality and select HD-voice (if available).
• 🎧 Use headphones with a microphone – they often give a clearer sound than the built-in microphone.

Problem 2: Background noise

• 🏠 Record conversations in a quiet room – Xiaomi microphones are sensitive to foreign sounds.
• 🔇 Enable noise reduction in the recording app settings (for example, Cube Call Recorder has the option of Noise suppression).
• 📱 Update the firmware - in new versions MIUI improved sound processing.

Problem 3: Recording is terminated or not saved

• 📁 Check the free space on the device - records take up ~1-2 MB per minute.
• 🔄 Turn off battery optimization for the recording app in the settings MIUI.
• 📱 Reinstall the recording app – sometimes resetting its settings helps.

💡

For maximum recording quality, use a combination of built-in MIUI (if available) + external microphone via a 3.5mm connector or Bluetooth, which will allow you to record your voice and the voice of the interlocutor on separate tracks.

7 Legal aspects: can calls be recorded without consent

Before recording conversations, make sure that it does not violate the laws of your country.

In Russia, recording a conversation without notifying the interlocutor is not a violation if you are a participant in the conversation (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and Article 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), however, the use of such recording in court may be limited if it is obtained illegally (for example, through wiretapping). The European Union has stricter rules: GDPR, recording without consent is considered a breach of confidentiality and may result in a fine.

Recommendations:

• 📢 Always notify the interviewer of the recording if the conversation is of an official nature.
• 📄 Keep evidence of consent (such as voice confirmation at the beginning of a conversation).
• 🔒 Keep records in a secure place – a leak can lead to legal consequences.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls to Xiaomi