Owners of budget smartphones from Xiaomi are often faced with the need to document important negotiations, be it communication with a bank, ordering services or personal conversations. The model Redmi 9Aworking on the operating system Android with a proprietary shell MIUIprovides powerful built-in tools for this, but their activation is not always obvious to beginners.
The process of recording calls on this device is significantly different from classic phones, since Google’s privacy policy and local laws introduce certain restrictions on the functionality of the dialer. However, in most regions, including the CIS countries, the function automatic recording remains available and works stably if you correctly configure the settings in the phone menu.
In this article we will look in detail at how to activate conversation recording, where to look for saved files and what to do if standard methods stop working due to system updates. You will learn about the nuances of sound quality and ways to bypass restrictions if the manufacturer has hidden this option in your firmware version.
Built-in call recording function in MIUI
The shell MIUIinstalled on Redmi 9Ahas a deeply integrated recording module that does not require the installation of additional software. To access it, you need to open the standard calling application, which usually has a green icon with a picture of a handset. In the upper right corner of the screen you will find an icon in the form of three dots or a gear, clicking on which opens the menu Call settings.
In the list of parameters that opens, you should find an item called “Call recording”. This is where all the switches responsible for the behavior of the voice recorder during a conversation are hidden. The system offers flexible settings that allow you to record both all incoming and outgoing calls, as well as selected numbers from your phone book.
It is worth noting that the interface may vary slightly depending on the version Android and regional firmware. If you do not see the required item, your software version may have been updated to a build where this function is hidden for legal reasons, but in most cases it is present in the basic package.
- 📞 Automatic recording of all incoming calls without exception.
- 📞 Recording only numbers that are not in the phone book (unknown callers).
- 📞 Selective recording for specific contacts from the favorites list.
- 📞 Manual recording directly during a conversation via a button on the screen.
Activating the function automatic recording relieves you from the risk of forgetting to turn on the recorder at a crucial moment. After turning on the corresponding switch, the phone will independently save the audio file of each conversation in a special folder in the device’s memory.
Step-by-step activation of automatic recording
In order to configure the device to constantly monitor conversations, follow the sequence of actions described below. It is important to keep track of exactly which checkboxes you check so as not to fill your phone's memory with unnecessary files.
Go to the call settings menu and find the section Call recording. Click on it to reveal more options. Here you will see a toggle for “Record calls automatically”. Move it to the active position.
Next, the system will offer to clarify the recording rules. You can select the "All numbers" option to record absolutely every connection, or set up filters. For example, it is convenient to use the recording function only for numbers that are not in contacts, which helps track spam or fraudulent schemes.
☑️ Setting up automatic recording
After setting up, test the function by making a test call to another number or asking someone to call you. During a conversation, a notification should appear on the screen that a recording is in progress, and after the call ends, you will hear a characteristic sound signal or a voice message about saving the file.
⚠️ Attention: In some regions, due to legal restrictions, the automatic recording function may be disabled by the manufacturer. If the sliders are inactive or missing, this is due to the legal requirements of the country where the device is sold.
Manually recording a specific conversation
Sometimes there is no need to record everything, and you only need to record one specific conversation. In this case, automatic settings can be ignored by using the manual voice recorder control mode directly during communication.
When you make a call or receive an incoming call, the (conversation) control interface is displayed on the screen. Among the buttons for speakerphone, keyboard and adding participants, find a button with the inscription Record or a tape recorder icon. Clicking on it will start the process of recording audio.
During recording, this button can change color or shape, signaling that the process is in progress. To stop recording before the end of the conversation, just click on the end recording button, which will appear instead of the start button. If you do not press anything, the recording will stop automatically when you hang up.
This method is convenient because it gives you complete control over the situation: you decide when to start recording and when to stop it, saving space in the device memory.
Before starting an important conversation, make sure that there is enough free space on your phone, since long conversations in high quality can take up a significant amount of space memory.
Where are conversation recordings stored and how to find them
After the conversation is completed, the user has a logical question: where is the file saved and how to listen to it. In the ecosystem Xiaomi there are several ways to access saved audio recordings, each of which has its own advantages.
The fastest way is to open the application Dictaphonethat comes pre-installed on Redmi 9A. Inside the application there is usually a tab or a separate list dedicated specifically to recordings of telephone conversations. Here the files are sorted by date and time, which makes it easier to find the desired dialogue.
An alternative option is to use a standard file explorer. The recordings are saved in the internal memory along a path that may look like MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. Knowing this path, you can copy files to your computer or send them via instant messengers.
| Access method | Path or application | Ease of use |
|---|---|---|
| Phone application | Call history → Contact details | High (linked to number) |
| Dictaphone application | Tab "Phone" or "Conversations" | Medium (general list) |
| Explorer files | MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec folder | Low (requires navigation) |
| Gallery (sometimes) | Audio files | Average |
You can also find the entry directly in the call history. Click on the icon i or the arrow next to the subscriber number in the call log. If a recording was made, a voice recorder icon or a play button will be displayed there, which allows you to instantly listen to the outcome of the conversation with this particular person.
Third-party applications for recording calls
If the built-in tools MIUI for some reason do not work or the quality of the recording does not suit you, you can always turn to the help of third-party software. App stores offer many solutions, but their effectiveness on modern versions Android is limited by Google's security policies.
Popular apps such as Call Recorder - ACR or Cube ACRtry to bypass system restrictions using accessibility services or other technical tricks. However, with new security updates, they can only record your voice, and the other person will be heard very quietly or not at all. Redmi 9A With new security updates, they can only record your voice, and the other person will be heard very quietly or not at all.
When installing such software, you will need to give it an extensive list of permissions, including access to the microphone, phone and storage. Be prepared for the fact that the battery may drain a little faster due to the constant work of background recording processes.
Why do third-party applications perform worse than built-in ones?
Modern versions of Android (starting from 9 and higher) block third-party applications from accessing the audio stream during a call for privacy purposes. The built-in phone application has system privileges that apps from the Play Market do not have, so it can record sound directly from the line, and not from the microphone.
Before installation, be sure to check user reviews specifically for your phone model and Android version. What worked a year ago may be useless today due to the next security patch.
⚠️ Attention: Application interfaces and their capabilities may change after developer updates. Always check the current settings in the application itself after installing it.
Problems with sound quality and their solutions
One of the frequent complaints of users is the quiet voice of the interlocutor in the recording or the presence of extraneous noise. The quality of the recording on Redmi 9A directly depends on how the phone processes the audio signal and whether it uses noise reduction.
If you notice that the recording is unclear, try turning off the noise reduction function in the settings of the calling application itself, if such an option is available. Sometimes aggressive noise reduction is perceived by the system as extraneous sound and drowns out the speaker's voice.
Also, quality may suffer when using a speakerphone or headset. The best recording quality is usually achieved when you hold the phone to your ear during a call, since in this mode the main microphone located at the bottom of the case works, which better picks up speech.
In some cases, changing the recording format helps. Go to the voice recorder settings and select a format with a higher bitrate, for example MP3 instead of AAC or AMRif the device allows such a choice. This will increase the file size, but will make speech more intelligible.
Optimal recording quality is achieved when talking without a headset and with software noise reduction turned off if it distorts the interlocutor's voice.
Legal aspects and ethics of recording
The use of the telephone conversation recording function is regulated laws of the country in which you are located. In most cases, recording a conversation for personal use (so as not to forget the details of the agreement) is not prohibited, but the publication of such recordings or their use in court may have restrictions.
According to ethical standards and laws on the protection of personal data, it is recommended to warn the interlocutor that the conversation is being recorded. This is a requirement in many countries, and failure to do so may result in legal liability.
Remember that call recording files contain sensitive information. Do not transfer them to third parties or post them publicly without the consent of the participants in the conversation. Store such files in secure folders or delete them immediately after the information has been used.
Is it possible to record calls on a locked screen?
Yes, if automatic recording is enabled, the process will begin regardless of whether the screen is locked or not. When manually recording, you will need to unlock the device to press the start button, unless you have special gestures or volume buttons set up for this action.
How much space does one minute of conversation take up?
On average, one minute of conversation in AMR format takes about 15-20 KB, and in MP3 format - from 100 to 200 KB depending on bitrate. An hour-long conversation in high quality can take up several megabytes of memory.
What to do if the recording ends?
If the recording ends prematurely, check the power saving settings. The system can kill the recording process to save battery. Add the "Phone" and "Voice Recorder" applications to the exceptions of the power saving mode in the battery settings.
Can I transfer recordings to a computer?
Of course. Connect Redmi 9A to the computer via a USB cable, select file transfer mode (MTP) and copy files from the folder MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec to any directory on your hard drive.
Why can only I be heard in the recording?
This is a common problem on new versions of Android for third-party applications. Try turning on the speakerphone during a call - then the microphone will pick up the voice of the interlocutor from the speaker. For the built-in voice recorder, this problem is solved by updating the firmware or resetting the phone settings.