Where to look for conversation records on Xiaomi: all methods and hidden folders

Have you turned on a call recording on Xiaomi but can't find a file? Or accidentally deleted an important audio recording and want to restore it? In this article, we'll look at all the possible locations for storing call records on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models), and explain why they sometimes "disappear" from standard folders to system directories, you'll learn exactly where to look and how to access them.

The problem with finding records is often related to the fact that MIUI hides service files or uses non-obvious storage paths, such as newer firmware versions (MIUI 14+) Records can be automatically archived in the Mi Cloud cloud, and in old ones, they can hide in a folder. /MIUI/sound_recorder. We analyzed the behavior of the system on different versions and collected relevant data for the 2026 year-end.

Important: If you’ve used third-party recording apps (like Cube Call Recorder or ACR), the search algorithm will be different – we’ll talk about that too.

Standard storage locations for MIUI records

By default, Xiaomi stores the conversation records in one of three folders, depending on the firmware version and the phone model.

• 📁 Records folder in the gallery: displayed as a separate album in the Gallery app, and it stores recordings made through the standard Sound Recorder app).
• 📁 Internal memory: /MIUI/sound_recorder: System folder where the original files are in the format.m4a Or.amr. To see it, turn on the hidden files in the file manager.
• 📁 CallRecord folder at the root of memory: used in some versions MIUI 12-13 To store records of calls made through the built-in function.

If you don’t find folders in the gallery, check the display settings:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select Show Hidden Folders (or Manage Albums in New Versions).

Why can't the recordings be displayed? A common cause is a failure in indexing media files. To fix this, go to Settings → Apps → Gallery → Memory and cache and click Clear cache. After the phone restarts, the files should appear.

How to find records through file manager

If the standard methods don't work, you'll have to dig deeper. Use the built-in File Manager (or a third-party, like Solid Explorer):

1. Open the file manager and go to the internal memory.
2. Enable the display of hidden files: tap on three points → Settings → Show hidden files.
3. Check the following paths: /MIUI/sound_recorder — main-folder. /Recorders or /Recordings — alternative catalogues. /Android/data/com.android.soundrecorder — There may be temporary files here.

Critical detail: in MIUI 14+ Call records can be automatically encrypted and stored in a folder /Android/obb/com.miui.voicerecord. It can only be accessed through root or ADB.

Enable hidden files

Check the folder. /MIUI/sound_recorder

Search by the keyword “call” or “record”

Try a third-party manager (e.g. FX File Explorer)

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If you use SD-The card as the primary storage, look for records in similar folders on the external drive. MIUI 13+ Default records are stored in internal memory even if the settings indicate otherwise.

entries in the cloud Mi Cloud and synchronization

With MIUI 12, Xiaomi is actively promoting the Mi Cloud cloud storage, where conversation records can be automatically uploaded.

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Scroll down to Sync and check if Records or Recorder is enabled.
3. If yes, go to i.mi.com, log in and check the Records or Files section.

⚠️ Note: Cloud recordings are stored in a compressed format and can be deleted after 30 days of account inactivity.If you do not plan to use Mi Cloud, turn off automatic sync in the settings.

If you don’t find records in the cloud but are sure that sync has been enabled, try Forced Sync:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Synchronize.
3. Wait 5-10 minutes and check the Records section again.

⚠️ Note: some applications (e.g. Boldbeast) require that battery optimization be disabled to function properly.If records are broken or not saved, add the app to the exceptions:

1. Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
2. Select All Apps → Find your recording software.
3. Slip it to the Neoplatimizer.

If you delete the app but the records are still there, you can find them by searching the file manager. Type in the search extension.mp3,.m4a or.amr.

Recovering Deleted Records of Conversations

If you accidentally delete a record, you can try to restore it, and success depends on how long it has been since you deleted it and whether you used your phone after that (new data can overwrite old data).

Recovery methods:

1. Through the Recycle Bin: In MIUI, deleted files first enter the Recycle Bin (stored for 15 days). Open the Gallery → Recycle Bin and check for records.
2. With a PC: connect your phone to your computer and use programs like Recuva, DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver.
3. Through Backup: If you have backed up to Mi Cloud or Google Drive, try recovering data from there.

To recover through ADB (Advanced Method) do:

adb shell


su




cd /data/data/com.android.providers.media/databases




sqlite3 external.db




SELECT * FROM files WHERE mime_type='audio/mpeg' OR mime_type='audio/amr';

This command will display a list of all audio files, including deleted ones (root rights required).

Why conversation records disappear or don't persist

Xiaomi users often face the problem of suddenly disappearing or not being created at all.

• 🔋 Optimizing the battery: MIUI aggressively closes the background processes. Add the record app to exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
• 📵 Lack of permission to write: check the application rights in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Microphone.
• 🗃️ Auto-cleaning: in MIUI 14+ Auto Cleanup is enabled, which can delete old records. → Memory. → Autocleaning.
• 🔄 Sync failure: If records are saved to the cloud but not displayed locally, try logging out and logging back into your Xiaomi account.

Another common problem is that records are saved but empty (zero file size).

• Conflict with other applications that use a microphone (e.g. Google Assistant)
• Incompatibility with Android version (on Android 12+ additional permissions are required).
• Hardware restrictions (some Xiaomi models do not support VoIP recording)

💡

If records stop after 30 seconds, check the traffic saving settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Save traffic. Turn it off for the recording app.

How to Change the Default Records Saving Place

If you don't like the standard file layout, you can change it.

1. Open the Dictaphone app (or Call Record, if installed).
2. Tap it on three points. → Settings.
3. Select the save folder and specify a new path (for example, on the SD-map).

For third-party applications (such as Cube ACR):

1. Start the application → Settings → Record folder.
2. Select the User folder and manually specify the path (e.g. /SDCard/MyRecords).

⚠️ Note: when changing the conservation path to SD-Make sure it is formatted as internal memory (Settings) → Memory? Otherwise, records may not be saved due to Android limitations.

If you want records to be automatically copied to the cloud, turn this option on in the app settings or in Mi Cloud (Upload section).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi conversation records