How to record audio on a Xiaomi phone: all the ways from voice recorder to hidden features

Recording audio on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones can be required in a variety of situations, from fixing an important conversation to creating a podcast or saving a lecture. However, many users face problems - a standard voice recorder is not available in some MIUI firmware, and alternative methods record noise-free or limit duration. In this article, we will examine all available methods, including hidden system functions, circumventing restrictions and choosing the best applications for pure sound.

Xiaomi devices are not always built-in, for example, in MIUI 12-14, the recorder may not be available on some models (e.g., Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro), but will appear after the update. Even where the recorder is available, it often records sound in low quality or with microphone noise. We tested all methods on current firmware (2023-2026) and assembled working solutions for any scenario, from fast voice recording to professional audio editing.

1. Standard dictaphone in MIUI: where to look and how to use

Most Xiaomi smartphones (except the Redmi A and some POCO models) have a voice recorder called "Sound Recorder" (com.android.soundrecorder) pre-installed, but its location depends on the MIUI version:

• 📁 MIUI 14/13: Search in the Tools folder on the home screen or through a system search (swipe down on the desktop) → enter the recorder»).
• 🔍 MIUI 12 and below: The app can be called Rec or Voice Recorder and hides in the menu All apps.
• ⚙️ If there is no icon: check if the application is disabled in the settings of the Application → Application management → Systemic.

To make a record:

1. Open the recorder and press the red "Record" button.
2. Use the button to pause. ||, stop — ■.
3. Files are saved in the Internal Storage folder. → MIUI → sound_recorder (format.m4a or).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi’s built-in voice recorder automatically compresses audio to a bitrate of 64-128 kbps. For high quality (for example, for music), use third-party applications.

Turn off notifications (Do Not Disturb mode) |Check the space available (minimum 100MB) |Close the background apps |Put your headphones on with a microphone (for clean sound)

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2. recording sound through on-screen recording (with microphone sound)

If your MIUI firmware does not have a voice recorder, you can use a built-in screen recording with the microphone on, which is suitable for recording calls, streams or sound from applications (for example, YouTube or Telegram).

Instructions:

1. Open the notification panel (swipe down).
2. Find the screen recording icon (if not, add via Edit → Screen recording).
3. Before you start, press the gear. ⚙️ and turn on the option "Record sound» → Choose a Microphone (or Microphone) + system sound if you want to record sound from the application).
4. Start recording and speak to the microphone. Video can be deleted and audio track extracted through any converter (e.g. Audio Extractor).

On models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the system sound recording works steadily, whereas on budget chips (such as the Helio G88 in the Redmi 12C) stuttering can occur.

Built-in dictaphone|Screen recording with microphone|Party of annex|Another option-->

3. Hidden MIUI function: call recording

Many users are unaware that MIUI automatically records phone calls, but only if two conditions are met:

1. Call recording is allowed in your region (in the EU and some US states, this feature is legally disabled).
2. You use the standard Phone app (not Google Phone or Truecaller).

How to turn on and find records:

1. Open the phone. → ⋮ (menu) → Settings → Recording calls.
2. Select “Write Automatically” or “Write Manually” (the button will appear during the call).
3. Search for the finished records in the Internal Storage folder → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec (amr).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with global firmware (Global) ROM) Call recording may not work due to legal restrictions (EEA) or use Google Phone with Call Recorder module (requires root rights).

4.The Best Third-Party Audio Recording Apps

If Xiaomi's built-in tools don't suit the quality or functionality, consider alternatives. 15 Apps and selected top-3 different tasks:

For professional recording (such as podcasts or music), we recommend RecForge II with settings:

• 🎤 Source: External microphone (if connected).
• 🔊 Format: WAV (lossless MP3 320 kbps.
• 📶 Noise reduction: Enable the Noise Suppression option.

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If you’re recording a phone interview, use headphones with a microphone (like the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) and enable LDAC mode in Bluetooth settings for minimal delays.

5. Record audio via ADB (for advanced users)

If you need to record system sound (like from a game or music player), standard methods won't work - Android blocks access to the internal audio stream. ADB (Android Debug Bridge, but you will need it:

• 🖥️ Computer with ADB-tools installed.
• 🔌 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📱 Xiaomi with unlocked bootloader (on some firmware).

System audio recording command (operates on MIUI 14 and later):

adb shell screenrecord --audio-source=mic --audio-encoding=aac /sdcard/audio_record.mp4

After stopping (Ctrl+C), extract the audio track from the video using FFmpeg:

ffmpeg -i audio_record.mp4 -vn -acodec copy audio_only.m4a

⚠️ Note: This method may violate the rules of services (e.g. Spotify or Netflix) and use it only for personal purposes (e.g. recording game audio for editing).

6 Problem Solving: Why No Sound is Recorded

If none of the methods work, check the following points:

• 🔇 Microphone locked: clear the cache of the Dictaphone or Phone app in Settings → Annexes.
• 📵 No sound when recording: check if the microphone is covered with a cover or film (especially on the camera). POCO M5s redmi 10C, where the microphone is in an uncomfortable place).
• 🔋 Recording ends: turn off the power saving mode for the voice recorder application (Settings) → Battery → Choice of applications).
• 🚫 The app is not installed: on Xiaomi with Chinese firmware (China) ROM) may be blocked APK — Use Global ROM or the GetApp store.

If the problem is sound quality (noise, echo), try:

• 🎧 Connect an external microphone through USB-C (for example, BOYA BY-M1).
• 🏠 Record indoors without reverb (use a blanket or foam for sound insulation).
• 🔧 In the settings of the recorder, enable noise reduction (if any).

💡

Xiaomi with a MediaTek processor (like the Redmi Note 11) can experience background noise due to the hardware features of the chip.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording audio on Xiaomi