“It is impossible to use a voice recorder without the necessary permissions” on Xiaomi: how to fix the error and restore work

You try to record an important conversation or lecture on a Xiaomi smartphone, but instead of the expected start of the recording, you see an annoying notification: “It is impossible to use a recorder without the necessary permissions.” The app either doesn't open at all, or it closes immediately after launch, and in some cases it doesn't even appear on the menu. MIUI 14/15 Android 13/14, where security has become more strict on access to microphones and storage.

In 80% of cases, the error is not due to the breakdown of the recorder itself, but to a failure of permissions, an update conflict or the limitations of MIUI Optimization, a hidden service that blocks background processes. Less often, corrupted application files or incorrect privacy settings are to blame. In this article, we will discuss all working ways to restore the recorder on Xiaomi without resetting to factory settings, including rare techniques that are not mentioned in the official documentation.

Why Xiaomi voice recorder asks for permission but doesn't work

The error “It is impossible to use a voice recorder without the necessary permissions” can appear for several reasons, and understanding them will help you choose the right solution:

• 🔒 Blocking permits MIUI: The system automatically resets access to the microphone or storage after updates or when the power saving mode is activated.
• 🛠️ Application cache damage: Recorder files (com.android.soundrecorder) may have been damaged by memory cleanup or failure.
• 🔄 Update conflict: After switching to the new version MIUI Some system applications require re-authorization.
• 🚫 Security Limitations: Features enabled such as Privacy Protection or Background Blocking can block access to the microphone.
• 📱 Removal of system application: If the recorder has been deactivated through Settings → Apps, it needs to be restored.

On Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13 devices, the problem often occurs after installing custom firmware or using tools like ADB to disable ads, which require not only restoring permissions, but also checking the integrity of system files.

⚠️ Note: If you have used software to “optimize” your system (e.g. Greenify or Google) SD Maid, they could block the background work of the recorder. Before you start fixing, check the list of blocked applications in these utilities.

Method 1: Manual setting of permissions for voice recorder

The first thing you need to do is check and reset the permissions manually. On MIUI 14/15, the path to settings has changed, so follow the current instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type "Dictophone" (or Sound Recorder in English firmware).
3. Select the application and go to the permissions section.
4. Activate all switches: 🎤 Microphone (required!) 💾 Storage (to save records) 📍 Location (if required for labels)

Additional → Auto-Run

Reboot the phone.

If the permissions section is unavailable or gray, the application is disabled.

1. In the same app management menu, click “Enable” (if the button is active).
2. If there is no button, go to Settings → System → Resetting → Resetting application permissions.

All permissions (microphone, storage) are open

Auto-start is on.

The application is not disabled in the settings

Rebooting the phone is done-->

Method 2: Reset permissions through hidden MIUI menu

If manual settings don't work, use the hidden permission reset tool, which works even when standard settings don't respond:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##284####
2. Select the "Test Permission" option.
3. In the list, find com.android.soundrecorder and click on it.
4. Click "Reset" and confirm the action.
5. Reset the device.

After you restart, check the recorder. If you have a problem, move on to the next method.

⚠️ Note: #284## may not work on some regional firmware (e.g., Xiaomi) EU). In this case, use an alternative method through ADB (described below).

Method 3: Restore the recorder through ADB (for experienced)

If system methods fail, restore permissions via Android Debug Bridge (ADB) which requires a computer connection, but is guaranteed to solve the problem on 99% of devices.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with adb.exe.
2. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell pm grant com.android.soundrecorder android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO pm grant com.android.soundrecorder android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE pm grant com.android.soundrecorder android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
3. Reboot your phone with the command: adb reboot

If the recorder still does not work after that, perform a full reset of permits:

adb shell pm clear com.android.soundrecorder

Method 4: Reinstallation of the system recorder

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global or Xiaomi.eu), the recorder can be removed or damaged, in which case it must be restored via MIUI Hidden Settings or manually.

Option 1: Through hidden settings

1. Install the QuickShortcutMaker app.
2. In the search, type "Dictophon" and find com.android.soundrecorder.
3. Click “Create a shortcut” and place it on the home screen.
4. Run the recorder through the shortcut and check the permissions.

Option 2: Hand-mounted APK

1. Download the original APK recorder for your version of MIUI from APKMirror (look for com.android.soundrecorder).
2. Install the file through any file manager (e.g. Xiaomi File Manager).
3. After installation, restart the phone.

Method 5: Disabling MIUI Optimization

Function MIUI Optimization (optimization) MIUI) It often blocks background processes, including the recorder, to turn it off:

1. Activate the developer mode (as in the ADB method).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the option “Optimize MIUI” and turn it off.
4. Turn it off, too: 🔋 «Limitation of background processes» 🛡️ «Protection of privacy” (if it interferes with the work)

Reboot the phone.

After switching off the optimization, the recorder should work, but note: this can slightly increase battery consumption.

MIUI 15 (Android 14)

MIUI 14 (Android 13)

MIUI 13 (Android 12)

Another version-->

Method 6: Alternative applications for recording

If none of these methods worked, use third-party voice recorders, which are independent of MIUI system resolutions and often offer more features:

• 🎙️ ASR Voice Recorder is simple and reliable, with support for cloud storage.
• 📝 Smart Recorder – Automatically filters noise.
• ☁️ OTT Audio Recorder – Records calls and voice notes.

When you first start, be sure to give them access to the microphone and storage!

💡

If the third-party recorder is not recording, check if the microphone is locked at the hardware level, for example, after a phone falls or moisture hits, the microphone may fail, and you can check its operation through the engineering menu (#6484## → Audio → Mic Test).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you restore the recorder, users often make mistakes that make it harder to solve the problem.

• ❌ Resetting your phone to factory settings without trying other methods will delete all data.
• ❌ Delete system files via Root Explorer – this can lead to a device “brick.
• ❌ Ignore updates MIUI — In new versions, bugs with permissions are often fixed.
• ❌ Use unofficial firmware without checking compatibility with your model.

If after all the manipulations the recorder did not work, the reason may be:

• 🔊 Hardware malfunction of the microphone (check through the engineering menu).
• 📱 Damage to the system partition (requires flashing through Fastboot).
• 🔒 Blocking at the operator level (on some firmware for telecom operators).

💡

Before contacting the service center, check the microphone through another application (for example, voice notes in Telegram). If the microphone works, the problem is precisely the settings of the recorder, not the hardware.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions