Where to find and how to set up a call record on Xiaomi

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the need to keep an important conversation, whether it's a business arrangement or a face-to-face communication.The standard MIUI shell and its successor HyperOS provide built-in tools for this, but users can't always navigate the menu quickly.Finding the right option can take time, especially after a system update when the location of items changes.

The voice recorder function in telephony is software-based, meaning that there is no need for third-party applications, which ensures stability and integration with the call log. However, due to differences in regional firmware versions and laws in different countries, the activation algorithm may differ. In this article, we will discuss in detail where to look for settings and how to manage stored audio files.

There are two main ways to activate: automatic mode, where the recording begins immediately when you arrive or dial a number, and manual mode, which requires you to press a button during a conversation. The choice of the right option depends on your needs for control of the conversation. We will discuss both methods so that you can configure the device as conveniently as possible.

Set up automatic recording of conversations

In order for a smartphone to start recording audio without you, you need to activate the appropriate switch in the system settings, which is the most convenient option for those who are afraid to forget to press the start button during an important dialogue, the system will determine the beginning of the connection and start the process.

You'll need to open the Phone app and go to the control menu, and that's where the key settings of the call are hidden, and then find the recording partition, and activate the slider, and then the device automatically saves all incoming and outgoing calls, or only selected contacts.

Note that in some regions, the default may be to write only certain numbers. If you need to save all dialogs, make sure that the appropriate item on the menu is selected, which will avoid losing important information in the future.

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The system can alert the person that the conversation is being recorded, a standard practice for privacy law enforcement in many countries, and voice alerts are heard at the beginning of a conversation, and it is not always possible to turn it off by regular means, because it depends on the regional settings of the firmware.

Manual control during a conversation

If you don't like automatic mode, you can use manual control, so you can decide which part of the conversation to keep, which is especially useful for long conversations where only specific information is important.

When you're actively connected, you're going to display a call control panel on the screen, and among the hands-free buttons and the addition of participants is the voice recorder control, and you're going to tap that triggers the process, as shown by the timer and visual indication.

Pressing again stops the process, and you can also pause the conversation if you need to talk to others without fixing it, all of which are instantaneous and do not interrupt the voice.

โš ๏ธ Warning: In manual mode, it is easy to forget to turn on the function in a stressful situation. Always keep your finger ready or use automatic mode for critical conversations.

Some users prefer a combined approach, such as automatic recording for all unknown numbers, and manual mode for contacts from the phone book, the flexibility of the MIUI settings allows for such a scheme.

Location of the folder with audio files

When the conversation is over, the question arises: where do you find the saved file? Android on Xiaomi devices has a clear directory structure, and knowing the path to files is necessary to transfer them to your computer or send them via instant messengers.

The integrated file manager allows you to quickly go to the right directory. Usually files are grouped by date, which makes it easier to search. You can sort them by name, size or time of creation. This is standard multimedia procedure.

There are several ways in which a system can store data, depending on the version of the operating system.

  • ๐Ÿ“ /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ โ€” Classical Way for Older Versions MIUI.
  • ๐Ÿ“ /Android/data/com.android.incallui/files/sound_recorder/call_rec/ โ€” current path for Android 11 and higher due to access restrictions.
  • ๐Ÿ“ /Recordings/call_rec/ โ€” Alternative catalogue in some HyperOS builds.
  • ๐Ÿ“ /Music/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ โ€” A rare but possible path in global versions.
Why can the folder be hidden?
In the newer versions of Android (11+), access to the Android/data folder is restricted to third-party applications. To see files, use Xiaomiโ€™s built-in Explorer or connect your phone to your PC in file transfer mode (MTP).

If you can't find files at the specified addresses, try searching inside the file manager. Type.m4a or.mp3 into the search bar to find audio files regardless of where they are in the back of the file system.

Integration with the call journal

The fastest way to find a record of a particular conversation is to use a call log, and the system automatically attaches the audio file to the corresponding contact or number, and that eliminates the need to wander through the file system folders.

Open your call history and find the number you want, and next to the caller's name or call time, you'll see a special icon, usually a small tape recorder or a wave, and you'll click on that element and play it right away.

The player interface has basic control functions: rewind, pause, change volume, and there's a "More" button or three dots that open an additional menu, and that's where you can do the file rename, send, or delete.

Action.DescriptionWhere to find out.
Listen.Starting of reproductionCall log / folder
Share.Sending via Bluetooth, Wi-FiShare menu
DeleteIrreversible erasure of the fileContextual menu
RenameChanging the file nameFile properties

Deleting a call log entry often results in the deletion of the audio file itself, and the system alerts you to this by taking action, and be careful when clearing the history if you need to save the audio data.

Recording problems and their solution

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the function is not working or the recording is interrupted, this may be due to application conflict, lack of memory or errors in the firmware itself.

First, check for free space on the internal drive. If the memory is full, the system will not be able to create a new audio file. Cleaning the cache or deleting unnecessary photos and videos often solves the problem.

The second common reason is a conflict with third-party calling apps, and if you install an alternative caller from Google Play, it can block the system recording function, in which case you either need to delete the third-party app or reconfigure it.

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If the recording stops immediately after starting, try turning off the power saving for the Phone app. Go to the battery settings and select No Limits mode.

Also, make sure the microphone isn't busy with another process, so recording the sound can be blocked by a voice recorder, voice assistant, or messenger running in the background, close all the extra apps and try calling again.

Use of third-party solutions

In the rare cases where system tools are unavailable or limited (e.g. some global firmware without recording support due to EU laws), users turn to third-party apps.Shops offer a variety of options, such as TapeACall or Call Recorder.

But the use of such software has its nuances: Starting with Android 9 and especially Android 10+, Google has significantly limited the access of applications to the audio stream, and many programs record silence or require complex adjustments through ADB.

Xiaomiโ€™s system solution is free of these limitations because it has deep access rights. If the standard feature doesnโ€™t work, itโ€™s better to try to reflash the device to a version in another region (such as India or Indonesia) where recording is allowed than to look for workarounds.

โš ๏ธ Warning: Installing modified system applications ("calls") from other firmware can cause unstable phone performance and data loss.

Third-party applications often contain ads or require a paid subscription to access cloud storage. MIUI It is completely free and has no hidden fees, making it a better option.

๐Ÿ“Š How do you prefer to record conversations?
Automatically all calls
Only selected contacts
Manually during a conversation
I'm not writing it down.

It is important to remember your country's laws regarding the recording of telephone conversations, and in many countries, legal recording of a dialogue requires the communication of the interlocutor's warning or consent, and breaching these rules can entail legal liability.

Xiaomi tries to comply with these requirements by automatically playing a voice message about the recording at the beginning of a conversation, which in some regions is not software-enabled, it is not a bug, but a feature due to local laws.

Use the received records exclusively for personal purposes or within the legal framework. Transferring the recording to third parties without the consent of the participants in the conversation can be considered as a violation of the right to privacy.

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The built-in Xiaomi record feature is a powerful tool, but its use must be ethical and legal. Always consider the rights of the interlocutors.

If you use your phone to work for a company, make sure that your actions comply with the companyโ€™s data security policy, and that the recording of trade secrets or personal data of customers may be governed by internal regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is there no sound of the voice in the recording?
This is a problem on newer versions of Android. If you use a third-party app, it may not have access to the microphone during the call. This is rare in Xiaomi's system recording, but it can be caused by the Noise Reduction mode on or using a headset that does not support recording of the incoming channel. Try turning off noise cancellation in the audio settings.
Can I record conversations on WhatsApp or Viber?
The standard call recording feature on Xiaomi only works with regular phone service (GSM/VoLTE). For instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber), it is not intended. To record such conversations, you will need special voice recorders that record sound from the screen or system sound, or a built-in screen recording function from audio.
Where are the records stored after resetting?
When you completely reset your phone to the factory settings (Hard Reset), all data in the internal memory, including folders with call records, will be permanently deleted. Before reset, be sure to copy important files to your computer, to the cloud or to the computer. SD-map (if not formatted).
How to change the format from M4A to MP3?
In standard MIUI settings, there is often no direct format change option. However, in some firmware versions (especially Chinese or Indian ones), you can choose the quality and format from the Record Settings menu. If you don't have that option, use online converters or audio file converter apps after you finish recording.
The recording is interrupted when the screen is locked, what to do?
This is because of aggressive energy savings. The system kills the recording process by considering it to be background. Go to Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ All Apps โ†’ Phone (or Recorder) โ†’ Energy saving and select No Limits mode. Also add the app to autorun.