Where on Xiaomi Mi A3 stored conversation records: Step-by-step guide

Why recordings of conversations are hard to find on the Mi A3

Xiaomi Mi A3 — One of the few smartphones of the brand, running on “pure” Android One instead of the proprietary shell MIUI. This feature fundamentally changes the logic of storing system data, including phone records. MIUI, where files are often duplicated in proprietary folders /MIUI/sound_recorder/, on Mi A3 It's all organized like stock Android, but even here, there's some nuances.

The problem is compounded by the fact that the standard Dictophone app (if installed) and the built-in call recording module keep files in different locations. Moreover, after the Android 10→11 updates, many users have experienced moving folders to secure areas that are not available without root rights. In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios, from obvious to hidden, including how to restore deleted records.

It's important to understand that the Mi A3 doesn't have a hardware conversation record button (unlike some Redmi models), so all files are software-generated, which means that their location depends on the application you've used.

Standard storage locations for Mi A3 records

If you have used the built-in call recording functionality (available through Settings → System Applications → Phone → Recording conversations), the files must be in one of the following folders:

📁 /storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings/ — The main directory for records created by the system application "Phone" folder appears automatically after the first recording.
🎤 /storage/emulated/0/Recorder/ — here are stored files made through a standard Google Recorder (app "Sound Records").
📱 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.providers.media/ — Temporary files that may contain records before they are transferred to the main folder.

Note: paths are indicated for internal memory. If you used a microSD card as your primary storage, replace /storage/emulated/0/ with /storage/XXXX-XXXX/ (where XXXX-XXXXX is your card's unique identifier).

To find these folders quickly:

Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
Open Windows/macOS Explorer and go to Internal Memory.
Enable the display of hidden files (in Windows: View → Hidden Items).

📊 What app do you use to record conversations?

Built-in feature in the phone

Google Dictator

Third-party application (e.g. ACR)

I don't record conversations.

Hidden System Folders: Where to Look if entries are not in standard locations

On the Xiaomi Mi A3 with Android 10/11, some of the records can be stored in secure areas that are not available without special permissions.

folder	Description	Access without root
/data/user_de/0/com.android.providers.media/databases/	Media file database, including metadata records	❌ No.
/data/media/0/CallRecordings/	Alternative path for call recordings (Simlink)	⚠️ Only through ADB
/sdcard/Android/obb/com.miui.voiceassist/	Temporary Voice Assistant Files (may contain fragments)	✅ Yes.
/data/user/0/com.android.phone/cache/	The cache of the Phone application, sometimes contains unsaved records	❌ No.

Access to these folders will require either root rights or use. ADB-For example, to copy files from the commands. /data/media/0/CallRecordings/, run it in the terminal:

adb pull /data/media/0/CallRecordings/ C:\Backups\

Critical: On the Mi A3 with Android 11+, the /sdcard/ path is actually a simlink to /storage/emulated/0/, but some system applications store data directly to /data/media/0/. This causes files to "disappear" from the explorer, although they physically remain on the device.

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If you can’t see the CallRecordings folder, try recording a test conversation – it should appear automatically.

How to Recover Deleted Records of Conversations

If the records have been deleted, you have 3 ways to return them:

Recycle Bin Check: On Android 11+, some files go to the Recycle Bin (/storage/emulated/0/.Trash/) and are stored there for 30 days. Use a file manager that supports hidden folder display (e.g. Solid Explorer).
Specialized utilities: Programs like DiskDigger or Recuva (for PCs) can recover files if the disk space has not been overwritten. Importantly, don't install utilities on the smartphone itself, which reduces the chances of recovery.
Backups of Google Drive: If your device has Settings Synced → Google → Backup, check the archive at drive.google.com (Sitebacks).

For maximum efficiency:

Disable Wi-Fi and Mobile Data

Charge your phone at least 50%

Not installing new applications

Use a memory card (if any) to save recovered files-->

If the records were deleted through the Google Recorder app, check the folder /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.google.android.apps.recorder/files/Trash/. Files here are stored in.ogg format and can be restored within 60 days.

⚠️ Note: When recovering via PC, connect Mi A3 Charge Only, and then change mode to Transfer Files after the program is launched, which will prevent automatic overwriting of remote memory sectors.

Third-party Write Applications: Where They Store Files

Popular applications for recording conversations (for example, ACR, Cube Call Recorder, Boldbeast, uses their own storage algorithms. A3:

🔄 ACR (Another Call Recorder): /storage/emulated/0/ACR/ or /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.nll.acr/
📦 Cube Call Recorder: /storage/emulated/0/CubeBackup/ (encrypted files) or /storage/emulated/0/CallRecorder/
🎧 Boldbeast: /storage/emulated/0/Boldbeast/ (files in.amr format or.mp3)
🔒 Truecaller: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.truecaller/ (Only for premium users)

The Mi A3 feature is that, due to Android 10+'s privacy policy, many apps save records encrypted, such as Cube Call Recorder using the.enc format, which requires decryption through the app itself.

Open the application that made the recordings.
Go to the Settings section → Exports.
Select the export format (usually MP3 or WAV).
Specify the folder to save (for example, /Download/Exported_Calls/).

⚠️ Note: Apps like Boldbeast may conflict with the system module write on Mi A3. If after installing third-party software, records through the built-in function have ceased to be saved, turn off the permission of the Microphone for a third-party application in the settings.

How to transfer records to PC or cloud

For reliable storage, it is recommended to regularly copy them to external media. A3:

Method 1: Through USB-cable (most reliable)

Connect your phone to your PC and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
Open the folder with records (see sections above).
Copy files to a local directory on a PC (for example, D:\Backups\MiA3_Calls\).

Method 2: Through cloud services

☁️ Google Drive: Upload files through the Google Files app (select files) → Share. → Save it on the Disk).
📤 Telegram: Send your records to Save Messages (limit – 2 GB per file).
🔗 Dropbox/OneDrive: Use automatic download from the folder (configure in the cloud app).

Method 3: Through ADB (for hidden files)

If records are stored in secure folders (see table above), use the command:

adb pull /data/media/0/CallRecordings/ C:\MiA3_Backup\

For convenience, create a.bat file with a set of commands:

@echo off


adb pull /storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings/ C:\Backups\Calls\




adb pull /storage/emulated/0/Recorder/ C:\Backups\Recorder\




pause

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Transmission through USB Turn off battery optimization for Media Storage (Settings) → Annexes → Menus. → Special access → Battery optimization, otherwise the connection may break.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Mi A3 users often face the following problems when working with conversation records:

Problem.	Reason.	Decision
Records are not retained.	No recording permission	Check the settings → Applications → Phone → Permissions → Microphone
Files are available, but they are not reproduced.	File header damaged	Use VLC Player or convert via Audacity
CallRecordings folder is empty	Files are saved elsewhere	Check /storage/emulated/0/Downloads/ or /sdcard/
Records are cut	Limitation of duration in settings	In the application record set Max. duration → Without restrictions

If after the Android update, the records stopped being saved, reset the settings of the Phone application:

Go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage.
Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
Reset the device.

Why are recordings sometimes saved in.amr instead of.mp3 on the Mi A3?

The format.amr (Adaptive Multi-Rate) is used by default to save space, as it provides acceptable quality at a minimum file size (about 1 MB/minute vs. 10 MB/minute for.mp3). To change the format, install a third-party application (such as Boldbeast) and select the Record Format → MP3 or WAV in its settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Can I record conversations on the Mi A3 without notifying the person?

In most countries, recording conversations without notice violates privacy laws. On the Mi A3 with Android 10+, the system automatically plays the beep at the beginning of the recording (Google's requirement), this can only be done with root rights or modified firmware, but this is not recommended for legal and technical reasons.

Why do recordings take up so much space on the Mi A3?

By default, the Mi A3 saves.m4a (AAC) records with a bitrate of 128 kbps. To reduce the size: Install the Call Recorder app from Lovekesh. In the settings, select Format → AMR and Quality → Low. Enable the option to Compress old records. This will reduce the file size to ~500 kbps without critical quality loss.

How to enable automatic recording of all conversations on the Mi A3?

The stock app Phone on the Mi A3 does not support automatic recording. You will need: Install ACR or Cube Call Recorder from Google Play. In the app settings, select Auto Record → All Contacts. Grant permissions to Microphone, Storage and Phone. Enable the option to Ignore battery limitations for the application. Note: Automatic recording can quickly drain the battery (up to 15% per hour of conversation).

Can I recover records after resetting the phone to factory settings?

If the reset was done without formatting the internal memory (Settings → System → Reset → Delete all data), chances are there. Use DiskDigger in Deep Scan mode. If the internal storage format was chosen, the data is not recoverable - it is overwritten with zeros. Exception: if the sync with Google Drive was enabled before the reset, check the archive in the disk bin (the files are stored there for 30 days).

Why is the Mi A3 not working on headset recording?

This is a limitation of Android 10+: the system blocks recording from the microphone of the headset by default. Solutions: Use a wired headset with a 3.5 mm connector (on the Mi A3 it is). In the recording application (for example, Boldbeast), select the sound source of the Microphone (for example, Boldbeast) instead of the Headset. Disable Bluetooth before recording - it can conflict with audio drivers.