Why Xiaomi does not save a phone call record and how to fix it

Did you turn on a recording of an important conversation on your Xiaomi, but the file is not saved after the call is completed? Or does the recording break down, disappear from the gallery after a few minutes, and the audio file folder is empty? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones - regardless of the model and version of MIUI. 70% of the time the fault in the system application Record conversations, but sometimes the root of the problem lies deeper: from conflicts with rights to hardware restrictions.

In this article, we'll look at all the possible reasons why a record isn't saved, from the banal lack of disk space to hidden firmware bugs. You'll get step-by-step instructions for each situation, including recovering lost files and alternative ways to write. And if your case is unique, at the end of the article, there's an FAQ with rare questions answered.

1. Check the basic recording settings

Before digging deeper, make sure that the problem isn't with the basic settings, and users often forget to activate file saving or choose the wrong format.

Open the Phone app → click on the three dots in the top right corner → select Settings → Record conversations. Check here:

• 📁 Rescue folder: By default, this is MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. If the path is changed, make sure the folder exists and is available for recording.
• 🔊 File format: Xiaomi supports.m4a (recommended) and.amr. the latter may not play on some players.
• 📱 Autosave: option must be enabled.If it is disabled, the recordings are erased after listening.

If this is true, but files are not saved, move to the next section, and pay special attention to the access rights section, which is the most common cause of the problem on MIUI 12 and later.

2. Access rights and permissions of the application

With MIUI 12, Xiaomi has tightened security policies, and now Recording Conversations requires separate permissions to work with the microphone, storage, and phone features, and if any of them are missing, recording will either not start or will not be saved.

How to check:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find a Conversation Record (or Phone if you use global firmware).
3. Open the Permits and make sure it is included: 🎤 Microphone (required!) 📁 Storage (to save files) 📞 Telephone (access to calls)

Additional → Auto-Run

If after these manipulations, the record is still not saved, try resetting the permissions for the application: in the same menu, click Reset permissions and restart the phone.

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Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) require manually enabling the "Show Over Other Windows" permission for the recording application after upgrading to MIUI 14.

3. Conflicts with other applications

Recording conversations can be blocked by third-party programs, especially if they:

• 🛡️ Use it. VPN Firewall (for example, NetGuard, AdGuard).
• 🔇 Work with the microphone in parallel (noise reduction applications, voice assistants).
• 📱 They are backups of a standard caller (for example, Truecaller, Google Phone).

To identify the conflict:

1. Launch your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → Safe Mode).
2. Try recording the conversation. If it works, it's third-party software.
3. Turn off applications starting with antiviruses and optimizers (e.g. Clean Master, DU Speed Booster).

Ad-blocking apps (such as Blokada) are especially problematic because they intercept system calls, and if you don't want to give them up, add the Record Conversations app to the exceptions.

Delete the call cache |Disable VPN|Close background apps with microphone access |Check firewall settings-->

4. Problems with storage and file system

If the phone runs out of space or the file system is damaged, records can:

• 🚫 Not saved at all (the application gives an error "Failure to save the file").
• 👻 Disappear within minutes of creation.
• 🔄 Save in a damaged form (the file is, but not reproduced).

How to check:

If you keep records on SD-map, note: Xiaomi may block recording to external media due to security policy.Try to temporarily save files to internal memory.

5. Firmware errors and system bugs

Some versions of MIUI contain critical bugs that make recordings of conversations incorrect.

• 🐞 V MIUI 12.5 on Redmi Note 9, recordings are cut after 30 seconds.
• 🔄 V MIUI 13 for POCO X3 Pro files were saved without sound.
• 📱 Nana MIUI 14 (Android 13) recording may not start due to new restrictions on microphone access.

Decisions:

1. Update the firmware: go to Settings → About Phone → System Update.
2. Reverse to the stable version if the bug appeared after the update. To do this, download the firmware from the official website and run through Recovery.
3. Reset the phone and conversation record settings (Settings → Apps → Reset).

If the problem occurs after upgrading to Android 13, try turning off the “Improving Privacy” feature in the microphone settings (Settings → Privacy → Permissions → Microphone).

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Before resetting your settings or rolling back your firmware, back up your records! Use Settings → Additionally. → Backup or manually copy the folder call_rec PC-only.

6. Hardware limitations and model features

On some Xiaomi devices, recording conversations may not work due to hardware limitations:

• 📶 Dual-sim phones (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G) Sometimes you don't record conversations on the second. SIM-map.
• 🔇 Models for the Chinese market (with firmware China) ROM) They may block the recording due to local laws.
• 🎧 Bluetooth headset: recording can only go through the main microphone of the phone.

How to get around the restrictions:

• 🔄 For dual-sim phones: Try recording conversations only on the main one SIM-card (slot 1).
• 🌍 For Chinese firmware: reflash your phone on Global ROM (instructions are available on the forums 4PDA or XDA-Developers).
• 🎙️ For Bluetooth headsets: Turn it off before recording or use specialized applications (e.g. Cube Call Recorder).

If your model falls under these restrictions, the only way out is through alternative writing apps (which are discussed in the next section).

7. Alternative ways to record conversations

If the standard Xiaomi app refuses to save records, try one of these solutions:

To install alternative applications:

1. Download APK from the official website (e.g. Cube Call Recorder).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources (Settings → Privacy → Special Permits).
3. Launch the application and provide all the permissions requested.
4. In the settings, select VoIP format (if you call over the Internet) or Normal (for mobile communication).

Important: Some applications (e.g. ACR) require you to disable battery optimization for stable operation. Do this in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.

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If the alternative app doesn’t see calls, try making it the default app for phone calls (Settings → Apps → Default).

8.Recovery of lost records

If the recording is not preserved, but the conversation was important, try the following recovery methods:

1. Check temporary files: Connect your phone to your PC and go to /data/user/0/com.android.incallui/cache/ (root access or ADB needed) through the Explorer to look for files with the.tmp extension, which can be renamed.m4a and try to play back.
2. Use specialized utilities: For Android: Undeleter, Dumpster (root rights required). For PC: Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery (plug your phone as a drive).
3. Contact the operator: Some operators (e.g. MegaFon, Beeline) keep records of conversations for up to 30 days at the request of law enforcement agencies.

The chances of recovery depend on how long it has been since you deleted it and how much you've been using your phone, and if you've overwritten it, you can't get it back.

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The faster you start recovering, the better the chances of getting a record back, and each new operation on your phone (installing apps, taking photos) reduces the likelihood of success.

FAQ: Frequent questions