Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is a useful feature, but not all users know exactly where these audio files are stored after saving. MIUI distributes them to several locations, from hidden system folders to Mi Cloud storage. The problem is complicated by the fact that the path to files can differ depending on the firmware version (MIUI 14 vs MIUI 15), the device model and even regional settings.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at all possible records storage locations, including undocumented system directories that Xiaomi does not advertise in official instructions, ADB-We'll also focus on the nuances of cloud backup and synchronization with Google Drive.
1. Standard Storage: CallRecord folder in internal memory
By default, Call Record (or Phone in global firmware) saves files in an open directory:
/storage/emulated/0/CallRecord/The files here are formatted.m4a (AAC-encoding) or.amr (for older models) and are named by template:
- π Record_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.m4a β date and time of recording
- π Incoming_[Number]_YYYYMMDD.m4a β call-in
- π€ Outgoing_[Number]_YYYYMMDD.m4a β jingle
β οΈ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F5 s MIUI 14) the folder may be called CallRecorder or MiuiCallRecorder. If you can't see it through standard Files, try enabling the display of hidden folders in the file manager settings (Show hidden files).
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If the CallRecord folder is empty, check the settings of the Phone application: it is possible that records are saved only to the cloud or disabled altogether.
2.Alternative paths: system directories and cache
In some cases, especially when using third-party recording applications (such as Cube Call Recorder or ACR), files may be stored in:
| folder | Description | Typical files |
|---|---|---|
| /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.incallui/files/ | The system cache of the phone application | call_record_*.amr |
| /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.miui.voiceassist/ | Voice assistant directory (sometimes duplicates recordings) | voice_*.m4a |
| /data/user/0/com.android.phone/cache/ | Hidden cache (requires root or ADB) | temp_call_*.dat |
Access to /data/ folders is possible only with root rights or through ADB. For example, to view the contents of the cache of the Phone application, perform at the terminal:
adb shell ls /data/data/com.android.phone/cache/π How to check without root? Install a file manager with support ADB (for example, FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer and connect to your device ADB over Wi-Fi. Select the app menu ADB View and cross the path /data/data/com.android.phone/.
Why can records disappear from the CallRecord folder?
3. Cloud Storage: Mi Cloud and Google Drive
If synchronization is enabled in the Call Record settings of the application, the files are automatically downloaded to:
- βοΈ Mi Cloud β Call Records section (available 5GB free)
- π Google Drive β CallRecord folder (if backup is configured via Google One)
- π Other clouds, such as Dropbox or Yandex Drive (when using third-party recording applications)
π How to check?
- Open Settings β Accounts β Mi Cloud β Synchronization.
- Make sure the Call Record slider is active.
- Go to i.mi.com β Cloud β Call records.
β οΈ Note: When you delete a record from the Mi Cloud, it is deleted from the device (and vice versa).To save the file forever, download it to your PC or transfer it to another cloud.
4. Search through file manager: step-by-step instructions
If you are not sure where the records are stored, follow the following steps:
βοΈ Searching for call records for Xiaomi
π Tip: Search for file extensions. Most file managers (e.g. Mi File Manager or Total Commander) can type in the search bar:
.m4a | .amr | *.3gpIf the search does not give results, check:
- π Settings of the application Phone β Recording calls β Save folder (possibly changed manually).
- ποΈ File Manager Recycle Bin β Sometimes records get there after βsoftβ deletion.
- π± The internal memory of another user (if there are multiple profiles on the device).
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On devices with MIUI 15, the default recordings are saved in.opus format (more compact, but not all players support it). Use VLC to listen or convert to.mp3 via Online-Convert.
5. Recovery of deleted records
If files have been deleted, you can try to restore them by:
| Method | Tool. | Chances of success |
|---|---|---|
| Scan of internal memory | DiskDigger, Recuva (via PC) | 70% (unless there was a re-recording) |
| Recovery from the Cloud | Mi Cloud (basket) | 100% (if synchronization has been enabled) |
| Analysis of the application cache | ADB pull /data/data/com.android.phone/ | 30% (only for experienced users) |
β οΈ Note: When recovering through DiskDigger, do not save the recovered files back to the device's internal memory - this may cause them to be rewritten. SD-map.
π οΈ Instructions for ADB:
- Connect your phone to your PC and activate Debugging over USB (Settings β About Phone β MIUI Version β 7 times press to unlock the developer mode).
- Follow the command to create a backup cache: adb backup -f call_records.ab -noapk com.android.phone
- Uncivilize. call_records.ab Using Android Backup Extractor and look for files with.dat or.tmp extension.
6. Recording settings: where does the saving path change
By default, the path to save records is set in:
Settings β Applications β Phone β Call recording β Saving folderHere you can choose:
- π± Internal memory (CallRecord folder)
- πΎ SD-map /storage/[SD_CARD_ID]/CallRecord/)
- βοΈ Cloud Mi (automatic booting)
π§ Additional settings:
- π€ Recording format β M4A (AAC) or AMR (last place).
- π Source of sound β Voice or Voice only + Ambient sounds (on some models, for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro).
- β±οΈ Autodelete β Delete records older 30/60/90 days.
β οΈ Attention: On devices with MIUI For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G) Call recording may be disabled by default due to local regulations. To activate it, go to Settings β Additionally. β Special facilities β Recording calls.
7 Problems and Solutions: Why Records Are Not Saved
If the records donβt appear in a folder or cloud, check:
βοΈ Diagnostics of problems with recording calls
π Common bugs:
- π΄ MIUI 14.0.3β14.0.6: recordings are saved without sound (solution β upgrade to 14.0.7)+ or roll back to 14.0.2).
- π΄ Redmi 10C/POCO M5: Call Recording is not available in the firmware (solution β install Cube Call Recorder from Google Play).
- π΄ Mi Cloud: Files are not synced when Traffic Saving Mode is enabled.
π οΈ How to fix it?
- Reset the settings of the Phone application (Settings β Applications β Phone β Storage β Reset).
- Clear the cache and data of Mi Cloud (Settings β Accounts β Mi Cloud β Clear data).
- Try an alternative recording app (such as ACR or Boldbeast).