Auto Recording of calls on Xiaomi: how to turn on and configure correctly

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a feature that can be useful in a variety of situations, from saving important business negotiations to fixing evidence in controversial conversations. However, many users are faced with the fact that the autorecord option is either absent from the menu or unstable, this is due to Google’s policy (restrictions on recording calls in Android 9+), the features of MIUI firmware and regional settings.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to enable auto-recording on Xiaomi (including the Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models), bypass the standard system restrictions and explain how to save records so that they do not disappear after updates.

If you use MIUI 14/15 or more, some of the methods may not work because of the tightening of security policies, and we will offer alternative solutions, from third-party applications to hidden engineering menu settings, all of which have been tested on current models from 2023 to 2026.

Why is there no autorecording of calls on Xiaomi?

The main reason for the lack of auto-recording feature in the standard Phone app is the restrictions of Google for Android 9 and later. The company has forbidden developers to embed recording of calls without notifying the interlocutor, and in some regions (for example, in the EU), this is completely prohibited by law. Xiaomi, like other manufacturers, has to adapt to these rules, so:

• 📱 On smartphones with MIUI Global (international firmware), autorecording is often disabled by default or hidden.
• 🌍 In some countries (India, Russia, Ukraine) the feature may be available, but with a warning of legality.
• 🔒 On devices with MIUI China (Chinese firmware), call recording usually works out of the box, but requires Russification.
• 📲 In Android 12+, Google blocks apps from accessing the microphone during calls, which breaks many third-party recording programs.

Another reason is regional settings, for example, if you bought Xiaomi in Europe but use it in Russia, the system can automatically block the record due to differences in legislation, and the feature may disappear after MIUI updates if Xiaomi deletes it at the request of Google.

⚠️ Warning: In some countries (e.g., the United States, Germany, France), recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited by law and may result in fines.

Method 1: Enabling Auto Recording through the Standard Phone App

If your Xiaomi supports recording calls out of the box, you can turn it on in a few steps, which works on most devices with MIUI 12-15, but may not be available on models for the European market.

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → select Settings.
3. Go to the Call Recording section (or Call Recording in English firmware).
4. Activate the Automatic Recording Switch.
5. Select which calls to record: 📞 All calls (automated recording of all conversations); 🔍 Only selected contacts (must be manually specified); 🚫 Never (unplugged).

If you don't have a Call Record menu, your firmware doesn't support the function, so you can go to alternatives.

Update the Phone app in Google Play

Make sure you don’t have Chinese firmware (MIUI China)

Check the regional settings (country in the SIM- map)

Turn it off. VPN (It can block the function)-->

Where are the records stored? By default, they are stored in internal memory along the way:

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

The files are.amr or.mp3 and sorted by date, and can be listened to through any player or sent via messenger.

Method 2: Hidden settings of the engineering menu (for advanced)

If the standard method doesn’t work, you can try to turn on the recording via the Engineering Mode, which is suitable for devices on MIUI 11-14, but requires caution – incorrect actions can disrupt the phone.

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636## This will open the testing menu.
2. Select Information → scroll down to the Audio block.
3. Find VoIP Recording or Call Recording and set the Enabled value.
4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

After that, the phone app may have a recording option. If not, try another code:

##847##

It opens the MIUI Hidden Settings menu, where there are sometimes extra options for calling.

⚠️ Warning: Changing the settings in the engineering menu may cause the communication module to malfunction (e.g., network loss or microphone problems). If the phone stops ringing after manipulation, reset the network settings to Settings → SIM- Maps and mobile networks → Reset.

Method 3: Third-party applications for recording calls

If the built-in methods didn't work, you'll have to use apps from Google Play, but with Android 10+, many apps have lost the ability to record calls because of Google's limitations, and we've tested the latest solutions that work for Xiaomi in 2026:

For installation:

1. Download the app from Google Play (like Cube ACR).
2. When you first start, provide all the permissions you have requested (microphone, call access, storage).
3. In the application settings, select: 🎤 Voice Uplink + Downlink (for recording both interlocutors); 📁 File format: MP3 or WAV (better for proof); ☁️ Autoupload to the cloud (optional).

Enable auto-recording in the app menu.

⚠️ Warning: On MIUI 14/15 with Android 13+, many apps will stop recording calls due to Google’s new restrictions. The only reliable way to do this is to get root rights (but that’s no guarantee!).

1. disable battery optimization for it in MIUI settings.

2. Install it as the default application for calls (in the settings "Phone").

3. Use Do Not Disturb during a call (sometimes helps bypass microphone locking).-->

Method 4: Write through Google Drive (bypassing restrictions)

If none of these methods worked, you can use a crutchy, but working way of recording a conversation through Google Drive, which is not auto-recording in the usual sense, but allows you to record important conversations without third-party software.

• 📱 Xiaomi Smartphone with access to Google Services;
• 🎧 Headphones with microphone (or external microphone)
• 🔊 Quiet room (so there is no echo).

Instructions:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open Google Drive → Press + → Record Voice.
3. Start recording before you call (or answer the call).
4. Put the phone down with the microphone or use headphones with a microphone.
5. After the conversation, save the record in the Disk.

Cons of the method:

• ❌ Only your voice is recorded (if no headphones are recorded);
• ❌ You need to manually run the recording before each call.
• ❌ The quality is worse than that of specialized applications.

But the method is legal (you don’t use a hidden entry) and works on any version of MIUI.

Standard appendix "Phone"

Third-party programs (Cube ACR, Boldbeast, etc.)

Engineering menu

Google Drive or other workaround method

I don't record calls.-->

How to save the records and not lose them?

One of the most common problems is that records disappear after a MIUI update or a phone reset, so you can avoid this:

1. Automatic backup: 📁 Set up autoload records to the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Dropbox); 🔄 Enable synchronization in the write app settings; 📥 Repeat files to your computer periodically (folder /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/).

Reconstruction of the conservation path:

By default, the records are stored in internal memory, which can be cleared when reset, to change the path:

Settings → Storage → Folders → Select SD-map or cloud

Exports to other formats:

.amr files take up little space, but may not play on some devices. Convert them to MP3 using applications like Audio Converter.

Important: If you use the records as evidence (e.g. in court), save the original files without editing, otherwise they may be invalidated.

💡

The best way to save records for a long time is to set up automatic download to the cloud (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk) and duplicate files to an external drive, which will protect data even if your phone breaks.

Legality of Call Recording: What You Need to Know

Before you turn on your auto record, make sure you don't violate local laws.

• 🇷🇺 Russia: Recording conversations 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, you can only use the recordings in court if they are legally obtained (without eavesdropping).
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine: Similar to Russia, but requires notification of the interlocutor (for example, a voice message at the beginning of a conversation).
• 🇪🇺 EU (Germany, France, etc.): Recording without consent is prohibited and punishable by fines of up to €10,000.
• 🇺🇸 U.S.: Laws vary by state, and some (e.g., California) require consent from all participants in a conversation.
• 🇮🇳 India: It is allowed to record calls if you are participating in a conversation, but you cannot distribute recordings without consent.

To avoid problems:

• 📢 Always notify the person about the recording (e.g., “Conversation is recorded to record information”);
• 🔒 Do not distribute the records to third parties without consent.
• ⚖️ In court, use only those records that are legally obtained.

If you are a business owner, it is better to have a record agreement with your customers (for example, in a contract or on a website) to protect you from lawsuits.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you set up your auto record correctly, there may be some failures, and there are some errors that you can make and how you can fix them.

If none of these methods helped, check:

• 📶 Communication quality: In case of poor signal, recording may be interrupted;
• 🔋 Battery Charge: Some applications are turned off when the charge is low.
• 🛠️ Root rights: Newer versions MIUI may not have the record working without them.

💡

After the update MIUI missing the recording function, try to roll back to the previous firmware version through MIUI bootloader or Xiaomi Flash Tool. Instructions for rollback are on the forums 4PDA.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions