Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to save an important phone call for later listening, but after the call is over, many users can’t find the saved file in the standard menu of a gallery or music player, due to the peculiarities of the Android file system and the specific folder structure used by the MIUI shell.
Searching for audio files can be difficult because the system by default hides system directories from prying eyes. In this article, we will discuss in detail where exactly the Redmi Note 8 records are stored, how to change the way they are saved, and what nuances should be considered when updating the operating system.
The fastest way to get to the right information is using the built-in Explorer app. On Xiaomi smartphones with a shell. MIUI There's a preset algorithm for sorting data. By default, all the audio files that the system recorder creates during the call are placed in the root directory of internal memory. To find them, open the Explorer app and go to Audio. Here you'll see a folder with the name MIUI. It's inside that that's the subfolder. sound_recorder, And now — call_rec. The complete path is as follows: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. It is in this directory that files are sorted by date of creation, making it easier to find recent conversations. If you can't see the folder MIUI root, make sure that hidden files are displayed in the Explorer settings, although this is rarely required for this particular directory. ⚠️ Warning: When cleaning up memory through built-in Cleanup or Security utilities, be careful.Sometimes the system analyzer labels old conversation records as junk if they haven't been tapped for more than 30 days.
Use of Extended File Manager for a deeper analysis of the contents of the Redmi Note memory 8 It is better to use third-party tools such as Total Commander or Files by Google. MIUI Sometimes restricts access to full paths or hides some file attributes. Third-party applications allow you to see the full directory structure without restrictions. With third-party software, navigation remains the same, but you can sort files not just by date, but by size or name, which is especially useful if you need to find a specific conversation among thousands of other entries. Advanced managers also allow you to copy the path to the file to the clipboard for fast transfer. 📂 Open the file manager and go to the root of internal memory. 📂 Find the file. MIUI and enter it. 📂 Consistently open up. sound_recorder and call_rec. 📂 Select the necessary files to copy or move. 💡Use the Favorites feature in the file manager to add a folder with conversation records to the quick access.
The conversation recording function on Xiaomi allows you to flexibly configure save settings. You can choose whether to record all incoming and outgoing calls automatically or manually for each contact. These settings are located in the Phone app and affect how the file will be saved. An important parameter is the recording format. By default, MIUI uses the.m4a or.mp3 format, which are good quality at a small size. However, some firmware versions have a choice between high and standard quality. High quality takes up more space but provides better voice intelligibility. 📊 What format do you prefer to keep records in?MP3 (compatibility):M4A (quality):WAV (No compression: It doesn't matter if you want to change the settings, go to the Phone app, click three dots in the corner of the screen and select Record Settings. Here you can activate the "Write Automatically" function and select "All numbers" or "Selected numbers." Also, here is a path to a folder that can be copied.
Access issues after Android update Redmi Note users 8, Android-upgraded 11 Or, more recently, they may face a change in file system access rights. Google has tightened security policies by restricting applications from sharing folders. This can cause third-party programs to stop seeing the folder. call_rec If you upgraded your system and lost old records or stopped creating new ones, check the permissions for the Phone application. In some cases, the system may redirect the save path to a secure area. Android/data, What to do if the folder is empty after updating?If the folder is empty after updating, try restarting the device. Sometimes indexing media files gets lost. Go to Settings → Annexes → All applications → Media storage → Clear the data. This will trigger re-indexing, but won't delete your files. MIUI Android version Location of folder Access Features MIUI 10 Android 9 /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec Full access MIUI 11 Android 10 /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec Full access MIUI 12/13 Android 11/12 /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec Permission is required “All files» MIUI 14 Android 13+ /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec Strict access control
Sometimes users accidentally delete important conversations or can’t find them due to indexing failure. MIUI There's a recycle bin, but it doesn't work for all file types directly in Explorer, but if a record has been deleted recently, you can try to recover it through cloud services or special utilities. It is worth checking the folder.Trash or Recycle Bin in the same file manager, if you deleted files through it. For the system basket voice recorder, the path may be different. It is also worth looking into the cloud Xiaomi Cloud, if you had voice recorder sync enabled. 🔍 Check the folder “Recently deleted” in the Dictator app». 🔍 Sign in to your Xiaomi Cloud account via your browser. 🔍 Use a PC to search for files with extension.m4a memorylessly. ⚠️ Note: Do not write new data to your phone immediately after you discover file loss. New information can overwrite memory sectors where deleted audio files were physically located, making recovery impossible. ☑️ Checking synchronization settings Open Phone Settings:Select Xiaomi account:Find Sync:Make sure Dictaphone is enabled: 0 / 1
To save the archive of conversations, it is recommended to regularly transfer them to an external medium. 8 computer-to-computer USB-cable, select file transfer mode (MTP) and copy the contents of the folder call_rec It's the most reliable way. The alternative is to use cloud storage, like Google Drive or Yandex.Disk. You can set up the contents of the conversation record folder to be automatically uploaded to the cloud. /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec tracked. 💡Regular backup of conversation records on a PC is the only way to guarantee their safety when a smartphone breaks or is reset to factory settings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did the recordings disappear after the firmware update?
When you update MIUI or Android, you sometimes reset your paths to your media library. Try rebooting your device. If that doesn't work, check if the path in the voice recorder settings has changed. In rare cases, files can be moved to a new system folder and searched again through file extension search.
Can I change the format of the recording to WAV for better quality?
The MIUI standard on the Redmi Note 8 format choice is often limited to M4A or MP3. WAV format may not be available in the standard Phone app. Uncompressed recording will require installing a third-party application to record calls from Google Play, which has its own codec settings.
Where are the records stored if I use them? SIM-card?
The mobile operator does not affect the location of the files. the recording is made by the device itself and stored in the internal memory of the smartphone along the standard path. /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec, regardless of which SIM-card is active at the moment.
How to turn on the default call record for all numbers?
Open the Phone app, click on three dots (menu) and select Record settings. Activate the Record Auto Settings switch and select All Numbers. Now, every incoming and outgoing call will be saved without you.