How to find records of a voice recorder on Xiaomi: hidden folders, the cloud and recovery of deleted files

You recorded an important conversation, lecture or voice notes on Xiaomi, but now you can't find them? The problem with missing audio files is one of the most common among smartphone users of the brand. The fact is that the standard Dictophone app** on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices saves files not in obvious folders, and sometimes even hides them from the user.

In this article, we will look at all possible storage locations, from system directories to cloud services, and how to recover deleted files if they disappear after updating or resetting, with special attention to hidden MIUI folders that do not appear in the standard file manager without additional settings.

Before you start searching, make sure you don’t change the save settings in the Dictator app itself. For example, some versions of MIUI 14+ have the default Save to the Cloud option activated, so that files don’t duplicate to internal memory.

1. Standard location of dictaphone records in MIUI

By default, the Dictator app (com.miui.soundrecorder) stores files in the device's internal memory. The path depends on the firmware version and smartphone model, but most often it is:

• 📁 Internal memory. → MIUI/sound_recorder — main folder for the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5 and most of the models on MIUI 12-14.

If you don't see the MIUI folder in the file manager, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. The default MIUI hides the system directories.

1. Open Files (Standard Xiaomi Manager)
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → Settings.
3. Activate the option to show hidden files.
4. Go back to the root directory of internal memory and check the MIUI folder.

⚠️ Note: Do not rename or move the folder sound_recorder manually! This can cause the voice recorder to crash. If files don't show up even after you turn on hidden folders, try updating the Files app via Google Play.

2. Search for records through the standard Dictophone application

Sometimes users simply don't notice that the records are stored in the application itself, not in the file manager.

1. Open the Dictophone app** (the microphone icon on the desktop or menu).
2. In the bottom panel, select the Records tab (or History in older versions).
3. Scroll down the list – it’s possible the entries are hidden behind the Show Everything button.

If the list shows records, but when you click the error "File not found", this means that:

• 🔄 The file was moved or deleted, but the metadata remained in the application database.
• 📱 There was a failure after the update. MIUI (frequent problem in transitioning from MIUI 12 on MIUI 13/14).
• 🗑️ folder sound_recorder has been cleaned by a third-party cleaner (e.g. Clean Master or Security).

In this case, try updating the Dictophone app** via Google Play or reinstall it (if possible for your model). Also check the Recycle Bin in the file manager - sometimes files get there after "soft" deletion.

Check for files in the folder MIUI/sound_recorder

Update the Dictator app in Google Play

Reboot your smartphone

Try playing the file through a third-party player (e.g. VLC)

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3. Search through System Search and Google Files

If manually searching for records is difficult, use the built-in file search. It doesn't work perfectly in MIUI, so it's better to use Google Files (Google's Files app):

1. Install Google Files from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and allow access to memory.
3. In the search bar, enter the audio file extensions:.mp3.m4a.ogg.wav.amr
4. Pay attention to the MIUI, Recordings and Android/data folders.

If the search does not yield results, try alternative methods:

• 🔍 Use the filter by date – it is possible that the records are saved under a different name.
• 📥 Check the Download folder – sometimes the recorder saves files there by default (especially on the phone). POCO F3/F4).
• 📎 Type in the search part of the title of the record (for example, “lecture” or “meeting»).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) System search does not index files in the folder Android/data. In this case, you will have to search manually or connect your smartphone to a PC.

4 Where else records can be stored: cloud, messengers and third-party applications

If there are no records in the internal memory, check other possible storage locations:

Pay special attention to Mi Cloud, which many users don't know is that records are automatically uploaded to the cloud.

1. Open your Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud
2. Make sure the recording sync switch is active.
3. Go to the web version of the cloud and check the Files → Audio section.

5. Recovery of deleted recordings of the recorder

If you delete your files, don't despair, you can recover them in a number of ways, and the rule is, don't write new files to your smartphone, so you don't overwrite deleted data.

Recovery methods:

• 🛠️ Third-party utilities: Programs like DiskDigger or Recuva (require root or PC connection).
• 📱 Backup copy MIUI: If you have been doing backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup, restore data from there.

For recovery with PC:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Use Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery to scan your internal memory.
3. Select files with.m4a or.amr extensions (standard for Xiaomi voice recorder).

⚠️ Note: Data recovery programs may not see files if encryption is enabled on the smartphone (Settings) → Lockdown and protection → Encryption. In this case, only a backup will help.

💡

If you regularly make important recordings, set up automatic backup to Google Drive or Mi Cloud. To do this, go to the settings in the Dictator app and activate the Autoboot to the Cloud option.

6 Why tape recorders disappear and how to avoid it

The profiles on Xiaomi are most often associated with:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: After major updates (for example, with the MIUI 12 on MIUI 13) the Dictator application can reset storage settings.

To prevent the loss of records:

1. Turn off automatic cleaning in Settings → Applications → Recorder → Memory → Cache Cleanup.
2. Configure backup to Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
3. Copy the folder periodically sound_recorder PC-based.
4. Use reliable third-party voice recorders (such as Easy Voice Recorder) that let you select a save folder.

💡

The most common reason for missing records is an update MIUI. Before installing large updates, always back up the folder. sound_recorder!

7.Alternative ways to record and store audio on Xiaomi

If the standard Xiaomi voice recorder is unstable, consider alternative options:

• 🎤 Google Voice Recorder: Google's Speech Transcryption and Cloud Saving App Available from Play Market.
• 📱 Easy Voice Recorder: Allows you to choose the format of the save (MP3, WAV, AMR) and a file on the memory card.
• ☁️ Send records to instant messengers: You can immediately send audio to yourself in Telegram or WhatsApp for reliable storage.
• 💾 Memory Card Use: In the voice recorder settings, select save on SD-The card (if supported by your model).

If you often record long audio files (lectures, interviews), we recommend:

• Use the WAV format for better quality (but larger file size).
• Enable Noise Reduction in the voice recorder settings (available on MIUI 13+).
• Set up automatic recording stop by timer or when paused.

Frequently asked questions