Where to store call records on Xiaomi Redmi: file search

Users of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face the need to find a specific recording of a phone conversation made a week or a month ago. The standard interface of the Phone application is convenient for listening to recent calls, but it is not suitable for working with files as documents. The physical location of audio files in the Android file system has its own features, which have changed with the release of new versions of MIUI and HyperOS.

In this article, we will discuss in detail which directories are stored, why they may not be in the file manager and how to access them from a computer. Android has changed its privacy policy in recent years, which has directly affected the automatic recording of conversations. You will need care to avoid getting confused in system folders.

Understanding directory structure is not only essential for search, but also for backing up important information. If you decide to change your phone or make a factory reset, knowing the paths to files will help save audio recordings. Let's start with the most obvious place where all tracks are saved by default.

The standard file path in MIUI and HyperOS

Starting with certain versions of MIUI 12 firmware and all current builds of HyperOS, Google and Xiaomi have changed the standard way of storing records, which used to be at the root of internal memory, but now they are deeply hidden in the application system folders. To find them through the standard File Manager, you need to go the following way:

Internal storage device → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec

In the file. call_rec All your phone records are stored. Files usually have an extension.m4a or.mp3, It's important to note that in some regions or on global firmware, the path may vary slightly, adding a layer of nesting.

⚠️ Attention: Folder MIUI When cleaning memory through built-in Cleanup utilities, it is difficult to accidentally delete its contents, but when manually managing files, be careful not to damage other system sounds.

If you connect your smartphone to your computer through USB-However, some PCs may not display hidden or system partitions right away. Make sure that the file transfer mode is selected in the phone's notification curtain. MTP, Not "Only charging».

Alternative Ways and Older Versions of Android

On devices that have not received security updates for a long time or run older versions of Android 9 and Android 10, the storage logic may be different. Owners of such gadgets can find their records at other addresses, a characteristic of models released several years ago that have not updated to new privacy standards.

Consider the main alternative locations where to look for files if they are not in the standard folder:

• 📂 Internal storage → Recordings → Call_rec — Classical Way for Older Versions MIUI.
• 📂 Internal storage → MIUI → sound_recorder — Sometimes files lie at the root of the voice recorder folder without division into subdirectories.
• 📂 Internal storage → Record – rare, but found on custom builds or very old firmware.

Searching for file extensions is the most reliable way to find a record if you don't remember the exact path. In any file manager, use the search function and type in.m4a or.mp3. The system will scan all the available partitions and give you a list of audio files.

Use of Third-Party File Managers

Xiaomi’s standard Explorer is good, but sometimes limited in access rights, especially if you want to copy files to system folders or see hidden attributes. For deeper work with the file system, it is recommended to use third-party solutions such as Total Commander, FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer.

These applications allow you to see the structure of directories more clearly and often have built-in tools for sorting by date of change, which is critical when searching for old records, and they can work with root rights (if the phone is rooted), allowing access to any corners of memory.

When using third-party software, remember to request permissions. When you first run the application will ask for access to all files on the device. Without this permission, it simply will not be able to display the contents of the MIUI folder. This is not a bug, but a security requirement for Android.

Setup of automatic record saving

Before you search for files, make sure they are created at all. In modern versions of MIUI, call recording settings can be hidden or knocked down after updating. To activate the feature, open the Phone app (green handset) and click on three dots in the corner of the screen.

In the drop-down menu, select Settings, and then find Call Records, where you can enable automatic recording of all incoming and outgoing calls, and it is also useful to set up the "Write only selected numbers" rule if you do not need to save every chat.

Note the recording format. MP3 takes up more space but is compatible with all devices. M4A (AAC) format provides better quality with a smaller file size, which is true for owners of smartphones with a small amount of memory.

Access problems and hidden files

With Android 11 and higher, Google has implemented Scoped Storage, which means that apps, including file managers, are not allowed to directly access other apps’ folders without the user’s permission.

If you can't see the folder sound_recorder Or it seems empty, even though the calls are being recorded, the problem is the access rights. The file manager has to request special permission to access this folder. Usually a system window pops up with the "Allow access to this folder" button».

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to rename or move the system folder call_rec This can cause the Phone app to stop seeing new records and start creating duplicate folders or files in the root directory.

Also, files can be hidden by antivirus or Xiaomi security system if they are marked as suspicious (although this is rare for audio» → «Virus scanner to rule out blocking.

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Use the Favorite feature in the file manager for the folder call_rec. This will add it to quick access and you won’t have to search for a full path through the gate every time. MIUI/sound_recorder.

How to transfer records to your computer or the cloud

Smartphone memory is not rubbery, and long conversations in high quality quickly take up gigabytes. Regular backup is a necessity. The easiest way is to connect a USB cable. However, if the cable is not at hand, you can use wireless methods.

For Wi-Fi transmission, it is convenient to use the built-in “Mi Drop” function (now called Xiaomi Share) or third-party utilities like Send Anywhere, which allow you to transfer files directly to your PC if both devices are on the same network, or through the same network. QR-code.

Automatic cloud sync is the most reliable option, and in the Dictator or Phone settings (depending on the MIUI version), you can specify a folder to sync with Google Drive or Xiaomi Cloud, which ensures that even if you lose your phone, your conversation history will remain.

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Automatic synchronization of the record folder with cloud storage is the only way to ensure the safety of data when a device breaks down or resets.

Recovering Deleted Records of Conversations

If files are accidentally deleted, the chances of recovery depend on the time since they were deleted. Android does not erase data instantly, but only marks the place as free to write. Until new information is written to this place, the file can be returned.

You can use specialized software for PCs like Dr.Fone or DiskDigger (requires Root rights for deep scanning), and without superuser rights, programs are less efficient, and they only find cached thumbnails or long-deleted files.

The first step in detecting a loss is to immediately put the phone in aeronautical mode and stop using. Any new photo, message or application installation reduces the chances of success by overwriting memory sectors.