Recording calls to Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: official and alternative methods

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is still one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but its owners often face the problem: how to legally and reliably record phone conversations? Unlike the flagship models of Xiaomi, where the call recording function can be built into firmware, the Redmi Note 8 Pro requires additional manipulation – especially if you are using current versions of MIUI 12-14 or Android 11/12.

In this article, we'll look at all the current ways to record calls, from hidden system capabilities to third-party applications that work despite Google's restrictions and local laws, learn how to bypass locks, save records in the cloud, and even automate the process, and answer the key question: is it legal in your country and how not to violate the rights of the interlocutor.

Why is there no built-in call record in Redmi Note 8 Pro?

The reason for the lack of a recording function lies in three factors:

• 📱 Google policy: with Android 9, the company banned developers from embedding call recordings in the standard Phone app due to privacy concerns. Xiaomi was forced to remove the feature from global firmware, leaving it only in Chinese versions MIUI.
• 🌍 Local laws: in the EU, the US and some Asian countries, recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is considered a violation of the right to privacy of correspondence.
• 🔧 Technical limitations: Redmi Note 8 Pro runs on Mediatek Helio chip G90T, which does not support hardware recording of calls through some API. This complicates the work of third-party applications.

There are workarounds, however, such as the Chinese firmware MIUI China, which retains the recording function, and the global versions can activate it via hidden settings or third-party utilities, and we'll look at everything from the simplest to the most reliable.

Method 1: Built-in MIUI recording (for Chinese firmware)

If your Redmi Note 8 Pro is running on the Chinese version of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 12.5 China Stable), the call recording feature is already built into the standard Phone app to activate it:

1. Open the Phone app and go to Settings → Call Record.
2. Turn on the Automatic Record switch or select Record all calls.
3. Specify the folder to save records (by default this is the /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec).

⚠️ Note: If you have updated the firmware to MIUI 13/14, The feature may disappear even in the Chinese version. MIUI 12.5 or use alternative methods.

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If you have global firmware but want to get a Chinese version of the Phone app with a record, you can install APK from Chinese MIUI via ADB.

Method 2: Write via Google Drive (official method for Android 11+)

With Android 11, Google allowed you to record calls through Google Drive, but with serious limitations: the feature only works for incoming calls and requires manual start-up. Here's how to do it on the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

1. Install the latest version of the Google Phone app (not to be confused with the standard Phone from Xiaomi!).
2. Open the app and go to Settings → Record calls.
3. Turn on the option to Record incoming calls and select Google Drive as the save location.
4. When you call, click the Record button (will appear after the answer).

⚠️ Note: this method does not work for outgoing calls and requires an Internet connection, and Google can remove the feature at any time due to legal risks, records are saved in the Call Recordings folder on Google Drive and take up space in the cloud.

Method 3: Third-party applications for recording calls

If the built-in methods don't work, you'll need to use third-party utilities. The following applications are suitable for the Redmi Note 8 Pro (checked at MIUI 12.5-14):

• 🎤 Cube ACR — The most reliable VoIP-enabled solution (WhatsApp, Viber) records both ends of a conversation, but requires you to configure rights ADB.
• 📱 Call Recorder by Lovekesh is a simple, automatic recording app. Minus: It doesn't always work correctly on Mediatek chips.
• ☁️ Automatic Call Recorder - saves records to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).
• 🔒 Boldbeast Call Recorder is the only app that can record calls to Android 10+ without root, but requires manual codec configuration.

To install any of these applications:

1. Download APK from the official website (not from the Play Market, as Google blocks such utilities).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Launch the application and provide all the permissions requested (microphone, storage, access to calls).

Important: on Android 11+ Applications for recording calls require special permission through ADB. Without it, they can't capture the audio stream. ADB as shown in the following section.

Method 4: Recording through ADB (for advanced users)

With Android 10, Google has tightened its call recording rules, and now third-party apps can't automatically capture an audio stream without manual permission via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

1. Install ADB on your computer (download Platform Tools from Google).
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then go back to Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command in the terminal: adb shell pm grant com.android.callrecorder android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO adb shell pm grant com.android.callrecorder android.permission.READ_CALL_LOG adb shell pm grant com.android.callrecorder android.permission.WRITE_CALL_LOG (Replace com.android.callrecorder with your recording application package, such as com.cube.callrecorder).
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: After resetting settings or updating the firmware permission ADB They're resetting! They're going to have to be reconfigured, and some banking apps, like Sberbank Online, can block the phone if they detect active debugging. USB.

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ADB-Permissions are the only legal way to record calls on Android 11+ It does require a computer and basic command line skills.

Method 5: Alternative methods (without applications)

If you need to record a conversation once or you do not want to install third-party utilities, use one of these methods:

• 🎧 External recorder: connect a second phone or recorder to a conversation via speakerphone.
• 💻 PC Recording: Use programs like Audacity or OBS Studio by connecting the phone to the computer as a microphone (via the computer) USB Bluetooth).
• ☎️ Conference Call: Add a third number to a conversation (such as Zoom or Google Meet) and record it through a conference call service.

For Windows recording:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 8 Pro to your PC via USB and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Open Audacity and select Stereo Meeks or Phone Microphone as your sound source.
3. Start recording and answer the call via phone.

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For better sound quality, when recording via PC, use an external microphone connected to the computer, which will eliminate noise and echoes from the phone's speaker.

Legal aspects: can I record calls?

Before you record conversations, make sure that it doesn't violate local law. Here are the key points for different countries:

• 🇷🇺 Russia: recording of a conversation is allowed if you are a party to it (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation), however, you can use the recording in court or publish it only with the consent of the interlocutor.
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine: recording without consent is prohibited (Article 31 of the Constitution); the exception is if the recording is made for self-defense (for example, in case of threats).
• 🇪🇺 EU: Most countries (Germany, France) require notice of the recording; Spain and Italy, recording without consent is considered a violation of the right to secrecy.
• 🇺🇸 U.S.: laws vary by state, California and New York require consent from all participants in the conversation, and Texas requires your consent.

⚠️ Note: even if the recording is allowed, its publication in social networks or messengers may be considered a violation of the right to privacy (Article 152.2 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation).

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls on Redmi Note 8 Pro