You recorded an important conversation, lecture or voice note on Xiaomi, but can't find a file in your phone's memory? The problem is familiar to many: the standard Dictaphone app on MIUI shell devices (or HyperOS in newer models) saves audio files in non-obvious folders, and sometimes hides them altogether from the user. In this article, we'll take a look at all possible storage locations, from standard directories to system folders, and also tell you how to restore deleted files and transfer them to the computer.
Xiaomiβs feature is that the location of the records depends on the firmware version, smartphone model and even regional settings. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 with HyperOS, files can lie in one place, and on the POCO X5 with MIUI 14 in another. We collected relevant information for all modern devices (2020-2026 release) and added instructions for the rare cases when the records βdisappearβ from the gallery.
We warn you right away: not all folders are visible through standard Explorer. Some directories will require a root file manager (such as Solid Explorer) or a PC connection. If you delete entries by mistake, don't panic: there's a section on data recovery at the end of this article.
1. Standard folder of recorder records in MIUI/HyperOS
In 90% of cases, audio files are in an open folder that can be found through any file manager.
- π For MIUI 12β14: /storage/emulated/0/Recorder/ or /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/
- π For HyperOS (2026 year): /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/ or /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.miui.soundrecorder/
- π For older versions (MIUI 10β11): /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/voice_recorder/
To check these folders:
- Open the File Manager (or File Manager) app on your phone.
- Go to the Device or Internal Memory section.
- Enter the folder name (Recorder, Recordings, etc.) in the search bar.
- If the folder is not displayed, turn on the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
Important! On some models (Xiaomi 13T, POCO F5), recordings can automatically sync with Mi Cloud. Check the cloud through the Cloud β Recorder app.
2. Hidden system folders: where do experienced users look for records
If standard directories were empty, records could be saved in secure folders in the system, and you can't see them without special rights or a PC. Here are the key ways:
| Type of folder | Way | How to get access |
|---|---|---|
| System cache recorder | /data/data/com.miui.soundrecorder/cache/ | Root or ADB is required |
| Temporary files | /data/data/com.miui.soundrecorder/files/ | Only through the root guide. |
| Cloud copies | /data/data/com.xiaomi.cloud/files/ | We need super-user rights. |
| Backup copies of MIUI | /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/recorder/ | Visible via PC (MTP) |
To access these folders without root:
- Connect your phone to your computer via USB (File Transfer Mode).
- Use Total Commander or ES Explorer with the option to Show Hidden Files enabled.
- If /data/ is not displayed, try the command using ADB: adb shell ls /data/data/com.miui.soundrecorder/
π‘
If you frequently work with audio files, install an alternative voice recorder (such as Easy Voice Recorder) and set up a record save to your folder, such as /Download/Voice/.
3.Why the records are not displayed in the gallery or conductor
A common problem: files are in memory, but they are not visible in standard applications.
- π Incorrect extension: Xiaomi recorder sometimes saves files as.amr or.m4a, No, no. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.mp3 conductor.
- π No thumbnail: Create a.nomedia file in a folder with records so they are not hidden by the media scanner.
- π Damaged file: Try opening the record through VLC or MX Player β They read broken audio files.
- π Cloud conflict: If sync with Mi Cloud is enabled, records can only be in the cloud. β Xiaomi account β Cloud. β Recorder recordings.
A critical nuance: on some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.4), records are saved in.opus format, which is not supported by most players. To convert a file, use the online CloudConvert service or the AudioConverter application.
How to check the file format without installing programs?
4. Search for records through a computer: step-by-step instructions
If you canβt find files on your phone, connect Xiaomi to your PC and follow the algorithm:
βοΈ Searching for records through PC
Detailed steps:
- Activate USB debugging: Go to Settings β About Phone β MIUI version (click 7 times to unlock Developer Settings). Then: Additional β Developer β Debugging via USB.
- Connect your phone to your PC via the original cable. Select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification.
- Open Windows Explorer (or Finder on Mac). Type in the address bar: \\?\Volume{GUID}\Internal shared storage\ (substitute GUID on the identifier of your device).
- Look for the folders: π₯οΈ Internal storage\Recorder\ π₯οΈ Internal storage\MIUI\sound_recorder\ π₯οΈ Internal storage\Android\data\com.miui.soundrecorder\files\
Copy the files.
.wav
.mp3
If the PC can't see the phone:
- π Check the cable (use the original from Xiaomi).
- π Update the drivers ADB via PC Suite.
- π Try another port. USB (better USB 3.0).
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If the phone is not detected in the mode MTP, try out the mode PTP (In this case, the recordings will be available in the folder. DCIM\Camera\ name-name AUDIO_20260515_123022.amr.
5. Recovery of deleted recordings of the recorder
If you accidentally delete files, they can be returned within 30 days (provided the memory has not been overwritten).
- ποΈ Through the basket MIUI: Open the files. β Basket β Find the records by date of deletion. Restore them to the original folder.
- ποΈ Recovery software: DiskDigger (Android, requires root for deep scanning); Recuva (Windows, connect your phone as a removable drive); EaseUS MobiSaver (specializes in audio files).
- ποΈ Cloud Backups: Check out Google Drive (if Automatic Sync is enabled) or Mi Cloud.
Recuva recovery algorithm (for PC):
- Connect Xiaomi to your computer in MTP mode.
- Start Recuva, select the Audio file type.
- Specify the path to the phone's memory (usually This computer\[Device Name]\Internal Memory\).
- Start scanning. Once completed, mark the files you want (search by date or name). recorder_*) and press Restore.
β οΈ Warning: Do not save recovered files back to your phone - this can overwrite the remaining data.
6. Transfer of records to a computer or other device
To safely copy the records from Xiaomi:
- π€ Through cable. USB: Connect your phone to your PC, find the folder with records (see Section 1), and drag files to any folder on your computer.
- π€ Over Wi-Fi: Use Send Anywhere or LocalSend apps for wireless transmission.
- π€ Through the Cloud: Upload files to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Dropbox, then download on another device.
- π€ On the flash drive: Connect OTG-Adapter and copy files to an external drive.
Tips for Big Files: If a record weighs more than 100MB, split it into pieces via the MP3 Cutter app or archive it in.zip before transferring it.
To automate the transfer:
- Install Automate or Tasker.
- Create a task: When you file in /Recorder/ β Copy in /Download/Archive/ β Send to email.
7.Alternative voice recorders for Xiaomi: where they store files
If you don't like a standard MIUI recorder, consider alternatives.
| Annex | Storage path | File format |
|---|---|---|
| Easy Voice Recorder | /storage/emulated/0/EasyVoiceRecorder/ | .mp3, .wav, .aac |
| Hi-Q MP3 Recorder | /storage/emulated/0/HiQRecorder/ | .mp3 (with bitrate settings) |
| Smart Recorder | /storage/emulated/0/SmartRecorder/ | .mp3, .ogg |
| ASR Voice Recorder | /storage/emulated/0/ASR/ | .m4a, .wav |
Advantages of alternative voice recorders:
- β Opportunity to choose format and quality of recording.
- β Automatic upload to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).
- β Function of removing silence and improving sound.
β οΈ Note: Some applications (such as Call Recorder) may conflict with a standard voice recorder. MIUI. Before installation, disable the built-in application: Settings β Annexes β Application management β Dictaphone β Shut down.