Searching for a specific audio record in a smartphone file system sometimes turns into a real quest, especially when the conversation was important and you need to find information urgently. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face a situation where standard search does not give an instant result due to the peculiarities of the structure of Android directories. Understanding the logic of the file manager allows you to quickly navigate the bowels of the system.
There are several main ways that your dialogs can lie, and their location depends on the version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, and the caller app you choose. In older versions of the shell, everything was extremely simple, but Google's modern requirements for security and data privacy have made their own adjustments. Now the paths are deeper and access to some folders is limited, which confuses many users.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all possible file layouts, the differences between a standard application and third-party solutions, and learn how to change the default save path, learn how to find records even in hidden system folders and what to do if a file is lost after an update.
The standard path in the MIUI Sound Recorder system folder
Traditionally, all audio recordings created by the built-in shell are placed in a dedicated directory. If you use a standard Xiaomi call, your file is likely to be on the path of internal memory. → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. This is where the system stores all default conversation records, dividing them into subcategories for convenience.
However, the structure may vary slightly depending on whether you are using a file manager from the manufacturer or a third-party, such as Total Commander or Files by Google. In some cases, the folder may be simply called Record or located at the root of internal memory if it is a very old version of Android.
⚠️ Note: When cleaning the system cache or removing the Sound Record application through the application settings, the files in this folder can be automatically deleted without recovery.
You can use the built-in Explorer to access this section quickly, open the Files app, go to Audio and select the Sound Filter, and the system will filter out the extra and show you only the tracks you want, but you'll know the full path to them by heart for manual control.
💡
Use the Favorite feature in the file manager to add a folder call_rec It's a quick access, and it saves time by constantly searching for records.
Changes to Android 11, 12, 13 and newer: access to Android/data
With the release of new versions of the Android operating system (starting with the eleventh), Google has implemented strict restrictions on access to application system folders, which also affected Xiaomi owners: now the standard path to call records is often hidden in the depths of the directory Android/data/com.android.incallui or similar, depending on the telephony provider.
The problem is that a standard MIUI file manager can simply not display the contents of the data folder, showing it to be empty. This is not a bug, but a security mechanism. To access these files, you will need a third-party file manager with advanced rights, such as Material Files or FX File Explorer, which can request special permissions through the SAF (Storage Access Framework).
The full path often looks like this: Internal memory → Android → data → com.android.incallui → files → sound_recorder → call_rec. If you use a third-party call, such as from Truecaller or Google Phone, then the packet name on the way will be different (for example, com.google.android.dialer).
Why is the Android/data folder hidden?
Some users prefer to use a computer to access these files. When connecting a smartphone to a PC in file transfer mode (MTP), file-tip Android/data It may also be unavailable for viewing, in which case the only solution is to use Wi-Fi file transfer or cloud services.
Differences between standard call and Google Dialer
The location of files depends on which application is used to make calls. Global versions of Xiaomi firmware often preinstalled a call from Google, while Chinese versions and some builds for the CIS use the native application MIUI Dialer. These two applications use completely different ways of saving.
If you have a Google Phone, you should search for records along the way: → Android → data → com.google.android.dialer → files → sound_recorder → call_rec. The feature of this call is that it can automatically sync records to the cloud if the corresponding function is enabled, but local copies still remain in the specified folder.
In the case of the standard caller MIUI shorter and clearer: MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. If you upgrade to HyperOS or a new one MIUI 14, The system could force the storage of data to a protected area Android/data Even for system applications to meet new standards.
Below is a table that helps you quickly determine your path depending on your configuration:
| Type of caller | Package name | Path to folder (example) | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI Dialer (Standard) | com.android.incallui | /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec | Open/Hidden |
| Google Phone | com.google.android.dialer | /Android/data/com.google.../files/... | Limited. |
| Truecaller | com.truecaller | /Android/data/com.truecaller/... | Limited. |
| Cube ACR (Third-Party) | com.catalinagroup.callrecorder | /CallRec/ (configurable) | Open-ended |
💡
Knowing the exact name of your caller app package (com.android...) is the key to finding files in Android 11+ system folders.
How to Change a Folder to Save Call Records
Many users want to change the default save path so they don’t search for files deep in the system directories or save them straight to the SD card. Unfortunately, this option is often not available in standard Xiaomi call settings, especially in newer versions of Android.
One method is to use third-party automated applications like Tasker or MacroDroid, which can create a macro that automatically moves a new file from the system folder to any other one you choose right after the call is complete, which requires customization but gives you complete control.
Another option is relevant for those who use third-party applications for recording, for example, Call Recorder - ACR. In the settings of such programs, the save path can be changed manually:
- 📁 Open the settings of the recorder application.
- 📂 Find the item "Folder for records" or "Way of saving".
- 💾 Select the desired directory in the internal memory or on the SD-map.
- ✅ Confirm your choice and provide the necessary permissions.
⚠️ Note: On Android 11 and above, apps may not be allowed to write files to arbitrary locations without special permission. If the change of path does not work, check the access rights in the Special Access section in the system settings.
It is also worth remembering that saving to a memory card can be slower than internal storage. If the memory card is of poor quality, the record may be interrupted or the file may be corrupted during the saving process.
Access and rights issues in new MIUI versions
Upgrading to MIUI 12.5, 13, 14 or HyperOS often brings not only a new design, but additional security restrictions. Users complain that after the update, old records are lost or new ones are no longer created, most often due to a change in file system access policy.
The system may stop seeing files if the caller app has been updated through Google Play, rather than the system updater. In this case, paths may get lost, or the application will be given new, more stringent rights. Check in the application settings if Caller and Recorder have permission to access all media files.
Sometimes cleaning the data of the application itself helps (not to be confused with deleting files!) This will reset the settings of the paths to default values. You can do this through Settings → Apps → All Apps → Sound Recording → Clear → Clear the data.
If you use phone encryption, files may not be available when you connect to your computer until the screen is unlocked. Make sure that when you connect the cable, you select File Transfer mode, not just Charge mode.
Use of third-party applications for recording and management
Xiaomi’s built-in tools are good, but often limited to functionality. Third-party applications such as Call Recorder – ACR, TapeACall or Automatic Call Recorder offer more flexible settings for save paths and file formats, which allow you to save records immediately to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox), bypassing internal memory.
The main advantage of these programs is that they can be fine-tuned, so you can set a rule: "Save contact records from the 'Important' list to the /Secret folder, and delete the rest." This is impossible to do with standard tools without complex automation.
But there are downsides: On newer versions of Android, third-party apps often can’t record the sound of the interlocutor because of locks at the kernel level, in which case the recording will be only from your microphone, and the voice of the interlocutor will be quiet or echo.
☑️ Criteria for selecting an application for recording
When using third-party software, keep a close eye on where it saves files, often by default it is a folder at the root of internal memory with the developer's name, such as /NLL/ or /ACR/.
Frequent questions and solutions to search problems
Even though they know the exact paths, users sometimes have trouble, files can be hidden, corrupted or have obscure names, and often the problem lies in the file format: modern systems can store audio in.m4a or.aac format, which not all players see as "music."
If you can't find a file, try searching by date of change. In the file manager, sort the files in the folder. call_rec by date and find the ones that were changed during your call. File names are often just timestamp (time in seconds), for example, 1678890123.m4a.
In case the recording is interrupted or the file weighs 0 Kb, the most likely problem is space shortage or access rights conflict. Free up space in memory and restart the device. Also make sure the microphone is not occupied by another application in the background.