Why Poco M3 Call Records Are “Disappearing” and Where to Look
Have you turned on a call recording on Xiaomi Poco M3, but you can't find the file after the call is over? Or have you accidentally deleted an important audio recording and don't know how to recover it? The problem is typical for smartphones with MIUI - the system hides the records files in non-obvious folders, and sometimes even blocks their storage due to regional restrictions. In this article, we will analyze all possible storage locations, including system directories, cloud services and ways to restore deleted files.
Poco's Feature M3 (as with other devices on MIUI 12–14) — There is no built-in application for recording calls in some firmware. Even if the function is activated in the settings, files can be saved in.amr or.mp3 with uncomfortable names (e.g, rec_20260515_143022.call). We will show you how to find these files manually, set up automatic saves, and what to do if a record is interrupted or not played back.
Important! On the Global ROM Poco M3, call recording may be disabled by default due to legal restrictions in some countries. If recording conversations is prohibited in your region, the system will not save files even if you turn on the option in the settings.
1. Standard Storage Place: Records folder in the file manager
If the call recording on your Poco M3 is running out of the box, the files must be saved in a standard folder to find it:
- Open the Files app** (Blue folder icon).
- Go to the tab "Category» → «Audio».
The files here are usually.amr (compressed audio format) and are named by date/time. If the folder is empty, check:
- 📁 Recording settings: You may have disabled saving in Settings → Annexes → Calls. → Recording calls.
- 🔍 Hidden Files: In the File Manager, click on three dots → «Show hidden files»**.
- 🗑️ Recycle Bin: Deleted records may be in the Recycle Bin folder** (in the same file manager).
⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI 13+ Call records are not stored in the “Records”, but in the folder MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. This path is hidden from the user, so you will need to enable the display of system files to access.
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If the recording is interrupted or the file is corrupted, try playing it through the VLC Player – it supports broken audio files better than the standard MIUI player.
2. System folders: where MIUI hides records from the user
If there's nothing in the Records folder, check the system directories.
- Open any file manager (e.g., Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
- Enable the display of hidden folders (in the manager settings).
- Go down one path:
| The way to the folder | Description | File format |
|---|---|---|
| /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec | Main folder for MIUI 12-14 entries | .amr, .mp3 |
| /storage/emulated/0/Recordings | Alternative folder in some firmware | .m4a, .wav |
| /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.dialer/files | Records made through the standard Calls app | .amr |
| /storage/emulated/0/Download/CallRecordings | Folder for records downloaded from the cloud | .mp3, .ogg |
If you can't see the MIUI folder, it means:
- 🔧 Your firmware has been modified (e.g. Custom) ROM), and the paths changed.
- 🚫 The recording function is disabled at the system level (relevant to the EEA-POCO M3).
- 📱 You use a third-party application to record (such as Cube Call Recorder) and files are stored in its folder.
How to enable system files without root
3. Cloud services: Automatic backups of records
If the Poco M3 enabled sync with Mi Cloud or Google Drive, the records could automatically upload to the cloud.
Mi Cloud (Xiaomi)
- Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Select “Reserve” → “Call Records”.
Google Drive
If you use Google Phone (Google’s Calls app):
- Open Google Drive in your browser.
- In the search, type:audio "call".
- The files will be in the Call Recordings folder** (if synchronization is enabled).
Important: In MIUI 14, cloud record backup is disabled by default.
Settings → Memory → Backup → Select data → Call records (check)4 Third-Party Apps: Where to Look for Recordings from Cube Call Recorder, ACR, and Others
If the standard entry on the Poco M3 doesn't work, you could install a third-party app.
- 📱 Cube Call Recorder ACR — saves files /storage/emulated/0/CubeBackups or /storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings.
- 🎤 Call Recorder by Lovekesh - folder /storage/emulated/0/CallRecorder.
- ☁️ Automatic Call Recorder – syncs with Google Drive, local files in the /storage/emulated/0/ACR.
How to find it:
- Open the application where the recording was made.
- Go to the "History" or "Records" section.
⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Truecaller) record calls but do not save files to the device – they are only available in the application itself.
☑️ Verification of third-party applications
5. Recovery of deleted records: 3 working methods
If you accidentally delete a record, you can restore it, and the key is not to write new files to the device so as not to overwrite the deleted data.
Method 1: Through the File Manager Recycle Bin
In the standard Mi File Explorer:
- Open the Files app**.
- Go to the "Basket" tab**.
- Find the deleted file (usually with the.amr extension) and click Restore.
Method 2: Recovery programs (without root)
Use the applications:
- 🔍 DiskDigger – Searches for audio files even after formatting.
- 📁 Recuva (via PC) – connect Poco M3 To the computer and scan the internal memory.
- 📱 Dumpster – analogue of the shopping cart for Android, restores deleted files.
Method 3: Through ADB (for power users)
If the post has been deleted recently, it can be found through ADB-team:
adb shell
su
find /storage/emulated/0/ -name ".amr" -o -name ".mp3" | grep -i callThis team searches for all audio files with a call in the name. On Poco M3 with an unlocked bootloader, this method works 80% of the time, even if the file is not displayed in the file manager.
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The faster you start recovering, the better the chances of returning a deleted record, and after 72 hours, the probability of success drops to 30%.
6.Why records are not saved: 5 reasons and solutions
If Poco M3 does not record calls or files are not saved, check:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The recording doesn't start. | Function disabled in settings | Include in Settings → Applications → Calls → Recording calls |
| File is empty (0 bytes) | Limitations of operator or firmware | Install a third-party app (such as Cube Call Recorder) |
| The record is cut off. | Memory deficiency or error MIUI | Clear the cache of the Calls app (Settings → Apps → Calls → Memory → Clear the cache) |
| No sound on the record. | Microphone blocked or damaged | Check the microphone through the recorder or reinstall the firmware |
| Records disappear after update | Resetting MIUI settings | Restore from a backup of Mi Cloud or scan the memory through DiskDigger |
Regional restrictions: On the Poco M3 with firmware for Europe (EEA) or India, call recording can be blocked by law.
- 🌍 Install Global. ROM via Mi Flash Tool.
- 📱 Use apps like Boldbeast Call Recorder that bypass restrictions.
- 🔧 Enable the developer mode and allow recording through ADB:
adb shell settings put global call_recording_allowed 17 How to transfer the recordings to a computer or other telephone
To save the recording of calls from Poco M3 to a PC or other device:
Method 1: Through USB-cable
- Connect the phone to the computer.
- Select the File Transfer mode** (MTP).
- Copy files from folders MIUI/sound_recorder or Recordings.
Method 2: Through the cloud
Upload files to Google Drive, Dropbox or Mi Cloud, then download them on another device.
Method 3: Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
Use apps like Send Anywhere or Xender for wireless transmission.
⚠️ Note: When transmitted via WhatsApp, Telegram, the recording quality may deteriorate due to compression (ZIP/RAR) cloud-based.