Have you ever recorded a major phone conversation on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO and then couldn’t find a file? Or have you found that your phone’s memory is full of unknown audio files with voices? In this article, we’ll look at where the recorded conversations are stored on devices with MIUI firmware, how to find them through standard and hidden folders, and how to manage these files, from simple listening to complete deletion.
Note: the location of the records depends on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14), the model of the smartphone and even whether you used an embedded voice recorder or a third-party application. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14, the path to the files will be different from the Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 12.5. We will consider all possible options, including hidden system directories, where automatic call recordings are recorded (if this feature is enabled).
Important: some audio files may be stored in encrypted folders or require root access. If you don't find the recordings in standard places, don't panic. There's a section on ADB search and dedicated file managers in this article.
1. Standard record storage locations on Xiaomi
Most users search for audio recordings in obvious places -- and often find them there. Here are the main directories where MIUI stores recorded conversations:
- 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/ — It's a standard folder for recordings from a built-in voice recorder, and it's sorted by date and it's extended.m4a or.mp3.
- 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/ — alternative location on some models (e.g, POCO F4). Often, here are records made through fast buttons on the lock screen.
- 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Download/ — If you downloaded records from the Mi Cloud or received them through messengers, they may be here.
- 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.voicerecord/ — Hidden folder of the voice recorder application requires the inclusion of hidden files in the file manager.
To check these folders:
- Open the standard Files app (yellow folder icon).
- Go to the Device section → Internal storage.
- Enable the display of hidden files: click on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Show hidden files.
- Use the search bar at the top to enter sound_recorder or Recordings.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later, some records can automatically sync to Mi Cloud. If you don't find files locally, check cloud storage through Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup copies.
2. Automatic call recording: where to look for files
If you have enabled automatic call recording (not available on all models and in some regions), the files will be stored separately.
- 📞 In the Phone app: Open your call history, find the recorded conversation and click on the playback icon next to the contact.
- 📁 In a file. /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/voicerecords/ — Files are named by phone numbers and dates (e.g, +79123456789_20260515_143022.m4a).
- ☁️ In Mi Cloud if synchronization is enabled: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Call records.
On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 12.5 Enhanced for the global version), call records can be stored in the com.android.dialer application database. Access to them without root rights is limited, but they can be exported through ADB:
adb shell content query --uri content://call_log/calls
adb pull /data/data/com.android.dialer/databases/dialer.dbImportant: Automatic recordings of calls to Xiaomi can be blocked by your country’s laws, for example, in Russia and the EU, recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited.
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If you record calls frequently, create a voicerecords folder shortcut on the home screen: open Files, find the folder, hold its icon, and select Add to Home Screen.
3.Research for records through ADB and root access
If standard methods didn't work, and the records were definitely made, you'd have to use advanced tools.
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).
- 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Click 7 times to unlock the developer menu, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.
- 🔓 Root access (optional but expands capabilities).
Commands to search for records through ADB:
# Searching for folders with records
adb shell find /storage -name "record" -o -name "voice" -o -name "sound"
Exporting a call database (requires root)
adb shell su -c "cp /data/data/com.android.dialer/databases/dialer.db /sdcard/"
adb pull /sdcard/dialer.db
Search for audio files by extension
adb shell find /storage -name ".m4a" -o -name ".mp3" -o -name "*.amr"If you have root access, check out these paths:
- /data/user/0/com.miui.voicerecord/files/ – temporary voice recorder files.
- /data/media/0/MIUI/voicerecords/ is an alternative location for call recordings.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB And root access can cause you to lose warranty or crash your phone. Don't change your system files if you're not sure what you're doing. For example, deleting dialer.db's database will cause you to lose your call history.
4. How to export and delete records
The audio files you find can be copied to your computer, sent to the cloud, or deleted. Here are the steps:
📤 Export of records
- 📎 Through Files: Select the required files → Press More. → Copy → Select the target folder (for example, Download or connected). USB-accumulator).
- ☁️ In Mi Cloud: Open the entry in the Dictator app" → press three points → Backup copy.
- 📧 By email: select the files → Share. → Choose a mail client.
🗑️ Deletion of records
To make room:
- Open the file with the records through Files.
- Select unnecessary files (hold your finger on the file for multiple selection).
- Click on the basket icon or select Remove.
- To completely delete (bypassing the basket), keep your finger on the file. → Details. → Delete forever.
If the records are synced with Mi Cloud, delete them from there:
- Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Select Storage Management → Records.
- Click on unnecessary files → Delete.
Check that files are not needed for work or court
Backup of important records
Make sure that the records are not synced to the cloud
Check the folder "Basket" after deleting-->
5. Recovery of deleted records
If you accidentally delete an important record, you can try to restore it, and success depends on how long it has been since it was deleted and whether the recording functions have been used since then.
Recovery methods:
- 🔍 Through the Recycle Bin in the Files app: open the Recycle Bin section, find the deleted file and click Restore.
- 🛠️ Using data recovery software (e.g. DiskDigger, Recuva or EaseUS MobiSaver) connect your phone to your PC in file transfer mode and scan the internal memory.
- ☁️ From Mi Cloud backup: If sync was enabled, check Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Data recovery.
To increase the chances of recovery:
- Do not write new audio files after deletion.
- Do not install new applications (they can overwrite deleted data).
- Use your phone in minimal mode until you recover.
⚠️ Note: Data recovery software may require root access for deep scanning, and without it, it will only find files that have not yet been overwritten by the system.
6.Settings for recording conversations on Xiaomi
To avoid future records problems, set up your recording settings in advance. Here's what you can change:
| Parameter | Where to set up | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Audio file format | Settings → Applications → Recorder → Recording format | Choose MP3 for compatibility or M4A for better quality. |
| Conservation folder | Settings → Applications → Dictator → Conservation folder | Specify an easy-to-remember path, such as /Recordings/. |
| Auto-recording calls | Settings → Applications → Phone → Recording calls | Turn on only for important contacts so as not to clog up memory. |
| Synchronization with Mi Cloud | Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup | Turn on if you’re afraid of losing records, but be aware of space limits (5GB free). |
| Recording quality | Settings → Applications → Dictator → Sound quality | For conversations, you will have enough of the Middle, for music, choose the High. |
Some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra) have a Smart Record feature that automatically removes the silence from audio files to enable it:
- Open the Dictator app.
- Press three points. → Settings.
- Activate the Smart Recording option.
How to record a conversation manually during a call?
7. Problems with recording conversations and their solutions
Sometimes records don't get saved or disappear, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:
- 🚫 Records are not saved: Check if there is enough space on the internal drive. Update the Dictator app via Play Market or App Gallery. Reset the app settings: Settings → Annexes → Dictaphone → Warehouse → Clear the data.
- 🔇 No sound in the recording: Check if the microphone is covered with a cover or a finger. Turn off noise reduction in the voice recorder settings. Try recording the sound through another application (e.g. Easy Voice Recorder).
- 🔍 Can't find entry: Use file search with extensions.m4a,.mp3,.Check the folder. /Android/data/com.miui.voicerecord/files/. Make sure that the recording is not automatically uploaded to the Mi Cloud.
If the problem is not solved, try resetting your phone to factory settings (pre-backup!).
- Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Select Reset all settings (does not delete files) or Delete all data (complete reset).
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If the records are important for legal purposes, export them immediately after creation and store them on a separate medium.