Have you ever tried to find a record of an important phone conversation on your Xiaomi, but could not remember where exactly these files are stored?The situation is complicated by the fact that depending on the version of MIUI, the smartphone model and the way you write (built-in feature, a third-party application or a cloud service), storage paths can be radically different. In this article, we will discuss all possible locations where Xiaomi can store audio recordings of conversations – from standard internal memory folders to hidden system directories, and explain how to access them without risking data damage.
We will focus on the nuances that are rarely mentioned in standard instructions, such as why records can disappear after a MIUI update, how to restore deleted files through MIUI Backup, and what to do if the smartphone does not display the folder with records in the file manager.
Standard ways to store records in MIUI
In most cases, audio recordings of phone conversations on Xiaomi are stored in one of the standard folders of internal memory, but their location depends on how the recording was made:
- 📱 Built-in call recording feature (available in regions where permitted by law): files are stored in /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ or /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/CallRecord/.
- 🎤 Dictator app (if used to record the conversation manually): folder /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/ or /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/.
- ☁️ Cloud Services (if sync enabled): Records can be automatically uploaded to Mi Cloud or Google Drive (in the Calls or Audio folder").
- 🔧 Third-party applications (e.g. Cube Call Recorder, ACR): Each program creates its own folder, usually in the /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/[packet]/.
It is important to note that starting with MIUI 12.5 And more recently, Xiaomi has implemented additional security measures: call records by default can be encrypted and stored in a secure memory area, which means that without root rights or special tools (for example, Mi Mi). PC Suite) access to them may be restricted. call_rec in the file manager, try to connect the smartphone to the computer and check it through ADB:
adb shell ls /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/On Xiaomi 13/14 series models with MIUI 14/15, the default recordings are saved in.m4a (AAC) format rather than.mp3 as before. This can create playback problems on some devices.
How to find records through file manager
The easiest way to detect audio recordings is to use the built-in Files by Google or Mi File Manager.
- Open the Files app (the folder icon on the home screen).
- Go to the Device (or Internal Memory) tab.
- In the search bar, enter call_rec Record or Record – this will help you quickly find the right folder.
- If the search does not give results, manually check the paths: /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ /Recordings/CallRecord/ /Android/media/com.miui.voicerecord/
If the folder is not available or empty, it may be stored elsewhere, for example, on some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+), files may be in /storage/emulated/0/Download/CallRecordings/. Also check the bin in the file manager - sometimes deleted records remain there for 30 days.
☑️ Searching for call records MIUI
⚠️ Note: On smartphones with MIUI Global (European/Indian firmware) call recording may be disabled by default due to local privacy laws. → Annexes → Calls. → Record calls and turn on the option.
Search for records through the Calls app
In MIUI 13/14/15, the built-in Dialer app has its own database of call records, which are not always duplicated in the file system, to find them:
- Open the phone application (pipe icon).
- Go to the Journal section (bottom of the screen).
- Find a conversation with the record - there will be an icon next to it. 🎤 (microphone).
- Tap the record, then click Play or Share to export the file.
On the POCO F4/F5 and Redmi K50/K60 models, the interface of the Phone app may be different: If you don’t see the recording section, update the app via Google Play or install an alternative dialer (like Truecaller) that supports viewing records.
Hidden folders and system directories
Sometimes audio recordings are stored in hidden folders that are not displayed in the standard file manager.
- Connect your smartphone to your computer via USB (in File Transfer mode).
- On PC, open "This Computer" and go to the device's memory.
- Enable the display of hidden files: In Windows: View → Hidden Items. In macOS: Finder → CMD + Shift + keyboard combination.
| Way | Description | MIUI versions |
|---|---|---|
| /data/com.android.providers.media/ | System database of media files, including call records | 12.5 and newer |
| /storage/emulated/0/.callrecorder/ | Hidden folder for records (root rights required) | 11–14 |
| /data/user/0/com.miui.voiceassist/files/ | Records made through voice assistant | 13–15 |
| /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.voicerecord/ | The Dictaphone application folder | All versions. |
Access to /data/ folders is possible only with root rights or through ADB. If you are not an experienced user, we do not recommend interfering with system directories - this can lead to failures in the MIUI.
How to access /data without root?
⚠️ Attention: Folders in /data/ Deleting or changing any data here can lead to a device blink (complete failure).If you are not sure about your actions, contact the Xiaomi service center.
Cloud services: Mi Cloud and Google Drive
If your Xiaomi has Mi Cloud or Google Drive enabled, call records can automatically be uploaded to the cloud to find them:
- ☁️ Mi Cloud: Go to i.mi.com and log in. Select Devices → [smartphone] → Backups. Check the latest backups - records can be stored in the archive com.miui.voicerecord.
Google Drive:
- Open Google Drive.
- In the search box, type:audio.
- Check the Calls or Audio folders.
Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi added the option to automatically download records to the Mi Cloud when connecting to Wi-Fi. To check this setting:
- Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Cloud.
- Select the backup of the device.
- Check if the Call Record option is enabled.
If the records aren’t displayed in the cloud, but you’re sure sync has been enabled, try manually running backup: Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
💡
If you regularly record important conversations, set up an automatic boot to Google Drive via the Automate or Tasker app.This will protect files even when you reset your smartphone.
Recovery of deleted records
If the call records were deleted accidentally, you can try to recover them.
- 🗑️ Recycle Bin in File Manager: Open "Files" → Basket → Find deleted audio files (stored for up to 30 days).
- 🔄 Recovery through MIUI Backup: Go to Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset. Select the latest backup and restore the Calls or Recorder app data.
Third-party utilities:
DiskDigger
Recuva
root
If the records were deleted long ago and there are no backups, the chances of recovery are minimal, in which case you can try to contact the Xiaomi service center - they have specialized tools to retrieve data from internal memory (for example, UFED), but the service is paid and does not guarantee 100% results.
⚠️ Note: When using data recovery software, do not save new files to your smartphone - this can overwrite deleted records. It is better to remove the memory card (if any) and work with it through a card reader.
Legal aspects of recording conversations
Before recording telephone conversations, it is important to know whether it is allowed by the laws of your country, and most regions have the following rules:
- 🇷🇺 Russia: Recording of a conversation is allowed if at least one of the interlocutors (you) knows about it (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.
- 🇪🇺 European Union (GDPR): Both participants' explicit consent is required, and unauthorized recordings can result in fines.
- 🇺🇸 In some states (e.g. California) all parties need to agree, in others (e.g. Texas) one party needs to agree.
- 🇮🇳 India: Recording is permitted if it is for personal use and not distributed publicly.
On Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI Global (European/Indian version), call recording is often disabled by default due to legal restrictions. It may require a change of firmware region to MIUI China to activate it, but this is unwarranted and may violate local laws.
If you plan to use the records for legal purposes (such as in court), make sure that:
- 📝 You have notified the other participant of the recording (orally or in a SMS).
- 🔊 Recording quality allows for clear identification of voices.
- 📅 Write date and time saved (this can be checked in file properties).
For mass export, it is convenient to use ADB:
adb pull /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ C:\CallRecords\