Where Xiaomi Stores Records of Conversations: Search, Access, and Recovery

Have you ever tried to find a recording of an important conversation on a Xiaomi smartphone but couldn't remember where it had gone? Or suddenly discovered that audio files from calls disappeared after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many users of Redmi, POCO and Mi devices — especially those who actively use the call recording feature. Unlike iPhone or Samsung, where storage paths are often standard, in MIUI firmware, everything is different: records can be "hidden" in non-obvious folders, and their visibility depends on the version of the system and model of the phone.

In this article, we will discuss in detail where exactly the conversation records are stored on Xiaomi smartphones, how to find them through standard and hidden tools, and what to do if the files are lost after resetting or updating. We will separately focus on the nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and popular models – from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra. If you are looking for a specific instruction on your model, use the search by page (Ctrl+F).

Standard storage locations for MIUI records

By default, MIUI stores audio recordings of conversations in two main locations, depending on how you recorded them:

• 📱 Phone app (standard call): records are stored in a folder /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/. It is a system path and can be hidden from the user without root rights.
• 🎤 Recorder or third-party applications: files usually get into the /Recordings/ or /MIUI/sound_recorder/ (dictaphone).
• ☁️ Cloud storage Mi Cloud: If sync is enabled, copies of records can be duplicated in the cloud (Records or Files section»).

It is important to understand that the path /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — It's not just a folder in your phone's memory, it's part of the system partition, and it's often restricted to a standard file manager (Files or Explorer) and you have to either turn on the hidden files or use it to see the contents. ADB-The teams (we will tell you below).

Another nuance: MIUI 13 and 14 may have different paths to records than older versions. For example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14, files are sometimes saved to /Android/media/com.android.providers.media/recordings/. This is due to changes in the data retention policy that Xiaomi has implemented to comply with Google's requirements for separating system and user files.

How to find records through file manager

If you don’t want to go into the technical details, start with a simple way – search through the standard Files app (or Explorer on some models).

1. Open the Files app (the icon with the folder on the home screen).
2. Go to Categories → Audio or Memory of the device.
3. In the search bar (lamp in the upper right corner) enter call_rec.amr (expanding call records).
4. If nothing is found, try turning on the hidden files: click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Show hidden files.

If the search does not yield results, check out alternative paths:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/ — recorder.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/ — old-form MIUI (before 12).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.providers.media/files/recordings/ — for MIUI 14.

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If you use a memory card, check the /sdcard/Recordings/ folder – sometimes records are saved there by default, especially on hybrid slot models (e.g. Redmi 9A).

On certain devices (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) records may be automatically archived in ZIP-files with date in the title. If you see files of the type call_rec_20231015.zip, They can be opened through any archive (for example, RAR ZArchiver).

Access via ADB: for advanced users

If standard methods don't work and records are critical, you can try accessing them through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your phone to your computer and basic command line knowledge, but even accessing hidden system folders.

Here's what you're gonna need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-tool.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (path: Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to press the version → return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

After preparation, execute the following commands in the terminal (or Command Prompt):

adb devices

(Your device name should appear as a confirmation of your connection.)

adb shell


ls /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

(This command will show the contents of the folder with the records. If the folder is empty, try an alternative path:)

ls /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/

To copy files to your computer, use:

adb pull /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ C:\Xiaomi_Calls\

(Replace. C:\Xiaomi_Calls\ on the right path on your PC.)

Warning: Using ADB may violate the warranty if you change system files.Do not delete or edit files in /system/ or /data/ folders - this may cause MIUI to fail.

Why records can disappear and how to restore them

Xiaomi users often experience a situation where conversation records suddenly disappear, and here are the most common reasons and ways to address them:

Critical information: in MIUI 14, call records are encrypted by default if the Privacy Protection function is enabled (path: Settings → Privacy → Privacy Protection).

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If the records are missing after the MIUI update, the first thing to do is check the /MIUI/backup/ folder – the system sometimes automatically backs up before installing the new version.

You can use specialized utilities to recover deleted records, but their effectiveness depends on how long it has been since you deleted them. The faster you start recovering, the better the odds are, for example, DiskDigger can find files even after formatting them if they haven't been overwritten with new data.

Features for different Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi smartphones store records the same way, and here are the key differences for the popular series:

• 📱 Redmi Note 10/11/12: records are retained in /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/, after updating MIUI 13 may migrate into /Android/media/....
• 📱 POCO F3/F4/F5: use the standard path /Recordings/, but require the inclusion of hidden files.
• 📱 Xiaomi 12/13/14: records are encrypted by default (extension.enc), you need a built-in player to listen to MIUI.
• 📱 Redmi 9/9A/9C: often save records on the memory card (if it is installed), the path — /sdcard/Recordings/.

On devices with double slots for SIM-Cards (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) The records can be divided into folders depending on the line:

• /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/SIM1/
• /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/SIM2/

If you use Google Drive for backup, check the Backups → Call Recordings folder. Xiaomi sometimes integrates record saving with Google services, especially on models for the global market (with MIUI Global firmware).

Security: How to protect records from loss

To avoid losing important audio files, follow these guidelines:

Enable automatic synchronization with Mi Cloud

Regularly copy /Recordings/ folder on PC

Do not clean the cache of the phone application manually

Use third-party cloud-backup recording apps (such as Cube Call Recorder)

Check for records after each major update MIUI-->

One of the most reliable ways is to set up automatic backup in Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the Records or Files section.
3. Set a limit on mobile data if you don’t want to waste traffic.

For additional protection, third-party applications such as:

• 🔹 Cube Call Recorder – saves records in the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).
• 🔹 Call Recorder by Lovekesh – Supports encryption and password access.
• 🔹 Automatic Call Recorder – allows you to set up automatic deletion of old records.

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If you often record important conversations, create a separate folder on Google Drive and set up automatic uploads of records there through the Autosync app.This will protect files even if your phone breaks.

Note: in some countries (e.g. the EU), recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor may violate privacy laws.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with conversation records on Xiaomi, users often make common mistakes that lead to data loss.

1. Delete without checking: Many people clean the /Recordings/ folder without knowing that there may be a call record. Always check the contents before deleting.
2. Ignoring backups: Mi Cloud offers 5GB of free space — enough for hundreds of records. Don't neglect this feature.
3. Update MIUI without preparation: before installing a new version of the firmware, copy the folder /MIUI/sound_recorder/ PC-only.
4. Use of unofficial firmware: Custom builds (like LineageOS) may not support standard Xiaomi record storage paths.

Another common problem is that you can't play a record after you copy it to a PC, because Xiaomi sometimes uses custom codecs to compress audio.

• 🎧 Install a player on the PC VLC — It supports most formats.
• 🔄 Convert the file to.mp3 Online Convert or Audacity.
• 📱 Try playing the recording directly on your phone – it may be a problem with access rights.

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If the record is not played on a PC but opens on a phone, it is likely that Xiaomi's proprietary codec is used. Copy the file back to the device and export it through the built-in player to.mp3 format.

Note: If you use Xiaomi with firmware for the Chinese market (MIUI China), the paths to entries may differ, and some features (such as cloud storage) may not be available without a Chinese Mi Account.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions