Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to save an important conversation, whether it’s a business conversation or clarifying details with a telecom operator. Xiaomi 9T, known for its powerful stuffing and clean MIUI system, has built-in functionality for this, but finding saved files is not always easy. The shell user interface can hide obvious folders, and Android security policy periodically changes the ways to access system data.
Searching for audio recordings becomes especially relevant when you need to quickly play an agreement or provide evidence in a controversial situation. Standard Explorer in the MIUI system has its own sorting logic, which is different from the classic Android file manager. Understanding this structure will help you not waste time searching chaoticly across all the directories of the device.
In this article, we will take a look at all the possible locations where your record can be stored and explain how to change default settings. You will learn about the hidden features of the call recorder and how to automate the process. This guide is relevant for both global firmware versions and Chinese builds.
Standard path in system conductor
The fastest way to get to a file is to use the Explorer app, which is preinstalled on every Xiaomi device. By default, the system creates a special folder for audio files generated during calls. To find it, open the application and go to the Audio or Record category. This often aggregates all audio files, including voice notes and ringtones.
However, if you are interested in the technical path to a file for copying or transferring it to a computer, you will need a Files tab (or Internal Memory). MIUI It's strictly hierarchical. You need to open the folder consistently. MIUI, later sound_recorder. It is here that all records made by the regular means of the system are stored.
Inside this directory you will see files with extension.m4a or.mp3, Named according to the date and time of the call, if you can't find the folder. sound_recorder, You may have a newer version of Android installed (11 or 12), where Google changed access policies, in which case the system can move the records to a secure area.
⚠️ Note: When connecting the phone to the computer USB-cable in "File Transfer" mode" (MTP), Some system folders may be hidden or read-only. Full access to the file system may require debugging. USB.
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If you often transfer records to your computer, create a folder shortcut sound_recorder In the selected guide for instant access.
For ease of navigation, remember the full path, which looks as follows:
/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/This is where the file system stores the original records, and if you delete the file from here, it will disappear from the call history, and be careful when manually cleaning this folder, so that important information is not accidentally deleted.
Search through the application Phone and voice recorder
You don't have to go into the wilds of the file system every time you listen to a conversation. The MIUI shell integrates access to records directly into the dialing interface. Open the Phone app (green handset) and find the contact you want in the call log. There's often a small voice recorder icon or a text note next to or below the number that indicates the record.
When you click on this icon or select "Listen to the recording" in the details of the call, you immediately start playing, which is the most convenient way to quickly check the content of the conversation. In addition, there is a separate tab called "Telephone" in the Dictaphone app, and if you switch to it, you will see a list of all recorded calls, sorted by date.
The Xiaomi 9T Dictaphone app has advanced functionality, allowing you not only to listen, but also to edit files: crop the beginning and end where the beeps are heard, and also mark important moments.
If you use third-party calling apps (e.g. from Google instead of the standard MIUI Dialer), the path to records may be different, in which case records are often stored along the way:
/storage/emulated/0/Call/or
/storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/Set up automatic call recording
To avoid worrying about manually turning on a record during an important conversation, Xiaomi 9T lets you set up automatic mode.This is especially useful when the call catches you by surprise and you don't have time to press the record button. To activate this feature, go to the Phone app, click on the three dots in the top corner and select Settings.
In the menu that opens, find Call Record. You can have flexible settings. You can turn on all incoming and outgoing calls, or select only certain numbers. The system will save files to the folder described above. sound_recorder.
☑️ Auto-recording setup
It is important to note that in some regions (e.g. the European Union) due to strict privacy laws, the automatic recording function can be blocked software, in which case, when you try to turn on an auto record, the system will warn the interlocutor with a voice message that the conversation is being recorded.
You can also choose the recording format in the settings, compression options are available that affect sound quality and space, and for maximum clarity, choose high quality, but remember that audio files will take up more space in internal memory.
Access and rights issues in Android 11/12/13
With the release of new versions of the Android operating system (starting with version 11), Google has significantly tightened the rules for app access to the file system, which also affected owners of Xiaomi 9T, who received the update, and now applications can not simply read the contents of folders of other applications without special permission.
If you have installed a third-party file manager (e.g., Total Commander or FX File Explorer and you can't see the folder MIUI/sound_recorder, The problem is access rights, and the system blocks the contents of this directory from being viewed by third-party software for security reasons.
To get around this limitation, you'll need to give the file manager special permissions, and the first time you try to access it, the system will redirect you to settings where you'll need to click "Allow File Management" or "Use this folder." Without this procedure, you'll only see the empty folder or you won't see it at all.
| Android version | Access to third-party applications | Location of records | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android 9 / 10 | Full access | /MIUI/sound_recorder/ | No. |
| Android 11 | Permission required | /MIUI/sound_recorder/ | Hidden folders |
| Android 12/13 | Strict access | /Android/data/... | Limited viewing |
Why does Google restrict access?
Using cloud services for storage
Talk recordings can take up a significant amount of memory, especially if you are actively communicating in voice format.To avoid overflowing internal storage Xiaomi 9T, it is recommended to configure synchronization with cloud services, which also serves as an excellent insurance against loss or breakage of the smartphone.
The built-in Xiaomi Cloud (Mi Cloud) service allows you to automatically upload recordings of the recorder to the cloud. To do this, go to Settings → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud → Synchronization and make sure that the slider opposite the point Dictaphone is activated.
An alternative is Google Drive or other cloud storage if you set up automatic downloading of folder content. sound_recorder However, native support for Mi Cloud in this regard works more stable and does not require the installation of additional software.
⚠️ Attention: Free cloud space is limited (usually 5GB).If you record hundreds of hours of conversations, the space can run out quickly. Regularly check cloud occupancy and archive old files on your computer.
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Automatic cloud sync is the only reliable way to save records when your phone is reset to factory settings or physically lost.
Third-party recording applications
Xiaomi’s regular tools are powerful, but sometimes they don’t have the functionality, such as recording calls via messengers (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram), which a standard voice recorder can’t do, and in such cases, Google Play apps like Call Recorder – ACR, TapeACall or Blackbox come to the rescue.
These applications create their own folders for storing files, and they're usually at the root of internal memory and are named after the developer, like /ACR/ or /CallRecorder/. The way to them is standard: Internal Memory → NameFolders.
It's important to understand that on newer versions of Android, third-party recorders are limited, that they can only record your voice (through a microphone), and that the voice of the interlocutor will be silent or absent, a kernel-level limitation that is difficult to get around without root rights.
- 📱 Call Recorder - ACR: One of the most popular options, supports many formats and has flexible rules for different contacts.
- 🎙️ TapeACall: Works through conferencing, allowing you to bypass some software locks, but requires a paid subscription.
- 🔒 Blackbox: Known for its minimalist design and attempts to circumvent the limitations of Android 10+ through special accessibility services.
When using third-party software, carefully monitor permissions, the application will need access to microphone, contacts and memory, without granting all the rights requested, the correct operation of the program is impossible.