Recording phone conversations on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 can be required in a variety of situations, from fixing important business agreements to saving memorable conversations with loved ones. However, the standard capabilities of MIUI in this regard often raise questions - where the records are stored, why they are not saved automatically and how to circumvent the limitations of the system. In this article, we will discuss all working methods of recording calls on the Redmi Note 10 (including the Pro, Pro Max and 5G models), taking into account the peculiarities of different versions of firmware and regional restrictions.
It is important to understand that recording capabilities depend on three key factors: MIUI version (on the Redmi Note 10 out of the box MIUI 12/12.5/13), firmware region (global, Chinese, European) and availability of Google Mobile Services (GMS). For example, in Indian and European versions, recording features are often blocked at the operating system level due to local privacy laws, and we will show how to circumvent these restrictions legally, without violating the rights of other participants in the conversation.
1. Built-in recording function in the standard "Phone" application
The most obvious way is to use the built-in recording feature in the Phone app from Xiaomi, but there are a few pitfalls here:
- ๐น The feature can be disabled by default in some regional firmware (especially in the EU and India).
- ๐น Recording only works for incoming/outgoing calls through SIM-card (not for VoIP calls via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.).
- ๐น V MIUI 13+ Recording is automatically suspended if the interlocutor does not consent (in some countries).
To activate the recording:
- Open the Phone app and go to Settings โ Record conversations.
- Turn on the Automatic Record switch or select Record manually.
- Specify for which numbers to apply the rule: All numbers, Favorites or Unknown.
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If the settings do not include โRecording conversationsโ, update the Phone app via Google Play or install an APK from the official Xiaomi website for your region.
Where do I look for the records? They're stored in a folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec The files are formatted on the internal drive.m4a and named by pattern: Recording_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS_phone number.m4a. For easy listening, you can use the built-in Music Player or any third-party audio application.
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In MIUI 14+, call records are automatically encrypted and are only accessible via the Phone app โ they cannot be copied to a PC without additional manipulation.
2. Hidden recording function via engineering menu (for advanced)
If your firmware doesnโt have a standard write option, it can be activated via the Engineering Mode, which works on most versions of the Redmi Note 10, but it requires caution that improper actions can disrupt system stability.
Instructions:
- Open the phone app and enter the code: ##4636##
- In the menu that opens, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
- Scroll down to Turn on/off call recording and enable the function.
- Reset the device.
Then the phone app will have a recording button during the call.
- ๐ง On some firmware, this method only works for SIM1 (main-slot).
- ๐ง Records can be saved in.amr format with low bitrate (8 kbit/s).
- ๐ง V MIUI 14 This method may not work due to changes in the kernel of the system.
What to do if the engineering menu does not open?
3. Third-party applications for recording calls
If the built-in methods donโt work or are not satisfied with the quality of the recording, third-party applications come to the rescue. For the Redmi Note 10, we recommend the following proven solutions:
| Annex | Features | Cons | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cube ACR | VoIP call recording (WhatsApp, Viber), cloud storage, automatic voice recognition | Paid version for recording both interlocutors, high battery consumption | Google Play |
| Call Recorder by Lovekesh | Free free entry without restrictions, Dual-SIM support, export to MP3 | Advertising in free version, no VoIP recording | Google Play |
| Truecaller | Built-in recording + spam blocking, automatic saving to the cloud | Registration required, recording available only to premium users | Google Play |
| OTT Call Recorder | Specializes in VoIP recordings (WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype) | Does not record standard calls, requires availability of services | Google Play |
When choosing an application, pay attention to:
- ๐ฑ Compatibility with Android 11/12/13 (on the Redmi Note 10 Android is in the box 11, but upgrades are possible).
- ๐ Permissions Audio recording, Contact Reading and Access to Calls.
- โ๏ธ Automatic upload of records to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).
Important: Since 2023, Google has tightened its policy on apps to record calls on Google Play, and many popular solutions (like Call Recorder by Boldbeast) have been removed from the store, which can only be installed via APK, but this is fraught with security risks.
4. Record calls via Google Assistant (for VoIP)
If you need to record a call to WhatsApp, Telegram or another messenger, you can use the Google Assistant feature, which does not require installing additional applications and works on all Redmi Note 10s with Google Mobile Services.
Algorithm of action:
- Start a call in a messenger (such as WhatsApp).
- Activate Google Assistant with a voice command (OK, Google) or hold the Home button.
- Say, "Start recording" or "Write down the voice."
- After the call is complete, say, "Stop recording."
The record will be saved in the Recordings folder on the internal drive.
- โ ๏ธ Only your voice is recorded (the interlocutor is not heard unless loud mode is turned on).
- โ ๏ธ The quality of the recording depends on the microphone and the noise level in the room.
- โ ๏ธ It does not work for standard phone calls (voIP only).
๐น Enable microphone access for Google Assistant
๐น Check the availability of the Internet (record is saved to the cloud)
๐น Install English in Assistant settings (for better command recognition)
๐น Turn off the "Do Not Disturb" mode"-->
5. Rooting and modified firmware: extreme measures
If you want complete freedom to record calls (for example, for professional use), you can consider root rights or custom firmware installation. On the Redmi Note 10, this is implemented through:
- ๐ง Installation TWRP Recovery and Magisk firmware for rooting.
- ๐ง Use of modified versions MIUI (for example, MIUI EU or Pixel Experimentation).
- ๐ง Apps like Boldbeast Call Recorder that require root to record both conversations.
Warnings:
โ ๏ธ Warning: Rooting will void the warranty on the Redmi Note 10 and may cause the device to malfunction.On some firmware, after the root, banking applications stop working (due to SafetyNet).
โ ๏ธ Attention: B MIUI 13/14 Xiaomi tightened protection against modifications. Incorrect rooting can lead to hard-brick (unable to recover without service equipment).
If you do decide to do this, follow the official guides from the XDA-Developers forum for the mojito model (codenamed Redmi Note 10). TWRP need:
- Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account binding and wait 7-15 days).
- Install OrangeFox Recovery or TWRP via fastboot.
- Switch to Magisk to get root rights.
After rooting, you will be able to:
- ๐ฑ Record calls to WAV high-bitrate.
- ๐ฑ Configure automatic record-keeping to SD-map.
- ๐ฑ Use apps blocked by Google (for example, to record WhatsApp calls).
6. Legal aspects of call recording
Before recording conversations, it is important to understand the legal implications, and different countries have different privacy laws:
- ๐ท๐บ In Russia, recording a conversation is allowed if at least one of the interlocutors (you) knows about the recording.
- ๐ช๐บ In EU countries (for example, Germany, France) recording without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited and can entail a fine of up to 20 million euros (GDPR).
- ๐บ๐ธ In the United States, laws vary by state: some (for example, California) require the consent of all participants in a conversation.
- ๐ฎ๐ณ In India, recording is allowed, but you cannot distribute the recording without the consent of the second participant.
Recommendations for compliance with the law:
- ๐ข Always notify the person about the recording (for example: โIโm recording the conversation for the record, youโre happy with it?").
- ๐ข Keep records in a secure place and do not distribute them unnecessarily.
- ๐ข In business correspondence, please include the following: โAll telephone conversations may be recorded to improve the quality of service".
โ ๏ธ Attention: B MIUI 14 Xiaomi has added an automatic recording notification for the interlocutor (in some regions), it can only be turned off via an engineering menu or modified firmware.
7. Alternative recording methods (without applications)
If for some reason you canโt use either built-in features or third-party apps, consider the following methods:
- ๐ง Using the second phone: put a second smartphone next to it with the recorder on.
- ๐ค External voice recorder: connect through USB-C Bluetooth (for example, Sony) ICD-UX570). Plus, high quality recording.
- ๐ป PC Recording: Use programs like Audacity to connect your phone as a microphone (via a computer). USB Bluetooth).
- โ๏ธ Cloud services: some operators (for example, MTS, Beeline) offer a service of recording calls on the operator's server (paid option).
To connect an external voice recorder to the Redmi Note 10:
- Use a USB-C hub with a 3.5mm port (e.g., Baseus HM07).
- In the audio settings, select the external device as the recording source.
- Set the volume level to 70-80% to avoid distortion.