Where Xiaomi Stores Call Records: All Ways to Find and Recover Files

Searching for phone records on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is often a challenge: users don’t know where the system stores these files, how to open or restore them after deleting. Unlike photos or screenshots that are stored in a standard gallery, call records can be “hidden” in different folders, depending on the version of MIUI, device model and recording method.

Compounding the difficulty, Xiaomi does not always use a unified approach: on some devices, records are saved automatically when the feature in the Phone application is turned on, on others, only through the built-in voice recorder. In addition, after the MIUI 14/15 updates, the location of files may have changed. In this article, we will analyze all possible options from standard storage paths to hidden system directories and methods for recovering deleted records.

If you recorded a conversation through a third-party app (like Cube Call Recorder or ACR), the search algorithm will be different, as we will explain below, and first we will determine which files we need: recordings from the built-in voice recorder, automatic call recordings or manual recordings through the Voice Input application.

1. Standard folders for call records on Xiaomi

On most Xiaomi devices, call records are stored in one of three folders of internal memory, depending on how the record was created:

• 📁 Automatic call recordings (if the feature is enabled in the Phone application»): /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/
• 🎤 Manual recordings via dictaphone: /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/ or /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/
• 📱 Records through the app “Voice notes»: /storage/emulated/0/VoiceNotes/

To open these folders:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Use any file manager (such as Total Commander or Xiaomi’s built-in Explorer).
3. Enable the display of hidden folders (in the manager settings).

Record files usually have an extension.m4a,.mp3 or.amr. Names may contain the date, time and telephone number of the subscriber (e.g, 20260515_143022_+79123456789.m4a).

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If the folder call_rec Empty, check the settings of the Phone app: records may be disabled or saved to the Mi Cloud.

2. How to enable automatic call recording

If you can't find the records, maybe the feature just isn't activated. On Xiaomi with MIUI 12-15, the power-up algorithm is this:

1. Open the phone app.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → «Settings».
3. Select “Conversation Recording” (or “Auto Recording” on some firmware).
4. Activate the switch and select the save format (Inner Memory or Mi Cloud).

On some models (e.g. POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12), the path may be different:

Settings → Additional → Recording of calls

Is the auto-recording function enabled in the "Phone" app |

Is the right storage source (memory/cloud) selected)|

Is there enough space on the device (minimum 100 MB)|

Is the phone app updated to the latest version?-->

Important: On devices with MIUI Global, call recording may be restricted due to local laws (e.g. EU or US), in which case installing alternative firmware (MIUI EU) or using third-party applications will help.

3. Search for records through the built-in voice recorder

If you recorded a conversation manually (for example, through the Dictator or Voice Input app), the files can be stored in other folders to find them:

1. Open the Dictator app
2. Press three lines (☰) top-left → «My notes».

The system will display the full path, for example:

/storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.miui.soundrecorder/recordings/20260515_143022.m4a

If the app doesn't show the path, use a file manager with a search by date of creation. entries usually weigh between 500 KB and 10 MB depending on the duration.

Yes, automatically via phone settings |

Yes, but only manually through a dictaphone.|

No, I'm not recording |

I'm using a third-party app |

4.Where to look for records if they are missing

If files have disappeared from standard folders, check the following options:

• 🔍 BREAK: BREAK MIUI 14+ Deleted records can be temporarily stored in the file manager basket (path: /storage/emulated/0/.trash/).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: If you have selected the option “Sync with the cloud” in your recording settings, check the web version of Mi Cloud in the “Records” section».
• 📱 Backups: If you have done backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup, records could be saved in the archive.
• 🔄 Application cache: Sometimes files remain in the cache of the Phone or Dictophone app to check: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Phone. → Memory. → Cash.

Critical information: On devices with MIUI 15 and newer call records can be encrypted and stored in a secure folder /data/user/0/com.android.phone/files/call_recordings/. Access is only possible with root rights.

5. Recovering deleted call records

If the records have been deleted, you can try to restore them using specialized utilities. The effectiveness depends on how long it took after deleting and whether the device was used (new data overwrites old ones).

Recovery methods:

Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select Full Scan (it takes longer, but analyzes memory more deeply).
3. Mark the file types:.m4a,.mp3,.amr.
4. After the scan is completed, the records found will be marked green (whole) or red (damaged).
5. Save the recovered files to another folder (not the system partition!).

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The faster you start recovering from deletion, the better the chances of success. Each new record or application installed reduces the likelihood of old files being returned.

6. Third-party applications for recording calls

If Xiaomi's built-in tools don't suit, you can use alternative programs.

• 🎧 Cube Call Recorder ACR — Records both ends of the conversation, supports cloud storage.
• 📞 Call Recorder – Automatic Call Recorder – simple interface, automatic decryption of voice messages.
• ☁️ Otter.ai – Recognizes speech and saves text transcriptions (useful for business calls).

Where the records of third-party applications are stored:

/storage/emulated/0/Android/media/[name packet appendix]/

For example, for Cube Call Recorder, the path would be:

/storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.cube.callrecorder/

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Before installing a third-party app, check the reviews about compatibility with your Xiaomi model.Some programs (such as ACR) may not work on MIUI 15 due to microphone access restrictions during a call.

7. Frequent problems and solutions

Xiaomi users often face typical difficulties when working with call records.

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI records are no longer saved, reset the settings of the Phone application: Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Clear the data. This will return the standard recording parameters, but delete the call history.

If the problem is not resolved, check if the recording is blocked by an antivirus (such as Mi Security) or a battery optimizer.

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Power management applications.
2. Find the Phone or Dictator app and select “No Limitations”.

8 Legal aspects of call recording

Before recording conversations, make sure that it does not violate local law. Most countries have the following rules:

• 📜 Unilateral recording (without notifying the interlocutor) is allowed if you are a participant in the conversation (Russia, USA, China).
• ⚖️ Bilateral consent is required in the EU, Canada, Australia (you must notify the interlocutor of the recording).
• 🚫 It is forbidden to distribute records without the consent of participants (except for litigation).

How to defend yourself:

1. At the beginning of the conversation, notify the interlocutor about the recording (for example: “The conversation is recorded to record information”).
2. Store your records in a secure location (e.g., in an encrypted Private folder in Mi Cloud).
3. Delete unnecessary records to avoid data leakage.

⚠️ Note: In some countries (e.g. Germany) illegal recording of calls may result in a fine of up to €250,000 or criminal liability.Clarify local laws before using the feature.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi call records