How to find conversation records on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Note: all ways to search and restore

Have you been searching for a recording of an important conversation on the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Note but can't find it? Or have you suddenly found that the call recording feature is disabled and the previous files have disappeared somewhere? This problem is familiar to many Xiaomi smartphone owners - especially on models with MIUI 10-12, where the logic of storing audio files is not always intuitive.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible locations for Redmi 8 Note records, including hidden system folders, cloud services, and third-party apps. You’ll learn how to enable autorecord calls (if it’s disabled), where to search files manually through the file manager, and what to do if the Suddenly records are lost after the MIUI update. We’ll also look at a unique Redmi 8 Note bug with incoming calls that few people know about.

Whether you’re using the standard Phone app from Xiaomi or third-party solutions like Cube Call Recorder, the instructions below will cover all scenarios, starting with the simplest: where to look for records if they’re saved by default.

1. Standard place of storage of records in MIUI

By default, the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Note stores conversation records in the system folder, but its location depends on the MIUI version and regional firmware.

• 📁 /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — mainfolder MIUI 10–12 (Global and Chinese versions).
• 📁 /sdcard/Recordings/Call/ — alternative route for some firmware (e.g. European) MIUI EU).
• 📁 /sdcard/Android/media/com.android.providers.media/ — rarely, but sometimes the recordings are shared in a shared media folder.

To check these folders:

1. Open the standard File Manager (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Turn on the display of hidden files: tap on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Show hidden files.
3. Take one of the paths above. Record files are usually.amr or.mp3 name Call_20260515_143022.amr (call-date).

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If the folder call_rec empty, but you're sure the records were, check the folder /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/backups/ — Sometimes files are duplicated after updating. MIUI.

Important: Redmi 8 Note may not save incoming calls due to MIUI limitations (not a bug, but a feature of the firmware) and you need to use workarounds to record all calls, which we will discuss in the Settings section.

2. How to find records through the application "Phone"

If you used the standard Xiaomi Phone app to record, the files can be found right in your call history:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Go to the Journal section (bottom of the screen).
3. Find the right call on the list and tap it. If there's a record, the right icon will appear. 🎤 Reproduce.
4. Click on the icon, the built-in player will open, and you can share the record here or save it elsewhere.

Please note: in MIUI 11 and older, the records are not displayed for all calls. 🎤 No, that could mean:

• 🚫 No recording was made (function was disabled).
• 🔄 The call was too short (less than 5 seconds — MIUI does not retain such records).
• 📱 The record is retained but elsewhere (see section 1).

If the log doesn't have a play icon but you're sure the record was, try updating the Phone app via Google Play or clearing its cache (Settings → Apps → Phone → Clear cache).

3. Search for records through the file manager (extended method)

If the standard folders are empty and the call log doesn't have a playback icon, the records could have been moved or hidden, and a deep search throughout the storage would help:

1. Open the File Manager and tap on the magnifying glass icon (search) in the upper right corner.
2. Enter the request: call_rec or.amr (default record format).
3. If you don’t have results, try a record or voice.

On the Redmi 8 Note, the recordings are sometimes hidden in non-obvious places:

If the search fails, try connecting your phone to your computer via USB and scan the storage with Everything (Windows) or Find Any File (Mac), which can find files even without indexing.

4. Recovering Deleted Records of Conversations

If the records are missing not after the update, but because of accidental deletion, you can try to restore them. On the Redmi 8 Note, the following methods will suit:

Method 1: File recovery programs

Use apps like DiskDigger or Recuva (for PCs).

• 🛑 Do not write new files to your phone until you recover them – they can overwrite deleted records.
• 🔍 Look for files with the.amr extension,.mp3,.m4a.
• ⏳ The process can take several hours, depending on the amount of memory.

Method 2: Checking the MIUI basket

Some versions of MIUI have a “basket” for deleted files:

1. Open the file manager.
2. Tap it on three points. → Basket.
3. Check if there are files with a name. Call_*.

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On the Redmi 8 Note, the Recycle Bin in the file manager only stores deleted files for 15 days, and then they are deleted irretrievably.

Method 3: Cloud backups

If you used Google Drive or Mi Cloud to back up, check:

• 🌐 Google Drive: Go to the menu → The basket - sometimes the records get there.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Open Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backups and check the latest copy.

Important: Cloud services don't normally reserve call records by default, and to do that, you had to manually enable folder sync. /MIUI/sound_recorder/.

5.Setting up autorecord calls to Redmi 8 Note

If you want all future calls recorded automatically, you need to set up a standard Phone app or install third-party software. MIUI has limitations, but you can get around them.

Standard recording settings (MIUI 10-12)

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Slip on three points → Settings → Record conversations.
3. Enable the option of Automatic Recording.
4. Choose which calls to record: All, outgoing or incoming only.

Is Auto Recording Included in Phone Settings|Is there enough space on the device (records take up) ~1 MB/minute)|Whether recording rights for the Phone application are allowed|Are there any restrictions from the operator (some block the recording)-->

Important: Redmi 8 Note does not record incoming calls from subscribers who have hidden their number (definition Unknown or Private), this is a MIUI restriction, and it can not be circumvented without root rights.

Third-party recording applications

If the standard entry does not suit, install one of these applications:

• 📱 Cube Call Recorder ACR — Supports recording of all calls, including those coming from hidden numbers (configuration required).
• 📱 Call Recorder by Lovekesh – a simple interface, saves records in the cloud.
• 📱 Truecaller – In addition to recording calls, detects spam and hidden numbers.

When using third-party apps, records are usually stored in their own folders, such as:

• /sdcard/CubeBackups/ (for Cube Call Recorder)
• /sdcard/CallRecorder/ (for Call Recorder by Lovekesh)

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Before installing a third-party recorder, check its reputation on Google Play. Some applications may collect your data or show intrusive advertising. You'd better choose programs with a rating of 4.5+ and more than 1 million installs.

6. Solving Call Recording Problems

If records are not saved or lost, here are the most common reasons and ways to fix them:

Pay special attention to the app's permissions. If you manually deny the Phone app access to the microphone or storage, the records will not be saved.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Permissions.
2. Make sure you are on: Microphone, Warehouse, Phone.

7. Alternative ways to record conversations

If standard methods don’t work, try these workarounds:

Method 1: Recording through the second phone

The most reliable, but inconvenient method:

• 📞 Put the second phone next to it and turn on the voice recording (for example, through a voice recorder).
• 🔊 Turn on speakerphone on the Redmi 8 Note.
• 🎤 Start a conversation – the second phone will record the sound.

Method 2: Using a headset with a record

Some Bluetooth headsets (such as Sony WH-1000XM4 or Jabra Elite) have a built-in conversation recording feature: Connect the headset to the Redmi 8 Note and activate the recording through its app.

Method 3: Google Voice (for the United States and some countries)

Google Voice automatically records incoming calls if you turn this feature on in your settings, and unfortunately, in Russia and most of the CIS countries, the service does not work.

If you want to record a very important conversation, you might want to use a combination of methods, like turning on a standard MIUI record and using a second phone to duplicate it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 8 Note conversation recordings