Where Xiaomi Stores Records of Conversations: Local Folders, Cloud, and Access Methods

Have you ever recorded an important conversation on a Xiaomi smartphone and then couldn’t find a file? Or worry that your audio recordings are stored somewhere in the cloud without your knowledge? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at exactly where Xiaomi stores phone records — from standard paths in the device’s memory to hidden sync mechanisms with the Mi Cloud.

The manufacturer does not always transparently inform users about the location of such files, especially if we are talking about models with custom firmware or outdated versions. MIUI. We will analyze official and undocumented storage methods, and we will explain how to securely manage this data, from manual search to automatic backup. MIUI (12, 13, 14 or 15) and regional settings.

Whether you use recordings for work, personal purposes or just want to control privacy, this article will help you understand the nuances, we will also cover the legal aspects of recording calls in different countries and provide recommendations on data protection.

Official ways of storing records in MIUI

By default, Xiaomi smartphones (starting with MIUI 10) store conversation records in a standard internal memory folder.The path depends on the firmware version and device model, but usually looks like this:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — main folder for call records in the latest versions MIUI 14/15.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/CallRecord/ — Alternative path for some models (e.g. Redmi Note) 11 or POCO X5).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.providers.media/ — Metadata of records (not audio files) may be stored here).

Record files usually have an extension.m4a or.amr and named by template: CallRecord_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.m4a, where YYYYMMDD — date, HHMMSS — Time of recording, for example, CallRecord_20260515_143022.m4a.

Important: if you use a third-party recording app (such as Cube Call Recorder or a Cube Call Recorder) ACR), These programs often create their own folders in the root directory or on the back. SD-map (if it is installed).

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 15 (beta 2026 Xiaomi has started encrypting some system records. If you can't see files in standard folders, try connecting your phone to your PC and use it. ADB To access hidden directories, command to view all audio files: adb shell find /storage -name ".m4a" -o -name ".amr"

Cloud Storage: Synchronization with Mi Cloud

Xiaomi automatically syncs conversation records with Mi Cloud only if you explicitly enabled this option in the settings. By default, the feature is disabled, but it can be manually activated:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select Data Synchronization.
3. Find the Call Records item (or Call Records in English firmware) and turn on the slider.

Once activated, the recordings will be uploaded to the cloud in the background (with Wi-Fi connectivity) and can be accessed by:

• 🌐 Through the web version of Mi Cloud at i.mi.com (Recording or Call Records section).
• 📱 In the Mi Cloud mobile app (available on Google Play for non-Chinese firmware).

Restrictions of cloud storage:

• 📌 Free account Mi Cloud provides only 5 GB of space (records take up) ~1-3 MBT).
• 📌 In Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Cloud-based recording synchronization may not be available.
• 📌 Records are stored in the cloud for a maximum of 30 days (unless a premium account is paid).

Hidden folders and system directories

In some cases, recordings of conversations may be stored in non-obvious places, especially if:

• 🔧 You use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• 🔧 You have installed software for recording from the telecom operator (for example, the MTS Connect application or Beeline Calls).
• 🔧 Record all calls in your phone settings (not available on all models).

Here is a list of hidden paths where records may be located:

Critical information: B MIUI 14 For the Chinese market, conversation records can be automatically encrypted using an algorithm. AES-256 stored in /data/system_users/0/miui_secure/. It is impossible to decrypt them without root rights.

To check for records in hidden folders:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Use a file manager that supports hidden files (such as Total Commander or FX File Explorer).
3. Turn on the display of system files in the manager settings.

How to find records through standard MIUI tools

If you don’t want to dig into the file system, you can use the built-in MIUI tools:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Go to the Journal (or Recent) section.
3. Find the recorded call - there will be an icon next to it 🎤 (microphone).
4. Click on the record, then select Replay or Share.

If the badge 🎤 No, but you're sure the tape was made:

• 🔍 Try using the search in the application Voice Record (mic icon in the app menu).
• 🔍 Check Download folder – sometimes records are exported there automatically.

For models with MIUI 15: the post search function is integrated into Xiaomi Search (called swipe down on the home screen). Enter a request such as a call record on May 15, and the system will show relevant files.

Deletion and management of records

To remove unnecessary records and make room:

• 🗑️ In the Phone app: swipe left on the log entry and click Delete.
• 🗑️ In File Manager: Go to the entries folder (see Section 1) and delete files manually.
• 🗑️ In Mi Cloud: Go to the web version, select entries and click Delete Forever.

Automatic Cleanup: In MIUI 14+, you can set up automatic deletion of old records:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the phone or voice record.
3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. Activate Autoclean Records over 30 days (if available).

⚠️ Note: Deletion of records from Mi Cloud is irreversible - you can only restore them within 7 days through the Recycle Bin. Local files after deletion can be tried to restore using programs like DiskDigger or Recuva, but success is not guaranteed.

For mass recording management, it is convenient to use Google Files (Google Files app):

• 📂 Open the application and go to the Cleanup section.
• 📂 Select Large Files → filter out.m4a or.
• 📂 Mark unnecessary entries and click Delete.

Legal aspects and confidentiality

Telephone records are regulated by your country's laws, and here are the key points for popular regions:

• 🇷🇺 Russia: It is allowed to record conversations only with the notification of the interlocutor (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation on the right to secrecy of correspondence.
• 🇪🇺 EU (GDPR): The explicit consent of all participants in the conversation is required, and the storage of records without consent can be considered a violation of the General Data Protection Regulation.
• 🇺🇸 In California and Illinois, two-party consent is required, in other states one-party consent is sufficient).
• 🇨🇳 China: Recording conversations without consent is prohibited and may entail administrative liability (Article 251 of the Criminal Code of the People's Republic of China).

Safety recommendations:

• 🔒 Always notify the person about the recording (for example: “The conversation is recorded to fix the agreements").
• 🔒 Store records in encrypted form (use Cryptomator or VeraCrypt for folders with audio files).
• 🔒 Do not sync records with cloud services if they contain sensitive information.

MIUI 15 has a feature called Confidential Mode for Recordings:

1. Open the Voice Recording app.
2. Select the record and press. ⋮ → Move it to a confidential storage facility.
3. Install. PIN-code or graphical key for access.

💡

To avoid accidental leakage, rename the records files before sending via instant messengers. CallRecord_20260515_143022.m4a Use a neutral name like this. meeting_notes.m4a.

Recovery of deleted records

If you accidentally delete an important post, try the following methods:

• 🔄 Mi Cloud Recycle Bin: Go to Mi Cloud → Recycle bin. Deleted files are stored there for 7 days.
• 🔄 Local Recovery: Use programs like EaseUS MobiSaver or Dr.Fone. Connect your phone to your PC and scan your internal memory.
• 🔄 Backups: If you did backup through Mi PC Google Drive or Suite, check the archives.

Instructions for EaseUS MobiSaver:

1. Install the program on your PC and connect your phone via USB.
2. Select the Android Data Recovery mode.
3. Mark the type of audio files and click Scan.
4. After scanning, find files with the.m4a or.amr extension.
5. Select the required records and click Restore.

Limitations:

• 🚫 Recovery is possible only if new data has not been written to the deleted files.
• 🚫 For devices with File-Based Encryption (FBE, used MIUI 13+) root access required.

💡

The chances of successful recovery are maximum in the first 24 hours after deletion, and each new recorded file reduces the probability by 10-15%.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi conversation records