Recording calls to Xiaomi Redmi 9: how to turn on and configure correctly

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but the call recording feature is not always obvious. Many users are faced with the fact that the option is either missing from the menu or not working correctly. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to activate the recording of conversations, from standard MIUI settings to third-party applications and hidden firmware.

It is important to understand that recording telephone conversations is regulated by law, and in most countries (including Russia) the consent of the interlocutor is required for legal use of such recordings, and we do not call for breaking the law, the article is purely technical.

If you are a Redmi 9 owner (M2003J15SC, M2003J15SS or M2003J15SG models), follow the instructions below. Other MIUI versions (12, 13, 14) may require adjustments — we will specify them separately.

1. Standard call record in MIUI: where to look for settings?

In the official MIUI firmware for Redmi 9, the call recording function can be hidden or disabled by default.

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the Call Record section (if not, see the next section).
4. Activate the Write automatically switch or select Write manually.

If the Call Record item is not on the menu, it means that:

• 📱 Your version. MIUI does not support the function (relevant for European and global firmware).
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: in some countries, call recording is blocked at the software level.
• 🔄 The last reset of settings deleted the recording module (solved by reinstalling the Phone application»).

Important: On Redmi 9 with MIUI Global 12.5 and later, call recording can only be available for selected contacts – check the exception list in the settings.

2. Hidden ways to enable entry: Engineering menu and ADB

If the standard method does not work, you can try to activate the recording through the engineering menu or ADB-These are ways of taking care -- wrong actions can disrupt your phone.

Method 1: Engineering menu (code #4636##)

In the Phone app, type ##4636##. The test menu will open where:

1. Go to the Usage statistics tab.
2. Find the app com.android.server.telecom.
3. Press Force Stop, then Clear Data (this will reset your call settings).
4. Restart your phone and check for the recording option.

Method 2: ADB-Teams (for advanced users)

If you have access to the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), do:

adb shell settings put global call_recording_enabled 1


adb shell settings put global call_recording_format 1

After that, restart the device.Warning: this method doesn't work on all versions of MIUI and may require root rights.

3. applications for recording calls: TOP-5 proven options

If the built-in feature isn't available, third-party apps will come to the rescue, and we tested them on Redmi 9 with MIUI 12.5 and Android 10 - here are the best options:

Before installation, check:

• 🔒 Permissions: The application must request access to the Microphone, Warehouse and Call Log.
• 📱 Compatibility: Some programs do not work MIUI system constraints.
• 🔄 Updates: Older versions may not support Android 10/11.

✅ Check the reviews about the application (ranking above 4.0)

✅ Download only from Google Play (not from third-party sites)

✅ Allow all requested permissions

✅ Check the free space (records are taken up) ~10 MB/hour)-->

4 Why Call Recording May Not Work: Common Issues

Even after enabling the feature, Redmi 9 users often encounter errors, and here are the most common reasons and solutions:

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI The recording stopped working, try rolling back the version of the Phone application through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Phone. → Remove updates.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🛠️ Firmware integrity: System files may be damaged (fastboot flashing will help).
• 🔊 Microphone: Test it in another application (e.g. in a voice recorder).
• 📵 Flight mode: Sometimes it blocks access to the microphone during a call.

5. Legal aspects: can the call records be used?

In Russia, recording telephone conversations is regulated by Article 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (violation of correspondence secrecy) and the Federal Law “On Personal Data”, here are the key points:

• 📜 The consent of the interlocutor is mandatory if you plan to use the recording in court or in public.
• 🔇 Without consent, the recording can only be made for personal use (for example, to avoid forgetting important information).
• ⚖️ In disputable situations, the court may consider the recording inadmissible evidence, if the consent of the second party is not proved.

In other countries, the rules may differ:

• 🇺🇸 In the United States (except 12 states), the consent of one party (your) is sufficient).
• 🇪🇺 The EU has strict rules. GDPR — Recording without consent may result in a fine.
• 🇨🇳 In China, recording is allowed, but distribution without consent is prohibited.

⚠️ Note: If you keep a record for work (for example, as a sales manager), make sure that your employment contract or corporate rules state permission to do so, otherwise the employer may be fined for violating Article 9 of the Federal Law on Personal Data».

6. Alternative ways to record conversations

If software methods don’t work, consider hardware solutions:

1. External recorder

Connect a digital recorder (such as Sony ICD-UX570 or Olympus WS-853) to your phone via a 3.5mm connector or Bluetooth.

• 🎙️ High quality sound (no noise and no circumcision).
• 🔋 It doesn't depend on the phone's firmware.
• 📁 Easy to transfer records to PC.

2. Recording via second phone

Put a second smartphone next to you with the recorder on.

• 🔊 Echoes or extraneous noises may be recorded.
• 📱 Requires the presence of a second device.

3. Google Voice (for international calls)

Google Voice automatically records incoming calls after pressing 4 on the keyboard, and works only for U.S. and Canadian numbers, but can be used via VoIP forwarding.

💡

If you often have important conversations, make a separate one. SIM-So you can avoid problems with the primary number and you can easily archive the records.

7. Optimizing record storage: how not to clog up your phone's memory

Call recordings take up a lot of space, an average of 5-10 MB per minute. To avoid running out of memory on Redmi 9 (where it is only 64/128 GB), follow the advice:

• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Set up automatic upload of records to Google Drive, Yandex Drive or Dropbox.
• 🗑️ Autoclean: In the recording app settings, specify a storage limit (e.g., “Delete records older than 30 days»).
• 📂 Compression: Convert files to.ogg or.m4a (They occupy 2-3 times less space than.mp3).
• 🔍 Search for duplicates: Use apps like Files by Google to delete repeat entries.

Example of setting up automatic boot in Cube ACR:

1. Open the app and go to Settings → Cloud.
2. Select a service (e.g. Google Drive).
3. Specify the download folder and sync frequency (recommended “Wi-Fi only”).
4. Activate the option to Remove after download to free up space on your phone.

💡

The optimal balance of quality and size is.m4a (AAC) with a bitrate of 64-96 kbit/s. In most applications, it can be selected manually for recording.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 9 call recording