Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the challenge of keeping an important phone call, whether it’s a business conversation or a face-to-face conversation. However, after a call is completed, many users are lost in understanding exactly where the system saved the audio recording and how to find it quickly. Unlike some other manufacturers, MIUI has its own specifics of storing system files, which can confuse a beginner.
In this article, we will take a look at all the possible ways to search for conversation records on Redmi 9, look at standard and alternative methods of accessing them, learn how to change the default settings so that files are saved in a convenient place for you, and what to do if the folder with records is empty. Understanding the structure of folders in Android is the key to managing media on your device.
Note that file location may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI and the call app used (standard Google Phone or MIUI Dialer).We will consider both options to make the instruction universal.It is also important to remember the legislation of your country regarding recording conversations, as Redmi 9 is a global device and may have restrictions depending on the region of the firmware.
Search for records through the standard Dictophone application
The easiest and most obvious way to find a saved conversation is to use the built-in Recorder app, which in the Xiaomi ecosystem often acts as the central repository for all audio, including call recordings, unless otherwise specified. Open the app menu and find the microphone icon.
When you start the app, look at the tabs at the top of the screen or in the side menu. Usually there is a division into "Dictophone" (for voice notes) and "Phone" (for call recordings). If you only see voice notes, then the recordings of conversations are either not conducted or stored elsewhere. MIUI allows you to conveniently sort audio files by date of creation.
Why is there no recorder of calls?
Inside the list, you'll see all the available records, time-sorted, and if you click on a specific file, you can listen to it, rename it, or share it through messengers, which is the most friendly way for those who don't want to go through the file manager system folders.
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The Dictophone app in MIUI automatically aggregates call records if the function is activated in the system settings, providing a convenient player for listening.
Direct path through the file manager (Conductor)
For more advanced users who want to access files directly, use the File Manager system application. The path to files can vary depending on which application recorded the call. In most cases, two main scenarios apply to Redmi 9.
If you use Google’s standard suite of apps (which is common in global versions), the path is this: Open internal memory. → Recordings → Call_rec. It is in this folder that files with the extension are stored.m4a or.mp3. Sometimes a folder can be called simply Call or be inside a directory. Sound_rec.
In the case of using a native caller MIUI, The folder structure may look different. Often, the records can be found along the way. MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. Here, files can have the.aac extension. Knowing the exact path is critical if you plan to automate backup or sync with the cloud.
Remember that the file manager displays files in real time. If you just finished a conversation but don't see a file in the folder, try updating the file list or restarting the explorer. Caching the display in Android sometimes leads to a slight delay in the appearance of new files.
Set up automatic recording and save ways
To avoid manually searching for records, you can set up automatic recording of incoming and outgoing calls. Go to the Phone app, click three dots in the corner, and select Settings. Find Call recording.
In this menu, you can activate the "Record All Calls" function or select specific numbers from your contact list, which is especially useful for monitoring communication quality or documenting, and it often specifies a save path, although in newer versions of MIUI it can be hidden from the user for the sake of system security.
☑️ Auto-recording setup
It is important to note that in some regions (e.g. the European Union), the automatic recording function may be software-enabled or require voice notification of the recording, which is due to local privacy laws.
⚠️ Note: In some global firmware MIUI The automatic call recording feature may not be available or may not work as Google restricts it, in which case the system may require a record confirmation via speakerphone on each call.
Table: Comparison of paths to files depending on the application
Different apps use different storage standards, and here's a table that will help you navigate where to look based on what you use to make Redmi 9 calls.
| Annex | The Way to Memory | File format | Location of the folder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Phone | /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call_rec | .m4a | Recordings root folder |
| MIUI Phone | /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec | .aac | MIUI system folder |
| Third-party annexes | /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/[package_name] | .mp3 / .wav | Depends on the developer. |
| Voice recorder (voice) | /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/ | .m4a | Sound Recorder folder |
As you can see from the table, file formats also vary..m4a is more modern and delivers better quality at a smaller size, whereas.aac is the standard for audio in the Xiaomi ecosystem. If your player doesn't play the file, it may lack the right codec.
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If a standard player doesn’t open a record file, try running it via VLC Player or MX Player – these apps contain built-in codecs for all popular audio formats.
Problems with accessing folders in Android 11 and newer
Redmi 9 owners who upgraded to Android 11 or 12 may have noticed restrictions on access to system folders. Google has strengthened Scoped Storage's security policy, banning apps and even file managers from free access to certain directories, such as Android/data.
This means that when you try to navigate the path to records, you may see an empty folder or an access error message. It doesn't mean that files are deleted, they're protected by the system. To access them, you may need to grant special permissions to the file manager or use a system explorer with increased privileges.
In some cases, using a PC helps: connect the phone to the computer through USB-cable, select file transfer mode (MTP) And you can copy the audio files directly to your hard drive, and on your computer, Android's limitations often don't work, and you can freely manage your multimedia content.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to delete or rename system folders at the root of internal memory, even if the file manager gives permission to do so, which can lead to unstable operation of the Phone application or complete loss of record history.
Using cloud services for synchronization
To protect important conversations from loss when your phone breaks or resets, it is recommended to set up automatic sync with the cloud. Google Drive or Xiaomi Cloud service allows you to back up audio recordings.
To set up via Google Drive, open the Phone app, go to the settings and find the backup option. Make sure the Records of Conversations option is active, in which case files will automatically be uploaded to the hidden cloud storage folder associated with your Google account.
An alternative way is to use third-party synchronization apps like FolderSync, which allow you to set the rule: "All new files in a folder." Call_rec file Dropbox/Yandex This gives you complete control over the data and independence from the manufacturer’s ecosystem.