Recording calls to Xiaomi: how to turn on, configure and save conversations

The feature of recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO models) often becomes a lifeline in business negotiations, legal matters or just to capture important information. However, not all users know that this option can be hidden in the depths of MIUI or not at all in some regional firmware. Moreover, with the release of new versions of Android and the tightening of privacy policy, the process of activating the record has changed – now it requires not only the right settings, but also an understanding of legal nuances.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can enable call recording on Xiaomi devices (including the 2023-2026 models), explain why the feature may not work, and give practical tips on saving and managing records, and focus on bypassing regional restrictions and alternative firmware solutions without built-in recording options.

Important: Before using the call record, check your country’s laws – in some regions (e.g. the EU), it is mandatory to notify the second subscriber of the record.

1. Built-in call recording in MIUI: where to look and how to turn on

On most Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12-14 firmware, the recording feature is built into the standard Phone app, but its location varies by software version and region.

Step 1. Open the Phone app and go to the Log tab (watch icon in the bottom menu).

Step 2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.

Step 3. Scroll down to the Call Record section (on some models, Recording Conversations).

If you don't have a clause, your firmware doesn't support writing out of the box, which is typical for devices sold in the EU or with EEA global firmware, so move on to alternative methods.

Open App Phone is open

Switch to Settings → Call Recording

Item active (not grey)

Testing of recording on an outgoing call-->

How the built-in recording works:

• 📱 Automatic Recording: You can configure for all calls or only for selected contacts.
• 🔊 Quality: Monophone sound (only your voice and the voice of the person you are talking to are recorded through a microphone).
• 📁 Storage: Files are saved in the MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec folder (available through Files → Internal Memory).
• ⚠️ Limitation: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro), recording only works for outgoing calls.

⚠️ Warning: On Android 12+ and MIUI EEA devices, the embedded entry can be locked at the system level. Attempt to enable it via ADB or third-party apps may violate Xiaomi's terms of service.

2.Why call recordings are not in settings: regional restrictions

Xiaomi has different privacy policies depending on the market, such as:

• 🌍 Global firmware (Global): Recording is available, but may require manual activation.
• 🇪🇺 EEA (Europe): Recording disabled due to GDPR (mandatory interlocutor notification).
• 🇮🇳 Indian firmware (India): the record is enabled by default, but with a warning of legality.
• 🇨🇳 Chinese firmware: recording works without restrictions, but the interface is in Chinese.

How do you know your firmware?

Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. If there is an EEA at the end of the name (for example, MIUI Global 14.0.5 EEA) – your firmware is European, and the built-in recording is blocked.

Critical information: On EEA-enabled devices, trying to enable an entry through an engineering menu or ADB can result in a warranty reset. Xiaomi has been actively blocking such methods since MIUI 13.

3. Alternative ways to record calls on Xiaomi

If the built-in function is not available, use one of the proven methods:

Method 1: Third-party applications

Google Play apps like Cube Call Recorder ACR or Call Recorder by Lovekush bypass the limitations of MIUI, but have their own nuances:

• 🔹 Permission to access calls and microphones is required.
• 🔹 May not work on Android 12+ due to Google restrictions.
• 🔹 Some only record your voice (due to API Android blocking).

Instructions for setting up Cube ACR:

1. Install Cube Call Recorder.
2. In the application settings, select VOIP- Mode (to bypass restrictions).
3. Activate the option to record automatically.
4. Provide all permissions requested (including Overlay over other applications).

Method 2: Change the firmware region (for advanced)

If you're willing to risk the warranty, you can reflash the device to the global or Indian version of MIUI.

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website.
2. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website (choose Global or India).
3. Fastboot or Recovery (instructions are available on 4PDA).

⚠️ Warning: Changing the firmware region results in a complete data reset and may disrupt NFC, 5G or cameras on some models. For example, Xiaomi 12T loses support for 5G when running the Indian version on a European device.

Method 3: Google Voice (for U.S. users)

If you have a US number, you can use Google Voice:

1. Install the Google Voice app.
2. Activate the service with a US number (a VPN is required if you are not in the US).
3. In the settings, turn on Call Recording.
4. Call Google Voice and the recording will start automatically.

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Before using third-party recording apps, check their ratings and reviews. Many free programs sell your recordings to third parties. Give preference to open source applications such as Bubble Call Recorder (available on F-Droid).

4 Where records are stored and how to keep them

The built-in call records on Xiaomi are saved in.amr or.mp3 format along the following path:

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

To move them to the PC or cloud:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB (select File Transfer mode).
2. Copy the folder. call_rec safe-haven.
3. To save space, convert.amr to.mp3 using online converters.

How to Automate Conservation:

• 📁 Use Google Drive with Autoboot for folder call_rec.
• ☁️ Set up sync via Mi Cloud (but remember that records take up a lot of space).
• 🔄 Applications like Automate or Tasker can automatically move new records to the cloud.

⚠️ Warning: Record files are not encrypted by default. If your phone is stolen or lost, attackers will be able to listen to all conversations. Use file encryption via File Hide Expert or password archivers (e.g., 7-Zip to protect your file.

5 Problem Solving: Recording is not working or is not saved

If the recording is turned on but does not capture sound or files are blank, check the following points:

Additional steps for diagnosis:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone — sometimes it solves the microphone access issues.
• 📱 Check if the Developer Mode with debugging restrictions is enabled (e.g., Turn off permissions for all applications).
• 🔊 Make sure that no Airplane Mode or Do Not Disturb is activated during the call.

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If the recording only works for outbound calls and the incoming calls are not fixed, that's a restriction on your firmware, so you can change your MIUI region or use third-party applications that support VoIP recording.

Legal aspects: can calls be recorded without consent

Laws on recording telephone conversations vary by country, and here are the key points for popular regions:

• 🇷🇺 Russia: It is allowed to record conversations without notice if you are a participant in the conversation (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation), but using the recording in court requires proof of its authenticity.
• 🇪🇺 European Union (GDPR): It is mandatory to notify the interviewee of the entry, and non-compliance can be fined up to 4% of the company’s annual revenue (for legal entities).
• 🇺🇸 United States: Laws vary by state, 12 states (e.g., California) require the consent of all participants in a conversation.
• 🇮🇳 India: Recording is permitted without consent, but the recording may not be published or distributed without permission.

How to defend yourself legally:

• 📢 At the beginning of the conversation, verbally notify the person, "The conversation is recorded to record information. Do you mind?"
• 📝 Keep a consent log (e.g., in CRM or a notebook) with the date and time of the notification.
• 🔒 Keep records in a secure place and do not distribute them unnecessarily.

⚠️ Warning: In Germany and France, even storing records without consent is considered a breach of privacy. If you do business in the EU, use specialized services like Rev Call Recorder that automatically request consent.

7.The best apps to record calls to Xiaomi in 2026

If the built-in feature is not available, these apps will help you get around the restrictions (tested on Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with MIUI 14):

How to choose an application:

• 🎯 Cube ACR (configurable recording rules) is suitable for business calls.
• 🔒 For privacy, Bubble Call Recorder (open source, no ads).
• 📱 For older models (Android 9 and below) - Call Recorder by Lovekush.

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Before installing a recording app, check its permissions on Google Play. If the app requests access to SMS, Contacts or Locations without an obvious reason, it is a red flag.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls to Xiaomi