How to record sound from a Xiaomi phone: from a standard voice recorder to professional solutions

Recording sound on Xiaomi smartphones can be needed in a variety of situations: from fixing an important lecture to creating a podcast or saving voice notes. Despite the seemingly simple task, many users face unexpected difficulties, from the lack of sound in the recording to problems with file formats. In this article, we will discuss all available recording methods, including hidden functions. MIUI, Optimal microphone settings and solutions for professional quality.

Xiaomi phones are unique in their software ecosystem: some models (e.g. Redmi Note) 12 Pro+ Xiaomi 13 Ultra) have advanced audio capabilities that aren't always obvious. We've tested all methods on current versions. MIUI (including MIUI 14/15) And we highlighted the key nuances: from permissions for applications to choosing the right recording format (.m4a,.mp3 or wav).

Important: If you plan to record calls or system sounds, prepare for additional restrictions - starting with Android 10, Google has tightened its privacy policy. There are workarounds, but they require special preparation.

1. Xiaomi standard voice recorder: where to find and how to set up

Each Xiaomi phone has a Dictophone app pre-installed, which supports basic recording, but has several hidden features:

• 📱 Quick start: Add the voice recorder widget to the home screen or use the voice command OK, Google, launch the voice recorder".
• 🔊 Volume control: while swiping left/right on the screen, you can reduce/increase the recording level (does not work on all models).
• ⏱️ Stop timer: In the application settings, you can set automatic termination after 30 minutes, 1 hour or 2 hours.
• 📁 Folders for organization: records are automatically sorted by date, but can be moved to user categories ("Lectures", "Interview", etc.).

To improve the quality of the recording:

1. Open the Settings. → Annexes → Dictaphone → Permits and enable access to microphone and storage.
2. In the recorder, tap on ⚙️ → "Record quality" and select High (WAV) Minimum loss or average loss (M4A) save space.
3. To reduce noise, activate the Noise Cancel option (available on Xiaomi) 12/13 series and newer).

💡

If an echo appears in the recording, try to close the second microphone (usually located at the top of the phone) with a finger or tape - this helps when recording in rooms with poor acoustics.

⚠️ Attention: On models with IR-With a blaster (e.g., Redmi Note 11 Pro), a standard voice recorder can conflict with the remote control. Before recording, turn off the infrared port in Settings → Connections and sharing → IR-blaster.

2. Record sound through Screen Recording (including system sounds)

Few people know, but Xiaomi can record not only the screen, but also sound — including music from apps or game sounds. MIUI 12 and above, but has important limitations:

• 🎵 Media recording: captures audio from Spotify, YouTube, games (but not from some streaming services like Netflix).
• 📱 External microphone: You can simultaneously record sound from the screen and voice through the microphone.
• ⚠️ Restrictions: Does not work during calls and in some banking applications.

Instructions for setting:

1. Open the Notification Panel and find the Screen Record tile (if not, add through the ⚙️ →"Edit the tiles").
2. Slip on the tile and select: 🔈 "Record the sound" → switch on. 🎤 "Microphone" → Turn it on if you need a voice. ⚙️ "Quality" → 1080p For better sound (on some models available) 4K, But it's redundant for audio).

"Start."

Critical detail: on models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), while recording the screen and microphone, sound delay can occur up to 0.5 seconds. 720p.

Third-party applications: when standard tools are insufficient

If embedded tools don't work well for quality or functionality, consider specialized applications. 10 popular solutions and selected the top-3 Xiaomi:

🥇 Voice Recorder Pro (for professionals)

Best choice for podcasters and musicians.

• 🎛️ Customize bitrate to 320 kbps (vs. 128 kbps in a standard voice recorder).
• 📊 Visualization of sound waves in real time.
• ☁️ Automatic downloading to Google Drive/Dropbox.
• 🔋 Background recording (works even when the screen is locked).

The free version adds a watermark to the beginning of the recording.

🥈 Hi-Q MP3 Recorder (for music)

Specializes in high quality recordings (up to 320 kbps) MP3) It has a built-in equalizer:

• 🎸 Records of live performances.
• 🎧 Sampling sounds from applications.
• 📻 Streaming audio on the radio station.

Important: to work, you need to disable "Battery Optimization" for the application in the settings MIUI.

🥉 ASR Voice Recorder (for long-term recordings)

Optimized for lectures and interviews of duration >2 hours, features:

• ⏳ Automatic segmentation of records by time (e.g. every 30 minutes).
• 🔍 Text search (transforms speech into text with precision) ~85%).
• 📱 Lightweight (weighs only 5MB).

Warning: Some apps (like Call Recorder) promise to record calls, but only on the phone. MIUI 14+ They only work with root rights or on older versions of Android.

Install an app from Google Play|Provide permissions for microphone and storage|Disable battery optimization for the application|Check the vacant seat (1 hour of recording in the WAV = ~600 MBB)|Set up format and bitrate-->

4. Recording of telephone calls: circumventing restrictions MIUI

Since Android 10, Google has banned the recording of calls at the system level, and Xiaomi strictly follows this rule.

📞 Method 1: Built-in recording (only for certain regions)

Xiaomi phones sold in India, China and some Asian countries have a call record feature, which can be checked as follows:

1. Open the phone app.
2. Tap on. ⚙️ → "Recording calls".
3. If you have an option, turn it on and select "Record all calls" or "Selected only".

The records will be saved in the folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec.

📱 Method 2: Second phone + headset

The most reliable method for models Redmi/Poco:

1. Connect to the phone a wired headset with a microphone (for example, from the kit).
2. Put the second phone next to it and start recording on it through a recorder.
3. During the conversation, turn on speakerphone on the main phone.

The quality will be worse, but without legal risks (in some countries, recording calls without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited).

🛠️ Method 3: Root access + module

For advanced users:

1. Get root rights through Magisk.
2. Install the CallRecorder module from the Magisk repository.
3. In the module settings, select the format AMR (saves space) or MP3 (quality).

Risks: loss of warranty and possible security issues (e.g. Google Pay will stop working).

⚠️ Warning: On phones with HyperOS (new firmware from Xiaomi), an attempt to record calls via Magisk can lead to a lock IMEI. Before experimenting, make a backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup.

5. Optimization of recording quality: microphone and environment settings

Even the most advanced app can’t save you if the microphone is not configured correctly or the recording is conducted in a noisy room.

🎤 Microphone settings in MIUI

Go to Settings. → System system → Developer (if no item, tap 7 times according to the version) MIUI "About the phone" section:

• 🔧 "Debugging by USB" → Enable (needed for some applications).
• 🎚️ "Bluetooth audio codec" → choose SBC stability or AAC better quality.
• 🔇 "Noise suppression" → Turn off if you are recording music (algorithms can distort high frequencies).

📍 Choosing microphone location

Xiaomi phones usually have 2-3 microphone:

• 📱 Lower microphone (near the connector) USB-C) — voice-over.
• 🔝 Top microphone (near the speaker) – captures surrounding sounds.
• 📸 Microphone in camera (on some models) – for video, but not for pure audio.

For an interview, hold your phone with the bottom microphone to the sound source at a distance. 15-20 For recording music, it is better to use an external microphone through the USB-C Bluetooth.

🌡️ Conditions of entry

Avoid:

• 🚗 Recordings in a car with open windows (wind noise spoils even professional microphones).
• 🍳 Kitchen during operation of the hood or microwave (these devices have ultrasonic interference).
• 📱 Positions of the phone screen up on the table (vibrations of the speaker are transmitted to the microphone).

6. Preservation and processing of records

After recording, it is important to save and process the file correctly. Here are the best practices for Xiaomi:

📁 Where the records are kept

✂️ Pruning and conversion

For basic processing, use:

• 🎬 InShot (for cutting and overlaying music).
• 🔊 Lexis Audio Editor (to normalise volume and remove noise).
• 📄 AudioConverter (for conversion) WAV → MP3 quality-conserving).

☁️ Cloud storage

To keep the records from going down:

• 📱 Enable automatic synchronization with Mi Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup).
• 📁 Use Google Drive with the “Outload” option for the entries folder.
• 🔗 Create a link for (in) MIUI: highlight →"Share" →"Xiaomi link").

⚠️ Note:.wav files are in the 5-10 more space than.mp3. If the phone's storage is full, MIUI It can automatically delete old records. To avoid this, transfer files to the computer. SD-map or cloud once a week.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even with the right settings, you can have problems.

🔇 No sound in the recording.

Possible causes and solutions:

• 📵 Microphone turned off in settings: check Settings → Annexes → Dictaphone → Permits → Microphone.
• 🔌 Contaminated microphone connector: gently clean the bottom connector with a toothpick (do not use metal objects!).
• 📱 Conflict with another application: Close all programs that use the microphone (Zoom, WhatsApp, etc.).
• 🔊 Hardware malfunction: Test the microphone in the engineering menu (#4636##).

🎵 Recording interrupted or lagged

This is most often related to:

• 🔋 Battery Optimization: Add a dictaphone to exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Dictaphone → Not optimize).
• 📱 Lack of RAM: Close background apps before recording.
• 📁 Storage problems: If your phone has less than 10% of the available space, records may be broken.

📱 The app doesn't see the recording.

Try it:

• 🔄 Update the gallery: open the “Files” from Xiaomi and tap on ⚙️ → "Update".
• 📂 Check the hidden folders: some records are saved in the /MIUI/sound_recorder/.
• 🔍 Use a file manager, such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer.

💡

If the problem only occurs with a specific application (like Voice Recorder Pro), try clearing its cache: Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions