Where Xiaomi Stores Phone Call Records: Search, Retrieval and File Recovery

Have you been searching for a recording of an important conversation on your Xiaomi but can't find it? Or have you suddenly found that audio files from calls disappeared after the MIUI update? The problem with finding conversation records is one of the most common among smartphone users of the brand. The fact is that the storage of audio recordings on Xiaomi depends on the firmware version, device model and even the recording method (built-in voice recorder, Call Recording app or third-party programs).

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the possible locations where Xiaomi (including Redmi and POCO) can store audio files from standard folders in internal memory to hidden system directories, and how to recover deleted records, why they might disappear after updates, and what MIUI settings affect their safety, and if you’ve ever encountered a smartphone that doesn’t see old records or doesn’t save new ones, here’s a solution.

Standard storage locations for call records on Xiaomi

On most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-15 firmware, the default call records are saved in one of two folders:

• 📁 Internal memory. → MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec — The main directory for recordings made through the built-in Call Recorder application.m4a or.
• 📁 Internal memory. → Recordings/Call — alternative path used on some models (e.g. Redmi Note) 10 pro POCO X3 Pro).

To find these folders quickly:

1. Open the Files app (an icon with a yellow folder).
2. Go to the tab "Category" → "Audio".
3. In the list, find a folder. call_rec Call or Call – there will be files with names in the format Record_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.m4a.

Important: If you use Google Drive or Mi Cloud for backup, records can automatically sync to the cloud. Check the Call Records folder in your cloud storage.

Hidden folders and system directories: where else can there be records

If there are no records in standard folders, they may have been saved to one of the hidden directories. MIUI sometimes transfers files to system directories, especially if:

• 🔄 You have updated the firmware (files can migrate to the /data/com.android.providers.media/).
• 📱 Used the regime for developers or ADB-team.
• 🔒 Install applications with extended rights (e.g. Titanium Backup).

To access hidden folders:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and enable debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on the version, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Use a root Explorer (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer) or adb shell ls /data/media/0/ in the terminal.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from folders /data/ or /system/ It's not backed up! It could cause a malfunction. MIUI.

Why Call Records Are Losing on Xiaomi: Common Reasons

Disappearance of audio files is a common problem, and here are the main reasons:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: After installing a new firmware version (for example, with MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) the system may transfer files to another location or reset folder access rights.
• 🧹 Cache Cleanup: Apps like Clean Master or the built-in Optimizer sometimes delete records, mistakenly taking them for garbage.
• 📵 Resetting: Even a "soft" reset (Settings) → Resetting settings) can erase the folder call_rec.
• 🔒 Memory encryption: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) Enabling encryption causes loss of access to old files.

A critical feature of MIUI: if you have disabled the Warehouse permission for the Call Record application, new files will not be saved, and old ones may become invisible to the user.

To check the permits:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Call Recorder (or Call Recorder).
3. Slip "Permissions" and make sure the Warehouse and Microphone are on.

How to Recover Deleted Call Records on Xiaomi

If files have been deleted, you can try to restore them, and the effectiveness depends on how long it has been since the deletion and how actively the device memory has been used.

Method 1: Recovery through Mi Cloud

If your Xiaomi is syncing with Mi Cloud enabled:

1. Open "Settings" → "Mi Account" → "Mi Cloud".
2. Select Data Recovery and find a backup with the desired date.
3. Check the Audio section – your files may be there.

Method 2: Recovery programs

For devices without root rights suitable:

• 🛠️ DiskDigger (free version only looks for images, but plugins support audio).
• 🛠️ Recuva (works by connecting a smartphone to a PC as an external drive).
• 🛠️ EaseUS MobiSaver (specialized in Xiaomi and Redmi).

Instructions for DiskDigger:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select "Full Scan" (requires root for deep search).
3. Mark the file types.m4a,.amr,.mp3.
4. Wait until the scan is finished and save the files found.

⚠️ Note: Do not save recovered files back to the internal memory of the smartphone – use SD-map or cloud, otherwise they can be overwritten.

MIUI settings that affect the retention of call records

Several parameters in MIUI can interfere with the normal operation of recording conversations.

If you use third-party recording apps (such as Cube Call Recorder or ACR), check their settings:

• 📍 Path of Preservation: Make sure it is specified /sdcard/CallRecordings/ or similar.
• 🔊 Audio source: Select Voice_Uplink + Voice_Downlink (record).
• 📱 Exceptions: Add the app to the battery optimization exception list.

💡

If the records are saved but not played, try renaming the file by adding an extension.m4a hand-held. MIUI misappropriate.

Features of recordings on different Xiaomi models

The location and format of audio files may vary depending on the model and version of MIUI:

• 📱 Xiaomi 13/13 Pro (MIUI 14+): Records are kept in /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ format.m4a bitrate 128 Kbit/s: Cloud synchronization with Mi Cloud is supported.
• 📱 Redmi Note 11/12 (MIUI 13): default folder — /Recordings/Call/, But when you first start the Call Record application, the system suggests you choose a path.
• 📱 POCO F4/F5 (MIUI 14 for POCO): Uses.amr format to save space. Files can be automatically archived in /MIUI/sound_recorder/old/ after 30 days.
• 📱 Xiaomi Pad 5/6: On tablets, records are saved in /Documents/CallRecordings/ Due to the features of the file system.

On devices with global firmware (e.g. Xiaomi EU ROM), the path may differ due to modifications to MIUI.

1. Open the Call Recording app.
2. Put it on any audio → “More details” → “File location”.

For NFC models (e.g. Xiaomi 12S Ultra): If you use contactless payments, some recording apps (e.g. Boldbeast) may conflict with Google Pay due to Android's restrictions on microphone access during transactions.

How to transfer call records to another phone or PC

If you need to save records on another device or backup, use one of the ways:

Method 1: via USB cable (for Windows/macOS/Linux)

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Go to the Internal Memory folder → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec.
3. Copy files on a PC (it is recommended to create a separate folder, for example, Xiaomi_Calls_Backup).

Method 2: Using Mi Cloud or Google Drive

For automatic synchronization:

1. Open the Call Recording app.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) → "Settings" → "Backup".
3. Select Mi Cloud or Google Drive and enable automatic download.

Method 3: Through Third Party Applications

Applications like Send Anywhere or ShareMe (from Xiaomi) allow you to transfer files without cable:

• 📲 Install Send Anywhere on both devices.
• On Xiaomi, select files in the folder call_rec and generate 6-code-mark.
• On the second device, enter this code for download.

⚠️ Note: When transmitted via instant messengers (such as Telegram or WhatsApp), files may be compressed, which worsens the sound quality. For important records, use cloud services or direct exchange over Wi-Fi.

💡

The most reliable way to back up is to combine a local folder on your PC + cloud storage (e.g. Google Drive + Mi Cloud).

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls to Xiaomi