Where in the phone Xiaomi stored conversation records: all possible ways and means of access

You’re looking for where Xiaomi’s phone stores conversation records but can’t find the folder you want? a problem that’s familiar to many users — especially when you need to urgently restore an important audio file or transfer it to another medium. Unlike photos or documents, call records are often hidden in non-obvious locations, and their location depends on the version. MIUI, Smartphone models and even recording methods.

In this article, we will analyze all possible options for storing records on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO — From standard folders to hidden system directories, you'll learn how to access them through a file manager, ADB, Or cloud services, and what to do if files suddenly disappear, and we'll focus on the nuances of different versions of firmware and models so that you can find the data you want.

Standard location of MIUI records: where to look first

In most cases, the recordings of conversations on Xiaomi are stored in a folder. /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/ or /sdcard/Recordings/. However, the path may vary depending on the:

• 📱 Versions MIUI: in old firmware (up to) MIUI 12) catalogue call_rec, and new — sound_recorder.
• 🔧 Write methods: if you used a built-in voice recorder, the files will be in one folder, and if a third-party application – in another.
• 📁 Availability of a memory card: when writing on SD-mapping the path can begin with /storage/XXXX-XXXX/ (where XXXX — unique drive identifier).

To quickly check the standard folders:

1. Open the Files app (or any file manager, such as Solid Explorer).
2. Go to the Internal Memory (or Device) section.
3. Check for folders: MIUI/sound_recorder/ — recordings through a built-in dictaphone. Recordings/CallRec/ — for call records (if the feature is enabled in phone settings). Android/media/com.miui.voicerecord/ — Alternative path for some models.

If these folders don't have the right files, don't panic. Maybe the records are stored elsewhere, as we'll talk about later. Also remember that files may have.amr extensions,.mp3 or.m4a, depending on the settings of the record.

⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. the EU), the default call recording feature is disabled due to legal restrictions. If you can't see the CallRec folder, check the phone app settings - it may be that the option is simply not activated.

Hidden System Folders: How to Find Records If They Are Not in Standard Directories

If a search on standard folders failed, the records could be saved in hidden system directories.

• 🔒 Records made through incognito mode in a recorder (for example, in MIUI 13+).
• 📞 Calls automatically saved by the system (if the "Auto Record" function is enabled in the phone settings).
• 🛠️ Files moved there after resetting settings or updating firmware.

To access hidden folders:

1. Connect your phone to your computer through USB and enable the "File Transfer" mode" (MTP).
2. On your computer, open "This Computer" and go to the folder of your device.
3. Enable the display of hidden files: In Windows: View → Hidden Items. In macOS: Finder → CMD + Shift + keyboard combination.

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/.nomedia/


/data/user/0/com.android.providers.media/documents/




/data/media/0/Recordings/

If you can’t see the data folder or storage/emulated/0, This means you don't have root rights, in which case you can try the alternative methods described below.

⚠️ Note: Folders with the.nomedia prefix do not appear in standard galleries and players. To see them, use a file manager with support for hidden directories (for example, use a file manager with support for hidden directories, FX File Explorer or Root Browser).

Call records: where files are stored if the built-in feature was used

If you recorded conversations through the phone's built-in feature (rather than a voice recorder), the files are stored separately. MIUI There is a special mechanism that depends on:

• 📞 Telephone versions of the annex: in MIUI 12.5 and newer records are kept in /sdcard/MIUI/voice_recording/.
• 🌍 Firmware Regions: Global Versions (Global) ROM) The route may be different from the Chinese (China) ROM).
• ☁️ Sync settings: If backup is enabled in Mi Cloud, files can be duplicated in the cloud.

To find the call records:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Go to the Journal section → Records (or History) → Recorded Calls in English version).
3. Click on any entry and select More → Open the folder (or Details) → Show in folder).
4. The system will automatically open the file folder, and remember this path for future access.

If the folder is empty but you are sure the records were, check:

• 🗑️ Recycle bin in the file manager (sometimes files are deleted there by mistake).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Open Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup copies.
• 🔄 Automatic cleaning: in MIUI There is a “Dumpster Cleanup” feature that can delete old records.

💡

If call records are not saved, check the settings in the Phone application: go to Settings → Record calls and enable Automatic Recording (if available in your area).

Access through ADB: How to find records if they are not displayed in the conductor

If the standard methods do not work, you can try to find files through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge is suitable for experienced users and requires:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 Initiated mode "Debugging by" USB" phone-on.
• 📝 Knowledge of core teams ADB.

Instructions for searching records through ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (CMD or Terminal).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (should display the serial number of your device).
3. Search for files with.amr extensions,.mp3,.m4a: adb shell find /sdcard/ -name ".amr" -o -name ".mp3" -o -name "*.m4a"
4. If the search is not successful, check the system folders (root rights required): adb shell su -c "find /data/ -name '*.amr'"

The result will be paths to the files you find, and copy them to your computer with the command:

adb pull /path/to/file/name.amr C:\folder to pc\

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB root can disrupt the system. Do not modify or delete files in folders /system/ or /data/data/, unless they are sure of their appointment.

Recovery of Deleted Records: Programs and Services

If the records are missing or deleted, you can try to recover them.

• ⏳ Time: The sooner you start recovery, the better the chances.
• 📱 Memory type: Recovery is more difficult on eMMCs (older models) than on eMMCs UFS (new flagships).
• 🔄 Device activity: If you write new files after deletion, old ones may be overwritten.

Recovery methods:

Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger (the most effective tool):

1. Install the program on PC and connect the phone in mode MTP.
2. Select your device’s drive and start a “Full Scan”.
3. Filter the results for.amr,.mp3,.m4a extensions.
4. Save the files found on the computer.

💡

If the records were deleted less than a day ago, do not connect your phone to charge and do not install new applications – this increases the chances of a successful recovery.

To recover via Mi Cloud:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Open the Backups section → The device → Files.
3. Find a folder with records (usually) MIUI/sound_recorder) and download it.

Backup of records: how not to lose important files

To avoid losing records in the future, set up automatic backups. MIUI There are a number of ways:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: syncs records along with other data (up to 5GB free).
• 🖥️ Local Copying: Transfer files to a PC or external disk.
• 🤖 Third-party applications: Google Drive, Dropbox, Telegram (sending files to yourself in "Saved Messages").

How to set up backup in Mi Cloud:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable the option "Backup".
3. Select Backup Settings → Reservation folders.
4. Add the folders. MIUI/sound_recorder and Recordings on the list.
5. Set a schedule (for example, daily copying over Wi-Fi).

An alternative method is to automatically send email messages:

1. Install the Automate or Tasker app.
2. Create a task with the trigger "New file in folder" (indicate the path to write).
3. Add the "Send email" action with the file attachment.

💡

For security, store your records in two places: Mi Cloud and Google Drive, which will protect your data even if one of the services fails.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When working with records on Xiaomi, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

If records disappear after updating MIUI, It's about changing the folder structure:

1. Check the folder. /sdcard/Android/obb/ — Sometimes files are temporarily moved there.
2. Restore data from the Mi Cloud backup (if it was created before the update).
3. Use it. ADB Search for all parts of memory.

⚠️ Warning: After a Hard Reset, records are deleted without recovery unless cloud sync has been enabled. Always back up before reset!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions