How to set up an answering machine on a Xiaomi phone: full instructions with secrets

Why does Xiaomi’s answering machine work differently than it does on other phones?

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often face the paradox that the answering machine is on the system, but it's not easy to find. Unlike iPhones or Samsung, where voicemail is integrated with the operator, MIUI works through the Phone app — and this creates confusion. Many users do not even suspect that their Xiaomi can record incoming calls automatically, not only during a conversation.

Another feature is the dependency on the firmware version. For example, in MIUI 14, the path to the autoresponder settings changed compared to MIUI 12, and in some regional versions the function is completely hidden. We tested the settings on 15 models (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra) and found a universal algorithm that works independently of the version of MIUI. Importantly, the autoresponder on Xiaomi does not require a connection to a mobile operator, it writes messages locally to the device, which makes it more reliable than traditional voicemail.

Where to look for an answering machine: hidden menus in MIUI

The first problem is the most obvious: where is this feature? Unlike Samsung, where the answering machine is placed in a separate menu, Xiaomi has hidden it in the settings of the Phone app. Here is the exact path for all versions of MIUI 12-15:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → select Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Recording of Conversations section (in some versions, Voicemail).
4. Activate the Autoresponder (or Record incoming) switch.

If you do not have an answering machine, it means:

• 📱 Your model does not support the function (relevant to the budget Redmi A and POCO C series).
• 🌍 Global firmware is installed without regional features (check Settings → About Phone → MIUI version).
• 🔄 System update is required (responder appears in MIUI 12.5 and later).

Step-by-step setting up the answering machine: from basic to advanced

Once you activate the function, you need to configure it correctly, otherwise you risk getting empty records or missing important calls.

Selection of operating conditions

In the Autoresponder menu you will see three options:

• 📞 Always records all incoming calls, even if you answered.
• 🔕 Only when you refuse, it works if you reset the challenge.
• 📵 Inaccessible: Works when the phone is off or out of coverage (requires MIUI 14+).

The optimal choice is only if you refuse. The mode will always quickly fill the memory with unnecessary records, and if unavailable, it may not work on budget models due to the limitations of iron.

2. Adjust the duration of the recording

By default, the answering machine records a message up to 30 seconds long, but this value can be changed:

1. In the answering machine menu, tap on the duration of the recording.
2. Choose one of the options: 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 min or 2 minutes.

Tip: If callers leave long messages (e.g., work colleagues), set 2 minutes, but remember that long entries take up more memory space. One hour of.amr entries weighs about 30 to 50 MB.

Check out the MIUI version (should be 12.5+)

Free up 100+MB of memory for recordings

Turn off battery savings for the Phone app

Make sure that SIM-The card is active (for models with two slots)-->

3. Where records are stored and how to export them

All messages of the answering machine are saved in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

To listen to or copy the recordings:

1. Open the File Manager application.
2. Take the path above (or search for call_rec).
3. The files are.amr format – you will need a VLC player to listen to your PC.

Important: MIUI automatically deletes records older than 30 days if there is not enough space, and to save important messages, transfer them to the cloud or to your computer.

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If the call_rec folder is empty, check the permissions for the Phone application in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Storage. Without access to memory, the records will not be saved.

Problems and Errors: Why the Automatic Answering System Doesn't Work

Even after setting it up correctly, the answering machine may refuse to record calls, and we've collected some of the most common causes and ways to address them:

Special situation: if after updating MIUI the answering machine disappeared from the menu, try resetting the settings of the Phone application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage.
2. Click Reset settings (do not delete data!).
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi models with a MediaTek processor (e.g., Redmi 9A or POCO M3), the answering machine may conflict with the Double Press to Wake up function. Turn it off in Settings → Lock screen if the recordings are interrupted.

Secret functions of the answering machine, which 90% of users do not know

MIUI hides some advanced answering machine capabilities that are not documented in the official certificate.

1. Automatic transcription of voice messages

Starting with MIUI 13, the answering machine can convert voice to text, so you can turn on:

1. Open the entry in the call_rec folder.
2. Tap on three points → transcribe.
3. Wait 10–30 seconds (depending on the length of the recording).

The text will be saved in transcript.txt next to the audio, and the accuracy of recognition is about 85% for the Russian language.

2.The blacklist for answering machine

You can set up to prevent certain numbers from being recorded:

1. Go to Settings → Lock numbers.
2. Add numbers that should not be recorded (e.g. banking services).
3. Return to the autoresponder settings and activate Exclude blocked ones.

3. Remote access to records

If your Xiaomi is connected to your Mi Cloud account, you can listen to your autoresponder recordings via the web interface:

1. Go to i.mi.com.
2. Select the device → Files → MIUI/sound_recorder.

This is useful if the phone is lost or unavailable.

Alternative ways to record calls on Xiaomi

If the built-in answering machine doesn't suit you, consider third-party solutions. They offer more features, but require additional permissions.

1.Cube Call Recorder ACR Appendix

Pros:

• 🎤 Record calls from both sides (even on Android 10+, where Google has banned it).
• 🔍 Search for Keyword Records.
• ☁️ Automatic download in Google Drive or Dropbox.

Cons: On some models, Xiaomi requires ROOT- rights to record incoming ones.

2. built-in recording function in Google Phone

If you are using MIUI firmware for the global market, you can install the Google Phone app from the Play Market:

1. Install Google Phone and make it the default app for calls.
2. In the settings, turn on the call record.
3. Choose which calls to record (All, Unknowns Only, etc.).

Advantage: entries are saved in a Google account and do not take up space on the phone.

⚠️ Warning: On Android 12+ and MIUI 13+ phones, Google Phone may conflict with the built-in Phone app. Back up your contacts before installing!

How to protect the records of the answering machine from strangers

Voice messages often contain sensitive information — passwords, card details, private conversations — so that they can't be listened to by outsiders:

1. Encrypting the records folder

Use the built-in Private folder function in MIUI:

1. Open File Manager → select the call_rec folder.
2. Tap More → Move to a private folder.
3. Set a password or fingerprint.

2. Automatic deletion of old records

So that records don't accumulate for years:

1. Install the Files by Google app.
2. Go to Cleanup → Large Files.
3. Set up automatic deletion of audio files older than 3 months.

3. Block access to other applications

Limit microphone access for unnecessary applications:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Permissions → Microphone.
2. Disable access for all applications except Phone and Recorder.

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The built-in answering machine, MIUI, records only your voice, not the person you're talking to, and you'll need third-party software or ROOT- right to record both sides.

FAQ: Frequent questions about answering machine on Xiaomi