Location of call recording files on Xiaomi and POCO smartphones

Owners of modern Xiaomi and POCO smartphones often face the need to find a saved conversation, but a standard β€œcall” is not always convenient for viewing the archive. Finding the right dialogue can be a challenge, especially if you plan to transfer data to a new gadget or make room for memory of the device. Understanding the structure of the MIUI and HyperOS file system allows you to quickly get to the target without third-party programs.

The Android system that these phones run on has a strict hierarchy of folders where audio files are automatically folded, but the path to these can vary depending on the version of the operating system and your device model. In this article, we will discuss in detail where the Xiaomi POCO call records are stored, how to change the location of their storage and what to do if the files are lost after the update.

Knowing the exact location of data is important not only for convenience, but also for security. If you store sensitive information in conversations, you need to control access to those folders. Let's get into the technical details of storing audio data on devices of this brand.

The Standard Way to Files in Internal Memory

By default, all audio recordings made through the standard Phone application are stored in the device's internal storage, which is the fastest way to access, but it requires knowing a specific route in the file system, and usually the system creates a dedicated directory where all new files are folded immediately after the call is completed.

To navigate to the right folder, open any file manager, such as the standard β€œConductor” from Xiaomi. You need to follow the path: Internal memory β†’ MIUI β†’ sound_recorder β†’ call_rec. It's in this folder. call_rec All your conversations are sorted by date of creation.

In some cases, especially on older firmware versions or Chinese versions of software, the path may be slightly different. Sometimes the folder is called just a record or is located at the root of internal memory. sound_recorder, Try looking for a directory. MIUI root-storage.

⚠️ Note: When connecting the phone to the computer USB Some system folders may be hidden. Make sure that in file transfer mode (MTP) All files are displayed to see the structure MIUI.

It is important to understand that file formats also vary by system, and you will most often find files with the.m4a or.mp3 extension, which are supported by most players and do not require conversion to listen to.

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If you often transfer files to your computer, create a folder shortcut call_rec at the root of internal memory for quick access without deep immersion in system folders.

Use of the SD-file-card

The internal memory of a smartphone is often limited, and volumetric audio files can fill it quickly. Fortunately, most POCO and Redmi models support microSD card installation. You can configure the system so that all new records are automatically saved to an external medium.

To do this, you need to go to the settings of the Dictophone or Call Record application itself. Find Storage or Save Place and select SD-And then the path to the files will change, and they will lie at the address: SD-map β†’ MIUI β†’ sound_recorder β†’ call_rec.

Using an external card has its advantages, such as the ability to quickly retrieve data without connecting cables, but it is worth remembering the speed of writing: if the memory card is low-end, the recording may be interrupted or of poor quality.

πŸ“Š Where do you prefer to keep your call records?
Inner memory.
Nana SD-map
In the cloud storage.
I don't record conversations.

Remember to back up your memory card regularly. File systems on microSD are more susceptible to corruption when suddenly extracted or power failures.

Search for records through the Dictophone app

You don't have to dig through files every time you want to find the right conversation. The MIUI/HyperOS Dictaphone app has a user-friendly interface for managing your archive, and it automatically groups your records into types like "Calls," "Interviews," "Lectures," and "Arbitrary."

When you open the Calls tab, you'll see a list of all the dialogs that you've recorded, and you can not only listen to the file, but you can also do the basic things: rename, delete, or share the file through the messenger, which is the easiest way for the average user.

If you want to find a specific conversation, search by phone number or contact name. The system indexes files, so the search is fast even when there are thousands of records in the database.

Action.Where to find out.File format
Viewing the listAppendix Dictaphone β†’ Tab CallsDate list
Physical pathConductor β†’ MIUI β†’ sound_recorder.m4a / .mp3
Quality settingsRecorder β†’ Settings β†’ Recording qualityLow/High.
Auto-recordingPhone. β†’ Settings β†’ Recording callsOn/off

The app’s functionality is constantly updated, and new versions of HyperOS have the ability to transcribe (voice to text) for some regions, making keyword searches even more efficient.

Set up automatic recording and quality

Before looking for old files, make sure that new records are saved correctly and in the right quality. In the settings of the Phone application, there is a Call Record section where you can activate automatic recording of all incoming and outgoing calls.

Record quality directly affects file size; High Quality provides better speech intelligibility, but takes up more space; if the memory of the device is critical, you can choose standard quality.

β˜‘οΈ Set up the perfect recording

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You can also set up a recording notification here, and many countries require that the person you are talking to be alerted to the recording, and Xiaomi automatically plays back the voice message "Talk recording started" if the feature is activated.

⚠️ Note: Disabling the recording notice may be illegal in your jurisdiction.Use the interlocutor's warning function to stay in the legal field.

Access and rights issues in Android 11-14

With the release of new versions of Android (starting with 11 and up), Google has tightened security policies by restricting application access to the file system, and this has also affected file managers, who can no longer always β€œsee” the Android/data folder or system directories without special permissions.

If you can't find the folder call_rec, You may not have the right to use Xiaomi's built-in Explorer, which has system privileges. Third-party file managers can show you an empty folder or request access through a special interface. SAF (Storage Access Framework).

In some cases, cleaning the Dictophone cache or restarting the device helps, and if the problem persists, check if the folder is hidden by system attributes.

How to open access to the Android folder in new versions?
In Android 11+, direct access to the Android/data folder is limited. Use the Files by Google file manager or the built-in MIUI Explorer, which requests special permission to view the contents of this folder. Without this step, the files may not be visible.

It's also worth checking the battery settings. If the system aggressively optimizes the recorder, the recording process may not be completed correctly and the file will not be saved. Add the app to the power saving exceptions.

Transfer and Backup of Conversations

Saving important conversations to cloud services or a computer is good practice. You can manually copy files from a folder. call_rec on PC or configure folder sync with Google Drive or Xiaomi Cloud.

To automate the process, there are scripts and automated applications that can send new records immediately after a call is completed by email or Telegram, which requires configuration, but guarantees the safety of data even if the phone is lost.

When transferring to another phone, simply copy the folder. call_rec The same place on the new device, and then the call history should appear in the Dictator appΒ».

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Regular backup of the folder call_rec To an external medium or to the cloud is the only way to ensure that important conversations are kept safe when a device changes or system crashes.

Remember that when you reset your phone to Factory Reset, all files in your internal memory will be permanently deleted, so checking the backup before reset is mandatory.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did the old phone records disappear after the phone was updated?
When you update the firmware, the system can change the folder structure or clear the voice recorder cache, and it's also possible that access rights have changed and files have become hidden. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec via a computer or other file manager.
Can I change the format from M4A to MP3?
In standard Xiaomi settings, format choices are often limited, but some versions of MIUI have a record format option in their voice recorder settings, and if they don’t, you’ll have to use third-party audio converters or apps to record calls from Google Play.
Where are the records stored if I used a third-party call app?
Third-party applications (like Truecaller or Cube ACR) create their own folders, and look for them in the root of internal memory by app name or in the Android/data/[application package name ] folder.
How to recover a deleted call record?
If the file has been deleted recently, check the Recycle Bin in the Dictator or Explorer app (if the Recycle Bin function is enabled). You can also try data recovery software by connecting the phone to your PC in debugging mode, but success is not guaranteed.