Where Xiaomi Stores Call Records: All Ways to Find and Save Conversations

Have you turned on a call recording on Xiaomi but can't find a file? Or have you accidentally deleted an important audio file and want to restore it? In Redmi, POCO and other Xiaomi lines, call records are not stored in an obvious way — their path depends on the firmware version, device model and even regional settings. In this article, we will analyze all possible storage locations, including hidden system folders, cloud backups and ways to restore deleted records.

It’s important to understand that the way Xiaomi records calls is different from other brands, like Samsung, where files are in the open Call folder, they can be hidden in secure directories or even encrypted. We analyzed the behavior of entries on MIUI 12-14 firmware (including global and Chinese versions) and found patterns that will help you quickly find the desired file, whether it’s a random entry or a system log.

Standard folders for call records in Xiaomi

In most cases, Xiaomi calls are stored in one of the three standard internal memory folders, which depend on the version of MIUI and whether you used a third-party recording app.

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — mainfolder MIUI 12–14 (European and European Firmware).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/CallRecord/ — alternative path for some Redmi Note models and POCO.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.providers.media/ — Metadata of records (not the files themselves) can be stored here!).

To open these folders:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (in file transfer mode).
2. Use Windows/macOS Explorer or file manager on your phone (e.g. Mi File Manager).
3. Enable the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings (in Mi File Manager: ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files).

An important caveat: if you use Google Drive or Mi Cloud to back up, records can automatically sync to the cloud. MIUI/CallRecord in your cloud storage.

Hidden system directories: where to look for MIUI entries

If you don't have files in your standard folders, check the hidden system directories. In MIUI, call records are sometimes stored in secure partitions that require root rights or special applications to access.

To access these folders without root:

1. Install a file manager with support for hidden directories (such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. In the manager settings, enable the option to Show system files.
3. Use built-in keyword search: call_rec,.amr.mp3.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from folders /data/ or /system/ No root rights! This can cause the Phone app to crash or completely lose records.

Record file formats and names

Call records on Xiaomi are saved in one of three formats, each of which has its own characteristics:

• 🎵.AMR is the standard format for MIUI, It takes up little space (about 1MB per minute of conversation) but has a low sound quality.
• 🎵.mp3 — It is used in some regional firmware (for example, in India), the quality is higher, but the files weigh 2-3 times more.
• 🎵.m4a — rare format, found on devices with MIUI 14 and the latest chips (e.g. Snapdragon 8 Gen 2).

File names usually follow a pattern:

CallRecord_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS_{phone number}.amr


Example: CallRecord_20260515_143022_+79123456789.amr

How do you change the format? By default, MIUI uses.amr, but you can force the switch to.mp3:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Move to the ⋮ → Settings → Recording calls → Recording format.
3. Choose MP3 (high quality).

⚠️ Note: When recording in format MP3 files take up much more space. If you have little free memory, MIUI Can automatically delete old records without warning.

Enable the display of hidden files|Check the folder. /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/|Search for files by extension.amr or.mp3|Check out cloud storage (Mi) Cloud/Google Disc)|Make sure the recording is not disabled in the phone settings-->

How to Recover Deleted Call Records

If you accidentally delete a record, it can be restored within 30 days (provided that the disk space has not been overwritten).

1.Through the Mi File Manager basket

In the standard file manager Xiaomi has a basket where you store everything deleted for 15 days:

1. Open Mi File Manager.
2. Go to the Recycle Bin section (the bin icon in the bottom menu).
3. Find the file record (sort by date of deletion).
4. Press Restore.

2. Through specialized programmes

If the cart is cleaned, use the data recovery software:

• 🛠️ DiskDigger is a free utility for Android, scans internal memory for the presence of deleted audio files.
• 🛠️ Recuva (for PC) – connect your phone in mode MTP and scan the disk.
• 🛠️ EaseUS MobiSaver is a paid solution with high efficiency for.amr files.

Critical information: After deleting the record, DO NOT save new files to your phone (photos, videos, apps) – this will overwrite the memory sectors where the deleted record was stored, making recovery impossible.

3. Recovery from backup

If you have previously created a backup through Mi Cloud or Google Drive:

1. For Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup and select a date when the record still existed.
2. For Google Drive: Open the web version of Drive, find the MIUI/CallRecord folder, and check the file version history (right click → Version Management).

💡

If the recording was deleted long ago, try searching for it in the Phone app cache. Use Root Explorer to do this and go to /data/data/com.android.dialer/cache/. There are sometimes temporary copies of audio files.

Call Recording Settings in MIUI: Where to Turn on and How to Work

Before searching for records, make sure that the recording function is activated at all, and in MIUI it can be disabled by default due to legal restrictions in some countries (for example, in the EU, recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited).

How to turn on the record:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Press. ⋮ → Settings → Recording calls.
3. Activate the call recorder switch.
4. Select a mode: 📞 Recording all calls automatically saves all conversations. 📞 Write only selected contacts – choose contacts manually. 📞 Do not write - the function is disabled.

Regional restrictions: Some firmware (e.g. EU) may have the recording option hidden to unlock it:

1. Install APK- patch MIUI Hidden Settings (available on 4PDA).


2. In the patch, activate the Enable Call Recording option.




3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: In Russia, recording telephone conversations is allowed only with the notification of the interlocutor (Article 138 of the Criminal Code). MIUI Russian firmware automatically turns on voice alerts about recordings, if you turn it off, it may be considered a violation of the law.

💡

Call recording on Xiaomi works only for voice calls SIM-Conversations on WhatsApp, Telegram or VoIP (for example, via Wi-Fi Calling) are not saved by standard means. MIUI.

Why Call Records Are Not Saved: Frequent Problems and Solutions

Xiaomi users often experience recordings that are either not saved or disappear after a reboot, and here are the main reasons and ways to eliminate them:

If the problem persists, check:

• 🔧 Free disk space: MIUI Automatically deletes old records if less than 1GB of memory remains.
• 🔧 Conflict with other applications: Antiviruses (e.g. Avast) or optimizers (e.g. Clean Master) can block recording.
• 🔧 Damage to System Files: Perform system integrity checks through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⋮ → Check for updates (hold the button for diagnosis).

Alternative ways to record calls on Xiaomi

If the standard MIUI function doesn’t work or doesn’t work, consider third-party solutions, which offer more features: cloud storage, transcription of conversations, and recording VoIP calls.

Top.-3 recorder:

• 📱 Cube Call Recorder ACR — Records both sides of the conversation (including WhatsApp), supports cloud backup. Minus: requires customization for a specific Xiaomi model.
• 📱 Call Recorder by Lovekesh is a simple interface, automatic emailing.
• 📱 Truecaller – in addition to spam detection, can record calls (the function is not available in all regions).

How to set up Cube Call Recorder on Xiaomi:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. In the settings, select Recording Source → Voice Call.
3. Enable the option to Use the built-in record (for MIUI).
4. Give all necessary permissions (including Special Access for Android 10+).

⚠️ Note: Some recording applications (e.g. Boldbeast) require additional drivers to be installed via ADB. This can disrupt the standard phone module.

💡

Third-party recording apps may conflict with the built-in MIUI function. Before installing, disable the standard recording in your phone settings to avoid duplicate files.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls to Xiaomi