Recording all calls to Xiaomi: official and hidden ways (MIUI 14/15)

Recording phone calls on Xiaomi smartphones is a feature that appears in MIUI firmware and disappears due to the tightening of privacy policies. In 2026, the ability to save audio calls is not officially available on all models and regions, but there are workarounds. This article will help you understand how to activate the recording of all incoming and outgoing calls, from standard settings to third-party applications with the features of Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi’s flagship series 13/14.

It is important to understand that the laws of many countries (including Russia) restrict the recording of conversations without the consent of the interlocutor, and we consider the technical side of the issue – the use of the function for commercial or legal purposes requires compliance with local norms. Also note that some of the firmware (e.g., global) MIUI Global for Europe: the option can be blocked at the system level.

Official method: recording through the standard application "Phone"

On most Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 14/15 firmware (except in Europe), the call recording is built into the company's Phone app.

1. Open the Phone app and go to Settings → Call Record.
2. Turn on the Automatic Recording Switch.
3. Choose which calls to record: All, Unknown Numbers Only or Favorite Contacts.
4. Specify the location of the file storage (internal memory or storage). SD-map).

If you don't have a Call Record menu, your version of MIUI doesn't support the out-of-the-box function, and one of the alternative methods described below will help.

Where are the records stored? Files are saved in a folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec.amr or.mp3. You can listen to them through any audio player or send them via messenger. Please note that when you reset your phone to factory settings, all the records will be deleted unless you back up.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with MIUI for Europe (marking) EEA) Call recording is locked at the firmware level, trying to activate it through an engineering menu or ADB This can cause failures in the communication module.

Alternative method: Engineering menu (#4636##)

On some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 10/11 or POCO X3 Pro), call recording can be enabled via a hidden engineering menu, which does not work on all devices, but it is worth trying if the standard method is not available.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to the Turn on/off call recording block and activate the option.
4. Save the changes and restart the phone.

If the feature does not appear in the Phone app after the reboot, then your model does not support this method, in which case you will need to use third-party applications (for these, see the next section).

Warning: Changing the settings in the engineering menu without understanding the consequences can lead to loss of communication, malfunctions in the work SIM-card or even lockdown IMEI. If you are not sure about your actions, skip this method.

Third-party applications for recording calls

If the built-in methods don’t work, Google Play programs will come to the rescue.

• 📱 Cube Call Recorder ACR — It supports automatic recording, cloud storage and transcription (translation of speech into text). MIUI Europe.
• 🔊 Call Recorder by Lovekesh – simple interface, recording format MP3 It's a bitrate-adjustable function.
• 🛡️ Truecaller – in addition to spam detection, can record calls (available in the premium version).
• 📤 Automatic Call Recorder – allows you to customize the rules of recording by contacts, time or keywords.

When choosing an application, pay attention to:

• ✅ Compatible with your version of Android (on Xiaomi it is usually Android) 12-14).
• ✅ User feedback on recording stability (some programs swallow the beginning of a conversation).
• ✅ Advertising and paid features (e.g. cloud storage often requires subscriptions).

How to set up a third-party application?

1. Install the program from Google Play.
2. Provide all the permissions requested (access to microphone, contacts, storage).
3. In the application settings, select the recording format (AMR takes up less space, MP3 is better quality).
4. Activate Auto Record and specify rules (e.g., record only incoming calls or all calls).

⚠️ Note: Some applications for recording calls may conflict with MIUI Optimization is a built-in Xiaomi service that limits the background activity of programs. To avoid misses in the record, add the application to Settings. → Annexes → Special rights → Auto-Start and Without Restrictions.

Recording calls via Google Drive (for business users)

If you want to securely archive records with multiple devices, Google Drive integration is fine, and it requires manual configuration, but it ensures that files are safe even if you lose your phone.

Instructions:

1. Install a recording app (such as Cube Call Recorder ACR).
2. In the program settings, find the Cloud Storage section and select Google Drive.
3. Log in to your Google account and give access to the Drive.
4. Set up sync rules: for example, download records immediately after the call is completed or once a day.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Data loss protection (files stored in the cloud).
• 📂 Easy search by date, number or keywords (if transcription is enabled).
• 📱 Access to records from a computer or other phone.

Restrictions: Google Drive’s free plan only provides 15 GB of space. If you use call recording (for example, 50 calls per day for 5 minutes), this will last about 2-3 months. For long-term storage, you will have to pay for extended storage or regularly clean the archive.

Problem Solving: Why are calls not recorded?

Even after you set it up properly, the record may not work, and let's look at the typical causes and ways to fix them:

• 🔇 No sound in the recording: Check to see if the microphone is turned off in the app settings. Make sure that the on-plane mode is not activated during the call or Don't disturb. On some models (Redmi 9, POCO M3) Helps disable Voice Improvements in Call Settings.
• 📱 The application does not start automatically: Add it to Autostart (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Autostart. Disable battery optimization for the program (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications).
• 🚫 Recording is interrupted or not saved: Check the free space on your phone (requires a minimum of 1 GB). Update the recording app to the latest version. Restart the phone - sometimes helps with failures in the communication module.

Special case: On Android 12+ and MIUI 13/14, Google has tightened the rules for using the microphone.

1. Enable the option to use the built-in recorder (if any) in the application settings.
2. Install Magisk and Call Recorder Patch (requires root rights).
3. Use an external voice recorder (e.g. Sony ICD-UX570) with Bluetooth connection.

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If recording is only on speakerphone, turn on speaker recording (or Speaker Mode) in the app settings, which will lower the sound quality but ensure that the conversation is saved.

Legal aspects: can you record calls without consent?

Technical ability to record does not mean it is legal, and most countries have the following rules:

• 🇷🇺 Russia: Recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor is allowed if you are a participant in the conversation (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation), however, the use of the recording in court or public broadcast requires the consent of the second party.
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine: Similar rules – recording for personal use is permissible, but distribution without consent is prohibited.
• 🇪🇺 EU: In most EU countries (e.g. Germany, France) recording without consent is considered a violation of the right to privacy (GDPR).
• 🇺🇸 U.S.: Laws vary by state, 12 states (e.g. California) require consent from all participants in a conversation.

Recommendations for compliance with the law:

• 📢 Notify the person at the beginning of the conversation (for example: “The conversation is recorded to fix the agreements").
• 🔒 Keep records in a secure place and do not distribute them unnecessarily.
• ⚖️ In disputes (for example, conflicts with a bank or support service), check the operator's rules of entry.

If you are recording calls for a business (such as a call center), you must:

• Develop a policy for the processing of personal data.
• Get written consent from customers to record.
• Keep records (in Russia - no more than 6 months without a good reason).

Security and privacy advice

Phone records are sensitive, so protecting them is critical.

• 🔐 Encrypt Files: Use applications like Cryptomator or VeraCrypt to create encrypted containers with records.
• 📁 Keep it separate: Don't keep your phone records longer than you need. Move them to your PC or external drive.
• 🗑️ Delete Unnecessary Files: Clean your records folder regularly to free up space and reduce the risk of leakage.
• 🛡️ Configure Access: If you use the cloud, enable two-factor authentication for your Google account.

What if the records fell into the wrong hands?

1. Change the passwords of the accounts mentioned in the conversation immediately.
2. If a post is posted online, please contact the support platform (for example, VKontakte or YouTube) to request that the content be removed.
3. In critical cases (blackmail, fraud) file a statement with the police indicating Article 137 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (violation of privacy).

In 2023, Russia recorded more than 12,000 cases of personal data leakage through phone records, of which 30% are associated with careless storage of files on smartphones.

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Even if you record calls legally, it may be illegal to publish them or share them with third parties without the consent of the person you are talking to.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls to Xiaomi