Finding audio recordings of phone conversations on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is often a challenge for users, especially after an operating system update.The situation is made worse by the fact that the company constantly changes the structure of the file system and renames the system applications in its MIUI shells and the new HyperOS. If you tried to find files through a standard Explorer and found nothing, chances are you searched in the wrong directory or did not take into account the settings of the region.
In this article, we will look at where the files with voice recordings are physically located, how to change the default save path, and what to do if the records stop appearing, and we will look at both standard methods for searching through the file manager and hidden settings that advanced users may need to organize the archive.
Understanding the structure of Android directories on Xiaomi devices is critical to backing up important information. Unlike many other manufacturers, Xiaomi uses specific encryption and file naming algorithms that can confuse even an experienced gadget owner. Let's see where the device stores your dialogues.
Standard path to files through Explorer
The fastest way to get to the right folder is to use the built-in Explorer app. On modern versions of the shell, the interface may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same. Files are usually hidden deep in the system directories, where the user rarely looks unnecessarily.
Open the File Manager app and go to the Internal Drive section. You need to open the folder sequentially. MIUI, later sound_recorder. This is where most audio recordings are stored by default, but there is a separate subdirectory for phone records that is often overlooked.
Inside the folder. sound_recorder You'll find some subfolders. We're interested in the catalog. call_rec. If you are using a global firmware version or a specific region, the name may vary, but most often it is. call_rec. The files here have an extension.m4a or.mp3 and are referred to in the format "Record date time».
⚠️ Note: In some versions of HyperOS, access to the folder Android/data If you can't see files, try using a third-party file manager with extended rights, such as Total Commander or Solid Explorer.
The structure of the path for manual transition is as follows:
/Internal memory/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/If you didn't find the folder. call_rec, Check if the rec or record folder is inside the directory sound_recorder. Sometimes the system groups records by date, creating nested folders with the name of the year or month.
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If standard search doesn’t produce results, use the File Search feature in the explorer itself. Enter the.m4a extension or the keyword “call” to filter out only the desired audio tracks.
Settings of the recorder and changing the path of preservation
The standard Xiaomi Dictophone app has a wide range of features that allow you not only to record, but also to manage the storage of files. By default, all records are stored in internal memory, which can quickly lead to overflowing, especially if you are actively communicating with your voice or often record important conversations.
To change your settings, open the Dictophone app and click on the three dots in the top right corner (or menu button). Select Settings. Here you are interested in the section "Save folder" or "Save path." The system will tell you to choose between internal memory and a card. SD-maps, if they are installed.
Transfer of records SD-There are a number of benefits to the card: first, it makes room for apps to be installed; second, when you reset your phone or flash it over, your records will remain intact on the external media. However, it is worth considering that the write speed on cheap memory cards can be lower, which sometimes leads to interruption of the recording when an incoming call is made.
☑️ Setup of record retention
Also, in the voice recorder settings, you can find the option "Record quality." For phone conversations, it is recommended to choose "High" or "Lossless" so that the interlocutor is well heard even when the communication is poor. Low quality can make the recording inaudible, and it will be impossible to restore it.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| File format | M4A / MP3 | Compatibility with players |
| Quality. | High. | Learning of speech |
| Location. | SD-map | Saving phone memory |
| Recording through a speaker | Included. | Improves the volume of the interlocutor |
It is important to note that changing the save path will only apply to new entries. Old files will remain in the same directory and will have to be manually moved if you want to clean up the file system.
Search for records through the phone application
Not all users know that the latest conversation records can be accessed directly from the dialing interface, and this is the most convenient way to listen to the recording immediately after the call is completed without wandering through the file manager folders.
Open the phone app (green handset). In the recent call list (call log), find the number that you recorded. Next to the contact number or name, there should be a special icon — usually a small square or voice recorder icon.
If you don't have an icon, click the arrow to the right of the number or contact name to open (call details). The menu that opens often has a "Listen to Record" or "Call Record" button, and you can find the "Share" option here, which will allow you to send a file via the messenger or save it elsewhere.
⚠️ Note: Automatic call recording and access through call logs may not be available in some regions due to legal restrictions, in which cases the record icon may not be available even if the recorder app is installed.
To mass-manage your phone's recordings, go to the phone app settings. Scroll down to "Call Record," and you can automatically record all incoming and outgoings, and you can also select whether to alert the other person with an audible signal.
Why is the recording button missing?
Synchronization with Xiaomi Cloud and Google Drive
Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers convenient backup tools, including audio recordings, which are critical to keeping information safe in the event of a device being lost or stolen, and synchronization allows you to access records from any device that logs in to your account.
To set up sync, go to Settings on your phone, select your Mi Account (at the top of the list), and click on "Xiaomi Cloud." Make sure the Dictophone switch is activated. The system will automatically upload new records to the cloud when you connect to Wi-Fi.
Alternatively, use Google Drive. In the Dictator settings, find Google Drive Sync (could be called Backup) and log in to your Google account and select a folder to save, which is especially useful if you actively use Google services.
But it's worth remembering the limits of free space. Xiaomi Cloud provides just 5GB for free, which is pretty quick to fill up with high-quality audio files. Google Drive gives 15GB, but it comes with mail and photos. Check occupied volume regularly so that synchronization is not interrupted.
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Automatic synchronization is the best way to secure records, but requires control of free space in the cloud storage and a stable Internet connection.
Problems with access and lack of files
Often users are faced with a situation where the record seems to have been conducted (the indicator was active), but the file is nowhere, and this can be due to several reasons, from a banal lack of space to system errors in the Android operation.
The first thing to check is the space available, and if the phone's memory is full, the system won't be able to save the new file even if the recording process is successful, clear the cache, or delete unnecessary apps, and check if the background activity restriction for the Dictator or Phone app is worth it.
Another common problem is that the app crashes after updating the firmware, in which case it helps to clean the data of the voice recorder application itself (not to be confused with deleting files!). Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Recorder → Memory → Clear data. This will reset the program settings, but will not delete the records themselves if they are physically present on the disk.
If files are corrupted or not opened, try playing them through a third-party player, such as VLC for Android.The standard player may not support some codecs or container formats used by the system at a particular time.