Where to save conversation records on Xiaomi Redmi 8: where to look for files and how to restore them

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a popular budget smartphone that is still actively used thanks to reliable hardware and support for MIUI. However, many owners face a problem: after recording a phone conversation, the file seems to disappear — it is not in the gallery or in the standard player. Where are these records actually stored, and how to find them?

In this article, we will discuss all possible locations for storing call records on Redmi 8, including hidden system folders, features of different versions of MIUI (from 10 to 12.5), as well as ways to restore deleted files.

If you’ve ever lost an important recording of a conversation or just want to know where to look for files in the future, this guide is for you.We’ll also look at why records can “disappear” after a system update or settings reset.

Standard storage locations for Redmi 8

By default, Xiaomi Redmi 8 saves conversation records in one of the system folders, but its location depends on the version of MIUI and how it is written.

• 📁 Internal memory: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — standard-file MIUI 10–12. Here, files are formatted.m4a or.
• 🔊 Folder "Records»: /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/ — alternative path if a third-party recorder is used (e.g. Cube Call Recorder).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: If sync is enabled, records can automatically be uploaded to the Mi Cloud partition → Records (available only when logged in to Mi-account).

Important: In MIUI 12.5 and later, the path may change to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.providers.media/, but this is rare for Redmi 8, as the smartphone has not officially received this firmware version. If you have custom firmware (like LineageOS), check the /sdcard/CallRecordings/ folder.

To quickly find records, use the built-in MIUI file manager:

1. Open the Files app (yellow folder icon).
2. Go to the Category section → Audio.
3. Filter files by date of creation – call records usually have a time stamp that matches the time of the call.

Why recordings are not displayed in a gallery or player

A common problem: the record file exists, but is not visible in standard applications.

• 🔍 Hidden files: MIUI It hides the system folders by default. To see them, click on the file manager. ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files.
• 📱 No media scanning: after recording, the system must update the database of media files. If this does not happen, manually perform: adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MEDIA_SCANNER_SCAN_FILE -d file:///storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/
• 🚫 Application limitations: Some voice recorders (like Truecaller) keep records in closed folders that are only accessible through their interface.

A critical feature of Redmi 8: if the recording was conducted through the built-in MIUI voice recorder, but the settings turned off the item "Show in the gallery", the files will be available only through the application "Records" (mic icon).

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Records (or Sound Recorder)
3. Go to Permits → Memory and turn on access.

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If the records are missing after the MIUI update, check the /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup/CallRec/ folder – sometimes the system transfers files there before the update.

How to find records through PC (step-by-step instructions)

If you can't find files on your phone, connect Redmi 8 to your computer. USB-cable and enable file transfer mode (MTP).

Enable USB debugging in developer settings |Use data-enabled cable |Unlock phone screen before connection |Install Xiaomi drivers (first connection)

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Then proceed with the algorithm:

1. Open this computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS). Your Redmi 8 will appear as a removable disk.
2. Go to the Internal Memory folder → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec.
3. If you don’t have a folder, check the alternative paths: Recordings → Call Android → data → com.miui.soundrecorder → files (root rights required)

Call_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.m4a

For Linux users: If the phone is not identified, install the mtp-tools package and use the command:

mtp-detect | grep "Device"

Features of records in third-party applications

Popular voice recorders (such as Cube Call Recorder, ACR) store files in their folders.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Truecaller) delete records after 30 days unless otherwise configured to save files forever:

1. Open the application settings.
2. Find the section Records Management → Autocleaning.
3. Turn off the option or set a storage period Never.

Recovery of Deleted Call Records

If the records were deleted, you can try to restore them, and success depends on how long it has been since the deletion and how much memory the phone has been using.

Recovery methods:

• 🗑️ Basket MIUI: Go to the Files. → The trash can, the deleted records are stored there for 15 days.
• 🔧 Recovery software: DiskDigger, Recuva (requires root for deep scanning).
• ☁️ Cloud Backups: If you have backup enabled in Mi Cloud or Google Drive, check your archives.

For recovery with DiskDigger:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select Full Scan (requires root).
3. Filter the results by expanding.m4a or.amr.
4. Save the files found on SD-card.

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The faster you start recovering from deletion, the better the chances of returning files, and each new record or application installation reduces the likelihood of success.

⚠️ Warning: Don't install recovery software on the same memory that the records were stored! This will overwrite the deleted data. Use SD-card or connect the phone to the PC.

Conversation recording settings on Redmi 8

To avoid problems with finding records in the future, set up save options in advance. MIUI It's done this way:

1. Open the phone application (green handset).
2. Press. ⋮ → Settings → Recording of conversations.
3. Enable the option Automatic Recording (if necessary).
4. Select the folder to save - better specify /Recordings/Call/ for compatibility.

For third-party recorders (example Cube Call Recorder):

• 📂 Specify the storage folder in the settings: Settings → Folder of the record → Select a folder.
• 🔒 Enable password protection if records are confidential.
• ☁️ Set up automatic upload to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).

Important: in some countries (e.g. the EU), automatic recording of calls without notifying the interlocutor is prohibited by law. On Redmi 8, when you turn on the record, the system shows a notification “Conversation is recorded”, but it can be turned off in the settings (not recommended).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Redmi 8 users often experience typical problems with call records, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 🔇 Recording terminated or not saved: Check the free space on the device (need a minimum of 500 MB). Turn off the power saving mode for the voice recorder app. Update MIUI Up to the latest available version for Redmi 8 (MIUI 12.0.3.0 or later).
• 🎤 Microphone does not record voice: Turn on speaker while talking (recording is only in this mode on some firmware). Check the settings of the voice recorder: the sound source must be selected. + dynamics.
• 📱 App records only your voice: This is Android 10's limitation+. Use alternative voice recorders with both-party recording support (e.g, ACR root-righted).

If the problem is not solved, try resetting the phone app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone.
2. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
3. Reboot the phone.

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If records are still not saved after resetting the settings, check if access to the microphone for the Phone application is disabled in the privacy settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions