Where on Xiaomi smartphones are stored records of phone conversations: all the ways to search and retrieve

Why recordings of conversations are “hidden” in the system and how to find them

You turned on a recording of a conversation on Xiaomi, but now you can't find a file? This problem is familiar to many smartphone users running MIUI. The fact is that the default system saves audio files not in the standard Downloads or Music folder, but in hidden directories, the path to which depends on the firmware version and device model. Moreover, some records can be automatically archived or encrypted if you used a built-in voice recorder with privacy protection.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible places to store your Xiaomi conversation records, from obvious folders to system directories that are only accessible through the root file manager. You’ll also learn how to recover deleted records if they disappear after an update or reset. Instructions are relevant for MIUI 12, 13 and 14, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5 and Xiaomi’s flagship 12/13/14.

Before you start searching, make sure that the recording has been saved. On some devices, the call recording function can be disabled at the operator level (especially in countries with strict privacy laws), and you can check this in the settings of the Phone application: if the recording option is not on the menu during the call, then it is blocked.

Standard folders for recording conversations in MIUI

In most cases, the recordings of conversations on Xiaomi are saved in one of three folders, the path to which depends on the way you write:

• 📁 Rec folder in the root directory: here are stored files created by the built-in voice recorder (/storage/emulated/0/Rec/). The file name usually begins with REC_ or Call_, a extension is.amr or.mp3.
• 📁 folder «MIUI/sound_recorder»: used for recordings made through the Dictator app» (/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/). Files here can be sorted by date.
• 📁 CallRecord folder: This is created automatically if you have used a third-party app to record conversations (e.g. Cube Call Recorder or Cube Call Recorder). ACR). Way: /storage/emulated/0/CallRecord/.

To find these folders, open any file manager (like the built-in Explorer or Solid Explorer) and manually enter the path in the search bar. If there is no folder, then the records are saved elsewhere (more on this below) or not at all.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) Rec folder can be hidden. To see it, turn on the hidden files in the file manager settings: → Show hidden files.

If you recorded a conversation through Google Drive or other cloud storage, the files could automatically be uploaded to your account’s Records folder. Check the “Recent” section of the Google Drive or Mi Cloud app (if you used sync with Xiaomi servers).

Hidden system directories: where else can there be records

If the standard folders are empty and you are sure that the record was made, you should look at the system directories that do not appear in the usual file manager.

1. File Manager with root rights (e.g. Root Explorer or FX File Explorer)
2. Developer mode enabled and access to adb (if no root rights are available).

The main ways in which records can be stored:

To access these folders without root, you can use adb commands, for example, to copy files from the system directory to an accessible folder:

adb pull /data/user_de/0/com.android.providers.media/documents/ /sdcard/Download/rec_backup/

⚠️ Note: Changing or deleting files in system directories without root permissions can cause application malfunctions. If you are not sure about your actions, use specialized data recovery programs (for example, Dr.Fone or DiskDigger).

How to Recover Deleted Records of Conversations

If the records are missing after a MIUI update, reset or accidental deletion, you can try to restore them, and success depends on how long it has been since the deletion and how actively the device memory was used.

Recovery methods:

• 🔍 Memory scanners: DiskDigger, Recuva (for PCs) or Dumpster (an Android shopping cart application) scan internal memory for deleted files with.amr extensions,.mp3.
• ☁️ Cloud backups: Check Google Drive (Basket section) or Mi Cloud (if sync was enabled).Records can be stored there for up to 30 days after deletion.
• 📱 Local backups MIUI: If you have been doing backup through Settings → System system → Backup, records could have been saved in the archive. sound_recorder.

To improve the chances of recovery:

If you've made a record on a memory card, remove it from your phone and connect it to your PC through a card reader. Then scan PhotoRec or EaseUS Data Recovery, which are low-level tools that can find files even after formatting.

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If the recording was made via WhatsApp or Telegram, check the folders of these messengers: /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Voice Notes/ or /storage/emulated/0/Telegram/Telegram Audio/.

Why records may not be saved and how to fix it

Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the recording of the conversation is not saved despite the successful completion of the call.

On some MIUI firmware (especially global versions for Europe), the conversation recording function is disabled at the kernel level due to legal restrictions, in which case only custom firmware installation (e.g. xiaomi.eu) or the use of third-party applications like ACR (requires root rights to record both interlocutors) will help.

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If the record is not saved due to MIUI limitations, try turning it on via the engineering menu: dial ##4636##, select Phone Information, and find the option to Enable Call Record (if available).

Third-party applications for recording: pros and cons

If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t work, you can use third-party apps, which offer more features (such as cloud storage or transcription), but have their own nuances.

Popular applications:

• 🎤 ACR (Another Call Recorder: automatically records all calls, supports cloud storage.
• 📱 Cube Call Recorder: Keeps records.mp3 It's a very high quality, and it can be a conflict with MIUI and malfunction.
• ☁️ Call Recorder by Lovekara: Integration with Google Drive and Dropbox. minus: free version limits recording duration.

When using third-party apps, records are usually stored in their own folders:

• /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.nll.acr/files/ (for ACR)
• /storage/emulated/0/CubeCallRecorder/ (for Cube Call Recorder)

⚠️ Note: Starting with Android 10, Google has tightened the rules for recording conversations. Without root rights, third-party apps can only record your voice, not the person you're talking to.

If you are using MIUI 14 on Xiaomi 13/14, consider that the system may block background audio recording due to privacy policy, in which case only a rollback to an older version of MIUI or a Magisk installation with CallRecorderPatch module will help.

How to transfer records to a PC or other device

The recorded conversations can be transferred to a computer or other smartphone in several ways:

1. Through USB-cable: Connect Xiaomi to PC in File Transfer mode (MTP). Open the folder with records (for example, /storage/emulated/0/Rec/) And copy the files to the hard drive.
2. Over Wi-Fi: Install Send Anywhere or Feem. Select the records files and send them to your PC over the local network.
3. Through the cloud: Upload files to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Yandex Drive. Download them on another device.

If the recordings are.amr, you can convert them to.mp3 for easy listening.

• 🖥️ Audacity (PC),
• 📱 MP3 Converter (Android).

For privacy, it is recommended to encrypt transferred files, for example, using 7-Zip (create an archive with a password) or VeraCrypt (to create an encrypted container).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi conversation records