Call recording on Xiaomi: how to enable built-in feature and third-party apps

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature that helps you capture important details of negotiations, save evidence for legal purposes or simply keep an archive of conversations. However, many users face difficulties in setting it up: somewhere the option is hidden in the depths of MIUI, somewhere it requires additional manipulation, and on some models it is completely absent from the box.

It is important to understand that recording capabilities depend on the firmware version (MIUI 12/13/14/15), regional build (global, Chinese, Indian or EEA), and even a carrier. For example, on devices for the European market, the feature is often blocked due to local privacy laws. We will look at all scenarios, from official solutions to alternative methods, including hidden engineering menus and specialized applications.

Why Xiaomi can’t have a call record?

Before we get to the settings, we need to understand the reasons for the lack of function, and we can divide them into three categories:

• 📱 Hardware restrictions: on budget models (e.g. Redmi) 9A POCO C31) There may be no chip needed to process audio streams in real time.
• 🌍 Regional locks: in firmware for EU countries (EEA) Call recording disabled at system level due to law GDPR.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI: post-update MIUI 14+ Some users are losing access to the feature due to changes in Xiaomi’s privacy policy.

Another common case is that a carrier blocks a recording at the network level, which is true for virtual operators (e.g., a network-level operator, Tele2 Or Yota, which use the infrastructure of large providers. SIM-If you have a card from another operator, try recording a call, and if it works, there's a problem with the tariff or settings of the current provider.

⚠️ Note: On devices with unlocked bootloader and custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the standard call recording may not work properly.

Official method: recording through the standard application "Phone"

On most Xiaomi smartphones (except in Europe), call recording is built into the standard Phone app to activate it:

1. Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the Call Record section (on some models, the path may look like Settings → Additional → Call Recording).
4. Activate the call recorder switch.
5. Select the recording mode: 🔄 All calls – automatic recording of incoming and outgoing; 📞 Only incoming; 📱 Selectively – recording begins after pressing a button during a conversation.

After activation during the call, a recording notification will appear at the top of the screen, and the files themselves will be saved in the folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec (File access → Internal memory. Record format is.amr or.mp3 model-wise.

Is the function activated in the phone settings?

Is there a recording notice during the call?

Are files saved in the folder? call_rec?

Have you tried calling someone else? SIM-map?-->

An important nuance: on some models (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi Note 11 Pro+), recording only works when the developer mode is turned on. To activate it, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and 7 times click on this item. Then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on Call Record (alternative method).

Alternative recording methods for European and locked devices

If the standard function is missing or not working, you can use workarounds.

1. Apps from Google Play

The easiest option is to install third-party software. The best applications for recording calls on Xiaomi:

• 🎤 Cube Call Recorder ACR — It supports automatic recording, cloud storage and transcription (translation of speech into text). MIUI 15.
• 📼 Call Recorder by Lovekesh is a lightweight solution with a minimalist interface. 8A, Poco M2).
• 🔊 Truecaller – in addition to the number detector, it has a built-in call record (not available in all regions).

Before installing, check the app's permissions: it must request access to the Microphone, Warehouse, and Call Log. Android 10+ will also require permission to display over other windows (to display the record button during a call).

2. Engineering menu (for advanced users)

On some Xiaomi models, the call recording is hidden in the engineering menu.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter ##36446337## (for MediaTek) or #4636## (for Qualcomm Snapdragon).
3. Go to Audio or Hardware Testing.
4. Find Voice Call Recording and activate it.

⚠️ Warning: Mistakes in the engineering menu can result in a network reset or loss IMEI. It is recommended to pre-create a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

3.Use of the second device

If the software doesn't work, you can record a conversation with another phone or voice recorder.

• 📱 Turn on speakerphone on the main phone.
• 🎙️ Place a second phone (or voice recorder) next to the speaker.
• 🔇 Use headphones with a microphone for better recording quality.

This is suitable for important negotiations, but has drawbacks: low sound quality and the need to synchronize two devices, and to improve the result, you can use noise-driven applications (for example, Krisper or Otter.ai), which clear the recording from interference.

Standard MIUI | Application Party | Engineering menu | Second device | I don't record-->

Where are the records stored and how do you manage them?

By default, files with call records are stored in the device’s internal memory along the way:

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

Or (on new versions of MIUI):

/storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/

To facilitate access to records:

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the Category section → Audio.
3. Find the Call Records folder (or Call Records in Russian).
4. To sort, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by date.

Tip: To keep the recordings from taking up space on your phone, set up automatic upload to the cloud.

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Activate the download to Google Drive.
3. Manually copy the folder with records in Google Drive or Mi Cloud.

On devices with MIUI 14+ The recordings are automatically encrypted if you have the Privacy Protection feature enabled in your security settings. PIN-finger-print.

Legal aspects: can you record calls without consent?

The legality of recording telephone conversations is governed by the laws of the country in which you are located.

• 🇷🇺 Russia: According to Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited unless it is conducted for personal purposes (for example, to record important information.
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine: It is allowed to record conversations if you are a party to them (Article 317 of the Criminal Code), however, it is punishable to distribute the recording without the consent of the second interlocutor.
• 🇪🇺 European Union: EU countries are operating GDPR, This is why Xiaomi's European builds have disabled the feature.
• 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan: Recording is allowed if it does not violate the secrecy of correspondence (Article 147 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

To avoid problems, follow simple rules:

• 📢 Notify the person at the beginning of the conversation (for example, "I'm turning on the recording to capture the information. You don't mind?").
• 🔒 Keep records safe – do not share them with third parties unnecessarily.
• ⚖️ Use the records only for legitimate purposes (for example, to confirm agreements or in court).

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If you need to record a conversation for a trial, save the original file without editing.Any changes (trimming, sound improvement) could cast doubt on the authenticity of the evidence.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after setting up the call recording on Xiaomi correctly, it can malfunction. Let’s look at typical situations and ways to fix them:

1. Recording does not start automatically

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔕 No access to microphone: Check permissions for Phone app in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Microphone.
• 📵 Conflict with other apps: Disable voice assistants and voice assistants (like Google Assistant or Alice).
• 🔄 System failure: Restart your phone or reset your phone application settings (Settings) → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Drop it).

2 Records not retained

If the files do not appear in the folder:

• 📁 Check the available space on the device (requires a minimum of 100 MB).
• 🛠️ Clear the cache of the Phone application (Settings) → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🔧 Change the format of the save: in the recording settings, select.mp3 instead of.amr.

3. Poor sound quality

To improve sound:

• 🎧 Use a wired headset – this reduces noise.
• 🔊 Turn off noise cancellation in the call settings.
• 📱 Update the firmware - in new versions MIUI Improved audio processing.

Comparison of recording methods: what to choose?

To determine the optimal way of recording, we will evaluate the pros and cons of each option:

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For most users, the best solution would be a combination of a standard MIUI function (if available) and a backup application (such as Cube ACR) in case of failure.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions