Where on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro are stored phone records: a complete guide to finding and managing files

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro is a useful feature for recording important conversations, interviews or business agreements. However, many users face the problem: where exactly these audio files are stored, how to find them in the maze of smartphone folders, and can you transfer recordings to another medium? In this article, we will analyze all possible storage locations, including standard and alternative paths, and also explain how to avoid data loss when resetting or updating firmware.

The peculiarity of Redmi 8 Pro (codenamed olivewood) is that the location of records can depend on the version of MIUI, the recording application used, and even regional settings. For example, in Chinese firmware, the path to files is often different from the global versions. We analyzed all the options and collected relevant information for different scenarios, from the standard application “Recording conversations” to third-party solutions like Cube Call Recorder or ACR.

It's important to understand that conversation records are sensitive data, and their storage is regulated by privacy laws. In some countries, recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited, so use this feature responsibly. Now let's move on to the practice of where and how to search for files on your device.

The standard MIUI conversation recorder app: where to look for files

By default, Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro uses a built-in Call Recorder app that automatically saves audio files to a secure folder.

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

To open this folder:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (in File Transfer mode).
2. Or use any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Total Commander).
3. Click the path above, and you’ll find.amr or.mp3 files with a date and time in the title.

Note that in some versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 12.5 and later), the folder may be hidden. To see it, turn on the hidden files in the file manager settings, and the records may be duplicated in /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/, depending on the regional firmware.

💡

If you can't see the folder call_rec, Try to make a test recording of a conversation – sometimes the system creates a directory only after the first use of the function.

• 📁 Main folder: /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — Here are stored records made by the standard application.
• 🔄 An alternative path: /Recordings/ — may contain duplicates or records from other applications.
• 🔒 Hidden Files: If the folder is not displayed, check the visibility settings in the file manager.
• 📱 Access via the app: the recordings themselves can be listened directly to in the “Talk Records” (the microphone icon in the phone book).

File Formats and Names: How to Recognize Records Among Other Audio

Records of conversations on Redmi 8 Pro are saved in one of two formats:

• .amr is a compressed format with low bitrate (saving space, but worse quality).
• .mp3 is better, but takes up more memory (found in newer versions of MIUI).

File names usually follow a pattern:

call_rec_[date]_[time]_[phone number].amr

Example: call_rec_20260515_143022_+79123456789.amr — This is a record from 15 may 2026 yearly 14:30 numbered +7 912 345-67-89.

If you downloaded a third-party recording app (such as ACR or Boldbeast), the format and storage path may differ. For example, Boldbeast defaults to save files to:

/storage/emulated/0/Boldbeast Call Recorder/

How to export your Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro records to PC or cloud

Transferring the recordings to another medium is an important step if you plan to reset your smartphone to factory settings or free up your memory. Here are three reliable ways to do this:

1. Through USB-cable: Connect Redmi 8 Pro to the computer. Select file transfer mode (MTP). Copy the folder with the records (for example, /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/) hard-drive.
2. By Wi-Fi (using applications): Install FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer. Enable Remote Access (usually in the Network or Wi-Fi menu) in the app. Download files to your PC via your browser by entering the specified IP-address.

Cloud services:

• Upload the recordings to Google Drive, Yandex.Disk or Mi Cloud (if synchronization is enabled).
• To download automatically, use the AutoSync app (configured to the entries folder).

Make a backup copy of contacts|Check the free space on the target medium|Make sure that the files are not damaged (listen to several records)|Disable recording of new conversations during copying-->

Important: When you copy over USB, some files with the.amr extension may not open on your PC, in which case rename them to.mp3 or use a player that supports AMR (for example, VLC Media Player).

⚠️ Note: If you are using Mi Cloud for backup, make sure that the conversation record sync feature is enabled in your Xiaomi account settings. By default, it can be disabled due to storage limitations.

Why records may be lost and how to prevent it

Redmi 8 Pro users often experience a situation where old records suddenly disappear.The reasons may be as follows:

• 🧹 Autocleaning: MIUI has the function of “cleaning up garbage” (Settings) → Memory. → Cleaning up) that can delete old audio files.
• 🔄 Update firmware: with major updates (for example, with MIUI 11 on MIUI 12) the system sometimes resets application settings, including recording conversations.
• 📱 Memory Lack: If the device has less than 10% of the available space, MIUI Starts deleting temporary files, including records.
• 🚫 Factory reset: Without backup, all local records will be lost.

To avoid data loss:

1. Turn off automatic cleaning for the records folder: go to Settings → Memory. → Cleanup → Settings and add /MIUI/sound_recorder/ excepted.
2. Move your recordings to your PC or cloud regularly (see previous section).
3. Use third-party auto-export apps (for example, ACR can send email or Dropbox entries).

⚠️ Note: If you are using a two-sim mode on Redmi 8 Pro, records from different SIM-The cards can be stored in separate subfolders (for example, call_rec_sim1/ and call_rec_sim2/). Keep this in mind when searching or backing up.

How to turn on or off recording conversations on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro

If the recording function is disabled or you want to configure its parameters, follow this instruction:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the "Recording of conversations" section (in some firmware it is called "Auto-Recording").
4. Turn on the “Write All Conversations” switch or select “Write Only Selected” (for manual control).
5. Set up the recording format (AMR or MP3) and sound quality (if available).

To disable the function, just return the switch to the “Off” position in the same menu. Please note that in some regions (for example, in India), the default recording of conversations is disabled due to legal restrictions, in which case you will need to install a third-party application from Google Play.

If the phone’s settings don’t have a “Recording conversations” item, it could mean:

• You have firmware installed without this feature (e.g. MIUI for the European Region).
• The function is hidden by the carrier (often found on devices purchased from mobile providers).
• The application was disabled through Settings → Applications → Application Management.

💡

The standard MIUI recording application does not work on all operators. If the recording function does not occur after you turn on, try third-party software or check support with your provider.

Third-party applications for recording: pros and cons

If the built-in recording feature is not comfortable (for example, due to poor sound quality or lack of support for your operator), consider alternative applications.

When choosing a third-party application, consider:

• 🔒 Security: Check the application permissions (access to microphone, contacts, storage).
• 📶 Operator Compatibility: Some applications do not work with VoLTE or specific networks (e.g, MTS or Beeline in Russia).
• 💾 Storage: Find out where records are stored (locally or in the cloud) and how to export them.

To install third-party apps, you may need permission to “Unknown Sources” (if you are not downloading APK from Google Play). To enable it, go to Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Install Unknown Apps and select a browser or file manager.

Legal aspects of recording telephone conversations

Before using the recording function, please read the laws of your country, and in most countries, recording conversations is only permitted with the consent of the interlocutor.

• 🇷🇺 Article 23 of the Constitution and Article 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation states that recording a conversation without consent is allowed only if you are a participant in it (but not for distribution).
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine: consent of all parties is required (Article 31 of the Constitution).
• 🇪🇺 EU (GDPR): Recording without consent is considered a violation of the protection of personal data.
• 🇺🇸 In most states, one-party consent is sufficient, but in some states (such as California) all consent is required.

Recommendations for the legal use of the record:

1. Always notify the person about the recording (e.g., “The conversation is being recorded to record the information. Do you mind?”).
2. Do not distribute the records to third parties without the consent of the participants.
3. Keep records in a secure place (such as an encrypted archive).
4. Delete records after they have expired (especially if they contain personal data).

⚠️ Note: if you do business and record conversations with customers, be sure to include this in your company’s privacy policy and obtain written consent, otherwise you may be fined for violating data protection laws (for example, under Art. 13.11 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation in Russia).

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro