Have you recorded an important phone call on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, but now you can't find the file? Or accidentally deleted the record and want to restore it? In this article, we'll look at where exactly the audio files of calls are stored in the MIUI firmware, how to access them through the file manager, and what to do if the records are missing from a standard place.
Xiaomi smartphones store conversation records not in obvious folders like Download or Music, but in hidden system directories, and the path may vary depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14) and device model. We analyzed current data for Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/11, POCO F5/X5 and other popular lines – information in the article checked on firmware 2023-2026.
Standard location of call records in MIUI
By default, the Dictophone app (or built-in call recording module) saves files in one of two folders:
- 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — directory MIUI 12–14. Here files are sorted by date in format YYYY-MM-DD.
- 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/ — alternative path for some models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro or Redmi 9).
- 🔍 Important! if you use a third-party application to record (e.g. Cube) ACR Call Recorder, the path will be different — usually in the folder of the application itself.
Record files are either.m4a or.amr and are named by the template:
Call_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS_[Incoming/outgoing].m4aFor example: Call_20260515_143022_incoming.m4a — call-in 15 may 2026 yearly 14:30.
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If the folder sound_recorder not displayed in the file manager, enable the display of hidden files in the settings (usually in the menu "View" or "Settings" → Show hidden files").
How to find records through the built-in file manager
The easiest way is to use the standard Files by Google or MI File Manager app:
- Open the Files app (the folder icon on the home screen).
- Go to the Device or Internal Memory section.
- Open the folder. MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec.
- If you don’t have a folder, check the alternative path: Recordings → Call.
If the records are not displayed, it is possible:
- 🔕 Files are hidden by the system (you need to enable the display of hidden elements).
- 🗑️ Records have been deleted (check the cart or use recovery software).
- 📱 You used a third-party application to record (look for files in its folder, for example, /Android/data/com.app.name/).
Check the folder. /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/
Enable the display of hidden files in the manager
Make sure that the entry is not in the cart (/storage/emulated/0/.trash/)
Try the alternative path /Recordings/Call/
Use search for extension.m4a or-->
Why records may not be in a standard folder
Sometimes files disappear from their usual location, and here are the main reasons and solutions:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| folder call_rec idle | Records are saved to the Mi Cloud (if synchronization is enabled) | Check Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backups |
| Files are available, but they are not reproduced. | Damage to audio codec or incompatible format | Try to open via VLC or convert to.mp3 |
| Records are being saved elsewhere | A third-party recording application is used | Search for files in the application folder (e.g. /Android/data/com.skvalex.callrecorder/) |
| Files disappeared after MIUI update | Resetting or data migration error | Restore from backup or use DiskDigger |
⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) records are stored in encrypted form by default. To listen to them, you will need the original device or backup with the encryption key.
How to Recover Deleted Records of Conversations
If files have been deleted, you can try to restore them using specialized utilities, and the sooner you start to act, the better the chances of success — new data can overwrite deleted files.
Recovery methods:
- 🔄 Bag: Check the folder /storage/emulated/0/.trash/ — into MIUI deleted files are stored there 30 days.
- 🖥️ PC software: Connect your phone to your computer and use Recuva, DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver (root rights required for deep scanning).
- ☁️ Cloud Backups: If you have synced with Mi Cloud or Google Drive, check your archives.
- 📱 Mobile Apps: Dumpster or Undeleter can recover files without a PC (but with limitations).
⚠️ Note: When recovering from a PC, do not save recovered files to the same drive from which the scan is being conducted! Use an external drive or cloud to avoid overwriting data.
What should I do if the recording is damaged?
How to Change the Place of Keeping Call Records
By default, MIUI does not allow you to select an arbitrary folder to save records through standard settings.
Method 1: Use a third-party recorder
Apps like Cube ACR Or Call Recorder by Lovakara lets you set your save folder, for example, you can specify a path. /Download/Call_Records/ easy-to-access.
Method 2: Symbolic links (root required)
With Termux or ADB, you can create a symbolic link that redirects the standard folder to another location:
ln -s /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec /storage/emulated/0/Download/MyCallsThe recordings will then be duplicated in the Download/MyCalls folder.
Method 3: Automatic copying
Set up the task in Automate or Tasker, which will copy new files from the call_rec in the directory you have chosen.
In the standard MIUI folder.
In the cloud (Mi Cloud, Google Drive)
On the memory card.
Elsewhere (write in the comments)-->
Features of recording calls on different models Xiaomi
MIUI firmware varies by model and region, and here are the key nuances for popular lines:
- 📱 Xiaomi 13/14 Series: Records are encrypted by default (requires original listening device: /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/.
- 📱 Redmi Note 12/11: Support for recording to a memory card (if selected in the voice recorder settings: /Recordings/Call/.
- 📱 POCO F5/X5: There is no built-in recorder, you need to install third-party applications. Files are saved in the application folder.
- 📱 Xiaomi for the global market (EEA): Call recording may be disabled due to legal restrictions (e.g. in the EU).
On models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chips (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro), call recordings can be automatically optimized to save space – this leads to a loss of quality during long conversations (bitrate decreases from 128 kbit / s to 64 kbit / s).
Security and Legal Aspects of Call Recording
Before recording conversations, consider the legal regulations of your country:
- 📜 In Russia, recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor is allowed if you are a participant in the conversation (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation).
- 📜 The EU (including the EAEU) requires the notification of the second member of the entry (GDPR).
- 📜 In the United States, laws vary by state: some (such as California) require the consent of all participants.
Recommendations for safe storage of records:
- 🔒 Encrypt sensitive records (for example, via Cryptomator or VeraCrypt).
- ☁️ Store backups in an encrypted cloud (like Proton Drive).
- 🗑️ Delete unnecessary entries through irrevocable erasure (for example, Shreddit utility for Android).
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V MIUI 14 for models with Snapdragon 8 processor+ Gen 1 (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Pro) call records are saved by default in Opus (.opus) format, which not all players support. VLC or convert into.mp3.