You can use tape recordings on Xiaomi Redmi at any time, from saving an important lecture to recording voice notes. But what if you don't remember where the file is stored, or the standard Dictator app suddenly disappeared from the screen? In this article, we'll look at all the possible ways to access audio recordings, from the obvious to the little-known.
The Redmi (and MIUI in general) feature is that the manufacturer often moves or hides system applications after updates, for example, in MIUI 14 the voice recorder can hide in the Tools folder, and in HyperOS it is completely replaced by Voice Notes, we took these nuances into account and collected current methods for all versions of the firmware.
Important: If you’re looking for a record made through a third-party app (like Easy Voice Recorder or ASR Voice Recorder), the search algorithm will be different – we’ll talk about this in a separate section.
1. Standard application "Dictophone": where to look and how to use
Most Xiaomi Redmi models (from Redmi Note 10 to Redmi 13C) have a Sound Recorder app pre-installed, which is minimal, but covers basic needs like recording, pausing, saving and listening.
Open the Dictophone app, if it's not on the home screen:
- 🔍 Scroll down the screen and enter in the search Dictaphone.
- 📁 Check the Tools folder (on the MIUI 12-14) or Utilities (on HyperOS).
- 📱 On some models (e.g. Redmi) A2) The voice recorder is integrated into Voice Notes** – look for it in this app.
Inside the appendix:
- Click on the Records tab (or History in English).
- Slip on the right record, and playback will begin.
- To share the file, click ⋮ → Share and choose messenger or cloud.
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If the recording is not playing, check if the audio is turned off in the application settings. Sometimes, after the MIUI update, the permissions to access the microphone are reset.
⚠️ Note: On Redmi with HyperOS, records are saved by default to the Mi Cloud cloud if sync is enabled. To find local files, go to Settings → Memory. → Files. → Audio → Recorder.
2. Search for records through File Manager
If a standard application does not open or records are not displayed, files can be found manually through File Manager. MIUI:
| MIUI/HyperOS version | The path to the records | File format |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12-14 | Internal memory → MIUI → sound_recorder | .mp3 or.m4a |
| HyperOS | Internal memory. → Android → media → com.miui.soundrecorder | .aac (by default) |
| Third-party recorders | Internal memory. → [Title annex] or SD-map → Recordings | Depends on the app. |
Search instructions:
- Open the Files app** (yellow folder icon).
- Go to Audio or Categories → Audio.
- Sort files by date (⋮ → Sort by → Date of change).
- Look for files with type names REC_20260515_143022.mp3.
If the records are not in the folder sound_recorder, try:
- 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files: ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files.
- 📁 Check the Download folder – sometimes records are saved there by default.
- 💾 If used SD-map, check it through the Devices → SD-map.
3. Recovery of deleted records: real ways
There's a chance Xiaomi Redmi will have it back, but you have to act fast, because the longer it takes, the more you're at risk of overwriting the file.
Method 1: Recycle bin in the Files app**
In MIUI 13+ and HyperOS, deleted files are put in the Recycle Bin and stored for 15 days to recover:
- Open the Files** → Recycle Bin (Dumpster Icon)
- Find a record by name or date.
- Tap the file. → Restore.
Method 2: Recovery programs
If the basket is empty, try specialized utilities.
- 📱 DiskDigger (there is a free version, looking for audio files without root).
- 💻 Recuva (for recovery from a PC-connected phone).
- 🔧 EaseUS MobiSaver (paid but with high recovery percentage).
Why not use a rootless recovery?
⚠️ Warning: Don't install recovery software on the same memory where the records were stored! This can overwrite deleted data. Use SD-card or connect the phone to the PC.
4. Listening to records through cloud services
If your Redmi is synced to Mi Cloud or Google Drive, the records could automatically be uploaded to the cloud.
For Mi Cloud:
- Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Check if the synchronization of the voice recorder or voice notes is enabled.
- Go to i.mi.com, log in and find the Records section.
For Google Drive:
- 📁 Open the Google Drive app on your phone.
- 🔍 In the search, type:audio.
- 📅 Filter files by date of creation.
If there are no records in the cloud, but sync is enabled, try manually uploading files:
- Find the records through Files** (see Section 2).
- Select the files → Share. → Save it to Mi Cloud.
☑️ Verification of cloud copies
5. Third-party recorders: where records are stored
If you're using a third-party application (like Easy Voice Recorder, ASR Voice Recorder or Hi-Q MP3 Recorder) instead of a standard Dictator, the path to the files will be different.
| Annex | The path to the records | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Easy Voice Recorder | Internal memory. → EVR or SD-map → EVR | .mp3 or.wav format (configured) |
| ASR Voice Recorder | Internal memory. → ASR Recordings | Automatic booting in Google Drive when setting up |
| Hi-Q MP3 Recorder | Internal memory. → Music → Hi-Q Recordings | Supports tags and playlists |
How to find the records:
- Open the application in which the recording was made.
- Go to History, Recordings or My Recordings.
- If there are no files in the application, check the folder through Files** (see table above).
Tip: You can change the save folder in most third-party voice recorders, for example, in Easy Voice Recorder:
- Open the Settings → Record folder.
- Choose. SD-card or specific folder in internal memory.
6. Listening to PC recordings
If it is more convenient to work with records on a computer, connect Xiaomi Redmi to a PC through USB-Here's the step-by-step instruction:
Step 1: Configure the connection:
- Connect your phone to your PC with a cable (preferably original).
- On your phone, select File Transfer (or MTP) mode.
- If the request does not appear, lower the notification curtain and tap on USB to transfer files.
Step 2. Search for records:
- 🖥️ On PC, open this computer. → [Your phone].
- 📂 Go to the Internal Storage folder → MIUI → sound_recorder (or another way out of the section 2).
- 🎧 Copy files on PC and open any player (VLC, Windows Media Player).
If the records are not displayed:
- 🔄 Reconnect the phone by selecting File Transfer Mode.
- 🛠️ Install Mi drivers PC Suite from the official Xiaomi website.
- 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files on the PC (View) → Hidden elements in Windows Explorer).
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When connecting to a Mac, use the Android File Transfer app – without it, access to files on Xiaomi will be limited.
7. Problem Solving: The record is not reproduced or is not in
Sometimes there are records, but they don't play, or they disappear from the folder.
Problem 1: File is available but not reproduced
- 🔊 Check the volume and if the silent mode on the phone is turned off.
- 📱 Try to play the recording through another application (for example, VLC Android).
- 🔧 If the file is corrupted, try converting it via Online-Convert or Audacity.
Problem 2: Recordings disappear after MIUI update
V MIUI 14 → HyperOS Xiaomi has transferred recordings of the recorder from the folder sound_recorder If files are missing after the update, check the new path or search by date in the Files app».
Problem 3: The recorder doesn't record the sound
- 🎤 Check the permissions: Settings → Annexes → Dictaphone → Permits → Microphone.
- 🔇 Make sure the microphone is not physically silenced (such as dirt in the hole).
- 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes helps with microphone driver crashes.
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If the recording is interrupted or distorted, try writing in.wav instead of.mp3 – it is less prone to failures with a weak processor.