How to Download Records from Xiaomi Recorder: All Ways (including Hidden Files)

Records from a Xiaomi recorder can contain important information, from lectures to voice notes, but transferring them to another medium is often questionable. Unlike photos, audio files are not always available in the standard gallery, and their location in the device memory depends on the version of MIUI and smartphone model. For example, on the Redmi Note 12, the path to recordings is different from the POCO X5 Pro, and in some cases the files are hidden from the user without root rights.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to download records, from simple copying through the file manager to extracting through ADB (for hidden files). Particular attention will be paid to the problems faced by Xiaomi users after upgrading to MIUI 14, when the standard voice recorder stopped saving files to the usual folder.

Where to store records of the recorder on Xiaomi: standard and hidden ways

By default, the Dictaphone app (or Recorder in global firmware) saves files in one of the following folders:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/ — Main Directory for most models (Redmi) 10/11, POCO F4 etc.).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/ — Alternative path for older versions MIUI (before 12.5).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.soundrecorder/files/ — A hidden folder that is only accessible through ADB root.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Download/Audio/ — if the recordings were saved through third-party applications (for example, Easy Voice Recorder).

Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi began encrypting some system files, including voice recorder records, if they are made in “Confidential” mode (available on Xiaomi 13/14 and the flagships of the Mix series), such files have the.m4a.enc extension and require additional actions to decode.

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If the Recordings folder is empty, check the settings of the recorder: it is possible that records are saved on the recorder. SD-map /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Recordings/, where XXXX-XXXX — ID memory-card).

It is important to note that after resetting (Settings → About Phone → Reset), all records from internal memory are permanently deleted. If you are planning a reset, transfer the files to your PC or cloud beforehand.

Method 1: Copying through a file manager (without a PC)

The easiest method is to use an embedded Files or a third-party application (such as Solid Explorer), which is suitable if the records are stored in a standard folder and are not encrypted.

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Internal Memory section → Recordings (or) MIUI → sound_recorder).
3. Select the necessary files (long pressing → ticks).
4. Click More → Copy and select the target folder (such as Download or the cloud).

To transfer to another phone Xiaomi can use the function Mi Share:

1. Select files in the Recordings folder.
2. Press Share. → Mi Share.
3. Select the receiver (Wi-Fi Direct and Mi Share must be enabled in the notification curtain).

Check the free space on the target device|Disable Battery Optimization for Files Application"|Make sure that files are not marked as “hidden” in the Explorer settings.|If you use SD-Make sure it is formatted as internal memory-->

Method limitation: If records are made in Confidential mode, they will not appear in Explorer without additional actions (see Hidden Files section).

Method 2: Transfer to PC through USB-cable

To copy records to the computer, connect the smartphone to the PC through USB-cable (preferably original, because cheap cables may not transmit data:

1. Unlock the Xiaomi screen and select File Transfer (MTP) connection mode in the notification curtain.
2. On PC, open This computer – the device should appear as a removable disk (e.g., Redmi Note 11).
3. Go to the Internal Memory folder → Recordings (or) MIUI → sound_recorder).
4. Copy files (usually in.m4a or.mp3) to your hard drive.

If the Recordings folder is empty, but you are sure that the records are:

• 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files in the Windows Explorer settings (View) → Hidden elements).
• 🔍 Check the Android folder → data → com.miui.soundrecorder (root or rights required) ADB).

USB-cable|Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)|Wi-Fi (Mi Share, FTP)|Third-party applications (SHAREit)|Other-->

Note: If your PC can’t see your phone when you’re connected, update your MTP drivers via Windows or try another cable. MacOS may require Android File Transfer installation.

Method 3: Exporting through cloud services

If USB-cable is not available, records can be uploaded to the cloud. Xiaomi offers two options:

• 🌥️ Mi Cloud (Integrated Cloud) by Xiaomi):
• ☁️ Google Drive:

The advantage of the cloud method is access to records from any device. However, the free tariff of Mi Cloud is limited to 5 GB, and Google Drive provides 15 GB, but compresses audio files when over the limit.

Note: if you delete the recordings from your phone, they will automatically disappear from the Mi Cloud (synchronization works both ways).To avoid loss, pre-download files to your PC through the web version of the cloud.

Method 4: Retrieving hidden or encrypted records

Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi added the “Confidential Records” feature, which are encrypted and stored in a secure folder, which have the.m4a.enc extension and are not displayed in a standard Explorer, and you will need to extract them:

• 🔐 ADB-Access (without root rights).
• 🔐 MiXplorer app (with root support).
• 🔐 Computer with drivers installed ADB.