Where Xiaomi stores records from the recorder: search, access and restore files

Why recordings from the recorder “disappear” and where to look for them

Have you recorded an important conversation, lecture or voice notes on Xiaomi but can't find the file?The problem is familiar to many: the standard Dictaphone app (or com.miui.voiceassist in newer versions of MIUI) doesn't store audio where users expect it to be. Unlike photos that immediately get to the gallery, the records are often "hidden" in system folders or even on the Mi Cloud service.

Adding complexity, different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T) can use different storage paths. For example, on older devices, files were in /storage/emulated/0/Recorder, and on newer ones in /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.miui.soundrecorder. Plus, if you used third-party recorders (like Easy Voice Recorder or ASR Voice Recorder), the path will be different.

Before you start your search, check two things:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. It's the structure of folders.
• 🎤 Dictator app: standard or third-party? Install it through Settings → Annexes → Application management.

Standard ways to store records in MIUI

On most Xiaomi devices (including Redmi and POCO), the records are stored in one of three folders, and their location depends on the firmware version and model:

To open these folders:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Use Windows/macOS Explorer or file manager on your phone (e.g. Mi File Manager).
3. Enable the display of hidden files (in Mi File Manager: ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files).

⚠️ Attention: If the folder Android/media not displayed when you connect to a PC, check if access to internal memory is enabled in the developer settings (Settings) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

How to find records through the file manager on the phone

Do you want to connect your phone to your computer? Use the built-in Mi File Manager or third-party applications (like Solid Explorer).

Open Mi File Manager (Folder icon on the desktop)

Go to the Category section → Audio.

Scroll down to the Records folder or SoundRecorder

If there are no files, use the search by name (moon button) with a filter.m4a or.mp3-->

If the standard manager does not show the files:

• 🔍 Check the Download folder – sometimes records are saved there by default.
• 📁 Install Solid Explorer and activate Root (Super User Rights Required).
• ☁️ Go to Mi Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backups – records can be synchronized automatically.

Tip for POCO owners: On some models (POCO F3, POCO X4 Pro) records are stored in the PocoRecorder folder, but only displayed after the phone has been restarted.

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If the record is not played back, try renaming the file by adding an extension.mp3 Like hand-held, lecture_123 → lecture_123.mp3.

Search for records from third-party recorders

If you're using an application other than the standard one, but an Easy Voice Recorder, an ASR Voice Recorder, or a Hi-Q MP3 Recorder, the storage paths will be different.

• 📌 Easy Voice Recorder: /storage/emulated/0/EasyVoiceRecorder or /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.digipom.easyvoicerecorder.
• 📌 ASR Voice Recorder: /storage/emulated/0/ASR (file-extension.3gp).
• 📌 Hi-Q MP3 Recorder: /storage/emulated/0/HiQRecorder (format.mp3 or wav).

To find out the exact path for your application:

1. Open the recorder and make a test record.
2. Go to Settings → Applications → [Name of recorder] → Memory.
3. Click Warehouse - the path to the files will be indicated here.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (such as Smart Recorder) save records to the cloud by default. Check the sync settings in the recorder itself! How to restore the path to files if the application is removed? If you deleted the recorder but the recordings are still on your phone, use the DiskDigger or Recuva app (for PCs) that scans the memory for audio files by signature, even without the original paths. Important: don't write new data to your phone until you recover! Did you accidentally erase an important record? Your chances of recovery depend on how long it took and whether you used your phone after deleting. 1: Through the basket MIUI In the new versions MIUI 13/14 There is a built-in file basket: Open Mi File Manager. Go to Categories → Recycle bin. Find the deleted audio files (filter by audio type). Select the ones you need and click Restore. Limit: Files are stored in the Recycle Bin for only 30 days, after which they are deleted irrevocably. Method 2: Recovery programs If the Recycle Bin is empty, use specialized utilities: 🖥️ Recuva (for PC) – scans the phone’s internal memory through USB. 📱 DiskDigger (for Android) – works without root, but with root rights finds more files. 🔧 EaseUS MobiSaver supports recovery.m4a And.amr. Important: The faster you start recovering, the better the odds. When you write new data, old files are overwritten! 💡Don't save recovered files to the same phone - use a PC or cloud to avoid re-loss.Sync records with Mi Cloud and Google Drive Many Xiaomi users don't know that records from a voice recorder can automatically be uploaded to the cloud. Check it out: ☁️ Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud. Select backup copies → Check if sync is enabled for Recorder or Sound Recorder. 📁 Google Drive: Open the Google Drive app. Go to the menu → Backups. Check the Backups folder. → [Name of the telephone] → App Data. If the sync is disabled, but you want to set it up: Open the recorder. Go to the ⋮ → Settings → Backup. Select Mi Cloud or Google Drive and enable autoboot. ⚠️ Attention: Cloud copies take up space in your storage. On the free tariff of Mi Cloud, only 5 GB is available, and.wav records can weigh 10-20 MB each. What to do if records are not played Found files do not open or play with errors? Causes and Solutions: Problem Possible cause Solution File not opened Damaged Title or extension Rename file by adding.mp3 or.m4a Distorted sound Encoding error (e.g. when writing in.amr) Convert to.mp3 via Audacity or Online-Convert File exists, but an empty Save Error (e.g., not enough memory) Check the free space in Settings → Memory For Converting Formats: 🎵 Use it. VLC Media Player (opens almost all audio formats). 🔄 Online services: Online-Convert or CloudConvert. 📱 On the phone: app MP3 Converter or Audio Converter. FAQ: Frequent questions about entries on Xiaomi Can you change the default record save folder? Yes, but only on some voice recorders. For example, in Easy Voice Recorder, go to Settings → save folder and specify a new path (for example, /storage/emulated/0/Download/Records). In a standard recorder. MIUI There's no option, you have to manually transfer files.m4a, not.mp3? Format.m4a (AAC) used MIUI It's a space-saving thing, but it's a quality-saving thing. 30–40% less space than.mp3 And you can use the bitrate to convert to.mp3, Use applications like MediaHuman Audio Converter. How to turn off automatic recording sync from Mi Cloud? Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Sync and disable the voice recorder option. Alternatively, in the voice recorder app itself, find Settings. → Backup and deactivate the cloud. Can we record phone calls through a voice recorder? Technically, but with reservations: MIUI for Xiaomi/Redmi In-app call recording is only available in regions where it is permitted by law (e.g. India). In Russia and Europe, the feature is disabled by default. Use third-party applications (e.g. Cube Call Recorder), but consider legal restrictions. Why does the recorder not record sound while playing or watching video? This is a limitation of MIUI: when you actively play media (YouTube, games), the system recorder can be silent. Solutions: Use Easy Voice Recorder with the option Record from the microphone during playback. Activate the Developer mode and turn off audio effects in Settings → Additional →