Xiaomi’s smartphone conversation recording feature is a useful tool for capturing important information, but many users are faced with the problem of where do these files stay? Unlike photos or screenshots, call recordings are not always obvious in the gallery or file manager. The reasons for this are the features of MIUI firmware, hidden system folders, and differences between models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.).
In this article, we will look at all possible locations for recordings, including standard and alternative paths, and how to find, restore or transfer them to another medium, focusing on hidden folders that do not appear in the standard Explorer, and the nuances of working with different versions of MIUI (12 to 14).
Before you start searching, make sure that the recording function is activated at all, and in some regions (e.g. the EU) it may be disabled by default due to legal restrictions, and you can check this in the phone settings in the next section.
1. Where the default call records on Xiaomi are saved
In most cases, the recordings of conversations on Xiaomi are stored in the device’s internal memory along the following path: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/. However, this path may vary depending on the:
- 📱 Smartphone models (for example, on the POCO F5 file Poco/sound_recorder)
- 🔄 Versions MIUI (into MIUI 14 folder structure has changed compared to MIUI 12)
- 🌍 Firmware region (global, Chinese or European version)
If you use the standard Phone app (com.android.dialer), the records are usually saved in.amr or.amr format.mp3 with a file name containing the date and number of the subscriber (for example, 20260515_143022_+79123456789.amr). These files are not displayed in the gallery, but can be found through any file manager (e.g. Files by Google or built-in file manager). MI File Manager).
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If you don’t see the MIUI folder in the root directory, turn on the hidden files in the file manager settings. In MI File Manager, this is done through Three Dots → Settings → Show hidden files
On some models (such as the Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi K50), records can be saved in the Recorders or CallRecordings folder, depending on the version of the Phone app. If you updated your firmware over the air (OTA), the path may have changed without notice.
2. How to find records through built-in MIUI tools
Not all users know that Xiaomi provides built-in access to records directly from the Phone app.
- Open the phone application (pipe icon).
- Go to the Journal section (the icon of the clock at the bottom of the screen).
- Find an icon call on the list 🎤 (microphone – this means that the conversation was recorded.
- Tap the call record and select Play or Detail.
If the microphone icon is not available, the recording is not saved (possibly the function was disabled or an error occurred).
- 🔧 Recording settings: Phone → ⚙️ Settings → Recording calls
- 📁 folder MIUI/sound_recorder manually (as described in the previous section)
- 🗑️ File Manager Recycle Bin (records could have been deleted accidentally)
Important: In some firmware (for example, MIUI 13 for the European region) the call recording function is disabled at the system level due to privacy laws, in which case you will either need to install an alternative call app (e.g. Truecaller or Cube Call Recorder) or use the service. ADB-commands to unlock the function.
How to Enable Call Recording Through ADB
3. Alternative places of record storage
If the records are not found in the standard folder, check the following locations:
| Storage area | Way | When used |
|---|---|---|
| External SD-map | /storage/XXXX-XXXX/MIUI/sound_recorder/ | If the recording settings indicate saving to the memory card |
| The Dictaphone application folder | /storage/emulated/0/Recorders/ | If the recording was conducted through the built-in voice recorder, and not through the application "Phone". |
| The Mi Cloud Cloud | https://i.mi.com (Records section) | If cloud sync is enabled (rarely used for calls) |
| Cache folder. | /data/data/com.android.dialer/cache/ | Temporary records files (root rights required to access) |
On dual-devices SIM-cards (Dual) SIM) The records can be divided into folders depending on the line:
- call_rec_sim1/
- call_rec_sim2/
Critical Feature: On some models (Redmi) 10C, POCO M4 Pro) records are automatically deleted through 30 days, unless your storage settings have been changed. To avoid this, transfer your files to another location (e.g., to a different location). Download/Call_Records/) or disable autocleaning in the settings of the Phone application.
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Check the settings of the Phone application → Call Record → Autodelete. The default may be to clean old records!
4. How to recover deleted call records
If the records were deleted accidentally, you can try to recover them using specialized tools, the chances of success depend on how long it took after the deletion and how actively the device memory was used.
Recovery methods:
- Recycle Bin Check: In the MI File Manager file manager, go to the Recycle Bin - entries can lie there for up to 15 days.
- Use of PC-based programmes: 🖥️ DiskDigger (for Android with root rights) 🖥️ Recuva (if you connect your phone to your PC as a storage device) 🖥️ EaseUS MobiSaver (specializes in audio files)
Cloud backups:
Mi Cloud
Google Drive
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Warning: Don't install recovery software on the same memory partition where the records were stored! This will overwrite the deleted data and make recovery impossible. SD-card.
To increase the chances of success:
- 🛑 Stop using your phone immediately (do not install apps, do not take photos).
- 🔌 Connect the device to the PC in file transfer mode (MTP).
- 🔍 Use programs with deep scanning (deep scan).
Disable Wi-Fi and Mobile Data
Do not run other applications
Connect the phone to the PC
Use the verified software (DiskDigger, Recuva)
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5 How to transfer records to a PC or other device
To save the call records for a long time or to make room on the phone, you can transfer them to a computer, an external drive, or to the cloud.
Method 1: Through a USB cable (MTP)
- Connect your phone to your PC using the original cable.
- In the phone notification curtain, select File Transfer Mode (not Charging).
- On PC, open This Computer → Find a Xiaomi device.
- Go on the path of the internal drive → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec.
- Copy files to any folder on the PC.
Method 2: Through cloud services
- 🌥️ Google Drive: Download files through the app by selecting Add → Download.
- 🌥️ Mi Cloud: Enable synchronization in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
- 🌥️ Telegram: Send files to yourself in "Saved Messages" (limit - 2 GB per file).
Method 3: By email or messengers
If there are few records, they can be sent:
- ✉️ To your mail (Gmail, Mail.ru) as an attachment.
- 💬 Via WhatsApp or Viber (file compression is possible).
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Note: When sent via instant messengers (especially WhatsApp),.amr files can automatically convert to.opus with loss of quality. Use the cloud or USB for important records.
6.Why records may not be saved (and how to fix it)
Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the recording of calls does not start or is not saved.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The recording doesn't start. | Function disabled in settings | Turn it on to the phone. → Settings → Recording calls |
| File is empty (0 bytes) | Not enough disk space. | Clear the memory or change the way of preservation SD-map |
| The record is cut off. | Time limit (30 minutes) | Use third-party applications (e.g. Cube ACR) |
| No sound on the record. | Microphone is busy with another app | Close background programs, restart the phone |
| folder call_rec idle | Records are being saved elsewhere | Check paths from Section 3 or use a file manager with a search |
If the problem persists, try:
- 🔄 Reset the settings of the application "Phone": Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Drop it.
- 📥 Update firmware: Sometimes recording bugs are fixed in new versions MIUI.
- 🛠️ Install an alternative dialer (e.g. Google Phone) if the standard dialer doesn’t work.
7. Third-party applications for recording calls
If the built-in Xiaomi feature does not suit you (for example, due to time or format restrictions), you can use third-party applications. MIUI:
- 📱 Cube Call Recorder ACR — Supports automatic recording, cloud storage and encryption.
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Note: Starting with Android 10, Google has tightened its privacy policy and many call recording apps have stopped working without root rights. MIUI.
To configure a third-party application:
- Install it from Google Play.
- Provide all the permissions requested (microphone, storage, access to calls).
- In the application settings, specify the folder to save (for example, /Download/CallRecords/).
- Turn on auto record for incoming/outgoing calls.
Important: Some apps (like Cube ACR) require you to turn off battery optimization for Xiaomi: Settings → Apps → App management → Special access → Battery optimization → Find an app → Disable optimization.