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

Introduction: Why recordings of conversations can be hidden

Have you ever tried to find a recording of an important phone conversation on your Xiaomi but couldn’t find a file?The manufacturer doesn’t always make the audio storage obvious — especially if it’s a standard Dictophone app or built-in call recording feature. In MIUI (the Xiaomi branded shell), file paths can vary depending on the firmware version, smartphone model, and even regional settings.

Another challenge is storage separation: Records made through third-party apps (such as Cube Call Recorder or ACR) are often stored in their folders, and system files can be hidden in secure memory areas. In addition, since Android 10, Google has tightened the rules for accessing the microphone and storage, which affected Xiaomi. In this article, we will examine all possible locations of records, how to extract them and the nuances of security.

If you use the call recording feature, make sure it does not violate the laws of your country, and in some regions (e.g. the EU or the United States), recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor may be illegal.

Standard storage locations for MIUI records

If you recorded conversations through the built-in Dictatoron app (com.miui.soundrecorder), the files must be in one of the following folders:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/ — The main folder for entries in most models (Redmi Note) 10, Poco X3, Mi 11 newer).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/ — alternative path for some versions MIUI (for example, MIUI 12.5 older).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.soundrecorder/files/ — Temporary or backup copies may be stored here.

To open these folders:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Use a Explorer (e.g., Total Commander or standard Google Files).
3. Enable the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings.

💡

If there is no folder, try writing a test audio file – sometimes MIUI only creates a directory after the first save.

Important: In some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global for the European market), call recording may be disabled by default due to legal restrictions, in which case you will have to use third-party applications.

Where are the records of calls (call recordings)

Xiaomi’s phone recording feature doesn’t work on all models and depends on the MIUI version. If it’s available, the records are usually saved here:

• 📞 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/voice_recorder/call_rec/ — standard-place MIUI 11–14.
• 📞 /storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings/ — in some regional firmware (for example, for India).
• 📞 Inside the phone app» → Tab of Records (if the function is active).

To enable call recording (if supported):

1. Open the phone app.
2. Press three points (⋮) → Settings → Recording of conversations.
3. Choose Record automatically or Record manually.

If your model does not have built-in functionality, you will have to use third-party solutions - we will talk about them below.

Third-party apps: where to look for records

Popular call recorder apps (Cube Call Recorder, ACR, Boldbeast) store files in their folders. Here are the typical ways:

To find these folders:

1. Open Files (standard MIUI application).
2. Go to the Category section → Audio.
3. Look for files with the.mp3,.amr, or.m4a extension.

Note: With Android 12, Google has banned apps from recording calls through the standard API. Many programs (such as ACR) now require the installation of an additional ACR Phone module or manually enabling special settings to bypass restrictions.

How to Retrieve Records If They Are Not Displayed

Sometimes the records are on the device, but not visible in the explorer.

• 🔍 Check the hidden folders: in Total Commander or FX File Explorer Enable the option to Show Hidden Files.
• 🔍 Use search: in the standard application "Files" enter in the search.mp3 or.
• 🔍 Check Cloud Backups: Some apps (like Cube) automatically sync records with Google Drive.
• 🔍 Connect through ADB: If you have files but are not available, you can try extracting them via the command line: adb pull /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/ C:\Xiaomi_Recordings\

If the records are missing after the MIUI update, check the /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ folder – sometimes the system backs up before the update.

If nothing worked, it's possible that the records were deleted automatically. MIUI has a garbage cleanup feature that can delete old audio files.

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Click on the Cleanup → Settings.
3. Uncheck the Audio Files in the Automatic Cleanup section.

Security: How to Protect Records from Unauthorized People

Records of conversations may contain sensitive information, so they need to be protected.

• 🔒 Encrypting folder: Use applications like Folder Lock or Solid Explorer (encryption-enabled).
• 🔒 Secure Storage Transfer: Copy files into an encrypted container (like VeraCrypt on a PC).
• 🔒 Delete metadata: delete metadata before sending a record to someone (for example, via ExifTool).
• 🔒 Disable Cloud Sync: In the Recording Application Settings, Turn Off Automatic Download to the Cloud.

It is also worth limiting access to applications that can record sound:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → Microphone.
2. Turn off microphone access for unnecessary applications.
3. In Settings → Privacy → Special Access → Recording sound, check which programs are eligible to record.

💡

Never store records of conversations with bank data or passwords in the cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).

If you share records with third parties (for example, for litigation), make sure that files have not been tampered with. In MIUI, you can check the integrity of audio through Security → File Verification (not available on all models).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Xiaomi users often face the following difficulties when working with records:

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI Stop recording calls, reset the settings of the application “Phone” (Settings) → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Reset. This often helps restore function.

• 🚫 Records are broken or not saved: Check the free space on the device (need a minimum of 1 GB.
• 🚫 No sound on the record: in Android 10+ Some applications require the option to use an alternative recording method (e.g. Boldbeast) to be enabled).
• 🚫 App doesn’t see old entries: try updating Android Mediabase via Settings → Annexes → All applications → Multimedia repository → Clear the cache.

If you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the standard paths to write may be different, in which case search files in /sdcard/ or /data/media/0/ via Root Explorer (root rights required).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions