Modern smartphones, including the popular models of the Honorseries, offer a wide range of options for managing communication. However, the issue of organizing the recording of telephone conversations often causes difficulties for users, especially after updating interfaces to EMUI. The voice recorder function during an active call on the device Honor 20 is implemented deeply in the system, but requires proper activation for comfortable use.
Owners of this gadget strive to save important agreements, record evidence, or simply archive conversations with loved ones. The standard “Phone” application in the manufacturer’s firmware contains a built-in recording module that works stably and does not require the installation of third-party software. Understanding the logic of this tool will allow you to effectively manage audio data without loss of quality.
Next we will analyze in detail the algorithms for turning on recording, automatic saving settings and features of the microphone in hands-free mode. Technical nuances related to the version of the operating system will also be touched upon Android, since Google privacy policies periodically make adjustments to the operation of such functions.
Basic setup of the call recording function
To start working with the conversation archiving tool, you need to check the activation of the corresponding module in the dialer settings. By default, this option may be disabled to save space or comply with regional privacy policies. Go to the standard application Phonewhich is the main interface for dialing a number on your Honor 20.
In the upper right corner of the screen you will find an icon with three vertical dots that opens a context menu. Select item Settings, and then go to section Call recording. Here is the main switch that activates the ability to save audio. It is important to note that turning on this function makes the recording button available directly during a call.
After activating the basic mode, the system will prompt you to select the saving format and sound quality. It is recommended to use the format M4A or AMRas they provide the optimal balance between file size and speech intelligibility. The settings interface is intuitive, but you should pay attention to the notification point for the interlocutor.
⚠️ Attention: In some regions and firmware versions, when recording is turned on, the interlocutor may hear a voice warning or a characteristic sound signal. This is a requirement of the legislation on the protection of personal data, which cannot be disabled programmatically without the risk of violating the rules of use of the service.
Before an important meeting, check the availability of free space on the internal storage, as long conversations in high quality can take up a significant amount of memory.
Manual recording during an active conversation
When the basic settings are completed, the process of directly recording a conversation becomes as simple as possible. During an active connection, the control panel appears on the call screen. Among the buttons for speakerphone, keyboard and adding participants, you will see an icon in the form of a circle or microphone, labeled as Record.
Clicking on this button initiates the process of saving audio in real time. The system immediately begins to record the audio stream from both channels: your voice and the voice of your interlocutor. An indicator will appear at the top of the screen indicating that recording is in progress, as well as a duration timer.
To complete the process, just press the same button again or simply end the call. The file will be automatically saved in the device memory. If you forgot to press the button at the beginning of the conversation, do not worry: the delayed start function is available on Honor 20 , but it is better to control this moment visually.
- 🔴 Pressing the “Record” button starts the immediate saving of the audio stream.
- 🎙️ The recording indicator flashes red, confirming the active process.
- 💾 The file is saved automatically immediately after the call is dropped.
- 🔊 Recording is carried out in stereo or mono mode, depending on the codec settings.
Automatic recording for all or selected numbers
Manual control is not always convenient, especially in stressful situations situations or incoming calls from unknown callers. The application Honor allows you to set up automatic recording for certain categories of contacts. In the menu Call recording find the item Automatic recording and activate it.
The system will offer to select an operating mode: record all calls without exception or only certain numbers. All Calls mode is useful for fully archiving communications, but it quickly fills up memory. A more rational approach is to select the option Selected numbers.
When you select specific contacts, a list of your phone book opens. You can check the boxes of those people whose conversations should always be recorded. This is ideal for communicating with clients, partners or support services, where every detail of the agreement is important.
| Recording mode | Description of action | Recommendation for use |
|---|---|---|
| Disabled | Record only when pressed buttons | For rare cases, saving space |
| All calls | Fixing every incoming and outgoing | For lawyers, journalists, full reporting |
| Selected contacts | Recording only for numbers marked in the list | Optimal balance of control and memory |
| Unknown numbers | Recording calls from numbers not saved in the book | For security and fixing spam/threats |
Using filtering by specific contacts allows you to avoid memory overflow with unnecessary files and simplifies the subsequent search for important information.
Where recordings are stored and how to listen to them
After finishing a conversation, many users get lost in finding the saved file. On smartphones Honor with a shell EMUI access to the archive is organized through the “Phone” application itself. Open the dialer and go to the tab Contact or Log, where the item is usually located Call records.
An alternative path is through the system application Dictaphone. Its interface often has a separate tab or folder dedicated to telephone conversations. The files are named by the date and time of the call, and also contain the subscriber number, which greatly simplifies navigation through a large array of data.
To listen, just tap on the file name. The built-in player allows you to adjust the volume, rewind the track and even speed up playback, which is useful when analyzing long conversations. If the standard player does not suit you, you can open the file through any third-party audio player that supports the formats MP3 or M4A.
⚠️ Attention: When you connect your smartphone to a computer via USB in file transfer mode, the folder with recordings may be located along the path
Internal Storage/Record/CallRecord. Do not delete files directly through PC Explorer if you are not sure of their contents, as recovery will be impossible.
Secret folder in the file manager
Sometimes entries are duplicated in a hidden system directory. To access it, turn on the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings and look for a folder with a name starting with a dot, for example .HonorRecorder.
Legal aspects and ethics of recording conversations
The technical ability to record a conversation does not always mean the legal permissibility of using this recording. The legislation of many countries, including the Russian Federation, requires notification of the second party about the fact of recording or obtaining its consent. Ignoring this rule may result in legal liability.
Using recordings in court as evidence also has its own nuances. Judicial practice shows that a recording made without warning may be rejected as inadmissible evidence if a citizen's rights to privacy are violated. Always assess the risks before activating automatic mode.
In addition, it is worth considering corporate ethics. Recording conversations with colleagues or management without their knowledge may be regarded as a violation of the employment contract or internal company regulations. Transparency in communication is often more important than the presence of an audio archive.
- ⚖️ Article 138.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation provides for liability for illegal trafficking in special equipment, but a built-in voice recorder usually does not apply to them.
- 🤝 The Civil Code requires respect for the right to privacy of the interlocutor.
- 📢 A loud notification of recording is the safest way to legalize the process.
- 🏢 In work chats and correspondence, recording rules can be regulated by internal documents of the company.
☑️ Check before recording
Solving problems with sound quality and lack of recording
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where a recording is created, but the voice of the interlocutor is not heard or sounds very quiet. This is a common problem related to the operation of noise reduction and routing of the audio stream in Android. Try switching to speakerphone mode during a call - this often improves audio capture.
If the record button is not on the screen at all, check for updates to the Phone application and system software. In new versions Android (starting from 10 and higher), access to the call recording API for third-party applications is limited, but the native solution from Huawei/Honor should work correctly.
Also make sure that the microphone is not covered with a cover or dirty. Dust in the microphone holes located at the bottom and top of the case Honor 20can critically reduce the quality of the incoming signal. Regular cleaning of ports helps to avoid many problems with sound.
⚠️ Attention: Third-party applications from the store Play Market may not work on new versions of the system due to Google security restrictions. Use only the built-in system tools for a guaranteed result.
If the interlocutor’s voice is quiet, try disabling the “Noise Reduction” function in the sound settings during recording, if such an option is available in your firmware version.
Why did the button disappear after updating the firmware? records?
Manufacturers sometimes change the interface or temporarily disable functions when beta testing new versions. EMUI. Check your Phone app settings to see if the switch has reset. If the function is missing completely, try clearing the application cache in the system settings.
Is it possible to record a conversation if it has already started?
Yes, on Honor 20 you can start recording at any time during the conversation by pressing the corresponding button on the screen. However, the part of the conversation that took place before the button was pressed will not be recorded. The retrospective recording function (from the beginning of the call) is not provided in the standard firmware.
In what format are the files saved and how to open them on a PC?
Files are usually saved in the format M4A or AMR. These formats are supported by most modern media players on Windows and macOS, including the standard Windows Media Player, VLC and iTunes. Conversion is not required.
Does the interlocutor hear a click when you turn on the recorder?
This depends on the regional firmware version and settings. In most cases, the system emits a quiet beep or voice message to both parties. You cannot disable this warning using standard means, as this is a requirement of communications legislation.
How to transfer records to another phone or to the cloud?
You can find files in the folder Record/CallRecord via a file manager and copy them to a memory card or send via instant messengers. Also, the cloud synchronization settings Honor Cloud or Google Drive can automatically upload new recordings there.