Where Xiaomi recorder saves records on Android: all the ways to find and transfer audio

Have you recorded an important conversation or lecture on a Xiaomi voice recorder but can't find the file? Or do you want to transfer the recordings to a memory card to free up space in internal storage? In this article, we will detail where audio recordings on Redmi, POCO and other Xiaomi smartphones are stored by default, how to change the storage path, and what to do if the Suddenly files are gone.

The manufacturer does not always transparently report the location of records, and in different versions. MIUI And the way that you do it is different, and the choice between internal memory and SD-It's a map, and it's synced with Mi Cloud. MIUI 12-14 and show how to manage records without losing data.

If you use third-party recording apps (like Easy Voice Recorder or ASR Voice Recorder), the storage rules may vary, as we’ll explain below, and for those who have experienced file loss, we’ve prepared a manual for recovering files through standard and third-party tools.

Standard ways to store records of a voice recorder on Xiaomi

By default, the Dictaphone app (or Recorder in global firmware) stores files in the internal storage system folder. The path depends on the MIUI version and smartphone model, but most often it is:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/ — for MIUI 12–14 (most common).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Recorder/ — global firmware POCO-device.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Download/VoiceRecords/ — Some older models (e.g. Redmi Note) 7/8).

Files have extensions.m4a (AAC-encoding) or.amr (for short notes) and are named by template REC_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS. For example, REC_20260515_143022.m4a — record 15 may 2026 yearly 14:30.

To find the folder quickly:

1. Open any file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to the Internal Storage (Internal Storage) section.
3. Enter the name of the folder in the search box: sound_recorder recorder.

⚠️ Note: If you connect your smartphone to your PC through USB, folder MIUI Enable the display of hidden files in the Windows Explorer settings or use Total Commander.

How to change the location of the saved records (to a memory card or cloud)

By default, Xiaomi's voice recorder saves files to internal memory, but the path can be reconfigured. Here's how to do it:

Method 1: Conservation of SD-map

If you have a memory card installed on your smartphone, follow the following steps:

1. Open the Dictaphone app.
2. Slap the icon. ⚙️ Settings (usually in the upper right corner).
3. Select the location (or the location).
4. Indicate. SD-map and confirm the choice.

After that, the new records will be saved to the folder:

• 📁 /storage/XXXX-XXXX/MIUI/sound_recorder/ (where XXXX-XXXX — identifier SD-map).

Method 2: Automatic booting in Mi Cloud

Xiaomi offers to synchronize records with cloud storage Mi Cloud.

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Activate the slider Synchronization of the recorder (or Recorder backup).
3. Choose the quality of the download: Original (without compression) or Compressed (saves space).

The files will be available on i.mi.com in the Recorder section.Please note that the free Mi Cloud tariff provides only 5 GB - if you exceed the limit, sync will stop.

⚠️ Note: If you delete a recording from your phone, it will automatically disappear from the Mi Cloud, unless it was moved to the Favorites folder. To avoid loss, download important files to your PC.

Why records are not saved or disappear

Xiaomi users often face problems when the recorder does not save records or files disappear after a reboot.

If records are lost after a firmware update, check the folder /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.soundrecorder/ – sometimes files are transferred there.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Recorder.
2. Select Permissions and activate Warehouse and Microphone.

How to recover deleted recordings from a voice recorder

If you accidentally delete a record, don't despair - it can be returned. Here are 3 working ways, from simple to complex:

Method 1: Checking the basket

In the latest versions of MIUI, the recorder supports a shopping cart where files are stored for 30 days:

1. Open the Dictaphone app.
2. Slap the icon. 🗑️ Basket on the bottom menu.
3. Select the desired entry and click Restore.

Method 2: Recovery through File Manager

If the basket is empty, check the system folders for "orphaned" files:

• 🔍 Use Mi File Manager with Show Hidden Files mode enabled.
• 🔍 Check the folders: /storage/emulated/0/.trash/ — basket MIUI. /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.soundrecorder/cache/ — time-file.

Method 3: Third-party recovery programs

If you can't find files, use utilities like DiskDigger or Recuva (for PC).

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer in file transfer mode.
2. Start the program and select the Internal Memory section.
3. Specify the search format:.m4a or.amr.
4. Wait for the scan and save the files found on the PC.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install recovery software on the same disk where the records were stored - this will reduce the chances of success.

💡

If you regularly work with important records, set up automatic file sending to email. To do this, activate the Send at completion option in the voice recorder settings and specify your address.

Where records are stored in third-party recorders

If you're using alternatives, rather than a standard app, like Easy Voice Recorder, ASR Voice Recorder, or Hi-Q MP3 Recorder, the storage paths will be different.

To change the way you save in third-party applications:

1. Open the program settings (usually through the icon) ⚙️).
2. Find the Storage or Save Location section.
3. Please specify a new folder (for example, on the SD-map) and confirm the choice.

Important: Some apps (like Hi-Q MP3 Recorder) allow you to set up automatic uploads to Google Drive or Dropbox, which is useful for backups, but requires a stable Internet connection.

How to transfer your Xiaomi recordings to a computer or other phone

If you need to copy the recordings on your PC or transfer them to another smartphone, use one of these methods:

Method 1: Through USB-cable

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer using a USB-Type C cable.
2. In the smartphone notification curtain, select File Transfer (or MTP) mode.
3. On PC, open the folder This computer → [Your phone name] → Internal memory. → MIUI → sound_recorder.
4. Copy the files you want (.m4a or.amr) to any folder on your hard drive.

Method 2: Wi-Fi (via Mi Drop or Total Commander)

If the cable is not available, use wireless transmission:

• 📲 Install Total Commander or Mi Drop (pre-installed on many Xiaomi smartphones).
• 📲 In Mi Drop, select the records files and click Send, then – to the computer.
• 💻 On PC, open your browser and click on the generated link (for example, http://192.168.1.100:8080).
• 💻 Download files directly.

Method 3: Through Cloud Services

To transfer to another phone, it is convenient to use the cloud:

1. Upload your recordings to Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or Yandex Disk.
2. On the second device, log in to the same account and download files.

💡

When sending messages via instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), the quality can deteriorate due to compression. Use the cloud or USB to save the original sound.

Storage optimization: how to free up space and organize records

Recording can take up gigabytes of memory, especially if you're recording long lectures or interviews. Here's how to optimize storage:

• 🗃️ Sort files by folder: Create separate directories for work, study, and personal notes (e.g, /sound_recorder/Work/, /sound_recorder/Study/).
• 🔄 Convert formats:.wav files take up 5-10 times more space than.mp3. Use Audacity or Online-Convert for compression.
• ☁️ Set up automatic cleaning: in Mi Cloud, enable the option to Remove from the device after boot to free up space.
• 🗑️ Clean your cart regularly: files take up space in it, even if they don’t appear in the main list.

To automatically sort records by date or tag, use apps like Voice Recorder & Audio Editor (there is a feature for adding labels).

1. Open the settings → Storage → Dictaphone.
2. Set a maximum folder size (e.g. 500MB).
3. Activate the option to delete old records automatically.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording and storing audio on Xiaomi