Where Xiaomi Stores Records of Phone Calls: Search, Export, and Deletion

Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI automatically record phone calls when the feature is enabled. But where exactly are these audio files stored? Why are they taking up space in memory but not displayed in standard folders? And how do you extract them if you want to save an important dialogue or delete them permanently?

Many users have a problem: there are records (you can see them in the call log), but you can’t find files through the Explorer. Xiaomi uses hidden system folders and its own storage formats. In this article, we will analyze all possible storage locations for audio recordings on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices, and also explain how to work with these files without risking data loss.

Important: Procedures vary depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14) and the model of the smartphone. If your device is running Android One (such as the Mi A3), the search algorithm will be different - we will also discuss this below.

1. Where the default conversation records are stored in MIUI

In most cases, audio files of conversations are stored in a hidden system folder, the path depends on the firmware version:

On MIUI 12–14 (for Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12), the records are at:

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

Files have the extension.amr or.mp3 and are named by pattern: call_rec_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.amr, where YYYYMMDD — date, HHMMSS — start-up.

On older versions (MIUI 11 and below), the path may be different:

/storage/emulated/0/Recorder/callrec/

If there is no folder, then the records are stored in the database of the Phone application (more about this below).

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Warning: Don't confuse conversation records with voice recordings! The latter are stored in /storage/emulated/0/Recorder/ and have a different name.

2.Why are the records not visible in the conductor

There are three reasons why you don’t see audio files:

• 🔍 Hidden system folders. Default conductor MIUI Does not show a folder with a dot at the beginning of the name (for example,.call_rec). To see them, turn on the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings.
• 📱 Database storage on some devices (especially with MIUI 13+) records are not stored as separate files, but are stored in the database of the application com.android.dialer.
• 🔒 Protection MIUI. The system can block access to folders without root rights or through ADB.

If you connect your smartphone to your PC, folder /MIUI/sound_recorder/ It can be empty. It doesn't mean there's no records, it can be locked up for external access. Solution: use the built-in file manager. MIUI or specialized applications such as FX File Explorer with root access enabled.

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Note: On Android 11+ and MIUI 12.5+ devices, access to system folders via ADB is restricted. Attempting to copy files may cause the Phone app to crash.

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If the folder call_rec Empty, try to find records through the call log: open the conversation → click on the recording icon → Select “Share” or “Save».

3. How to export recordings of conversations

There are three reliable ways to extract audio files:

Method 1: Through the call log

1. Open the phone app.
2. Go to the Journal. → Records.
3. Select the desired conversation → click on the icon “Share” (or “Export” in new versions).
4. Save the file in Downloads or send it to your mail.

Method 2: Through a root-rights conductor

If you have root access, copy files from:

/data/user_de/0/com.android.dialer/app_callRec/

Use Root Explorer or ADB pull command:

adb pull /data/user_de/0/com.android.dialer/app_callRec/ ~/Downloads/

Method 3: Through Backup

Create a backup of the Phone app with Titanium Backup or the built-in Local Backup feature in Settings → About Phone. There will be records of conversations in the archive.

Enable the display of hidden files in the Explorer

Check for a folder. /MIUI/sound_recorder/

Install a file manager with root access (if necessary)

Backup data before manipulation-->

4. How to delete recordings of conversations

Delete records directly from the folder call_rec It doesn't always work -- files can be restored after you reboot:

• 🗑️ Through the call log: The magazine → Records. → Choose. → Delete.
• 🧹 Cache Cleanup: Go to Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Reset application settings: In the same settings of the Phone app, click Reset (will delete all records and settings).

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Note: Some devices (POCO F3, Redmi K40) store records in the Mi Cloud. To remove them from there, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Sync → Record conversations.

If files appear again after deleting, turn off automatic recording in the settings of the Phone application (section "Recording conversations").

5. Features on different Xiaomi models

Storage of records depends on the model and version of MIUI. Below is a comparison table:

On Android One devices (such as Mi A3), there is no built-in conversation recording feature – it is added by third-party applications like Cube Call Recorder or ACR. In this case, the files are stored in the folders of these applications.

6. Security and confidentiality

The conversation records contain sensitive information, so Xiaomi is restricting access to them.

• 🔐 Encryption. MIUI 14 entries in com.android.dialer are encrypted.
• ☁️ Cloud storage: If synced with Mi Cloud is enabled, records can be automatically uploaded to the cloud (even if you deleted them locally).
• 📵 Legal risks: In some countries, recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited by law.

To disable automatic recording:

1. Open the phone → Settings → Record conversations.
2. Turn off the "Automatic Recording" option.
3. For individual contacts: Open contact → Settings → Do not record conversations.

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Note: On devices with MIUI for Global Market (EEA), the conversation recording function may be disabled by default due to GDPR requirements. To activate it, set regional settings for India or Russia (via Settings → Additional → Region).

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Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi stores conversation records in an encrypted database rather than in open folders, making them harder to extract but increasing privacy.

7. Recovery of deleted records

If you accidentally delete an important post, you can try to restore it:

• 🗑️ Through the basket, in the guide. MIUI Check the Recycle Bin folder (if the function is enabled).
• 🔄 Use DiskDigger or Recuva (requires root or PC connection).
• ☁️ If you have synced with Mi Cloud, check the Conversation Records section of the cloud web version.

The chances of recovery depend on how long it has been since the deletion and whether the device has been used since, and if the record was deleted more than a week ago and the memory was actively used, the data is likely to be overwritten.

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Note: Data recovery software may require root access, which will void the warranty on the device. On Xiaomi with a blocked bootloader, root is difficult to obtain - you will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi conversation records