Redmi smartphones have been leading the way in the affordable devices segment for many years, offering flagship-like functionality to users. One of the most popular features, especially for business people and those who often communicate at work, is automatic recording of telephone conversations. However, after updating the operating system or when you first set up a device, many owners wonder where exactly audio is stored and how to find it among the thousands of system files.
Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 S model are faced with the features of the MIUI shell, which has a specific directory structure that is different from pure Android. Understanding the logic of storage in this device is critical, since standard methods of searching through third-party file managers may not show hidden folders of the system. In this article, we will analyze in detail the path to your audio recordings, explain the differences between storage formats and answer frequent questions.
It’s worth noting that file location may vary depending on the firmware version installed and regional settings, but the basic structure remains unchanged for the entire Redmi Note 10 series.
Standard path to files in system storage
By default, all audio recordings made with Google's standard Phone app or MIUI Dialer are stored in the smartphone's internal drive. The path to them is not obvious to the beginner, since it is hidden deep in the system folders designed to run the applications. To get to the desired directory, you will need to open the built-in Explorer app or any analogue with permissions to access system files.
The main route that Redmi Note 10 S users should follow is from the root directory of the internal storage, where they must consistently navigate through folders, whose names are often written in Latin. Ignoring the register of letters or trying to find a folder with a similar name in the Russian interface can lead to an error, since the system sees the paths differently from the user.
⚠️ Note: When working with system folders, do not delete files with extensions that you do not know, even if they are in the same directory as your records.
The full path to the directory is as follows: Internal drive/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. In the file. call_rec If you're using a third-party recorder, the path may be different, like being in a folder. Android/data/Application name, but the standard function uses the system directory MIUI.
Inside the folder. call_rec File name often contains a phone number or contact name if it was saved in the address book at the time of the call.This makes navigation easier if you are looking for a specific dialogue among dozens of other records.
Features of access through the file manager
Finding records through a standard Explorer can be complicated by the fact that some files can be hidden or sorted out of alphabet. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 S owners are encouraged to use the built-in Files tool (yellow folder icon) that has the necessary permissions to display the contents of the MIUI folder. Third-party file managers can request additional permissions when first run.
If you can't see the folder sound_recorder or call_rec, Check the hidden file settings in your Explorer menu. Sometimes the system hides system directories to protect against accidental user deletion. Also, you should note that after major Android updates, the path structure may change slightly, shifting to the area. Android/media.
You can use a file search to quickly access the information you need, and type.m4a or.mp3 into the Explorer search bar, so you can weed out the extra system files and see only the audio recordings stored on the device, which is especially effective if you don't remember the exact date of the call.
- 📂 Open the Files app on the home screen.
- 📂 Select the category “Internal drive” or “Folders».
- 📂 Find and open a folder with the name MIUI.
- 📂 Move to the sound_recorder, later call_rec.
In such cases, files may be duplicated or accessed only from the relevant user profile.
Audio file formats and their compatibility
On Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi Note 10 S, conversation recordings can be saved in different formats depending on the quality settings and firmware version. The most common format in modern MIUI versions is M4A (AAC), which provides good sound quality at a relatively small file size.
Older versions of software or certain regional firmware can use MP3 or even AMR. AMR format is characterized by lower sound quality, but takes up minimum disk space, which was important for devices with low memory. On the Redmi Note 10 S with its large storage capacity, quality is given priority.
If you plan to transfer recordings to a computer or other smartphone, the M4A format is the most versatile. However, if you need to send a file through a messenger that does not support this format, conversion may be required. The built-in MIUI player does a great job of playing all supported formats without having to install codecs.
⚠️ Note: When converting files from one format to another, audio quality may be reduced or metadata such as the date and time of recording may be lost.
To listen to recordings on a Windows computer, you may need to install an additional codec or use a universal player, such as VLC Media Player, which is “omnivorous” and opens any audio formats without problems.
Why can records disappear after an update?
Configure automatic recording and storage parameters
To avoid looking for settings, Redmi Note 10 S owners should configure the Phone app correctly once, and the call recording feature is often hidden in an optional menu available during a call or in the general dialing settings, which allows you to save the dialogues automatically.
To enable automatic recording, you need to open the Phone app, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings, then look for Call Record and activate the Auto Record switch, and you can choose whether to record all calls or only certain numbers.
Path to settings:
Phone → Menu (three dots) → Settings → Call recordingThe menu also often offers a choice of recording quality, high quality will take up more space, but will provide better speech intelligibility, which is important for legal or work matters, and low quality for everyday conversations where only the essence is important.
- 🎙️ Open the settings of the "Phone" application».
- 🎙️ Go to the section "Call Recording».
- 🎙️ Enable the option "Automatic recording».
- 🎙️ Select "All Numbers" or "Selected Numbers».
It should be noted that in some regions (for example, in the EU), the recording function may be software limited or require a voice alert to the interlocutor about the recording, according to local privacy laws.
☑️ Checking the recording settings
Comparison of access paths to records
Different methods of accessing files can give different results depending on the access rights and the software used. Below is a table comparing the main ways to find and open conversation records on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 S device.
| Access method | Path/Action | Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI conductor | MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec | Direct access, all files visible | Difficult navigation for beginners |
| Dictator appendix | Tab "Records of conversations" | Convenient interface, sorting | No access to system files directly |
| File search | Enter.m4a in search | Quick, don't know the way. | Could show you extra files. |
| Computer (USB) | File Transfer Mode (MTP) | Convenient for backup | Requires cable and PC |
Using the Dictophone app (a yellow icon with a microphone) is often the easiest way to listen to it, since it already has records sorted by date and contact, but it is better to use a file manager to transfer files to another medium.
When connecting to a computer through USB-The folder cable structure is displayed exactly the same as on the phone itself, making it easy to copy the entire folder. call_rec archival.
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To quickly transfer one record to another phone, use the “Share” function directly from the call list or the Dictaphone app, selecting the messenger or Bluetooth.
Access problems and their solution
Users may experience a situation where records are no longer saved or lost in sight, often due to a lack of free space in internal storage, Android blocks the recording of new data if less than 10% of the free space is left on the disk, and regular cleaning of the cache and deleting unnecessary files will help to avoid this problem.
Another reason could be a phone app malfunction, in which case it is recommended to clear the app cache through the smartphone settings menu. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Phone → Memory → Clear cache. This action will not delete your contacts or call history, but can restore the recording function.
If you use a microSD card to store media, make sure that the voice recorder settings do not select save to an external medium if the card is unstable or has a low write speed. Redmi Note 10 S supports fast cards, but older drives may not have time to record the data stream in real time.
⚠️ Warning: Formatting a memory card or resetting your phone to factory settings without first copying the folder call_rec This will result in the permanent loss of all records.
In rare cases, antivirus or MIUI optimization programs may block microphone access for the Phone app. Check the permissions in the Privacy Protection section and make sure that access to the microphone is always allowed.
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Regular backup of the folder call_rec A cloud service or computer is the only reliable way to save important conversations forever.
Transfer and backup of records
Given the importance of some phone calls, it is recommended to back them up periodically. MIUI They allow you to configure synchronization with the Mi Cloud, but the amount of free storage is limited. For large amounts of data, it is better to use Google Drive or Yandex.Disk.
For manual transfer, it is enough to copy the folder call_rec And you keep the filename structure, which makes it easier to search later, so if you change your phone, just move that folder to the same directory on the new device, and the records will be available in the Dictator app».
You can automate the process using folder sync applications such as FolderSync or Resilio Sync. They allow you to set a rule that all new files from the conversation record folder will automatically download to your PC or to the cloud immediately after the call is completed.
- ☁️ Connect your smartphone to a Wi-Fi network.
- ☁️ Open the cloud storage application.
- ☁️ Select a folder to upload files.
- ☁️ Download files from MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec.
This approach ensures that even in the event of loss or breakdown of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 S, important audio information will remain safe and available at any time.