Recovery of recordings of the recorder on Xiaomi: from the basket to deep scanning

Losing an important audio record on Xiaomi is stressful, especially when it comes to lectures, interviews or personal notes. Fortunately, even after deleting files do not disappear from the device instantly: they remain in memory until they are overwritten with new data. In this article, we will discuss all working methods of recovery, from standard MIUI functions to professional utilities, and also tell you how to avoid losses in the future.

The main problem of Xiaomi users is the ignorance that the default recorder records are saved in the folder. /MIUI/sound_recorder/ (or /Recorder/ Even if you deleted the file through the application, it could have stayed in the trash. MIUI Or backup of Mi Cloud, and we'll start with the simplest of methods, and we'll gradually move on to the more complex ones, whether or not you have root rights.

1. Checking the MIUI basket: where to look for deleted records

Since 2020, MIUI 12+ has introduced a system basket that includes all deleted files for 10 days, including voice recorders, which works without additional software and does not require a connection to a PC.

To restore the record:

• 📁 Open the Files app (folder icon on the desktop).
• 🗑️ Go to the “Basket” tab** (the bin icon in the bottom menu).
• 🔍 Enter the title of the entry or filter by date of deletion.
• 📥 Click on the file and select “Restore»**.

⚠️ Note: If the basket is empty, check the Files app settings: it may have been disabled. → Basket → Automatic removal and make sure that the retention period is not set to 0 days».

2. Recovery via Mi Cloud: if synchronization was enabled

Mi Cloud automatically backs up recordings of the recorder if the “Sync Records” option is activated in the Xiaomi account settings.** This method is suitable even if you reset your phone to factory settings.

Instructions for remediation:

1. 🌐 Open the web version of Mi Cloud and log in.
2. 📁 Go to the “Records” section (or “Other Files” on older versions).
3. 🔍 Find the desired entry by date or file name.
4. ⬇️ Click on three dots next to the file and select Download»**.

If there are no records in the cloud, check:

• 🔄 Whether synchronization was enabled: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization of data → Records.
• 📅 Last Backup Date: It is possible that the record was deleted before the backup was created.
• 📶 Internet connection stability during synchronization.

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Only the latest version of the file is stored in Mi Cloud, and if you edited the record (sliced, converted), the original file may have been lost.

3. Manually search for records through file manager

If the cart is empty and the cloud doesn't work, try to find files manually, and the tape recorder on Xiaomi is stored in.m4a,.mp3 or.amr formats, which can be found even without root rights.

Where to look:

To find the files:

1. 🔍 Use the built-in search in the Files app** by keywords:.m4a, rec, audio.
2. 📂 Check hidden folders (enable display in file manager settings).
3. 🔄 If files are found but are not being played, try renaming the extension to.mp3.

4. PC recovery: programs for deep scanning

If the records are not found on the phone, connect Xiaomi to your computer and use specialized utilities that scan internal memory at the sector level and can recover files even after formatting (provided that the data has not been overwritten).

Top.-3 recovery:

• 🛠️ DiskDigger - Supports.m4a.amr works without root (but with root more efficiently).
• 🔧 Recuva – free, simple, but requires connecting the phone as a removable drive (mode) MTP).
• 💻 EaseUS MobiSaver – paid, but with a high recovery rate for Xiaomi.

Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger:

1. 📱 Connect your phone to your PC in "File Transfer" mode»** (MTP).
2. 🖥️ Install and run DiskDigger.
3. 🔍 Select your Xiaomi drive and click Scan»**.
4. 🎵 Filter the results by Audio format.
5. ⬇️ Save the files found on the PC.

⚠️ Warning: Do not save recovered files back to your phone - this can overwrite the remaining data.

Disable Wi-Fi and mobile data on your phone

Charge your phone at least 50%

Use the original USB-cable

Do not connect your phone to other devices during scanning-->

5. Restoration with root rights: maximum chances

If your Xiaomi has root access, the chances of recovery are multiplied. Root allows programs to scan system partitions that standard utilities do not have access to. However, this method is risky: improper actions can lead to loss of warranty or “bricking” the device.

The best tools for root users:

• 📱 Undeleter Recover Files & Data – Scanning /data and /system.
• 🔍 GT Recovery – Recover even fragmented files.
• 🛠️ ADB + Hex Editor – for experienced users (requires command knowledge).

Example of a command to search for audio files via ADB:

adb shell


su




find /data -name ".m4a" -o -name ".mp3" -o -name "*.amr"

⚠️ Note: Before using root methods, make a full backup through TWRP Mi Flash Tool: Recovery of system files can disrupt firmware.

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Root access gives you access to deleted files, but increases the risk of data loss, and only use this method if other methods have failed.

6.Loss prevention: how to protect records in the future

The best way to avoid problems is to set up automatic sync and backup. Here's what you can do right now:

Settings of the voice recorder on Xiaomi:

• ☁️ Enable autosynchronization with Mi Cloud: Recorder → Settings → Synchronization.
• 📁 Change the save folder to an external memory card: Settings → Conservation folder.
• 🔔 Activate notifications about new records so you don’t forget them.

Third-party decisions:

• 📱 Install Easy Voice Recorder or Hi-Q MP3 Recorder – Supports automatic export to Google Drive.
• 🔄 Use Sync.com or Dropbox to back up your folder /Recorder/.
• 📧 Set up automatic sending of important emails via IFTTT Tasker.

A critical mistake of Xiaomi users: by default, the recordings of the recorder are not included in the backups of the Mi Cloud.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording recovery