Where is the recording of the conversation in the Xiaomi phone stored?

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the need to quickly find stored audio of a phone conversation.The standard MIUI shell and the newer HyperOS have a specific file structure that can confuse even an experienced user. By default, the system hides these files deep in internal memory so as not to clutter the gallery and main folders of media files.

Understanding the exact path to the audio directory is critical if you need to copy a recording to your computer, send it via messenger, or simply free up space on your device. Unlike many other manufacturers, Xiaomi uses its own system paths, which can vary depending on the version of the Android operating system.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the search algorithm, look at the possible file locations, and learn how to customize the recording settings for maximum convenience, and learn not only the standard ways, but also how to solve problems when a record is allegedly lost or not saved.

Standard path to a folder with call records

The vast majority of modern Xiaomi smartphones use a single logic for storing system audio files. Unless you have made changes to the settings of the recorder or conductor, the files will lie at a specific address in the internal memory of the device, which is standard for file managers built into the shell.

To get to the desired directory, you need to open the Explorer application (or Files) and sequentially go the following way:

• 📁 Internal memory (Internal Storage)
• 📁 MIUI
• 📁 sound_recorder
• 📁 call_rec

In the file. call_rec You can find all your phone records. Files are usually sorted by date of creation, which makes it easier to find the right dialogue.mp3 or.m4a depending on the selected coding format in the settings.

⚠️ Note: If you use a third-party file manager (such as Total Commander or Solid Explorer), the folder structure will remain the same, but access to system directories in newer versions of Android (11, 12, 13, 14) may be restricted by access rights.

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For quick access to frequently used folders in Xiaomi’s standard Explorer, you can add them to your Favorites by holding your finger on the folder and selecting the appropriate option in the menu.

Alternative Locations and Older versions of MIUI

The situation can be very different if you have an older device or you use custom firmware. In the early versions of the MIUI shell (before version 10), the storage logic was different, and the file search took longer, and the path may change if the user manually changed the save settings.

Consider the main variations of the ways that were encountered in previous generations of smartphones:

• 📂 /MIUI/sound_recorder/ — file-back call_rec It may have been missing, and all records (including dictaphone records) were at the root of the directory.
• 📂 /Recordings/Call_rec/ — rare variant found on some global firmware versions for European markets.
• 📂 /Audio/Call/ — a path typical of stock Android that could have been saved by flashing or on Android One devices (e.g. Mi) A1, Mi A2).

If you don't have files on the standard path, you can use the Explorer search function, enter the file name if you remember part of it, or sort all the audio files on the device by the date of the change, often to help you find lost records that have been moved as a result of system errors or update failures.

How to Change the Place of Records Saving

One of the useful features of the MIUI shell is that it can manually set a path to save conversation records, which is especially true for models with a small amount of internal memory, and you can redirect the data stream directly to the microSD card.

To do this, perform the following actions:

1. Open the Dictophone app (it is also responsible for recording calls).
2. Click on the menu icon (three dots or gear) in the upper right corner.
3. Go to the "Settings" item.
4. Find the Call Record section and select Memory to Record.
5. In the list that opens, specify “External drive” or «SD-map».

Once you change the setting, all new records will automatically be saved to the root of the memory card or to a specially created folder on it. However, it is worth remembering that the speed of the memory card affects the quality of the recording. If the card is slow, there may be delays or audio artifacts.

It is important to note that when using a memory card for system records, it is impossible to retrieve it without first turning it off in the settings, which can damage the recorder database and lose all previous records.

Customization of quality and format of audio files

The quality of the final recording depends on the selected encoding parameters. In the settings of the Dictophone application on Xiaomi and Poco smartphones, you can choose a format that will determine not only the file extension, but also its weight, as well as the intelligibility of speech.

The following options are usually available:

• 🎙️ High quality: high bit rate recording. Files take up a lot of space, but the voice is clearly heard, with minimal noise.
• 🎙️ Normal quality: Balance between file size and sound quality, optimal for everyday use.
• 🎙️ Low quality is the maximum space saving. The voice may sound deaf, there may be distortion, but the file will weigh minimally.

Also in this section, you can often find the "Write in MP3" setting, if the switch is activated, files will be easier to read on third-party devices and in USB-enabled cars, and if you want compatibility with all media players without conversion, you better leave this option on.

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The choice of MP3 format provides better compatibility with car radios and older PCs, whereas native Android formats may require conversion.

Comparison of storage formats and their characteristics

Understanding the differences between file formats will help you customize your smartphone to suit your needs. Below is a table showing the main differences between common formats used in MIUI and HyperOS.

As you can see from the table, the M4A format (often used by default in newer versions) offers better quality-size ratios. However, MP3 is better for transferring records to an interlocutor or archiving to an old computer. The AMR format is considered outdated today and is rare, mostly on very old models.

Access problems and lack of records

Users often have a situation where the conversation took place, the recording indicator worked, but the file is nowhere, and this can be caused by several factors related to the operation of the Android operating system and its security policies.

The main reasons for the disappearance of records:

• 🚫 The Limitations of Android 10+ — Google has banned apps from freely accessing the microphone during a call without the user's knowledge. On global firmware, the recording may not be kept at all or stored in a shared folder.
• 🚫 Memory overflow – if there is no free space left on the device, the system will not be able to physically create a new file, even if the recording process was visually performed.
• 🚫 Phone app failure - sometimes the recording process freezes. Cleaning up the cache of Phone and Recorder applications often solves the problem.

Also check permissions. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Recorder → Application Rights. Make sure that access to Microphone and Memory (or Files and Multimedia) is allowed. Without these rights, recording is technically impossible.

⚠️ Note: Global versions of firmware (Global) ROM) The recording function of conversations can be blocked software due to EU laws, in which case the search for the file is powerless - the recording is simply not created by the system.

If you are faced with a global firmware restriction, the only way out is to change the region in your phone settings (for example, India or Singapore) or flash to the Chinese version (CN ROM), where this feature is unlocked by default.

Transfer and backup of records

Regularly backing up important conversations is a good practice, as system files can be deleted when you reset settings or update. call_rec On a computer, the most reliable way to save history.

You can use cloud services to automate the process. Set up folder sync. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec with Google Drive, Yandex.Disk or Xiaomi Cloud. In the cloud storage settings, select the “Outload” function and specify a specific folder with call records.

When transferring files through USB-The computer can request permission to access the cable. The smartphone screen will have a pop-up window, make sure to select "Allow." If the computer can't see the folder, try switching mode. USB In the notification curtain from “Charging only” to “File transfer» (MTP).

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