Where on Redmi Note 9 you can save phone records: a complete guide to search and retrieve

Did you record an important conversation on your Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 but can't find the file? Or accidentally delete the record and want to restore it? In this article, we'll look at all the possible locations for storing audio recordings of calls on this model, including hidden system folders, cloud services and third-party applications. It's important to understand that the location of files depends on the way you record: whether you used a built-in voice recorder, the phone call recording function, or third-party software.

Xiaomi doesn't always transparently tell users where these files are stored, especially when it comes to recordings made automatically during conversations, and we've analyzed all possible scenarios, from standard settings to firmware features. MIUI 12/13/14 — And we've gathered the relevant information in one place, and if you haven't found the answer in the official documentation, here's how to proceed.

Standard storage locations for Redmi Note 9

By default, the Redmi Note 9 stores conversation records in two main locations, depending on how they were created.

1. recordings via the application "Phone" (automatic recording of calls)

If you have enabled automatic recording in the Phone app settings, the files will be stored in a hidden system folder.

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

This folder is automatically created when you first use the function.m4a or.amr and named by template: call_[date [time] [number] [number].m4a. For example: call_20260515_143022_+79123456789.m4a.

2. Recordings through the Dictator app

If you used the standard Recorder app to manually record a conversation (for example, by turning on speakerphone), the files will be here:

/storage/emulated/0/Recordings/

In this folder, records are sorted by date and have more understandable names, such as_20260515_143022.mp3. Important: files from the “Dictophone” can be easily exported or deleted directly through the application interface, unlike hidden call records.

• 📁 folder call_rec — Automatic call recording (only if the function is enabled in the Phone settings»)
• 🎤 Recordings folder – manual recordings through “Dictophone” or other applications
• ☁️ Cloud Mi Cloud – if synchronization is enabled (more on this below)

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI folder call_rec To see it, turn on the hidden files in any file manager (for example, in Mi File Explorer, click "Three dots» → «Settings» → «Show hidden files»).

How to enable the display of hidden folders on Redmi Note 9

If you can't see the folder call_rec It's not like it's not there, it's probably hidden. Here's how to find it:

Method 1: Through Mi File Explorer

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Slip along three horizontal lines in the upper left corner.
3. Select the "Settings" (cog icon).
4. Activate the “Show hidden files” switch.
5. Go back to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/) and find the MIUI folder.

Method 2: Through a third-party conductor (e.g., Solid Explorer)

If the standard Explorer does not show hidden files even after you turn on the option, use alternative applications:

• 📱 Install Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer from Google Play.
• 🔍 In the application settings, find the section "Visibility Show hidden files».
• 📂 Cross the path. /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/.

Install a file manager (Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer)

Enable the display of hidden files in the settings

Go to the file. /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

Check for files with extension.m4a or

Copy records to a secure location (for example, on a PC)

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If the folders call_rec No, it could mean that the call recording function was never activated or was disabled in the settings, in which case the records could only be saved in Recordings (if you used Recorder) or in the cloud.

Cloud Storage: Checking Mi Cloud and Google Drive

Xiaomi offers Redmi Note 9 users to automatically sync some data to the Mi Cloud, including call records (if enabled), and records can be saved to Google Drive if you use backup through a Google account.

How to check your posts in Mi Cloud:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Go to the section "Accounts and synchronization» → «Mi Cloud».
3. Sign in to your Xiaomi account if you are not already logged in.
4. Tap on the item "Device Backup" or "Data Management".
5. Check if synchronization is enabled for Call Records or Dictator.

How to recover records from Google Drive:

If you have ever backed up through Google, the records may have been saved there:

• 🌐 Open Google Drive in your browser on your PC or phone.
• 🔍 Type:audio in the search bar, and it will show all audio files.
• 📁 Check the backup or audio folders».
• 📥 If you find the right files, download them to the device.

⚠️ Warning: Mi Cloud only provides 5GB of free storage. If the space is over, old records can be automatically deleted. Check the Recycle Bin section in the cloud - there files are stored up to 30 days after deletion.

Third-party Call Recording Apps: Where They Store Files

Many Redmi Note 9 users install third-party apps to record calls, such as Cube Call Recorder, ACR Call Recorder by Lovekesh, which is a program that usually saves files in its own folders, not in the system folders:

If you have used one of these apps but can’t find the records, check:

• 📌 Application settings – some programs allow you to change the save path (for example, on the SD-map).
• 🗑️ Recycle Bin – In some applications (such as Cube), deleted records are stored there for 7-30 days.
• ☁️ Application cloud — ACR Cube offers its own cloud services for backup.

💡

If you delete a third-party application to record, its file folder may remain in the phone's memory. Check the root directory for folders with the names of remote programs (for example, /storage/emulated/0/ACR/).

How to Recover Deleted Records of Conversations

If you accidentally delete a call record, not everything is lost. There are several ways to get it back, but success depends on how long it has been since you deleted it and whether you used the phone after that (new data can overwrite old ones).

Method 1: Recovery through the File Manager Recycle Bin

Some file managers (such as Mi File Explorer or Google Files) have a built-in bin where files are stored for 7-30 days:

1. Open the files. → press three points → «Basket».
2. Find deleted audio files (usually with extension.m4a,.mp3,.amr).
3. Select the files you need and click “Restore”.

Method 2: Using data recovery software

If the files are not in the Recycle Bin, try the specialized utilities:

• 📱 For phone: DiskDigger, Recuva for Android (requires root rights for deep scanning).
• 💻 For PC: EaseUS Data Recovery, Recuva (connect your phone to your computer in file transfer mode).

Method 3: Checking backup copies

If you’ve ever done a phone backup, the records could have been saved there:

• 🔄 Local backup: Check the folder /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ (If you have used built-in backup MIUI).
• ☁️ Cloud Backup: In Mi Cloud or Google Drive (instructions above).

⚠️ Note: After deleting the record DO NOT install new applications and DO NOT record large files (photos, videos) - this reduces the chances of successful recovery. The fewer operations with the memory of the phone, the higher the probability of returning lost data.

Yeah, and I couldn't restore it.

Yeah, but I managed to get it back.

No, I never lost.

I don't record conversations.

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How to transfer call records to a computer or other device

If you find records, but you want to save them in a safe place, you can transfer them to your PC, your flash drive, or the cloud.

Method 1: Through USB-cable

1. Connect the Redmi Note 9 to your computer USB-cable.
2. On your phone, select File Transfer Mode (or «MTP»).
3. On PC, open the Explorer (This Computer) → your phone).
4. Go to the folder with the records (for example, /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/).
5. Copy files to any folder on your computer.

Method 2: Wi-Fi (without wire)

If the cable is not available, use wireless transmission:

• 📲 Install the Send Anywhere or Xender app on your phone.
• 💻 Open the web version of the service on your computer (send-anywhere.com).
• 🔗 On your phone, select records files and generate a 6-digit code.
• 📥 Enter this code on your computer to download files.

Method 3: Through the Cloud

If your records are already in the cloud (Mi Cloud or Google Drive), download them from there:

• ☁️ Log in to your Mi Cloud account via your browser.
• 📂 Find the section "Records" or "Audio».
• 📥 Select the necessary files and click “Download».

💡

The most reliable way to save records for a long time is to transfer them to your computer and make a backup on an external medium (a flash drive or hard drive).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you're working with Redmi Note 9 call records, you're going to have a typical problem, and we're going to look at some of the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: No records are saved (folder is empty)

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔕 Recording function disabled: Check the settings of the Phone application» → «Recording calls».
• 📵 Lack of memory: Free up space on your phone (delete unnecessary files).
• 🛠️ Firmware error: Update MIUI until the latest version or reset the settings of the phone application».

Problem 2: Records are saved but not reproduced

If there are files but they are not opened:

• 🎵 No codec: Install a player with support.m4a/.amr (for example, VLC).
• 🔊 File corrupted: Try to play back on another device or restore via Audacity.
• 📱 Recording error: Reboot your phone and make a test record again.

Problem. 3: You can't find the file. call_rec even with hidden files

Possible causes:

• 📁 Folder not created: Enable call recording at least once - folder will appear automatically.
• 🔄 Resetting: After resetting the phone to factory settings, the folder could have gone away.
• 🛡️ Firmware limitations: On some versions MIUI For China, records are stored elsewhere (e.g., in a different location, /data/..., root-only).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions