Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face an unexpected problem after upgrading to the MIUI 12 shell: the usual conversation recording button disappears from the call interface. This change is dictated by the tightening of the security policy of the Android operating system, which restricts applications from accessing the microphone during calls. However, the recording function remains critical for many users, whether it is fixing business agreements or saving important personal conversations.
Fortunately, Xiaomi has left the option to activate, although it has hidden it deeper than previous firmware versions. In some regions, such as Europe or Singapore, the system sounder can be completely locked at the software level, in which case the user will need to change the region of the device or use third-party solutions, which we will discuss in detail below.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at all known methods of activating the call recorder, learn how to change the region without losing data, how to set up automatic recording and what to do if standard methods do not help. We will also discuss the legal aspects of using the record and discuss the subtleties of working with Google Dialer, which is gradually replacing the standard MIUI call.
Why the recording of the conversations on MIUI 12 was missing
The loss of the record button is not a bug or an accident, but the result of a global change in Google's privacy policy. Starting with Android 9 and especially strictly on Android 10 and 11, the company limited the API that allows applications to capture the audio stream at time.
Xiaomi, following these rules, was forced to remove the recording feature from global firmware versions for markets with strict privacy laws, while the feature remained available for markets in India, China, Russia and some other countries, which is why regional settings of your smartphone play a crucial role in the presence or absence of this option.
⚠️ Note: Changes in your device region may affect some local services, weather widgets, and recommended content in your Mi browser. However, your personal data, contacts, and apps will not be affected.
It is also worth noting that in new versions of MIUI, based on fresh security patches, even changing the region does not always guarantee the appearance of a button if a particular model is built into Google Dialer instead of a branded MIUI call.
The method of changing the region: the most effective way
The most effective and safe way to get a recording back is to change the region of your smartphone settings, which doesn't require root rights or complicated flashing, but to trick the system into thinking you're in a country where recording is legal, like India or Singapore.
To do this, you need to go to the phone's settings menu. Find the Additional Settings (or Advanced Settings) section and select Region. In the country list that opens, you need to choose India (India) or Singapore (Singapore), and after selecting, the system can offer a reboot or simply update the interface.
☑️ Post-region verification
Once you change region, immediately check for the feature. Open the Phone app, dial any number or select a contact from a list. During a conversation, a recording button should appear on the screen, often denoted by the cassette icon or the words "Record." If the button appears, you successfully activated the function. Now you can record conversations manually.
It is important to understand that changing the region will also change the format of the date and time on some widgets, and can add unnecessary applications to the Tools folder. However, this is the minimum price for returning important functionality. If the button does not appear immediately, try clearing the Phone app cache through the application management menu.
Set up automatic recording of conversations
Manually turning on a record during each call can be uncomfortable, especially in stressful situations or in a hurry. MIUI 12 offers a convenient automatic recording mechanism that allows you to save all incoming and outgoing calls without your involvement, which is especially useful for monitoring the quality of work of employees or fixing important agreements.
To set up automatic recording, you need to log into the settings menu of the Phone app. To do this, open the call and click on the three dots in the upper right corner (or menu button), then select Settings. Find the Call Record section. Here you will have some important management options available.
| Setup parameter | Description of function | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-recording | Enable automatic saving of all conversations | Enable for important contacts |
| Record selected numbers | Entry only for numbers from a blacklist or a specific group | Used for filtration |
| Do not record selected numbers | Excluding certain contacts from auto-save | For personal confidentiality |
| Warning of the recording | Audible signal or voice notification for the interlocutor | Depends on the law. |
You can also choose the format of saving audio files from the recording menu. M4A (high quality, less space) or MP3 (universality) format is usually available. Note that when autowriting is enabled, the phone’s memory can fill up faster, so it is recommended to check the storage regularly or configure sync with the cloud.
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Set up automatic cleaning of old records once a month so that they do not take up precious space in the internal memory of the smartphone.
Use of widgets and fast commands
For those who prefer manual control but want quick access to the latest records, MIUI 12 offers handy widgets that allow you to listen to recordings directly from the desktop without going deep into the contacts menu, which greatly speeds up access to the right information at a critical moment.
To add a widget, press the empty space on your desktop and select the widget menu. Find the Dictaphone app or Phone. Choose Latest Records or the like among the options available. Place it on the screen, and you will always see a list of the last saved conversations.
In addition, MIUI has Quick Commands, which allows you to assign an action to a specific button combination or voice command. Although you can't assign a volume button to the standard means, you can use scripts in the Auto Tasks app to make it easier to control.
⚠️ Note: When using widgets, make sure they have the necessary permissions to access storage and phone.Without these permissions, the widget may display an error or not show a list of files.
Third-party applications for recording: Cube ACR and analogues
If changing your region doesn’t help, or you’re using Google Dialer, which blocks system entry, third-party apps come to the rescue. One of the most popular and functional solutions is Cube ACR. This app bypasses Android’s limitations using Accessibility Service.
To install such applications, downloading is often required. APK-file from the official website of the developer, because the policy on the Google Play Store prohibits the placement of such programs. Once installed, you will need to provide the application with all the permissions requested, including access to the microphone, phone and, critically, special access rights.
Cube ACR settings require you to enable "App Connector" in the special features section, which allows the app to "hear" when a conversation is in progress and activate the recording, and the app settings should also select the "Voice Call" sound source or experiment with other options if the sound is not written.