How to enable call recording on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all working ways

Why you need to record calls on your smartphone and why it is not by default

Recording phone conversations is a useful feature for recording important conversations, interviews or just saving memorable conversations. However, on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro (codename begonia), this option is often turned off out of the box for several reasons. First, many countries (including Russia) regulate recording conversations by notifying the interlocutor about conducting audio recording. Second, manufacturers avoid complaints from telecom operators who may consider mass recording as a violation of confidentiality.

However, you can legally activate the recording – you just need to get the consent of the interlocutor or use the function for personal needs (for example, saving recipes by phone from your grandmother).In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to enable recording on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, including hidden MIUI settings, alternative applications and circumventing restrictions through Google Phone.

Important: if you plan to use the recordings for legal purposes, please check the current legal provisions in your country, for example, in Russia, according to Art. 23 of the Constitution, recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor is allowed only in cases provided for by federal laws (for example, for security).

Method 1: Enable via the standard Phone application (MIUI 12–14)

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 12-14 firmware (Android 9-11), the call recording can be hidden in the depth of the settings.

1. Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → select Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Call Record section (if no item is available, see Method 2).
4. Activate the Call Record switch and select the save format (e.g. Automatically or Only for selected contacts).

If the Call Record section is missing, it means that your version of MIUI does not support the feature at the firmware level.

• 🔄 Update MIUI Up to the latest version (check in Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 📱 Installation of an alternative application for calls (described below).
• 🔧 Activation via the Engineering Menu (for advanced users).

Method 2: Recording via Google Phone (for GMS firmware)

If your Redmi Note 8 Pro runs on global firmware with Google services, you can use the Google Phone app (aka Google Phone), which works even if the standard MIUI app doesn’t have a recording feature.

Instructions for installation and setting:

1. Download Google Phone from the Play Market.
2. Launch the application and resolve all requests (access to contacts, microphone, phone calls).
3. Make Google Phone the default app: Go to Settings → Apps → App Management. Find Phone → Click Default → Select Google Phone.

During the call, click on the Record button (will appear after connecting the interlocutor).

Please note: Google Phone automatically notifies the person when recording is started by voice message (this is a requirement of Google’s privacy policy).

Install Google Phone from Play Market|

Make the application the default phone |

Allow access to microphone and contacts |

Check for free space on the device (records take up) ~1-2 MB/minute)-->

Method 3: Third-party applications for recording calls

If the standard methods didn't work, we'll have specialized tools to help, and we've tested 5 popular apps and selected the best ones for the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

To install any of these applications:

1. Download it from Play Market.
2. Launch and provide all necessary permissions (microphone, access to calls, storage).
3. In the application settings, select the save format (such as MP3 or WAV) and the folder for records.
4. Activate automatic recording or set up manual mode.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 13/14 Some apps may not record the voice of the interlocutor due to Android limitations 10+. This is only possible with root access or using Google Phone.

Method 4: Engineering menu and hidden settings (for advanced)

If you're ready to experiment, you can try activating the recording through an engineering menu, which doesn't work on all firmware, but sometimes it helps to wake up the hidden function.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636## This will open the Testing menu.
2. Go to the Phone Information (or Phone Information) tab.
3. Scroll down to the Turn on VoLTE or Enhanced 4G LTE Mode section and activate it (if disabled).
4. Go back to the main menu of the phone and check if the Call Record item appears in the settings.

To export the records to the computer:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 8 Pro to the PC USB-cable.
2. Select file transfer mode (File Manager or MTP).
3. Follow one of the above paths and copy files (usually in.mp3 or.amr format).

To save space on your phone, set up automatic deletion of old records (in the settings of the application for recording) or transfer them to the cloud (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk).

💡

To quickly find records, use the built-in search in the Files app from Xiaomi. Type in the search bar the.mp3 or.amr extension and the system will show all audio files, including call records.

Solving the problem: Why call recording doesn’t work

If the recording is not running or only your words are saved (the voice of the interlocutor is not heard), check the following points:

To diagnose the problem:

1. Check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone. If it's Chinese firmware (without GMS), recording via Google Phone won't work.
2. Make sure that in the security settings (Settings → Applications → Permissions), the recording app has access to Microphone, Phone Calls, and Warehouse.
3. Try recording the call manually (press the recording button during the call), if it doesn't work, the firmware is the problem.

💡

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 13+ and Android 11 firmware, recording calls through a standard application is often blocked at the system level, the only reliable ways are Google Phone or third-party root-rights apps.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls to Xiaomi