You're trying to find a record of an important conversation on your Xiaomi Redmi, but you don't know where to look? Complicating matters is that MIUI hides some system files by default, and the standard Dictophone app doesn't always save audio from calls. In this article, we'll look at all the possible storage locations from obvious folders to hidden system directories, and we'll also tell you how to recover deleted files if they're missing after updating or resetting.
Many users mistakenly believe that conversation records are automatically saved in Call Records or Dictophone. In fact, Xiaomi Redmi does not have a built-in automatic recording feature for all calls (except for certain regions with legal requirements), recording is only done if you explicitly pressed a button during a conversation or used third-party software.
If you've never set up a conversation record yourself, you probably don't have audio files in your phone's memory, but before you draw conclusions, check all possible locations -- sometimes the records are saved in unexpected places, especially if you've used Google Drive, Mi Cloud or apps like Cube Call Recorder.
1. Standard record storage locations in Xiaomi Redmi
Start with the most obvious locations where MIUI can save audio files, and these folders are accessible through any file manager (e.g., the built-in Files or Solid Explorer).
The main directories to search for:
- 📁 Internal memory. → MIUI/sound_recorder: It stores recordings made through a standard Dictator (including recordings of calls if you pressed a button during a conversation).
- 📁 Recordings or CallRecordings: These folders are created by some versions MIUI (especially on the Redmi Note 10/11/12).
- 📁 Android/media/com.miui.voicerecord: a hidden folder where system records may lie (visible only when you turn on the hidden file display).
If you’ve used Google Drive for backup, check the Backup/Call Recordings folder in the cloud. MIUI sometimes syncs audio files automatically there (setting is included in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup).
2. How to enable the display of hidden folders and files
By default, MIUI hides system directories where conversation records can be stored to see them:
- Open the Files app (the folder icon on the home screen).
- Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → “Settings”.
- Activate the “Show hidden files” switch.
- Go back to the root directory of internal memory and check the folders: 🔍.miui → sound_recorder 🔍 Android/data/com.android.providers.media
Important: Some folders (like Android/data) may be empty if you didn’t give permission to access storage for recording applications, in which case try using a Root Explorer (superuser rights required).
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If you don't find the folder sound_recorder, Try to search for files by extension: enter the file manager search bar.mp3.amr is the most common format for recording calls.
3. Search for records through the system application "Dictophone"
The standard MIUI Sound Recorder app can store not only voice notes, but also conversation records if you've manually activated this feature.
- Open the “Dictophone” (the microphone icon on the desktop or in the application menu).
- Go to the Records or Calls tab (on some Redmi models it is called Call Recordings).
- Sort files by date: new records will be at the top.
If the Call tab is not available, the recording function is not activated.
- During the call, click on the three dots in the upper right corner → “Write”.
- After the conversation is over, the recording will automatically be saved in the Dictator.
What to do if the "Write" button is inactive?
4. Cloud services: Mi Cloud and Google Drive
If you activated sync with Mi Cloud or Google Drive, the records could automatically be uploaded to the cloud.
| Service | The path to the records | How to turn on auto-save |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Cloud | Mi Cloud → Backups → Application Data → Dictator | Include in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup → Recorder |
| Google Drive | Drive → Backup → Call Recordings (or the folder of the application-recording) | In the recording app settings, select “Synchronization with Google Drive” |
| OneDrive | OneDrive → Apps → [App name] | Configure in the recording app itself (e.g. Cube Call Recorder) |
Note: Mi Cloud records are only stored 30 days after deleting from your phone unless the Indefinite Storage feature (available by subscription) is activated.
5. Third-party applications for recording calls
If standard MIUI tools weren't enough, you could use one of the popular conversation recording apps, and here's where to look for their files:
- 🎤 Cube Call Recorder ACR: Records are stored in Internal Storage/ACR or SD Card/ACR (format.mp3 or.ogg).
To find records from third-party apps:
- Open the file manager and go to Internal Storage.
- In the search bar, type the name of the application (for example, ACR or Boldbeast).
- Check the folders with the name of the application – there should be audio files sorted by date.
Open the file manager|Enable the display of hidden files|Search by application name (for example, "ACR")|Checking folders CallRecordings and Recorder|Sorting files by date-->
6.Recovering deleted conversation records
If the records are missing after resetting, updating MIUI or accidentally deleting, you can try to restore them.
- Use specialized programs: 🛠️ DiskDigger (free version only searches for photos, but paid – all types of files). 🛠️ Recuva (requires to connect the phone to the PC in mode) MTP). 🛠️ EaseUS MobiSaver (works with internal memory and SD-map).
- Check the Recycle Bin: Some file managers (like Files by Google) have a Recycle Bin feature where files are stored for 30 days.
- Refer to backups: In Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Restore. In Google Drive: Drive → Recycle Bin (files are stored for 60 days).
⚠️ Warning: Do not write new data to your phone after deleting files (do not install apps, do not take photos) This increases the chances of recovery, as new files can overwrite deleted records.
7.Why records may not be saved (and how to fix it)
If you tried to record a conversation but the file didn’t survive, the reasons may be:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The "Write" button is inactive | Firmware restrictions for your region | Install Cube Call Recorder or change region in your phone settings |
| Recording interrupted | Battery optimization kills the process | Add the application record to exceptions: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization |
| The file is saved, but empty. | No access to the microphone. | Check the permissions: Settings → Applications → [Title] → Permissions → Microphone |
| No record on Dictator. | The file is saved elsewhere. | Search Internal Storage/Recordings or search at *.mp3 |
On some Redmi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or Redmi 9T), call recording is disabled at the firmware level.
- 🔧 Install custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu) where restrictions are lifted.
- 🔧 Magisk-module Call Recorder Enabler (required root).
- 🔧 Connecting the second phone to a conversation through a conference call and recording it.
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On phones with MIUI Global (European version), call recording is often blocked due to privacy laws, the solution being to change the firmware region or use third-party apps with root rights.