How to completely erase the recordings of conversations on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: from standard methods to hidden folders

Recording phone conversations on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is a useful feature for capturing important information, but sometimes these files need to be urgently deleted. The reasons are different: freeing up memory, privacy or accidentally turning on the record. Unlike new Xiaomi models, where the MIUI interface has undergone changes, the Redmi Note 9 Pro (released in 2020) stores records in specific folders, and some files can be duplicated in the cloud or app cache.

In this article, we will analyze all possible ways of deleting - from the obvious (via the Dictophon app) to the hidden (cleaning the folder). MIUI/sound_recorder We will focus on automatic call recording, which many users turn on accidentally through the Security settings, and how to check if there are copies of records in the Mi Cloud or backups of Google Drive.

1. Deletion through the standard Dictophone app

The easiest way is to use the built-in Records app, where all audio conversation files are saved by default. On the Redmi Note 9 Pro, it is pre-installed and has a microphone icon on a red background.

To delete the records:

• 📱 Open the Records app (if you don’t find it, check the folder). MIUI → Tools in the app menu).
• 🔍 At the top of the screen, select the Calls tab (if any) or scroll down to the audio file section.
• 🗑️ Press and hold the desired entry, then select Delete (or basket icon). For mass removal, use the Select button in the upper right corner.
• 🔄 After deleting, check the Recycle Bin folder in the same app – files are stored there for 30 days before final erasure.

⚠️ Note: If the recording was made through a third-party application (e.g. Cube Call Recorder or ACR), It won't be in a standard Dictator, so if you do that, look for files in the Download folder or in the menu of the app itself.

2. Search and Delete through File Manager

The conversation records on the Redmi Note 9 Pro are stored in multiple folders of internal memory. Even if you deleted a file through the Dictophone, a copy of it could remain in the cache or backup folder. Use the built-in Explorer (or Total Commander, FX File Explorer for extended access).

Where to look:

• 📁 Internal Storage → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec — call-storage.
• 📁 Internal Storage → Download → CallRecordings – if you used third-party applications.
• 📁 Internal Storage → Android → data → [Application folder] — cached copies (root rights required to access).
• 📁 SD-card → CallRecords – if records are saved to a memory card.

Instructions:

1. Open the “Conductor” and follow one of the paths above.
2. Select the files you want (usually.m4a,.mp3, or.amr).
3. Click "Delete" and confirm the action.
4. Clean the Recycle Bin in the File Manager (if any).

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Cloud for backup, records may have synced to the cloud. After local deletion, check the Backups section in your Xiaomi account settings (path: Settings) → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup copies).

3. Disable automatic call recording

Many Redmi Note 9 Pro users find that the phone records all conversations on its own, because of the feature enabled in the security settings. To avoid accumulating unnecessary files, turn it off:

Steps:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autorun.
2. Find the Call Recorder app (or Call Recorder) and turn off auto-start.
3. Return to Settings → System and Device → Additional → Security → Recording calls.
4. Turn off the Automatic Recording switch.
5. In the “Exceptions” section, check if there are no unnecessary contacts.

🔹 Why it matters: Automatic recording not only fills up memory, but may also violate privacy laws in some countries (e.g., the EU requires you to notify the person you are recording).

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If files continue to appear after disabling automatic recording, check the settings of specific files. SIM-On the Redmi Note 9 Pro with two SIMs, the record can be tied to one of them (path: Settings) SIM-map → Additionally. → Recording calls).

4. Delete records through cloud services

If you were syncing with Mi Cloud or Google Drive, the records could be saved to the cloud even after local deletion.

For Mi Cloud:

• 🌐 Open i.mi.com and log in.
• 📁 Go to the "Files" section» → «Backup copies».
• 🔍 Look for folders with names sound_recorder or call_rec.
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files and clean the cloud cart.

For Google Drive:

• 🌐 Go to drive.google.com.
• 🔍 In the search box, type:audio.
• 📅 Sort files by date and delete conversation records.

⚠️ Warning: The Mi Cloud has automatic media backup enabled by default, including audio files. To turn this off, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization settings and uncheck the tick from Media Files».

5. Recovery of accidentally deleted records

If you delete an important record, you can try to restore it within 30 days (if it hits the cart) or using specialized programs.

Recovery methods:

• 🗑️ Recycle Bin in “Dictophon”: Open the “Records” application, go to the “Basket” section and restore the file.
• 🔄 Android: DiskDigger, Recuva (requires root rights for deep scanning).
• 💻 PC software: EaseUS MobiSaver or Dr.Fone (plug your phone in file transfer mode).

🔹 Important: The less you use your phone after deleting, the better the chances of recovery. New files can overwrite deleted data.

Instructions for DiskDigger (without root):

1. Install DiskDigger from Google Play.
2. Select Basic Scan (without root).
3. Mark the types of Audio files and click Next.
4. After scanning, select the required records and press "Recover".

6. Complete cleaning: reset to factory settings

If the conversation records are scattered across the system (e.g. duplicated in the app cache or backups) and you can't manually delete them, the latter option is hard reset, which erases all data from the phone, including the records, but requires pre-preparedness.

How to reset:

1. Back up important data (photos, contacts) through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, the phone will be like new — no records and unnecessary files.

⚠️ Note: On the Redmi Note 9 Pro, the reset does not delete files from the memory card (only internal memory). SD, format it separately through Settings → Warehouse → Memory map → Format.

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Resetting to factory settings is a last resort, and only use it if other methods fail, as it will delete all data, including apps and settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Xiaomi