Where on Xiaomi Redmi 8 saves conversation records: all possible storage locations

You've turned on a call recording on Xiaomi Redmi 8, but you can't find the saved file? This problem is familiar to many Xiaomi smartphone users -- especially on older models like Redmi 8, where the logic of storing audio files depends on the version of MIUI, the settings of the Phone app, and even the regional features of the firmware. Unlike new flagships, where records automatically appear in the gallery, on Redmi 8, the path to files may not be obvious.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible locations for storing call records, from standard folders to hidden directories that are only accessible through a superuser file manager, and we’ll show you how to find files in.amr,.mp3 or.m4a formats, why they might disappear after a MIUI update, and what to do if the record folder is empty, and for those who use third-party recording apps (such as Cube Call Recorder or ACR), we’ll show them separately.

Standard place for storing records in MIUI

By default, Xiaomi Redmi 8 saves the conversation records in the system folder, the path to which depends on the firmware version. On most devices with MIUI 11-14 files are located here:

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

But there are nuances:

• 📁 For MIUI 10 And below: the way may be /storage/emulated/0/Recorder/calls/ or /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/voice_recorder/. Check both directories.
• 🔊 File format: usually.amr (compressed) or.m4a (Best quality. Less often —.mp3.
• 📱 File names: contain date, time and subscriber number (example: 20260515_143022_+79123456789.amr).

To open the folder:

1. Run the standard Files app (yellow folder icon).
2. Go to Categories → Audio or Device → Internal Memory.
3. Hand-flick through to the file. MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec.

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If the folder call_rec Empty, check the settings of the Phone app: records may be disabled or saved to the Mi Cloud (more on this below).

⚠️ Note: On some firmware for Redmi 8 (especially global versions), call recording may be disabled by default due to legal restrictions in individual countries. → Permits → Autostart and enable access to the Phone app».

Why the records are not displayed in the folder

If you are sure that the recording was made, but there are no files in the standard folder, the reasons may be as follows:

Another common reason is the battery optimization conflict, where MIUI aggressively closes the background processes, which may cause the Phone app to fail to save the file.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone.
2. Select Battery Limitations → No restrictions.
3. Enable AutoRun and Secondary Start.

Hidden folders and system directories

If records are not found in standard locations, they may have been saved in hidden system folders. On Redmi 8, such directories are usually not available without root rights, but they can be opened through a file manager with advanced rights (for example, Solid Explorer or Root Browser).

/data/user/0/com.android.dialer/files/recordings/


/data/data/com.android.dialer/files/call_rec/




/sdcard/Android/data/com.miui.voiceassist/files/

⚠️ Note: Delete or modify files in the folder /data/ without root, the phone application may crash. If you are not sure about your actions, back up your data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

To access hidden folders without root:

Install Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer | file manager

Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings |

Move to the /storage/emulated/0/ manually enter the path to the hidden folder|

Use it. ADB-Adb pull /data/data/com.android.dialer/files/call_rec/ (PC)-->

If you use MIUI 12+, some of the records can be stored in an encrypted form in the /data/media/0/MIUI/secure/ folder.

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode).
2. Use it. ADB-Team: adb backup -f call_records.ab com.android.dialer
3. Unpack your backup with Android Backup Extractor.

Recordings in the Mi Cloud

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi added the ability to automatically sync call records to the Mi Cloud.If this feature is activated, files may not be saved locally.

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Scroll to Sync and check if the Call Record option is enabled.
3. If yes, go to i.mi.com, log in and go to Devices. → [Your Redmi 8] → Call records.

Please note:

• 🔒 Volume limit: free tariff Mi Cloud provides only 5 GB, which is enough for ~100 hours of recording in.amr format.
• ⏳ Sync delay: Files can appear in the cloud 5–30 minutes after the call is completed.
• 📱 Regional restrictions: in some countries (e.g. EU) recording synchronization is disabled by law.

If you have the data in the cloud but not on your phone, you can download it back:

1. On the Mi Cloud site, select the desired files and click Download.
2. Files will be uploaded to the.zip archive – unpack it on your PC or phone.
3. Transfer the audio files to the folder /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ convenienceally.

Third-party applications for recording calls

If you're using a third-party solution, not a standard phone app, like Cube Call Recorder, ACR or Boldbeast, the storage paths will be different.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Boldbeast) require that battery optimization be disabled to function properly.If records are broken or not saved, add the app to the exceptions:

Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management → Select the App → Without Limitations

Also check permissions for third-party recording applications:

• 📞 Access to microphone (required).
• 📁 Access to storage (to save files).
• 📱 Auto-run (to make the application run in the background).

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Third-party applications are often better than the standard “Phone” for recording: they support MP3 format, automatically send files to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox), and allow you to customize the sound quality.

How to Change the Place of Records Saving

If you don't like the standard file layout, you can change it, but only for third-party applications. Xiaomi's standard Phone doesn't have that option. ACR:

1. Open the application and go to Settings → Save folder.
2. Select one of the directories offered or specify your own (e.g. /storage/emulated/0/Download/CallRecords/).
3. Save the changes and restart the application.

For Boldbeast Call Recorder, the process is more complicated:

1. In the settings, select Files → Save Path.
2. Click Select folder and manually specify the path (for example, on the SD-map: /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM/CallRecords/, where XXXX-XXXX — ID your memory card).
3. Confirm your choice and restart your phone.

⚠️ Attention: When maintaining on SD-The card can disappear after it's retrieved or reconnected, and this is due to the way Android works with external drives:

• 🔄 Regularly copy files from SD-maps on PC or in the cloud.
• 📛 Use memory cards with high write speed (class) UHS-I U3 higher).
• 🛠 Format. SD-card as internal memory (setup available when first connected).

What to do if records are not saved

If the Xiaomi Redmi 8 doesn’t keep records of conversations at all, the problem could be one of the following:

If none of the solutions worked, try resetting the phone app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone.
2. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
3. Restart the phone and check the recording.

Critical information: Some firmware for Redmi 8 (e.g., the Indian version with MIUI 11.0.8) has its call recording completely disabled at the kernel level, in which case only the firmware of the global or European version of MIUI via Fastboot will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 8 call recording