How to listen to a phone conversation on Xiaomi Redmi 8: all legal and technical methods

Xiaomi Redmi 8 owners often face the need to record or listen to a phone conversation – whether it’s to save important information, evidence in a dispute or just for convenience. However, the standard smartphone capabilities in this regard are limited, and many applications from Google Play or do not work on the Internet. MIUI, In this article, we will look at all the current ways, from embedded features to third-party solutions, and explain what legal risks can arise from the misuse of such tools.

It is important to understand that recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor in most countries is regulated by law. For example, in Russia, according to Art. 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Violation of the secrecy of correspondence, telephone conversations"), this can be considered a crime if the information is used to the detriment of another person.

Technically, Redmi. 8 (model M1908C3IH) It does not have a built-in call recording function in standard firmware MIUI 11/12, But there are workarounds. We'll go into detail next, from the simplest to the most complex, and we'll look at the specifics of this particular model.

Xiaomi Redmi 8’s built-in features: what can be done without third-party apps

While there is no explicit "Talk Record" option on the phone's menu, Redmi 8 has hidden features that can be activated through developer mode or special commands, but their options are extremely limited.

The easiest way to do this is to use the Google voice assistant (if installed), and during a conversation, you can activate the assistant with a voice command (for example, "OK, Google, write") and start recording audio through it, and the method is less so because it is recorded not directly from the microphone of the tube, but through the speaker, which reduces the quality, and the interlocutor will hear voice prompts of the assistant.

Another option is to enable screen recording with sound through Settings. → Special facilities → Screen recording, and it's a screen recording:

• 🔊 The sound will be recorded only from the side of your microphone (the voice of the interlocutor is not recorded).
• 📱 The video will take up a lot of space (up to 50 MB/minute in high quality).
• ⚠️ The interviewer may notice a notification about the recording of the screen in the upper panel.

To activate the hidden function of recording calls through MIUI Dialer (standard phone app) will be required:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Dial the combination: ##6484## (record module test code).
3. If the code worked, the Call Recording option will appear in the call settings.

⚠️ Note: ##6484## does not work on all versions MIUI For Redmi 8, firmware is newer. MIUI 12.0.3 This feature is often disabled by the manufacturer.

2. Third-party applications for recording conversations: top-5 decision-making MIUI

If the built-in methods don’t work, you’ll have to use third-party software, and the main problem is that many of the call recording apps don’t work on Xiaomi because of restrictions. MIUI We tested dozens of options and selected those that function well on the Redmi 8.

Selection criteria:

• 📱 Compatibility with Android 9/10 (basic versions for Redmi 8).
• 🔊 The ability to record both of your interviewees (not just your voice).
• 🛡️ No Root Access Requirement.
• 📤 Exporting records to the cloud or memory card.

To install any of these applications:

1. Download. APK from the official website (not from Google Play, as many records are blocked).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security.
3. Launch the application and provide all the permissions requested (microphone, phone, storage).
4. Select the audio source in the app settings: Voice Uplink is usually suitable for Redmi 8. + downlink AMR.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 12.5+ Many of the applications that record calls are no longer working because of the new restrictions on access to telephony. If you don't record after installation, try to roll back to the older version of the firmware.

Rooting and alternative firmware: radical methods

If you want 100% secure, unlimited recording of conversations, the only way to do that is to get root access and install modified firmware, which gives you full control over the audio streams, but it's not guaranteed and can cause the phone to run in an unstable way.

For Redmi 8, the rooting process includes:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires a binding Mi Account and waiting 72-168 hours).
2. Installation of custom recaveri (TWRP) fastboot.
3. Magisk firmware to get root.
4. Install Call Recorder Patch via Magisk Manager.

After rooting, you can use:

• 🔧 Boldbeast Call Recorder in Root Mode – Records both voices without loss of quality.
• 📡 Tasker + Call Recorder plugin for automatic recording on schedule.
• 🔄 Modified annex MIUI Dialer with built-in recording.

Warnings:

• ⚠️ Rooting voids Xiaomi warranty.
• ⚠️ Some banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) will cease to work.
• ⚠️ A firmware error can turn a phone into a brick".

4. Alternative ways: from Bluetooth headset to second phone

If the software isn't good, you can do a trick and use external devices, which don't require changes to the phone, but they have some nuances.

Method 1: Bluetooth headset with recording function

Some headsets (such as Sony) WH-1000XM4 They can record sound from a microphone:

1. Connect the headset to Redmi 8 via Bluetooth.
2. Start the conversation using the headset as your primary audio device.
3. Activate recording via the headset app (such as Sony Headphones Connect).

Cons: the recording will be monophonic, and the quality depends on the microphone of the headset.

Method 2: Second phone in hands-free mode

Place a second smartphone next to you (like an old Redmi). 4A) And you can play it on a standard recorder to improve the sound:

• 📱 Put the second phone down on a soft surface (absorb the echo).
• 🔊 Turn on the main phone speaker (but the interlocutor will hear an echo).
• 🎤 Use an external microphone connected to the second phone.

Method 3: Analog recording recorder

Professional voice recorders (e.g. Olympus) WS-853) They have a phone record mode:

1. Connect the recorder to the Redmi 8 via an audio splitter (3.5 mm jack).
2. In the phone settings, select a Wired Headset as the sound source.
3. Start recording on the recorder.

⚠️ Attention: When using external devices, the interlocutor may hear extraneous noises or echoes. Before an important conversation, test the quality of the recording.

5. Legal Aspects: What the Law Says About Recording Conversations

In most countries, recording telephone conversations is regulated by the legislation on personal data and confidentiality of communications.

1. Recording without the consent of the interlocutor:

• 📜 Allowed if you are a participant in a conversation and the recording is made for personal use (Article 9 of the Federal Law). № 152-FZ).
• ⚖️ Prohibited if the recording is used for blackmail, distribution or other illegal actions (Article 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

2. Recording with the consent of the interlocutor:

• 🗣️ If you alerted the person to the recording (for example, you said, "I'm recording the conversation"), it's completely legal.
• 📝 In business correspondence, it is better to record the consent in writing (for example, in a chat: "Do you agree to the recording of the conversation?").

3.Use of the record in court:

• ⚖️ Allowed if the record is evidence in a civil or criminal case (Article 55 of the Civil Procedure Code of the Russian Federation).
• 📄 The court may refuse to accept the record if it is obtained in violation of the law (for example, without the consent of the interlocutor in the case when it was required to do so).

If you plan to use the record in controversial situations (for example, for evidence in court or in a conflict with a bank), it is better to:

• 📢 Notify the interviewee in advance of the recording.
• 📄 Make a short protocol of the conversation with the date, time and participants.
• 🔗 Save the record unchanged (for example, upload to the cloud with a hash of a file fixed).

6 How to Preserve and Protect Records of Conversations

Telephone records can contain sensitive information, so they need to be stored securely and protected from unauthorized access.

1. Storage of records:

• 📁 Local Storage: Create a separate folder on the memory card (for example, /sdcard/CallRecords/) and limit access to it through Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• ☁️ Cloud: upload records to Google Drive or Mega with encryption enabled. Use the archive password (.zip format with encryption enabled). AES-256).
• 🔐 Encryption: Applications like Cryptomator or VeraCrypt allow you to create an encrypted container for recordings.

Backup:

• 🔄 Automate copying of records with Tasker or Automate.
• 📥 Use Syncthing to sync between cloud-free devices.

3. Deletion of unnecessary records:

• 🗑️ Clean old records regularly so you don’t take up space.
• 🧹 For irrevocable deletion, use Secure Delete (rewriting data).

Create a separate folder for records|Enable cloud storage encryption|Set up automatic backups|Delete records older than 6 months|Limit access to the folder through Settings MIUI-->

If the records contain sensitive information (such as evidence for a court), do the following:

1. Save the original file in.wav or.m4a (compressively).
2. Generate a hash file (e.g., via HashMyFiles) and save it separately.
3. Write the file down. CD/DVD record-protected.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When you record conversations on Redmi 8, you're going to see some common mistakes, and we've collected some of the most common and ways to fix them.

If none of these methods worked, try:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone before recording.
• 📱 Install an older version of the app (e.g. Cube Call Recorder) ACR 20.1 instead of 22.0).
• 🛠️ Reset the settings MIUI Dialer in Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Clear the data.

💡

If the recording is interrupted at 30 seconds, check the battery saving settings: add the write app to the exceptions in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery

FAQ: Answers to popular questions