Have you recorded an important conversation on Xiaomi but can't find the file? Or do you suspect someone is secretly recording your calls? In phones running MIUI, audio files can be stored in non-obvious places, from the standard Dictaphone app to hidden system folders. In this article, we will analyze all possible locations where Xiaomi stores conversation records, including little-known nuances for different models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11, etc.).
It's important to understand that the storage location depends on how the recording was made.
- 📱 Built-in Dictaphone application (official recording)
- 🔊 Automatic call recording (function) MIUI)
- 🛠️ Third-party programs (e.g. Cube Call Recorder)
- 🔍 Hidden System Processes (Rarely, but Related)
If you don't find the entry in obvious places, don't panic. It's probably just hidden in a different directory or has a non-standard name. Next, we'll analyze each option with step-by-step instructions and screenshots (for MIUI 14 and later).
1. Standard place: Dictophone application folder
The most obvious option is to check the built-in Xiaomi Recorder. Even if you haven't used it directly, some models (Redmi Note 11 Pro+, POCO F4) automatically store call records here.
How to find it:
- Open the Dictaphone app (the microphone icon on the desktop or in the application menu).
- Go to the Records tab – all audio files sorted by date are displayed here.
- If there's no record, tap on it. ⋮ → Display hidden files (in some versions) MIUI This option is hidden).
The files are stored in the folder:
/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/Or (for older versions of MIUI):
/storage/emulated/0/Recorder/⚠️ Note: If the folder is empty but you are sure that the recording was made, check the settings of the Dictaphone application. In some regions (for example, in the EU), Xiaomi defaults to disabling the retention of records due to privacy laws. To enable the feature, go to Settings of the Dictaphone → Auto-recording → Allow conservation. 📊 Have you ever lost an important entry on Xiaomi?Yes, and never found Yes, but restored No, always find Not recording conversations 2. Automatic call recording: where MIUI Automatic call recording is available on most Xiaomi devices (except models for the European market), but the files of such records are stored separately from manual recordings in the Recorder: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ Features: 📁 Files are named by template: call_[telephone number] [date].amr or.mp3. 🔇 In some firmware, records are encrypted – they cannot be listened to without special applications. 📱 Nana POCO And the global versions of Redmi folder can be called CallRecords. If the folder is not, check if the recording function is enabled: Open the phone. → ⋮ → Settings → Record calls. Make sure the switch Auto Record is active. Choose which calls to record: All, Outgoing or Incoming only. Open the Phone app"|Go to "Settings" → "Recording calls"|Insert the option "Self-recording"|Select the type of recorded calls|Check the permissions for the microphone--> 3. Third-party apps: where to look for Cube Call Recorder records, ACR If you use third-party software to record calls (e.g. Cube Call Recorder, ACR, Boldbeast, files are stored in folders of these applications — MIUI frequently blocks access to the microphone during a call due to privacy policy. Typical paths for popular applications: App Way to Record Cube Call Recorder File Format /storage/emulated/0/CubeBackup/.mp3,.amr ACR (Another Call Recorder) /storage/emulated/0/ACR/.mp3,.ogg Boldbeast Call Recorder /storage/emulated/0/Boldbeast Recorder/.mp3,.wav Call Recorder by Lovekesh /storage/emulated/0/CallRecorder/.If the folder is empty, but the record was definitely: 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes files appear after a reboot. 📲 Check the permissions of the application: Settings → Annexes → [Title of the programme] → Permits → Microphone, Warehouse, Telephone must be included. 🔍 Use a file manager with root rights (for example, FX File Explorer to see hidden files. ⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 13+ Many call recording apps have stopped working due to Google's restrictions on accessing the microphone during a call. If your app doesn’t record, try Boldbeast in Alsa mode (setting in the program menu). 4. Hidden System Folders: Where MIUI It hides Xiaomi records backups sometimes backups records in system folders, especially if you're using Xiaomi Cloud or Backup. These files are not visible in the standard file manager: /data/com.miui.soundrecorder/ /data/user/0/com.android.providers.media/ /data/media/0/MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ How to access: Install a root-enabled file manager (like Root Explorer or Solid Explorer). Enable hidden and system files in the manager settings. Follow the path above and look for files with.bak,.tmp or.enc extensions. /data/ can be encrypted. To recover them, you will need a backup of the encryption keys (it can only be extracted with root access). /data/ If you do not have root rights, but have a backup MIUI (file with the.mbk extension, you can try to extract the records using the MiBackupExtractor utility (available on GitHub: 1. Copy the backup file on the PC. 2. Install Python 3.8+ and the library of pycryptodome. 3. Launch the command: Python mi_backup_extractor.py -i backup.mbk -o output_folder 4. In a file. output_folder look for files in /MIUI/sound_recorder/. 5. Cloud Storage: Synchronize Records with Mi Cloud and Google Drive If your Xiaomi enabled sync with the cloud, records could automatically download to the cloud: 🌥️ Mi Cloud (if backup of the recorder is enabled) 📁 Google Drive (if you use Android Backup) ☁️ Dropbox or OneDrive (if you have set up automatic download through third-party apps) How to check Mi Cloud: Open Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud. Select Recorder or Other Data. Click Restore, the records will appear in the folder. /MIUI/sound_recorder/restored/. For Google Drive: Go to drive.google.com from the same account you have on your phone. Search for type:audio. Filter files by date of creation. ⚠️ Note: In Mi Cloud, records are stored only 30 days if you have a free account, and then they're automatically deleted. To save files forever, download them to your PC or transfer them to another cloud. 💡If you regularly record important conversations, set up automatic download to Google Drive via the AutoSync app. This will protect files even when you reset your phone. 6 Recover deleted records: what to do if there are no files If you delete the record or it is missing after the update MIUI, Try the following recovery methods: Method 1: Checking the basket B MIUI 12+ Deleted files from the Recorder are put in the Recycle Bin and stored there for 15 days. → Recycle Bin (icon in upper right corner) Select the desired file and click Restore. Method 2: Recovery Programs If files are permanently deleted, use utilities: 📱 DiskDigger (for Android, no root required) 💻 Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery (for PCs, if you connect your phone as a storage device) 🔧 Dr.Fone (paid but with high recovery chance) 3: If the record is critical, you can try to extract it from the phone's memory dump. -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab Use Android Backup Extractor to extract files.Look for audio files in folders /data/data/com.miui.soundrecorder/. 💡The faster you start recovery, the better the chances of returning the record. Once deleted, files remain in the phone's memory until the new data overwrites them. Do not install new apps or shoot videos./foto recover! 7. How to Protect Records from Loss: 5 Workable Ways to Avoid Losing Important Records in the Future: Auto boot to the cloud Set up a Recorder Sync with Mi Cloud or Google Drive: Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization of data → Export to PC Regularly copy folder /MIUI/sound_recorder/ computer MTP or FTP-server, FX File Explorer. Use reliable applications. Boldbeast (even works on the computer) is better for recording calls. MIUI 14) or ACR with backup setup. Turn off battery optimization Go to Settings. → Annexes → Dictaphone → Battery → Without limits, otherwise. MIUI It can nail an application while you're recording. Backup through adb Periodically execute the command: adb pull /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/ ~/Desktop/Recordings_Backup It'll copy all the records to a folder. Recordings_Backup desktop. Frequent questions (FAQ) Can you record calls to Xiaomi without notifying the other person?In most countries, recording calls without notifying them violates privacy laws. MIUI For European models, Redmi Note 12 5G EU, Xiaomi 13 Lite Global call recording feature disabled by default. on Asian firmware (China) ROM) The recording is secretive, but the interlocutor may hear an automatic message (depends on the operator). If you need to record a conversation legally, use a loudspeaker and an external voice recorder (for example, Sony). ICD-UX570). Why does the call stop recording in 5 minutes? MIUI To save the battery, to remove the limit: Open the settings → Annexes → Phone. → Permits → Additionally. → Battery optimization. Select No Limits. Reboot your phone. If the problem persists, check the recording app settings (e.g., Cube Call Recorder has a No Time Limit option). Where are the microphone recordings stored during the video? The audio track from the video (e.g., Xiaomi camera) is stored inside the video file itself. To extract it separately: Copy the video on your PC. Use Audacity or FFmpeg to extract the sound: ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vn -acodec copy output.m4a The finished audio file will be in format.m4a (convertible mp3 Can you restore the record after the phone is reset to factory settings? If the reset was made without formatting the internal memory (optional Clear all data in the factory settings) MIUI), You can connect your phone to your PC and scan your memory with programs like Recuva or TestDisk. If memory has been formatted, recovery is almost impossible as Xiaomi uses encryption. FBE (File-Based Encryption.Exception: if you have a backup in Mi Cloud or Google Drive. How to turn off automatic call recording on Xiaomi? To deactivate the feature: Open Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Record calls. Turn off the Auto Record switch. To completely delete old records, clear the folder. /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/. On some firmware (MIUI China) option hidden deeper: Settings → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Recording calls.