Where Xiaomi Stores Conversations Records: A Complete Guide to Search and Retrieve

Are you trying to find a recording of an important conversation on a Xiaomi smartphone, but you don't know where exactly the system stores these files? Or accidentally deleted the recording and want to restore it? In this article, we will analyze all possible storage locations for call records on Redmi, Poco and Mi devices, from standard folders to hidden system directories.

The manufacturer doesn't always make this process obvious: depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14), the phone model, and even the firmware region, the location of the files may differ, and if you've used third-party recording applications (such as Cube Call Recorder or ACR), the search algorithm changes, and we've covered all scenarios from the built-in voice recorder to manual file manager search.

Important: if you are looking for recordings of not telephone conversations, but, for example, voice notes from the Dictaphone application, their storage path is different - we will also talk about this below.

1. Standard place of storage of records in MIUI

By default, Xiaomi smartphones store conversation records in a system folder accessible through any file manager. The path depends on the firmware version:

• 📁 MIUI 12/13/14: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/
• 📁 Old versions (MIUI 11 below): /storage/emulated/0/Recorder/CallRecord/
• 📁 For Android One models (such as Mi) A2/A3): /storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings/

The files are formatted.m4a or.amr and named by template: Record_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS_phone number. Extension: Record_20260515_143022_+79123456789.m4a.

⚠️ Attention: If the folder call_rec It's empty, but you're sure it was, check the settings of the Phone app. In some regions (e.g., the EU), the default call record is disabled due to legal restrictions. To enable it, go to Settings. → Annexes → Phone. → Recording of conversations.

If you don’t find a folder through standard Explorer, try using third-party file managers like Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer — they show hidden system directories. Also make sure that the manager settings include the display of hidden files (Settings → Show hidden files).

2. How to find records through the application "Phone"

The easiest way is to use the built-in feature of viewing records in the Phone app. The instructions are relevant for all modern Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, Poco X5 and Mi 11:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Go to the magazine tab (watch icon in the lower menu).
3. Find an icon call on the list 🎤 (It means that the conversation was recorded).
4. Tap the call record – if the record is saved, a Replay button will appear.

If there is no play button but you are sure that the recording was, check:

• 🔍 Recording settings: possibly in Settings → Recording conversations worth checking tick Delete after listening.

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If the recording is not played through the Phone application, try opening it directly from the folder. call_rec player-wise VLC — It supports damaged audio files.

3. Search for records from third-party applications

If you use alternative call recording software (such as Cube Call Recorder, ACR, or Call Recorder by Lovekesh), their files are stored in other folders.

Third-party applications often offer additional features, such as:

• 🔒 Encrypting records with a password (in Cube Call Recorder).
• ☁️ Automatic download in Google Drive or Dropbox.
• 📊 Categorization by contact or tag.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Boldbeast) require manual audio source adjustments to Settings → Recording. → Audio source: If you select the wrong source (e.g. Microphone instead of Incoming) + Outgoing sound, recording will be only your voice, without the interlocutor.

4. Where voice notes are stored (no calls!)

Users often confuse conversation records with voice notes created through the Recorder app, which are stored elsewhere:

• 📁 Main folder: /storage/emulated/0/Recorder/ or /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/.
• 📁 For tagged notes: /storage/emulated/0/Recorder/notes/.
• 📁 For screen recordings (if you used the screen recording function with sound): /storage/emulated/0/Movies/ScreenRecords/.

Voice Notes Files Usually Have Extension.m4a or.mp3 and are named by date, for example: 20260515_143022.m4a. You can listen to them through any audio application, including standard music.

5. Recovery of deleted records

If you accidentally delete a record, you can try to restore it.

1. Check the Recycle Bin: In Xiaomi’s file manager, go to Categories → Recycle Bin. Deleted files are stored there for 30 days.
2. Use Recovery Programs: 🛠️ DiskDigger (for recovery from internal memory). 🛠️ Recuva (if you connect your phone to your PC in file transfer mode). 🛠️ EaseUS MobiSaver (specializes in audio files).

Check backups:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup copies.
• ☁️ Google Drive: If the phone app syncs are enabled.

The chances of recovery depend on how long you have been using your phone since you deleted it and how much you have been using it (new data can overwrite deleted files). If recording is critical, disconnect your phone from the Internet immediately and don't write new files, which will increase the likelihood of a successful recovery.

Disable Wi-Fi and Mobile Data|Do not write new files (photos, video, audio)|Connect the phone to the PC in the mode "File transfer"|Use the verified software (DiskDigger, Recuva)|Check the cart and cloud backups-->

6.Why records may not be saved

Sometimes users find that call records are not saved at all, and here are the main reasons and ways to eliminate them:

Problems may also be related to:

• 📵 Regional restrictions: In some countries (e.g. the EU), call recording is disabled by default due to privacy laws. → Additionally. → Special facilities → Recording of conversations.
• 🔋 Memory: If the phone has less than 10% of the available space, MIUI It can automatically delete old records. Clear the cache to Settings. → Warehouse.
• 🛠️ Firmware errors: On some versions MIUI 13/14 There's a bug that keeps the records in a corrupted format, so the solution is to update the firmware or use a third-party app.

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If the recordings are not saved despite the settings enabled, try resetting the Phone app (Settings → Apps → Phone → Storage → Reset) this often solves problems with the built-in recorder.

7 How to transfer records to a computer or other device

To save the recordings of conversations for a long time or to make room on the phone, they can be transferred to a PC, a flash drive or to the cloud.

1. Through cable. USB: Connect your phone to your PC in File Transfer mode (MTP). Open the folder. call_rec (Or the one where your records are stored. Copy files onto a computer.
2. Through the Cloud: Upload files to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Yandex Disk. Open the cloud on another device and download the records.

Through messengers:

• Send your posts to Telegram (no size restrictions) or WhatsApp.

If you transfer the recordings to another Xiaomi phone, save them to the same folder (call_rec), For other brands (such as Samsung or iPhone) you will need to convert files to a compatible format (for example, to convert files to a compatible format,.mp3) via Audacity or online converter.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi conversation records