Have you made an important audio recording on Xiaomi but can't find it? Or have you accidentally deleted a file and want to restore it? In Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones, voice recorders can be stored in different places — it all depends on the version of MIUI, the phone model and even what application you used. In this article, we will analyze all possible options, including hidden system folders, cloud storage and third-party applications.
Xiaomi is a company that often changes the structure of file storage in new versions of firmware. MIUI 12-13 Default records were saved to the folder MIUI/sound_recorder, MIUI 14+ — already Android/media/com.miui.soundrecorder. If you don't find files in a standard place, don't panic: they're probably just moved.
It’s also important to consider that some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12) may use different recording applications, such as a standard voice recorder from Xiaomi, Google Recorder, or even Call Recorder, each of which saves files according to their own rules. Below you will find step-by-step instructions for all scenarios, including recovering deleted records.
1. Standard place of storage of records in MIUI
If you used a built-in voice recorder from Xiaomi (the application is called Sound Recorder or Sound Recorder), then the files must be in one of the following folders:
- 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/ — relevant MIUI 12-13 and older models (Redmi Note) 8, Mi 9 etc.).
- 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.miui.soundrecorder/ — standardization MIUI 14+ (For example, on Xiaomi. 12T or POCO F5).
- 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/ — alternative folder on some firmware (rarely found).
To open these folders:
- Connect your phone to your computer via USB (select File Transfer mode).
- Or use any file manager on your phone (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
- Enable the display of hidden folders in the manager settings (if the Android folder is not visible).
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If the Android/media folder doesn’t open, try copying it to your computer – some files may be locked to view directly on your phone.
File format: Records are usually saved in.m4a (AAC) or.amr (for short notes).If you don't see the extension, turn it on in the file manager settings.
2. How to find recordings through the application "Sound Recording"
The easiest way to do this is to open the voice recorder app itself, which is called the sound recording, which is usually in the Tools folder or on the home screen.
- 🔍 Flick through all the screens in the app menu.
- 🔍 Enter in the search by phone (swipe down on the home screen) the request voice recorder or sound recorder.
- 🔍 If the app is removed, install it again from the Mi App Store or Google Play (name: Mi Sound Recorder).
Inside the appendix:
- Open the Records tab (or History in English).
- Slip on any recording to listen to or share it.
- Press three points (⋮) near-record → Details to see the path to the file.
Open "Sound Record" | Check the "Records" tab | Listen to each entry | Press "Details" to the path to the file-->
If there are no records in the app but you are sure you have done them, check:
- 🗑️ Recycle bin folder inside the recorder (if the function is enabled in the settings).
- 🔄 Automatic sync with Mi Cloud (more on this below).
3.Search for records in the Mi Cloud cloud
Xiaomi automatically syncs some data to the Mi Cloud, including voice recorder recordings (if enabled).
- Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Make sure that the slider Synchronizes the sound recordings is active.
- Go to i.mi.com and log in.
- In the Devices section, select your phone → Sound recordings.
Note: files in Mi Cloud are only stored for 30 days after being deleted from your phone, and then they are deleted permanently.
| Conditions | Where to find records | Storage period |
|---|---|---|
| Synchronization enabled | Mi Cloud → section "Sound recordings" | 30 days after removal |
| Sync's off. | Local folders on the phone | Until manual removal |
| Recordings made through Google Recorder | Google Drive →"Backup copies" | No restrictions. |
If there are no records in the cloud, but sync has been enabled, try:
- 🔄 Update the Mi Cloud page in the browser (sometimes files are loaded with a delay).
- 📱 Reboot your phone and wait for the synchronization to happen again.
Yes, only Mi Cloud| Yes, Google Drive| No, I only store locally | I don't know what it is-->
4. Recordings via Google Recorder or other applications
If you have installed third-party recording apps (such as Google Voice Recorder, Easy Voice Recorder, or Call Recorder), the files will be stored in other folders:
- 🎤 Google Dictator: /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.google.android.apps.recorder/
- 📱 Easy Voice Recorder: /storage/emulated/0/Voicerecorder/ or /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/dje073.android.easyvoicerecorder/files/
- 📞 Recording calls (e.g. Cube) ACR): /storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings/
To find these folders:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the desired application (for example, Google Recorder).
- Slip on the Warehouse → Space Management → Here will be the path to the files.
Important: Some applications (like Cube ACR) encrypt recordings, and to listen to them, you need to open the file through the application itself.
How to recover records from Google Recorder if they are missing?
5. Recovery of deleted records
If you accidentally delete a record, you can try to restore it. You have 3 ways:
- Recycle bin in recorder: Open the application Recording of sound → Recycle bin icon. Files are stored there for up to 30 days.
- Recovery Programs: Use DiskDigger, Recuva (on PC) or Dumpster (if installed in advance).
- Backups: Check Mi Cloud or Google Drive (if sync was enabled).
To recover via DiskDigger:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Select the Internal Memory section (not the SD-map!).
- Mark the audio file types (.m4a,.amr,.mp3).
- Click Scan and wait for the results.
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The chances of recovery are higher if you haven't written new files to your phone after deleting it, and each new record or photo can overwrite deleted data.
⚠️ Warning: Don't save the recovered files back to your phone - copy them to your computer or cloud first.
6. Transfer of records to a computer or other device
If you find the records and you want to save them, transfer them to a computer, a flash drive, or the cloud.
- 🖥️ Through USB-cable: Connect your phone to your PC. Select File Transfer Mode (MTP). Copy the folder with the records (for example, MIUI/sound_recorder) computer.
- ☁️ Through the cloud: Upload files to Google Drive, Yandex Drive or Mi Cloud. Open the web version of the cloud on your computer and download the records.
Through messengers
- Open the record in the recorder → Share → select Telegram (you can use “Saved Messages”) or WhatsApp.
To avoid loss of records:
- 🔒 Turn off automatic cleaning in Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
- ☁️ Enable backup in Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
- 📁 Regularly transfer important records to your computer.
Call records are stored in /storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings/.