Where to save the call record on Xiaomi: all possible storage locations

You turned on a recording of a conversation on Xiaomi, but you can't find a file after the call is complete? This problem is familiar to many smartphone users of the brand. The fact is that MIUI distributes audio recordings across multiple folders, depending on the firmware version, the phone model and the recording method, in some cases files are not saved at all due to crashes or incorrect settings.

In this article, we will take a look at all possible locations for Xiaomi call records, from standard internal memory directories to cloud services, how to find files manually through the explorer, why they may disappear, and what to do if the record does not survive, and for owners of older models (for example, Redmi Note 4X or Mi A1), we will give separate instructions based on the features of their firmware.

We warn you right away: if you use third-party recording apps (like Cube Call Recorder or ACR), the search algorithm will be different, as we’ll discuss below.

Standard folder for calling records in MIUI

In most modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with MIUI 12 and later), the default call records are saved to the folder:

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

This path is relevant for models Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Xiaomi 12/13/14 and other devices on the latest versions of firmware.

1. Open the standard Explorer application (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Internal Drive section.
3. Find the file. MIUI, later sound_recorder, And inside — call_rec.

The files here are formatted.m4a or.amr and named by template: call_YEAR-MONTH-DAY_HOUR-MINUTE-SECOND. For example, call_2026-05-15_14-30-45.m4a.

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If the folders sound_recorder No, check if there is a record in /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/ — This is an alternative route for some regions.

Important: in MIUI 14 and later, the folder can be hidden.

1. In the conductor, tap three points in the upper right corner.
2. Select Settings → Show hidden files.
3. Go back to the root directory and repeat the search.

Cloud Storage: Synchronize Records with Mi Cloud

If your Xiaomi settings enable sync with Mi Cloud, call records can automatically be uploaded to the cloud.

• 🔄 Enable backup in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
• 📱 Use the Synchronization function in the same section.
• 🌐 Log in to one Mi Account on multiple devices.

To check the records in the cloud:

1. Open the Mi Cloud app (or go to i.mi.com).
2. Sign in under your account.
3. Select the Backups section → find the latest copy of your phone.
4. In the data list, look for Call Recorder or Sound Recorder.

Note that in the cloud, records are stored in compressed form and are not directly accessible to listen to, and to retrieve them, you need to restore a backup to the device or download the archive to your computer.

Hidden system folders: where else can there be records

If there are no files in the standard directories, check these hidden locations:

Access to /data/ folders requires root rights. Without them, you'll only see an empty directory. Alternatively, connect your phone to your PC and use ADB:

adb pull /data/user/0/com.android.providers.media/documents/ C:\CallRecords\

If you don't want to mess with ADB, try a root-access file manager like Root Explorer or FX File Explorer, but remember, careless actions in system folders can cause your phone to crash.

Records from third-party applications: Cube Call Recorder, ACR and others

If you installed alternative call recording software (such as Cube Call Recorder ACR, Call Recorder by Lovekesh or Boldbeast), the files will be stored in their own folders.

• 📁 Cube ACR: /storage/emulated/0/CubeBackups/ or /storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings/ (format.mp3).
• 📁 Boldbeast: /storage/emulated/0/Boldbeast/ (format.mp3 or wav).
• 📁 Call Recorder by Lovekesh: /storage/emulated/0/CallRecords/ (amr).

The thing about third-party apps is that they often allow you to manually configure the save path, like Cube ACR, which is like this:

1. Open the app.
2. Go to Settings → Record folder.
3. Please specify the desired catalogue (e.g. SD-map).

Some programs (e.g. Boldbeast) also support uploading records to Google Drive or Dropbox. Check your sync settings if there are no files on your phone.

Make sure that the record is on for all numbers|Check the save format (mp3/amr/wav)|Set up the storage path on SD-map|Turn off compression if files are damaged-->

Why the record did not survive: common reasons

If you are sure you have enabled the record but the file did not appear, the problem may be one of the following:

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) Call recording is blocked at the firmware level to comply with privacy laws in certain regions (EU, India). MIUI In Settings → The phone, if it ends at EU or IN, function may be disabled.

Other possible causes:

• 🚫 Insufficient memory: if the phone has less than 100 MB of free space, the system does not save records.
• 🔇 Android restrictions: Starting with Android 9, apps are not allowed to record calls without notifying the interlocutor (this applies to the standard recorder). MIUI).
• 🔄 Sync failure: If the record is saved to the cloud but the internet is down during the call, the file may be lost.
• 🛠 File system damage: after incorrect extraction SD-map-up.

To diagnose the problem:

1. Check the call log – if there is a microphone icon next to the number ⏺, The record should have been kept.
2. Make sure that in Settings → Permissions → Microphone for the Phone or Recorder application is given access.
3. Try recording a test call to another number – sometimes the crash only happens with specific contacts.

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If the record is not saved on Xiaomi with MIUI 13+, try to roll back on MIUI 12.5 or use third-party software. In newer versions of firmware, the recording feature often malfunctions due to tighter privacy policies.

How to Recover Lost Call Records

If the record file is missing but you are sure it existed, try these recovery methods:

1. Recycle Bin Check: In MIUI, deleted files are put in the Recycle Bin and stored there for 30 days. Open Explorer → Recycle Bin and search for records by date.

2. Restoration through backup:

• 🔄 If you have a backup in Mi Cloud, restore it through Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
• 💾 If backup on a computer (made through Mi) PC Suite), connect your phone to your PC and extract files from your archive.

Recovery software: Use utilities like DiskDigger, Recuva (for PC) or Dumpster (for Android).

1. Install the program from Google Play.
2. Give it access to memory (Settings → Applications → Special Access → Manage all files).
3. Select a scan of internal memory or SD-map.
4. Filter the results with extensions.m4a,.amr,.3gp.

⚠️ Warning: Don't save recovered files back to your phone - this can overwrite the remaining data.

4.Call for Support: If records are critical (e.g. for a court), contact Xiaomi support and provide:

• IMEI phone (to find out via *#06#)
• Date and time of call.
• Subscriber number (if possible).

In rare cases, engineers can extract data from technical logs, but this only works for warranty devices.

Features for older Xiaomi models

On Xiaomi smartphones from 2016-2018 (e.g. Redmi 3S, Mi Max 2, Mi 5), call recording is implemented differently.

These devices may also lack a built-in recorder, in which case:

1. Install Google Discphone from Google Play.
2. Or use Call Recorder by Skvalex (supports older versions of Android).

On the Redmi Note 4X and Mi A1 (Android One), call recording is disabled by default due to Google's policy. To activate it, you need to get root rights and edit the /system/build.prop file by adding the line ro.call.recording.enabled=true.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls to Xiaomi