Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have become powerful multimedia centers, where a huge amount of personal information is stored, including audio recordings of conversations. The standard voice recorder by default stores all your conversations, which over time can lead to overflowing internal memory or creating a mess in the file system.
The process of deleting audio files on the MIUI shells and the new HyperOS has its own nuances, which depend on the software version. Users often face difficulties when trying to find hidden folders or delete the entire array of accumulated data. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available cleaning methods, from standard system tools to advanced methods through file managers.
It is important to understand that permanently deleting records requires care, as it will be impossible to restore them with standard means after cleaning the cart. Backing up important dialogs before cleaning is a reasonable precaution that is often forgotten. Next, we will look at step-by-step algorithms for various use cases of your device.
Delete records through the standard Dictaphone application
The most obvious and easy way to manage an audio archive is to use the built-in Dictaphone application. The program interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the basic logic of operation remains the same for all Redmi and Poco models. When you open the application, you will see a list of all saved conversations, sorted by date of creation.
Selectively delete a finger on a particular file to activate editing mode, then you will see multiple-choice checkboxes that allow you to mark several unnecessary entries at once, and at the bottom of the screen or in the top menu (depending on the version of MIUI), you will see a basket icon, clicking on which initiates the process of removing selected objects.
☑️ Pre-deletion check
If your goal is to clear the list completely, use the "Select All" feature, which is usually located in the three-dot menu or in the top corner of the screen. After mass allocation, confirm the action, and the system will move the files to temporary storage or delete them permanently if the Recycle Bin function is disabled. Remember that mass deletion of a large number of heavy files can take several seconds.
⚠️ Note: Records deleted through the standard application can be temporarily stored in the “Recently Deleted” folder for 30 days, taking up disk space.
Cleaning through the built-in file manager
Direct file system management offers more flexibility than standard player applications. File Explorer (or File Manager) allows you to see the real structure of folders and delete conversation records like regular files. This is especially useful when a standard voice recorder application is not working correctly or hangs when loading a list.
To find the records, you have to go to the internal memory partition and follow the path where the system recorder is stored: MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. In the file. call_rec All phone records are stored, which are made by standard system tools, so you can sort files by size or date to find bulky or old records faster.
Hidden system folders
The advantage of this method is that it can use advanced sorting and filtering functions that are not available in the tape recorder gallery. You can select a group of files by name mask or date and clear gigabytes of space at a time. It is also convenient to check through the file manager for duplicates that may have formed as a result of synchronization failures.
- 📂 Open the Explorer app or Files on the desktop.
- 📂 Go to the internal storage and find the folder. MIUI.
- 📂 Open the subfolder. sound_recorder, then call_rec.
- 📂 Select unnecessary files and press the delete button.
Use of Third-Party File Managers
Staff tools don’t always meet the needs of advanced users, especially when deep cleaning or archives are required. Third-party file managers like Total Commander, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer provide access to hidden parts of the system and allow you to perform file operations faster. These applications often have a dual-panel interface, which is convenient for moving and copying data.
When using third-party software, you will need to provide the application with advanced permissions to access files. Modern versions of Android and HyperOS strictly control access to system folders, so the manager will request confirmation to work with the storage when you first start. After obtaining the rights, you can go to the root directory or folder. /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/ clean-up.
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Use the Disk Analysis feature in third-party managers to visually assess how much space audio files occupy and find the most voluminous recordings.
One of the key features of third-party managers is the ability to batch-rename and change file metadata before deleting.This can be useful for organizing the archive if you don’t want to delete everything at once.In addition, many of these applications have a built-in basket with more flexible settings, allowing you to store the remote longer or clean it automatically on a schedule.
| Function | Standard conductor | Third-party manager | Through the PC. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to hidden folders | Limited. | Full (with rights) | Complete. |
| Speed of operation | Medium | Tall. | Depends on the cable. |
| Size visualization | Basic | Detailed (diagrams) | Through properties |
| Package processing | Basic | Expanded | Tall. |
Deletion of records via computer
Working with files through a large screen monitor is often more comfortable and allows you to conduct a thorough review of the contents of the smartphone. To connect, use the original USB cable to ensure stable data transfer without disconnecting the connection. After connecting, select the USB File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification on the phone screen.
On your computer, open "My Computer," find your device in the disk list, and go to internal memory. Navigating folders is like working with a file manager on your phone: look for a directory. MIUI further sound_recorder. The advantage of the method is the ability to use powerful search tools for the Windows operating system or macOS to filter files by date, size or keywords in the title.
Once files are allocated and deleted on your computer, they will disappear from the device instantly, bypassing the phone basket (unless it is configured separately on the PC), which speeds up the process of freeing up space. However, be careful: accidentally deleting system files in adjacent directories when working through a PC can lead to malfunctioning applications.
⚠️ Note: When deleting files through the computer, they do not fall into the basket of the smartphone, so they can be restored only with the help of special software for data recovery.
Automatic cleaning and setting of parameters
Xiaomi smartphone owners can optimize the storage of records by adjusting the settings of the recorder itself. In some versions of the firmware, the function of automatically cleaning old records or limiting their number is available, which eliminates the need to manually control memory occupancy and prevents situations when the phone stops recording new conversations due to lack of space.
Go to the settings of the Dictaphone app (usually a gear icon or three dots). Here you can find options that regulate the quality of the recording. Lowering the quality from HD to standard will significantly reduce the size of each file, which indirectly solves the problem of space shortage. Also check whether synchronization with the cloud Mi Cloud or Google Drive, which can duplicate files is enabled.
Regular digital hygiene is key to the speed of the device, and if you don't use the conversation recording feature all the time, it makes sense to turn it off or manually put it in, and it will prevent the accumulation of random noise and empty files that also take up precious megabytes.
- 🔧 Open the settings of the voice recorder through the application menu.
- 🔧 Find the item "Record quality" and choose the optimal balance.
- 🔧 Turn off auto-save if the function is not constantly required.
- 🔧 Check your cloud sync settings to avoid duplicates.
Recovery of Accidentally Deleted Records
Situations where an important record has been deleted by mistake are quite common. If a file has been deleted recently, the first thing to do is check the folder Recently deleted in the Files app or in the recorder itself. Files are stored there for 30 days, and then deleted irrevocably. This is the easiest and most secure way to return data without using sophisticated software.
If files were deleted bypassing the recycle bin (for example, through a computer or Shift+Delete keyboard), specialized software will be needed. Programs like Dr.Fone, DiskDigger or Recuva (for memory cards) can scan internal memory for residual file traces. However, the success of recovery depends on how actively the phone was used after deletion: new data can overwrite the memory sectors where the record was stored.
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The less action you take on your phone after deleting an important file, the better the chances of its successful recovery.
For Root users, recovery is much more possible because of direct access to low-level memory sectors, but it is insecure and can disrupt banking applications, so it is only suitable for experienced enthusiasts. In most cases, it is easier and more reliable to back up important conversations on an external medium on a regular basis.