Recordings from the recorder on Xiaomi Mi 9 can not be “disappeared” because they are not there, just the system stores them in non-obvious places. If you are looking for an important audio recording, but can not find it through a standard application, do not rush to panic. The smartphone saves files in several folders, and sometimes even duplicates them in the cloud or cache. In this article, we will analyze all possible locations, including hidden directories, backups and ways to restore deleted records.
Many users mistakenly think that records are only stored in the Recorder folder. In fact, MIUI distributes files to different directories depending on the firmware version, synchronization settings, and even the way they record (through a standard voice recorder or third-party applications).
If you've recorded voice through a built-in voice recorder, you're 90 percent likely to have files in one of the standard folders. But what if they're not there? Or if they're recorded through Google Drive, Screen Recording, or other software? We'll look at all scenarios, from basic to exotic, including recovery through ADB and app cache analysis.
1. Standard Dictaphone folder: where to look first
On Xiaomi Mi 9 with MIUI 10–14 firmware, the default entries are saved in the folder:
/storage/emulated/0/Recorders/This path is relevant for the built-in Dictator app** (Mic icon on the desktop.m4a or.mp3 and named by date, for example, REC_20260515_143022.m4a.
To open the folder:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
- Open the explorer and go to the Internal Memory → Recorders section.
- If there is no folder, check the hidden files (turn on the display in the Explorer settings).
⚠️ Note: If you have used Google Drive or other cloud-based recording services, files can automatically sync and be deleted from your device!
- 📁 Recorders folder - the main storage for a standard recorder.
- 🔍 If the folder is not, try the way /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/ (current MIUI).
- 📱 Some of the records are duplicated in /DCIM/Recorders/ — Check this path too.
Check the folder /Recorders/
Enable the display of hidden files
Connect your phone to your PC in data transfer mode
Make sure the recording is not synced to the cloud and deleted from the device-->
2. Alternative pathways: Where else can audio be stored
If the Recorders folder is empty, don't despair.The Xiaomi Mi 9 can save records elsewhere depending on:
- MIUI versions (for example, MIUI 12.5 changed the storage structure).
- Applications used (third-party voice recorders create their folders).
- Sync settings with Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
Check out these directories:
| Way | When used | File format |
|---|---|---|
| /MIUI/sound_recorder/ | Older versions of MIUI (up to 11) | .amr, .3gp |
| /Android/data/com.miui.soundrecorder/ | Cash and temporary recorder files | .tmp, .m4a |
| /Download/AudioRec/ | Recordings through third-party apps (e.g. Easy Voice Recorder) | .mp3, .wav |
| /DCIM/CameraSound/ | Recording of sound during video shooting | .m4a |
🔹 Tip: Use a file manager with a search (e.g. Solid Explorer or Solid Explorer) FX File Explorer) and enter the extension in the search bar:.m4a,.mp3, *.This will help you find all the audio files on your device.
How to find hidden folders on Xiaomi Mi 9?
3. Cloud Storage: Checking Mi Cloud and Google Drive
If the phone is synced, the recordings could automatically be uploaded to the cloud and removed from the device to save space. On the Xiaomi Mi 9, it works like this:
- 🌥️ Mi Cloud: Recordings are synced if AutoSave is enabled in the Dictator settings. Check: Open Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → If the option is active, go to i.mi.com from your PC and check the Records section».
- 📁 Google Drive: If you've used the Google Drive app to record, the files may be in the Audio or Recorders folder. Open the app on your phone and check the "Recent" section».