Where to save your phone calls on Xiaomi: A complete file search guide

You've turned on a recording of a conversation on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, but now you can't find a file? The problem is familiar to many: the brand's smartphones store audio recordings in a way that's not always obvious. Depending on the version of MIUI, the phone model and the recording method (built-in voice recorder, the Phone app, third-party programs), the paths to files may differ. In this article, we'll examine all possible options, from standard folders to hidden system directories, and also tell you how to recover records if they "disappeared."

Xiaomi is particularly sensitive to its use of cloud services (Mi Cloud) and its own file management applications, such as recordings from the standard Phone app can automatically sync to the cloud, and files from Recents (recent) can be stored in a secure folder. If you haven’t changed your default settings, chances are your records are in one of three places: internal memory, SD-map (if installed) or cloud...

Standard folders for calling records in MIUI

Most Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13) keep conversation records in standard file system directories.

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — main folder for records from the application "Phone" (relevant to the MIUI 12–14).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/ — alternative path for some firmware (e.g. global versions) MIUI).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Download/CallRecordings/ — if the recording was conducted through third-party applications (for example, Cube Call Recorder).
• 📁 /storage/omeulated/0/Android/data/com.android.providers.media/ — Hidden folder for records made through Google services.

To open these folders:

1. Launch the Files app (yellow folder icon).
2. Go to the Category tab → Audio or Device → Internal drive.
3. Enable the display of hidden files: click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Show hidden files.
4. Use the search bar at the top to enter call_rec or Recordings.

Important! On some models (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5), the path may be different due to customized firmware. If standard folders are empty, check the section below about cloud storage.

Mi Cloud Cloud Storage: Where to Look for Records

If your Xiaomi has Mi Cloud sync enabled, call records can automatically be uploaded to the cloud.

• 🔄 Enabled the option Autosynchronization of records in the settings of the application "Phone».
• 📱 Use a Mi Account (without it, the cloud is not available).
• 🌐 Have a stable Internet connection (records are downloaded only over Wi-Fi or mobile network, depending on the settings).

To find the entries in Mi Cloud:

1. Open the Mi Cloud app** (a white cloud icon on a blue background).
2. Sign in if you need to.
3. Go to Call Records or Audio (depending on the version of the app).
4. If there is no partition, check the Other Files → Audio Records tab.

Critical detail: Mi Cloud records are only stored for 30 days at a free rate, and then they are automatically deleted unless they are transferred to another storage, and to save files forever, download them to your device or computer.

⚠️ Note: If you delete a record from the cloud, you can only restore it within 15 days through the Mi Cloud Recycle Bin.

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Before you delete your records from the cloud, export them to Google Drive or your computer, click on the three dots next to the file in Mi Cloud and select Export.

Hidden system folders and access via ADB

In some cases, call records may be stored in secure system directories that are not displayed in a standard file manager.

• 🔒 Models with a blocked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi) 12T European market).
• 📱 Devices with corporate firmware (MIUI business).
• 🛠️ Smartphones after resetting settings, where files could remain in system folders.

To access these files, you will need an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) instruction:

adb shell


su




ls /data/user/0/com.android.providers.media/documents/

If the folder exists, copy the files to your computer:

adb pull /data/user/0/com.android.providers.media/documents/ ~/Desktop/

Warning: ADB requires root or unlocked bootloader permissions. Wrong commands can cause the system to crash. If you're not sure what you're doing, you'd better go to the service center.

Entries from third-party applications: where to look

If you use third-party software to record calls (e.g. Cube Call Recorder, Call Recorder by Lovekesh, Boldbeast), the paths to the files will be different.

To find the records:

1. Open the application settings to record calls.
2. Find the Warehouse or the Preservation Path.
3. Copy the specified path and paste it into the address bar of the file manager.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Boldbeast) require additional permissions to record VoIP calls, without which files may not be saved or empty.

Make sure the “auto-record” option is enabled

Check the file format (.mp3 or.aac is recommended)

Set the conservation path to SD-card if the internal memory is full

Turn off encryption if you need to transfer files to another device-->

How to Recover Deleted Call Records

If the records were deleted accidentally, you can try to restore them. Success depends on how long it has been since the deletion and whether the device was used after that (new data can overwrite old files).

Recovery methods:

• 🔍 Through the Mi Cloud Recycle Bin: If files are deleted from the cloud, check the Recycle Bin folder in the Mi Cloud app (stored for 15 days).
• 📱 Local Recovery: Use programs like DiskDigger or Recuva (require root or PC connection).
• 💾 From backup: if you did backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup, restore data from there.
• 🔧 Service center: for physical recovery from flash memory (expensive and not always effective).

To recover via DiskDigger:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select Full Scan (requires root).
3. Filter the results by file type.mp3,.amr,.aac.
4. Save the files found on SD-map.

Importantly, the less you use your phone after you delete it, the better the chances of recovery, avoid installing new apps or taking videos or photos.

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The most reliable way to keep records safe is to export them regularly to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox) or to your computer. Automatic synchronization with Mi Cloud does not guarantee long-term storage!

Why the records may not be saved

Sometimes users find that the call records are not saved at all, the reasons can be different:

• 🚫 Lack of permissions: The Phone app or third-party recorder is not given permission to record audio or access storage.
• 📵 Limitations MIUI: In some regions (e.g. EU) recording of calls is prohibited at the firmware level.
• 🔋 Memory Lack: If your device has less than 10% of the available space, records may not be saved.
• 🔊 Mikphone problems: If the microphone is not working during a conversation, the file will be empty.
• 📞 Features of the operator: some mobile operators block the recording of VoLTE calls.

To diagnose the problem:

1. Check the permissions for the Phone app: Settings → Applications → Application management → Phone → Permissions.
2. Make sure the recording option is enabled: in the Phone app, go to Settings → Call Record.
3. Try recording a test call with another app (like Cube Call Recorder).
4. Check the free space: Settings → Storage.

If the problem persists, try resetting the Phone app: Settings → Apps → Phone → Warehouse → Clear the data. Attention: this will delete the call history!

Transferring records to a computer or other device

To make room on your phone or back up, you can transfer the call records to your computer or other device.

• 🖥️ Through USB-Cable: Connect Xiaomi to PC via USB. Select File Transfer Mode (MTP). Find the folder with records (see sections above) and copy the files.
• ☁️ Through the cloud: upload files to Google Drive, Dropbox or Yandex.Disk, then download on another device.
• 📤 Po Po Po Bluetooth/Wi-Fi: Use apps like Send Anywhere or Xender for wireless transmission.
• 📧 Email: Send files to your own mail (suitable for small entries).