Where on Xiaomi saves conversation records: search in memory, cloud and hidden folders

You've been looking for an important phone call record on Xiaomi, but you can't find it? Or you find that the call record feature is on, but where are those files stored -- it's not clear? This problem is familiar to many users of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones, where the logic of storing audio files isn't always obvious. Unlike an iPhone or Samsung, where the records are usually in a standard Records folder, on MIUI, everything is different.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible places to store your Xiaomi conversation records, from obvious folders in internal memory to hidden system directories and cloud services, how to find files manually, recover deleted records, and why they sometimes disappear after a MIUI update, and how to set up automatic saving to a safe place so you don’t lose important conversations anymore.

1. Standard record storage locations on Xiaomi

By default, Xiaomi smartphones store call records in one of three folders, depending on the version of MIUI and the call app used.

• 📁 folder MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec — The main place for recordings made by the standard Phone application (located in internal memory).
• 📁 Recordings folder – an alternative storage at the root of internal memory (sometimes created on older versions) MIUI 10-11).
• 📁 folder Android/media/com.miui.voicerecord — This can be a record if you used a built-in voice recorder to save conversations.

To check these folders:

1. Open the File Manager app.
2. Go to the Device (Internal Memory) tab.
3. Enable the display of hidden folders in the file manager settings (if necessary).
4. Enter the folder name in the search bar or scroll through the list manually.

Record files are usually formatted.m4a or.amr and named by template: call_rec_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS (where YYYYMMDD — date, HHMMSS — If the folders are not there or they are empty, then the records are stored elsewhere - read on.

2.Why records go missing: 5 common causes

Many users experience call records suddenly disappear, and here are the main reasons why this happens:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: After major updates (for example, with the MIUI 12 on MIUI (14) folder structure may change and old records may be moved or deleted.
• 🧹 Cache Clearing: The Phone or Records app sometimes clears temporary files, including unsaved records.
• ☁️ Sync with Mi Cloud: If automatic backup is enabled, records can be moved to the cloud and deleted from the device.
• 📱 Factory reset: Without a pre-backup, all local records will be erased.
• 🚫 Unenforceable: Some recording applications (such as Cube Call Recorder) require additional permissions to save files.

Important: Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi has restricted access to system folders for third-party file managers. call_rec through the Total Commander or ES Explorer, try the standard Files app or connect your phone to your PC.

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If the records are missing after the update, check the MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ folder – sometimes there are backups of old files.

3. How to find records in the Mi Cloud

If your Xiaomi enabled sync with Mi Cloud, the records could be automatically uploaded to the site to find them:

1. Open “Settings” → “Xiaomi Account” → “Mi Cloud” →
2. Make sure that the Sync Records slider (or Call Records) is active.
3. Go to the web version of Mi Cloud (from your computer or phone) and log in.
4. In the Devices section, select your smartphone and find the Records or Audio tab.

Please note:

• ☁️ Only records made after connecting your Mi Account are stored in the cloud.
• 🕒 Files in Mi Cloud are available for 30 days from the moment of deletion from the device (unless otherwise configured).
• 📥 To download the record, click on the three dots next to the file and select Save to the device».

4. Search for records through the Phone app

The easiest way to find records is through the built-in Dialer app.

1. Open the phone app.
2. Go to the Journal section (the icon of the clock at the bottom of the screen).
3. Find the right call in the list and click on it.
4. If the conversation was recorded, an icon will appear under the number. 🎤 Or it says, "Record." Click on it to listen to it.

If there is no recording icon, but you are sure the conversation has been maintained:

• 🔍 Check the filters in the log (only incoming/outgoing ones may be displayed).
• 📅 Make sure you’re watching the correct date – records are grouped by day.
• ⚙️ Go to the settings of the application "Phone» → «Recording calls» → «List of records».

Note: On some models (such as the POCO F3 or Redmi Note 10 Pro), call recording is disabled by default due to regional restrictions.

1. Open “Phone Settings” → “Additional”.
2. Find the "Call Record" item and activate it.
3. Select a save format (e.g., “All Calls” or “Selected Only”).

5. Recovery of deleted records

If the records have been deleted, you can try to restore them. Here are 3 working methods:

Warning: Don't install recovery software on the same memory partition where the records were stored! This will overwrite the deleted files and they will not be possible to return. Better connect the phone to a PC and scan the memory card or internal drive through the computer.

Disable Wi-Fi and Mobile Data

Charge your phone at least 50%

Do not save new files to the device

Use verified software (e.g. EaseUS MobiSaver)-->

6. Alternative methods of recording and storage

If standard methods don’t work or you want to keep conversations more secure, consider these options:

• 📱 Third-party apps: Cube Call Recorder, Call Recorder by Lovekush or ACR Allows you to select a folder to save and automatically upload records to Google Drive.
• ☁️ Automatic Cloud Upload: Set up sync with Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive through apps like Automate or Tasker.
• 💾 Local Backup: Copy the folder regularly call_rec computer or external storage.

To set up Cube Call Recorder:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. When you first start, provide all the permissions you have requested (including access to calls and microphones).
3. In the settings, select “Save folder” and specify a convenient directory (for example, /sdcard/CallRecords/).
4. Activate the “Outload to the Cloud” option and link your Google account.

Important: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14+, some recording apps may not work due to privacy restrictions.In this case, try ACR with manual recording mode (click "Write" during the call).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When working with call records on Xiaomi, users often make these mistakes:

• 🔕 Do not check the settings of the record: By default, the mode “Only selected contacts” can be turned on, because of which not all conversations are saved.
• 📵 Ignore permission notices: Without the right to access microphone and storage, apps will not be able to record.
• 🔄 Not updated: In older versions MIUI There are some file saving bugs (for example, in MIUI 12.5 Records Sometimes Disappeared After Rebooting).
• 🗑️ Remove the cache of the phone app: This can erase temporary records that are not yet stored in permanent memory.

To avoid problems:

1. Check your records regularly (for example, once a week).
2. Set up automatic upload of important conversations to the cloud.
3. Before the update MIUI Make a backup copy of the folder call_rec.

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Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi blocks call recording for some regions (e.g. EU).If the feature is not available, use third-party applications with manual control.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions