Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where they need to save important information from a phone conversation. However, after upgrading to the shell of MIUI 12, many users found that the standard recording function disappeared or stopped working correctly. This is due to changes in Google’s privacy policy that affected Android device manufacturers around the world. Despite these restrictions, the ability to capture audio streams has not gone away, it only requires the correct configuration.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available methods for activating this feature, how to enable automatic recording, how to use the built-in system tools and what workarounds exist for global firmware versions. Understanding the principles of Mi Dialer will help you not lose any important word in the future.
It’s worth noting that the setup process may vary slightly depending on the region your smartphone is released for. Chinese versions of devices are usually free of these restrictions, while Global ROM and EEA have stricter rules.
⚠️ Warning: Recording telephone conversations without warning may violate your country's laws. Before using the feature, make sure that your actions do not conflict with local privacy laws.
Reasons for the disappearance of the MIUI 12 recording function
The main reason for the change was a new layer of security in the Android 10 and higher operating system, which tightly controls the access of applications to the microphone during a call. Google closed the API that allowed third-party and system applications to record both sides of the conversation, which led to the fact that on global versions of Xiaomi, the record button became inactive or completely disappeared from the interface.
Xiaomi was forced to adapt its software products to the new requirements of Google, as a result of which the functionality was reduced in the standard application Phone (Mi Dialer), but engineers left the ability to switch the region or use special versions of the application that restore full access to the functions.
Users often confuse the absence of a button with a complete system failure, in fact, the recording module is in the kernel of the system, but hidden from the user by interface constraints, requiring an intervention in settings or replacing the call component with a compatible version.
Standard activation via Mi Dialer settings
The first step should always be to check the standard settings, as in some regions the feature is still available by default. You need to open the Phone app and go to the settings menu, which is usually hidden behind three dots or a gear in the corner of the screen, and here is the section responsible for the call parameters.
Find Call Recording, if it's present, you'll need to activate the Auto Record switch, which will allow the system to save all incoming and outgoing conversations without you, and you can select specific numbers that should always be recorded.
You can also use the audio quality settings and file storage settings on the same menu. SD-This is especially true for those who are in long business negotiations and keep archives for months.
☑️ Checking the recording settings
If the menu does not have a write point or the switch is inactive, it means that your region or firmware version is blocking this function at the interface level, in which case the standard methods will not help, and you will have to resort to more advanced methods described below.
Replacement method to unlock the function
One of the easiest and safest ways to return call recording is to change region in the general system settings. MIUI 12 has a geo-location-based feature binding, and in some countries (e.g. India, Singapore, Malaysia) Google restrictions are not as strict as in Europe.
To do this, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Region. Select from the list a country where the feature works exactly, such as India or Singapore. The system may reboot some services, but your data will remain intact. After changing the region, check the Phone application again.
It's important to understand that changing your region can affect other services, such as Mi Pay or the newsfeed, but for most users, this change goes unnoticed, except for the desired recording function. If the button appears after the change of region, you can safely use the phone further.
⚠️ Attention: Region changes may temporarily affect some localized applications and widgets. If you use specific regional services, be prepared for possible disruptions. 9
Installation of a compatible version of Mi Dialer
If the region change didn't work, the most effective solution is to install a special version of the Mi Dialer app. APK-files that remove regional restrictions, often referred to as "Global with Recording" or "Patched Dialer".
The installation process requires removing updates to the standard application or replacing it completely. APK-a file from a verified source (for example, a forum) 4PDA or XDA Developers. After installation through the Settings menu → Annexes → All applications → The phone must be allowed to be installed from unknown sources.
Once the new version of the call has been successfully installed, the recording function should appear automatically on the menu, and it is important to note that when you update the system via OTA (over the air), the modified call can be replaced with a stock one, in which case the procedure will have to be repeated.
| Parameter | Standard version | Modified version | Chinese version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recording | Depends on the region. | Always on. | Always on. |
| Security | Tall. | Requires trust in the source | Tall. |
| Automatic. | Maybe fly. | Automatic. | |
| Stability | Maximum | Possible bugs | Tall. |
Use of third-party APK-There are always risks involved. Make sure you download a file from a reputable source to avoid malicious code. The digital signature of the application must match the original, otherwise the system may not allow it to be installed on top of the system component.
Set up automatic recording and exceptions
Once you've successfully activated a function, it's important to set the behavior right, and in the Call Record menu, you'll find the AutoWrite option, and by activating it, you'll be able to eliminate the need to manually press the Record button every time you talk.
The system allows you to manage your contact list flexibly, so you can choose to record all numbers or record selected numbers, and the second option is preferred for those who want to keep only conversations with specific customers or support services, saving space and respecting the privacy of other contacts.
It also has a feature called Replay Audible at the start of recording, which notifies the interlocutor that the conversation is being recorded, and in some jurisdictions, having such a signal is a legal requirement.
Record files are usually saved in format.m4a or.mp3 file MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. You can find them through a standard conductor or in the Dictaphone app in the appropriate tab, which makes it easier to find the right conversation by date and time.
Use of third-party applications for recording
If built-in recordings fail, third-party solutions from Google Play come to the rescue. Apps like Call Recorder - Cube ACR or TapeACall use their algorithms to capture audio. However, on Android 10+, their work can be unstable.
These applications often require a dedicated App Connector or hands-free mode to work properly. Some programs offer a custom caller module that replaces the standard interface, which can be inconvenient, but often the only way out.
The quality of recording through third-party applications may be inferior to the system, the sound of the interlocutor may be quiet, or there will be interference in the recording, but for one-time cases this is an acceptable solution that does not require complex manipulation of the system.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party applications often contain advertisements or require a subscription to work properly. Carefully review the access rights that the program requests before installing.