You have made an important audio recording on a Xiaomi, Redmi or smartphone POCO, The standard Dictaphone app sometimes hides files in non-obvious places, and then after the update, it's not easy. MIUI Folders can change. In this article, all the current ways, including hidden directories and cloud backups that run on firmware. MIUI 14/15 Android 13/14.
We will not only look for default records, but also how to restore deleted files, transfer them to your computer or change the location of the save, and we will also focus on the nuances for different models – from the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra to the budget Redmi Note 12.
1. Standard Dictator app: where to look for records
Most Xiaomi devices have a proprietary Dictophone app preinstalled** (a microphone icon on a red background) and all records are saved by default inside it, but access to files depends on the version. MIUI:
- 📱 MIUI 14/15: records are stored in the application itself (the “My Records” section), but are also duplicated in the folder. /Internal Storage/MIUI/sound_recorder.
- 📱 MIUI 12-13: files may lie in /Internal Storage/Recorder or /MIUI/voice_recorder (Depends on the regional firmware).
- 📱 Old versions (MIUI 11 and below: check /sdcard/recorder — It's an outdated location, but some records may have stayed there after the updates.
To open records through the application:
- Run "Dictophone"** from the app menu.
- Tap on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select "My records»**.
- This will show all the audio files sorted by date. A long-term tap on the record will call up a menu with the options "Share", "Rename" and "Delete"**.
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If the Dictophone app does not have a My Records section, update it via Google Play – the interface was different in older versions.
Important: some users confuse "Dictophone" with "Voice Search" (a microphone icon in the search bar), the latter does not save records - it only recognizes voice commands for Google Assistant or XiaoAI.
2. Search for records through the File Manager
If the Dictator app doesn’t display recordings or you’ve deleted it, files can still stay in the device’s memory. Use Xiaomi’s standard File Manager:
- Open the Explorer** (Blue Labeled Folder Icon).
- Go to the Device (or Internal Memory) tab.
- In the search bar (loop at the top), enter a recorder or sound_recorder — It'll bring out all the folders with the records.
- Alternatively, walk manually along the way: /Internal Storage/MIUI/sound_recorder or (for old firmware): /Internal Storage/Recorder
Record files usually have an extension.m4a or.mp3 name rec_20260515_143022.m4a (Date and time of creation. If there are no folders, try to enable the display of hidden files:
- 🔍 In the "Conductor" tap three points (⋮) → «Settings»**.
- 🔍 Activate the option to “Show hidden files»**.
- 🔍 Restart the application and repeat the search.
What to do if the folder sound_recorder idle?
In some models (for example, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) records can be stored in a folder /Internal Storage/Android/data/com.miui.soundrecorder/files. Access to it is possible only through root rights or after connecting to a PC.
3. Cloud backups: Mi Cloud and Google Drive
If you enabled sync, the records could automatically upload to the cloud. Xiaomi uses two main services:
| Service | The path to the records | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Cloud | Mi Cloud → Backups → Application Data → Dictator | Only available when sync is enabled, files are restored with the backup. |
| Google Drive | Google Drive → Backup copies → Application data → com.miui.soundrecorder | Works if backup is enabled in Settings → Google → Backup. |
| Xiaomi Cloud (new) | Xiaomi Cloud → Devices → [Your phone] → Files. → Audio. | Available on MIUI 14+ with a tied Mi Account account. |
To recover the recordings from Mi Cloud:
- Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Cloud.
- Select “Backups” and find the latest copy.
- Click "Restore" and tick "Dictophon".
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Recovery from the cloud will overwrite current records in the Dictator app. Pre-copy important files elsewhere.
For Google Drive:
- Open Google Drive in your browser.
- In the left menu, select "Reserve copies"**.
- Find your Xiaomi backup and download the archive with com.miui.soundrecorder data.
Note that cloud copies may not contain the audio files themselves, but only metadata (names, duration), in which case you can not recover the records.
4. Search via PC: Connecting to USB and ADB
If you can't find the phone's records, plug it into your computer.
- 🖥️ USB-Type C Cable (original to avoid data transfer issues).
- 🖥️ On the PC enabled mode "File transfer»** (MTP).
- 🖥️ To access system folders - debugging by USB (see below).
Method 1: Standard connection (without root)
- Connect your phone to your PC and select File Transfer mode** in the notification curtain.
- On your computer, open “This Computer”** and your Xiaomi will appear as a removable drive.
- Go to folders: Internal Storage\MIUI\sound_recorder internal Storage\Recorder
- Copy the files you want (usually with an extension.m4a or).
Method 2: Access through ADB (hidden-folder)
If the folder is not visible, but you are sure that the records are, use ADB-team:
- Turn on Developer Mode** on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
- Activate "Debugging by" USB»** In Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- Connect your phone to your PC, open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) Enter: Adb devices (should display your device).
- Use the command to search for audio files: adb shell find /sdcard -name ".m4a" -o -name ".mp3" -o -name "*.AMR will display all audio files on the device.
Yeah, and I couldn't restore it.|Yeah, but I found it through the cloud.|No, I always do backups.|I didn't use a recorder.-->
For advanced users: if the records are stored in a secure folder (for example, /data/data/com.miui.soundrecorder), You will need root rights or specialized utilities like Root Explorer.
5. Recovery of deleted records
If you accidentally delete a record, you can try to restore it, and success depends on how long it has been and whether the device has been used after it has been deleted (new data overwrites old data).
Method 1: Through the "Basket" in "The Conductor"**
- 🗑️ Open the File Manager (File Manager).
- 🗑️ Go to the Recycle Bin tab (or “Recently deleted” tab»).
- 🗑️ Find the deleted entry and click "Restore»**.
Method 2: Recovery programs
If the cart is empty, use the recovery software.
- 🛠️ DiskDigger (there is a free version for Android).
- 🛠️ Recuva (for PCs, if you connect your phone as a removable disk).
- 🛠️ EaseUS MobiSaver (paid but with high recovery percentage).
Instructions for DiskDigger:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Start the scan (select “Full Analysis”** for deep search).
- After completion, filter the results by type “Audio”.
- Tag the files and click “Restore”**.
Disconnect Wi-Fi and Mobile Internet|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Not installing new applications|Use the original USB-cable|Download the recovery program in advance-->
⚠️ Warning: Don't save recovered files back to your phone - this can overwrite the remaining data.
The chances of recovery are higher if:
- 📉 Less than 24 hours have passed since the removal.
- 📉 The phone didn't reboot.
- 📉 No new audio files were recorded.
6 How to change the place of preservation of records
By default, the Xiaomi Recorder stores files in internal memory, but this can be changed, for example, to free up space or automatically sync records with the cloud.
Method 1: Conservation of SD-map
- Open the Dictator.
- Tap on three points (⋮) → «Settings»**.
- Select “Preservation Place” and specify «SD-map».
- Create a folder (like Recorders) or select an existing one.
Method 2: Automatic booting to the cloud
To save the recordings to Google Drive or Mi Cloud:
- Install the AutoSync for Google Drive or FolderSync app.
- Set up the task to synchronize the folder /MIUI/sound_recorder cloud-storage.
- Specify the automatic download interval (e.g., every 30 minutes).
Method 3: Save to another application
Some users prefer to use third-party voice recorders (e.g. Easy Voice Recorder or Hi-Q). MP3 Recorder, where you can flexibly configure:
- 🎤 Recording format (MP3, WAV, FLAC).
- 🎤 Bitrate and quality.
- 🎤 Automatic sending by email or Telegram.
⚠️ Note: If you change the location, the old records will remain in the same folder.
7. Frequent problems and solutions
Xiaomi users often face typical problems when working with a voice recorder, and here are the most common ways to solve them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Records are not retained. | Lack of space in the internal memory or no rights to write. | Clear the memory or change the place of preservation to SD-map. |
| The Dictator app is missing | Removed by the user or hidden in regional firmware. | Install from APKPure (com.miui.soundrecorder package). |
| Records are cut or interrupted | Time limit in settings or background optimization MIUI. | In the voice recorder settings, disable the “Limitation of Duration” and add the application to the battery exceptions. |
| Impossible to open files on PC | Unsupported format (.m4a or). | Install codecs (such as K-Lite Codec Pack) or convert via Online-Convert. |
Problem: The voice recorder does not record the voice
If the sound is not recorded:
- Check if the microphone is turned off (for example, after the phone falls).
- Open the Equipment Test** code ##6484## (to check the microphone).
- Clear the app's cache: Settings → Annexes → Dictaphone → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
Problem: Recordings are distorted or with noise
This may be related to:
- 🔊 Microphone damage (especially after contact with water).
- 🔊 Low quality recording in the settings of the recorder.
- 🔊 Background processes (e.g. running Google Assistant).
Decision:
- 🔧 In the voice recorder settings, select "High Quality"** (192 kbps).
- 🔧 Close all background applications before recording.
- 🔧 Use an external microphone (through the USB-C 3.5 mm).