Where Xiaomi Stores Call Records: All Possible Access Paths

Introduction: Why Call Records Are “Hidden” in the System

Have you turned on a recording of a conversation on Xiaomi, but now you can't find a file? Or accidentally deleted an important audio file and want to restore it? The problem is that the calls in MIUI firmware are not always stored in obvious folders - their location depends on the system version, smartphone model and even regional settings. Moreover, after updates, paths can change, and some files are even "hidden" in protected memory areas.

In this article, we will look at all possible locations for storing call records on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, from standard folders to system directories only available through ADB or file managers with root permissions, and learn how to extract records from a locked phone and what to do if files are lost after resetting.

Standard folders for calling records in MIUI

In most cases, the call records are stored in one of three folders of internal memory, and their location depends on the MIUI version and device model:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/CallRecord/ — mainfolder MIUI 12–14 For most models (Xiaomi) 12/13, Redmi Note 11/12, POCO F4/F5).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — Alternative path in older versions (MIUI 10–11).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Downloads/CallRecordings/ — if the recording was saved through third-party applications (for example, Cube Call Recorder).

To check these folders:

1. Open any file manager (e.g. Files by Google or built-in MI File Manager).
2. Go to the internal memory section (not to be confused with the internal memory section). SD-card).
3. Enable the display of hidden files (include) MI File Manager: ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files).

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If you don’t have a Recordings or CallRecord folder, try recording a test call – the system can create a directory automatically.

⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. the EU), the default call recording feature is disabled due to privacy laws. → Annexes → Phone. → Record calls and enable the automatic recording option.

Where to look for records if they are not in standard folders

If there are no files in the above directories, the reasons may be as follows:

1. Records are saved to the cloud (for example, in Mi Cloud or Google Drive when synchronized).
2. Files are hidden by the system and are only accessible through ADB or root.
3. The recording was done by a third-party application (such as ACR or Boldbeast) that saves files in its folder.
4. The device uses dual-app (app cloning), and records are stored in an isolated environment.

Check out the following non-obvious places:

⚠️ Attention: Folders in the section /data/ Inaccessible without root rights. Attempting to access them through a standard file manager can cause the application to crash. MI File Manager.

How to find records through ADB (without root)

If files don’t appear in standard folders, but you’re sure they were recorded, you can try extracting them via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that works even without superuser rights, but requires you to connect your phone to a PC.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on the phone Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap the build number → return to Additional → For developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line:

adb shell


ls /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/




ls /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/




ls /data/user/0/com.android.server.telecom/files/

If files are found, copy them to the PC:

adb pull /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/CallRecord/ C:\CallRecords\

Install ADB Tools on PC|

Enable debugging over USB on your phone |

Connect the phone with the original cable |

Check the availability of folders through the ls command-->

⚠️ Attention: ls teams /data/ If you don't root, you'll get Permission denied back. Don't try to get around this restriction through su, because on non-rooted devices, it'll lock you. MIUI.

Recovery of Deleted Call Records

If the records were deleted, you can try to restore them with specialized utilities, and success depends on how long it has been since the deletion and how actively the phone's memory was used.

Recovery methods:

• 🔄 Through Mi Cloud: If sync was enabled, check the Recycle Bin in the Cloud (Settings) → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → The files are stored there for up to 30 days.
• 💾 PC software: DiskDigger, Recuva or EaseUS MobiSaver (requires phone connection in mode) MTP).
• 📱 Mobile applications: Dumpster (works as a recycle bin for deleted files) or GT Recovery (requires root).

The algorithm for DiskDigger:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Start DiskDigger and select the phone drive.
3. Specify the search format:.amr,.mp3 or.m4a (standard MIUI record formats).
4. Start scanning. Save the recovered files to your PC.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install recovery software on the phone itself, this can overwrite deleted records.

How to Retrieve Records from a Locked Phone

If your phone is locked (forgot your password, pattern lock, or Mi Account) but you need to get call records urgently, there are several ways to do this:

1. Through Mi Cloud: If sync has been enabled, records can be in the cloud. log in to your Xiaomi account from another device and check the Call Records section.

The command to retrieve records via Fastboot (if the /data partition is not encrypted):

fastboot pull /data/media/0/Recordings/CallRecord/

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If your phone is locked but USB debugging is enabled, the chances of retrieving records without losing data are much higher. Always activate this option in advance!

Security: How to Protect Records from Unauthorized People

Call records may contain confidential information, so it is important to protect them:

• 🔒 Encryption: Transfer records to an encrypted container (such as Cryptomator or VeraCrypt).
• 🚫 Restriction of access: B MIUI You can hide the Recordings folder through Settings → Privacy → Hidden folders.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Upload records to a secure cloud (like Proton Drive or Tresorit) and delete local copies.
• 📱 Third-party apps: Use Signal or Telegram to transfer records – they support end-to-end encryption.

⚠️ Note: In some countries (e.g. Russia and the EU), recording calls without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited by law. Keeping such records may entail legal liability.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi call records