Where in Redmi Note 9 are stored phone records: the complete guide

Recording phone conversations on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is a useful feature that helps to capture important conversations, interviews or evidence. However, many users face the problem: where exactly are these files stored? Unlike photos or music, call records do not always lie in obvious folders, and their location depends on the firmware version, application settings and even the way they record.

In this article, we will look at all possible locations for recordings on the Redmi Note 9, including standard and hidden directories, and explain how to set up automatic saving and recover deleted files. We will focus on the differences between global (MIUI Global) and Chinese (MIUI China) firmware, as they affect the availability of the recording function.

If you've never turned on a conversation record or are unsure if it works on your device, check the settings first — it may be that the feature is just disabled. And for those who have recorded calls but can't find them, a detailed folder structure analysis and file manager search tips will help.

Important: some versions of MIUI may have their conversations blocked due to local laws (e.g. the EU or the US), and then you need a third-party app to tell you which ones are reliable and how to set them up properly.

Standard place to store call records on Redmi Note 9

Default recording of phone conversations on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 They are saved in a system folder that is accessible through any file manager: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/. Here you will find files in format.m4a or.amr, named by pattern: call_record_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS_XXX.m4a, where XXX — unique call identifier.

If the folder call_rec Empty or absent, check for alternative paths:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/ — version MIUI 12-14.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.providers.media/ — For records made through Google Drive.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Download/CallRecordings/ — if third-party software was used.

To quickly find the folder, open the standard Files by Google app. MI File Manager) and enter a request in the search bar call_rec If files are not displayed, make sure that the manager settings include the display of hidden folders (Settings) → Show hidden files).

On the Redmi Note. 9 china-fixed (MIUI China may be different: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/voice_recorder/call/. This is because the Chinese version of the recording feature is integrated into the Voice Recorder system app, not the Phone.

How to turn on recording conversations if the function is disabled

If you can't see the folder entries, first check if the feature is activated. On the Redmi Note 9, it can be hidden due to regional restrictions or firmware settings.

Method 1: Through phone settings

1. Open the phone app (Phone).
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → «Settings».
3. Select "Call Recording" (or "Call Recording").
4. Activate the “Record All Calls” switch or select “Record Only Selected Calls”.

Method 2: Engineering menu (for hidden options)

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##4636##.
2. Go to the “Phone Information” section → “Battery settings”.
3. Scroll down and find the option of Voice Call Recording (could be called CallRecordConfig).
4. Set the value “Enabled” and restart the device.

If the phone’s settings don’t include “Talk Recording,” it means the feature is locked at the firmware level, and installing a third-party app (such as Cube Call Recorder ACR or Boldbeast Call Recorder) will help, but note that they require additional permissions.

Why records are not saved: common problems

Even if the recording function is enabled, files may not appear in folders, and here are the main reasons and ways to eliminate them:

• 🚫 Insufficient memory: Records are not saved if the device has less than 500 MB of free space. → Memory.
• 🔇 Banning writing in privacy settings: Go to Settings → Confidentiality → Special permits → Record conversations and allow access to the Phone app».
• 📵 Operator restrictions: Some mobile operators block recording of VoLTE calls. Try disabling VoLTE in Settings SIM-map.
• 🔄 Sync failure: If records are saved to the cloud (such as Mi Cloud), check your Internet connection and authorization in your Xiaomi account.

A critical feature of the Redmi Note 9 is that on devices with MIUI 12.5 firmware and above, the default records are stored in encrypted form and may not appear in standard file managers. To see them, use MI File Explorer with root rights or connect the phone to a PC.

If the problem is not solved, try resetting the Phone app: Settings → Apps → App Management → Phone → Storage → Clear the data. Attention: this will delete the call history!

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Before resetting your settings, export your call history to your VCF file via Contacts → Settings → Import/Export

How to Recover Deleted Records of Conversations

If you accidentally delete a call record, you can try to restore it with specialized utilities.

• 🛠️ DiskDigger scans internal memory for deleted audio files, works without root, but with superuser rights increases the chances of recovery.
• 🔍 Recuva (via PC) - connect your phone in File Transfer mode (MTP) And scan the folder. /MIUI/sound_recorder/.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud – If sync was enabled, check the cart in the web version of i.mi.com (Devices section) → Files»).

Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select “Full Scan” (requires root for deep search).
3. Mark file types «AUDIO» And put the folder in. /MIUI/sound_recorder/.
4. After scanning, select the desired files and click “Restore”.

The chances of recovery depend on how long it has been since the deletion and how much memory the phone has been using, and if the record was deleted more than a week ago and new files were being written to the phone, the data could be overwritten.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install recovery software on the same memory where records were stored! This reduces the chances of success. Use a memory card or other device.

Comparison of Write Methods: Standard Function vs Third Party Applications

On the Redmi Note 9, conversations can be recorded both through built-in tools and through third-party programs.

Third-party applications offer more features, but require manual configuration, such as Boldbeast Call Recorder, which requires manually specifying the source of the sound (Voice Call or VoIP) and the coding format, and some programs may conflict with MIUI, causing crashes when calling.

When to use third-party solutions:

• 🎤 You need to record calls in high quality (for example, for podcasts).
• 🌍 International Call Recording (built-in feature may not work).
• ☁️ Automatic upload of records to Google Drive or Dropbox.

How to transfer records to a computer or cloud

To keep the conversation records for a long time, it is recommended to transfer them to a PC or to the cloud.

Method 1: Through USB-cable (most reliable)

1. Connect the Redmi Note 9 to your computer using the original cable.
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Open the folder This computer → [Your phone name] → Internal storage → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec.
4. Copy files with the.m4a or.amr extension to any folder on your PC.

Method 2: Mi Cloud (if synchronization is enabled)

1. Open the phone “Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud”.
2. Make sure that file synchronization is enabled.
3. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
4. In the Devices section, find your Redmi Note 9 and open the Recordings folder.

Method 3: Through Google Drive (automatically)

1. Install the Google Drive app and log in.
2. Open “Settings → Backup”.
3. Enable the Auto boot option for the Recordings folder.
4. All new records will be automatically copied to the cloud.

For convenience, you can archive records in ZIP-It's a file right on the phone:

1. Open the Files» → find the folder call_rec.
2. Click "Select" → mark all files → "Squeeze".
3. Send the archive to the post office or messenger.

⚠️ Note: When transferring recordings via instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), the sound quality may deteriorate due to compression. USB.

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The most reliable way to store records is a combination of local backup (on PC) + cloud reserve (Mi) Cloud/Google This will protect files from loss when your phone is dropped or broken.

Legal aspects of recording conversations: what you need to know

Recording telephone conversations is regulated by the laws of your country, and in most cases, recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited, except when:

• 📜 You are a participant in the conversation and use the recording for personal use (not for distribution).
• ⚖️ Recording is made in the framework of the trial (with the permission of the court).
• 🔒 The interlocutor is notified in advance of the recording (for example, at the beginning of the call, a voice message sounds).

In Russia, according to Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and Article 138 of the Criminal Code, recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor can be considered as a violation of the secrecy of correspondence if the recording is used for distribution or blackmail. However, in the Civil Procedure Code (Article 55), such recordings are allowed as evidence if they are obtained by a lawful means.

In EU countries (e.g. Germany, France), the laws are stricter: recording a conversation without the consent of both participants can result in a fine; in the US, the rules vary by state: in some (e.g. California) the consent of all participants is required, in others (e.g. Texas) the consent of one is sufficient.

If you plan to use the records for official purposes (e.g. for a court), please specify the evidentiary requirements in advance, and in some cases, notarization of the file or expert opinion on its authenticity will be required.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Redmi Note 9