Where are the recordings of conversations on Xiaomi Redmi 8

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the need to keep an important conversation, whether it's a business arrangement or an order confirmation.The Redmi 8 model, despite its age, remains popular due to its stable operation, but finding recorded files in the MIUI shell can cause difficulties for beginners. The standard folder structure in Android has its own features that vary depending on the system version.

By default, the system stores audio tracks in hidden directories so as not to clutter the main storage. To access them, the user needs to know the exact path or use built-in navigation tools. In this article, we will discuss in detail where to look for files, how to change their location, and what to do if records are not created automatically.

It's critical to understand that starting with Android 9 and up, Google's security policy restricts apps' direct access to the microphone during a call, which affects how third-party recorders work. So the built-in MIUI mechanism is the most reliable solution for this. Let's look at all the methods available to search and manage audio files.

Standard path to files through Explorer

The easiest way to find a saved conversation is to use the built-in file manager. On Xiaomi devices, it is called Explorer and has a characteristic yellow folder icon. When you open the application, the system by default suggests moving to the Audio category, where all audio files, including music and voice recordings, are collected.

But for system call records, the path is often deeper, and you need to go to the device's storage and open folders sequentially. MIUI, later sound_recorder. This is where the subdirectory lies. call_rec, And that's where all your dialogs are stored.m4a or.mp3 and named in the format of the date and time of the call.

If you don't see the MIUI folder at the root of the memory, make sure that hidden files are enabled in the Explorer settings. Sometimes the system hides the system directories to prevent accidental deletion of important data, and it's worth checking if the Explorer application's memory access is disabled in the privacy settings.

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Use the search inside the Explorer by entering Β«call_recΒ» or file extension to instantly find the right folder without wandering through directories manually.

It is important to note that the structure of the paths may vary slightly depending on the version. MIUI. On newer updates, the record folder can be taken to the root of internal memory under the name Record or Sound_recorder. Always check both locations if you can’t find files at the primary address.

Search through the Dictator app

The second, and often more convenient, method is to use the regular Dictaphone app, which, unlike a simple file manager, sorts records by category, making navigation much easier. On the home screen, you'll see tabs, one of which will be called "All" or have a phone-to-phone icon.

Going to the conversation record section, you'll see a list of all the saved dialogs, sorted by date, and you can not only listen to the file, but also do various things with it: rename, send via messenger or delete, which is especially convenient when you need to quickly find a specific conversation among dozens of other files.

  • πŸ“ž Listening: Click on the file to play it directly in the app.
  • βœ‚οΈ Editing: Cut off unnecessary parts of the conversation with the built-in editor.
  • πŸ“€ Export: Send recording via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or save to the cloud.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Delete: Clean up memory by removing unnecessary dialogs in a batch.

The app also allows you to add important entries to your favorites so that they don't get lost in the general list, so you just need to pinch the file with your finger and select the appropriate option from the menu, which is a useful feature for those who are actively communicating over the phone.

Hidden sorting function
In the Dictaphone app, you can change the order of the files, click three dots in the corner of the screen and select "Sort." You can choose by name, date of creation, duration or file size, which helps you quickly find the longest or most recent conversations.

Set up automatic recording of conversations

To avoid searching for a recording button every time an incoming call is made, Redmi 8 allows you to set up automatic saving of all dialogs, which eliminates the risk of forgetting to press the recording button in a stressful situation, and you can activate it through the settings of the phone application.

Open the Caller and tap the three dots or gear in the corner of the screen to enter the settings menu. Find the Call Record section. Here you will have multiple switches available. Turn on Auto Record option, and the system will start saving every call you make and leave without you.

β˜‘οΈ Auto-recording setup

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There is also the option to record only certain numbers, which is true if you need to control communication with specific customers or support services without filling the memory with unnecessary files, select the option β€œWrite down selected numbers” and add contacts from the phone book to the whitelist.

⚠️ Warning: When you turn on automatic recording, the person may hear an audible beep or a voice alert that the conversation is being recorded, depending on the regional settings and firmware version.

Changing the conservation path SD-map

Redmi 8's internal memory is often limited to 32 or 64 gigabytes, which is quickly filled when used actively. Audio recordings, while taking up a bit of space, can be a problem in large volumes. Fortunately, the system allows you to transfer the storage of records to a microSD memory card.

To do this, go back to the conversation record settings mentioned above, find the Write Folder or Storage Location, and the system will tell you to choose between internal memory and the storage. SD-Once switched, all new records will automatically be saved to an external drive.

This action will not transfer existing files, so old records will have to be copied manually through Explorer, but new dialogues will no longer take up precious space of the system, which will positively affect the speed of the smartphone.

ParameterInternal memory.SD-map
Speed of accessTall.Depends on the class of the card.
Risk of data lossLow.Medium (on extraction)
Storage volumeLimited.Up to 256GB
Impact on the systemCould slow down the phone.It doesn't.
πŸ“Š Where do you prefer to keep records?
In the internal memory: SD-Map: Cloud storage: I don't record conversations

Recording problems and their solution

Users may experience a situation where a conversation is not recorded or the file is not saved, most often due to a lack of space or software conflict, and if the memory is crowded, the system blocks the creation of new files.

Another reason could be the use of third-party calling apps like Google Phone or Viber. Xiaomi's built-in recording feature only works with native "Caller." If you set up a different dial from the Play Market, the record may not be activated due to Android security limitations.

  • πŸ”‹ Energy saving: Check if the Dictophone app is not worth the list of limited background processes.
  • πŸ“± Updates: Make sure the Phone app is updated to the latest version via GetApps.
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Permissions: Check if the app has access to microphone and storage.
  • πŸ”„ Reboot: Banal device restart often solves temporary software glitches.

Also, consider that some carriers or specific VoLTE codecs may affect or block recording quality, and in such cases, it is recommended to temporarily switch to a standard 3G network to check the functionality.

⚠️ Note: Using modified versions of the system or obtaining root rights may lead to unstable operation of the recording function and loss of warranty service.

Using the call recording function, it is important to remember the laws of your country: in the Russian Federation, recording your own conversation, where you are one of the interlocutors, is usually not prohibited, unless this data is distributed publicly without the consent of the other party.

However, publishing the record online, sharing it with third parties, or using it as evidence in court may require certain procedures, such as notarizing the file or confirming its integrity.

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Recording a conversation for personal use is usually legal, but posting or sharing it with third parties without the consent of the interlocutor may violate the law on personal data.

In business correspondence, it is a good practice to warn the interlocutor that the conversation is being recorded, which helps to avoid misunderstandings and maintain trust between partners, and always evaluate the feasibility of recording before you start.

Can I recover deleted recordings of conversations?
Recovery is only possible if you have a backup of the system (Mi Cloud or Google Drive) made before the removal. Third-party data recovery programs with Android work with varying success and require root rights, which can be dangerous for the average user.
Why are conversation records not synced to Mi Cloud?
Xiaomi's cloud service syncs contacts, photos and notes by default, but voice recorder audio files are often excluded from standard sync to save space. Check your cloud settings and make sure you choose a storage extension or manual file upload.
What is the format of the Redmi 8?
Modern versions of MIUI use the.m4a format (AAC codec), which provides good quality with a small file size. Older versions of the system could use.mp3 or.amr. The.m4a format is played by most modern players and instant messengers.
How to record a conversation in Viber or WhatsApp on Xiaomi?
The regular call recording function on Xiaomi does not work with Internet calls (VoIP). To record conversations in messengers, you need to use a separate voice recorder application with the function of recording sound from the internal speaker, however, this may violate the security policy of messengers.