Where Xiaomi Stores Records of Conversations: Storage Ways, Access and Security

Phone records on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are sensitive information that may be needed to prove transactions, save important negotiations or just for personal archives. However, not everyone knows where these files are stored in the device's file system, how to extract them and whether deleted records can be restored. In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible storage locations, the features of the built-in voice recorder and third-party applications, and also talk about security measures that will help to avoid leakage of confidential data.

It's important to understand that the way you record and store conversations depends on several factors: the version of the MIUI firmware (12, 13, 14 or 15), the smartphone model, the presence of root rights and even regional settings. For example, on devices for the Chinese market, recording functions may be restricted by law, while global versions offer more freedom. We will look at all scenarios from standard solutions to hidden folders and cloud services.

Built-in call recording function in MIUI: where to look for files

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI 12 and later have a built-in conversation recording function that activates automatically when the corresponding option is turned on in the phone settings. By default, the recordings are stored in a protected area of internal memory, but their location can vary depending on the firmware version.

Main storage routes:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — standard-file MIUI 13/14. Here the files are stored in the format.m4a or.amr with names containing the date and number of the subscriber.
• 🔒 /data/user/0/com.android.providers.media/documents/ — A hidden directory that is only available with root rights, used for temporary copies.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud – if synchronization is enabled, records can automatically be uploaded to the cloud (Records section) → Calls).

To find entries without root rights, open the Dictaphone app (or Records in new versions). MIUI) And you can go to Calls, and you can see all the saved conversations that you can listen to, rename, or export, and note that the files in this folder are not encrypted, so they can be easily copied to your PC through the computer. USB-cable.

⚠️ Note: On some models (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), call records can be automatically deleted after 30 days unless the storage settings are changed. → Annexes → Dictaphone → Storage.

Hidden folders and system directories: how to access

If standard methods didn't help you find records, you might have files stored in hidden system folders, which is true for devices with customized firmware or after you reset, and you'll need to access those directories to:

1. A file manager with root access (e.g., Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. ADB-commands to view hidden files without root (more below).
3. PCs with drivers installed to connect via MTP or ADB.

Key system pathways where records can be stored:

To view hidden files without root, connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command in the ADB terminal:

adb shell ls -la /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/

If the folder exists but does not appear in the file manager, copy the files to your computer by command:

adb pull /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/ C:\Call_Records\

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If ADB does not recognize the device, install Xiaomi USB Drivers drivers and enable USB Debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times).

Third-party Write Applications: Where They Store Files

Many users install alternative applications to record calls, such as Cube Call Recorder, ACR or Call Recorder by Lovekesh.These programs often offer advanced features (such as two-way recording on Android 10+), but store files in their own folders, which are not always obvious.

Typical storage paths for popular applications:

• 🎤 Cube Call Recorder: /storage/emulated/0/CubeBackup/ or /storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings/ (format.mp3 or.ogg).
• 📞 ACR (Another Call Recorder): /storage/emulated/0/ACR/ subfolded.
• 🔊 Call Recorder by Lovekesh: /storage/emulated/0/CallRecorder/ (Files are named by number and time).
• ☁️ Google Drive/Dropbox: If you have autoboot enabled, records can be stored in the cloud in the application folder.

Features of the work of third-party recorders:

• 🔄 Some applications (e.g, ACR) They encrypt the records and store them in a database.
• 🚫 Android 11.+ Applications are prohibited from recording sound from the microphone during a call without using API MediaProjection. This restriction is circumvented through a record notice.
• 📱 On Xiaomi MIUI 14+ Third-party recorders may conflict with the built-in function. Turn it off in Settings → Permits → Special access → Recording calls.

⚠️ Note: Applications from unverified sources (e.g, APK-forum files) can transfer call records to third parties. → Annexes → [Title of the programme] → Permissions and reviews on Google Play.

How to export and reserve conversation records

Exporting call records may be necessary to take you to court, save important information, or free up memory on your device.

Method 1: Manual export through file manager

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer mode).
2. Go to the folder with records (see sections above).
3. Copy files in.m4a,.amr or.mp3 format to your computer.
4. For security, archive a folder with a password (for example, through 7-Zip or WinRAR).

Method 2: Cloud redundancy

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Enable synchronization in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Records. Limitation: 5GB free.
• 📁 Google Drive: Download the entries folder manually or through the Automate app (set up automatic download).
• 🔒 Encrypted Clouds: Use Proton Drive or Tresorit for sensitive records.

Method 3: Export via ADB (for hidden files)

If the records are stored in system folders, extract them by command:

adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.media/databases/external.db C:\Backup\

To extract records from the database, use tools like SQLite Browser (look for a file table with the.amr extension).

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For long-term storage, convert records from.amr or.m4a to.mp3 to reduce the risk of data loss when you change your device.

Recovering Deleted Records of Conversations

Deleting call records is a common problem, especially if files were erased by mistake or after resetting settings, and you can return them in several ways, but success depends on whether the memory area where the files were stored was overwritten.

Reconstruction methods:

• 🗑️ Basket MIUI: Xiaomi file manager has a Recycle Bin section (available 15 days after deletion). → Basket.
• 🔍 Recovery software: DiskDigger (no root required to scan internal memory), Recuva (works with the connected device as an external drive), Dr.Fone (paid, but supports deep scanning).
• ☁️ Cloud Backups: Check Mi Cloud or Google Drive – Records may have synced automatically.
• 📱 Backup copies MIUI: If you have been doing backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup, restore data from the archive.

Recovery algorithm with DiskDigger:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select Full Scan (requires root for internal memory).
3. Filter the results for.amr,.m4a,.mp3 extensions.
4. Save the files found on SD-map.

⚠️ Note: After deleting the records, do not write new files to the device (photos, videos, apps) - this will reduce the chances of recovery. MIUI, They can permanently erase temporary files.

Security of records: how to protect privacy

Records of conversations may contain personal information, financial data, or trade secrets, and leaks can have consequences, so it's important to ensure that you have strong protection.

1. File encryption

• 🔐 Use applications like Cryptomator or VeraCrypt to create encrypted containers with records.
• 📱 V MIUI You can enable folder encryption through Files → Select a folder → More. → Encrypt (available on MIUI 14+).

Restriction of access

• 🚫 Disable applications from accessing microphone and storage in Settings → Confidentiality → Permits.
• 🔑 Set a password to your entries folder via File Hide Expert or GalleryVault.

3. Safe transmission

• 📤 To send records, use encrypted messengers (Signal, Telegram Secret Chat).
• 🌐 Avoid downloading to public clouds (for example, Yandex.Disk without a password to the folder).

4. Deletion of metadata

Records can contain metadata (phone number, geolocation, device model) and delete them using:

• ExifTool (command line): exiftool -all= record.m4a
• Metapho (mobile application for iOS/Android)

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you're working with Xiaomi conversation records, users are faced with common mistakes, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Records are not retained

• 🔧 Reason: Not enough space on the device or the recording function is disabled.
• ⚙️ Solution: Check the free space in Settings → Storage. Enable the entry in Settings. → Permits → Special access → Call recording. Update the firmware -- old versions. MIUI There were file saving bugs.

Problem 2: Records are cropped or distorted

• 🔧 Reason: Conflict with other apps that use the microphone (e.g. Google Assistant).
• ⚙️ Solution: Turn off voice assistants in Settings → Annexes → All applications → Google. try another recording app (e.g., Google, ACR Check the codec settings in the recorder application (preferred) AMR-NB or AAC).

Problem 3: You can't listen to PC recordings

• 🔧 Reason: Incompatible format (.amr is not supported by some players).
• ⚙️ Solution: Convert files to.mp3 Use Format Factory or Online-Convert. Use supportive players AMR (for example, VLC Windows Media Player with Codecs).