Where to save calls on Xiaomi: search for files on the phone and in the cloud

Xiaomi’s smartphone phone records can be used for everything from capturing important business information to proving contentious situations, but many users are faced with the problem that once the record is complete, the file disappears. Where are these audio recordings actually stored, and why are they not always visible in a standard conductor?

Complicating the problem, Xiaomi’s MIUI uses obscure ways to save and sometimes hides system folders from the user, and in this article, we’ll take a look at all possible storage locations, from internal memory to cloud services, and explain how to access them on different versions of the firmware (including MIUI 12, 13 and 14).

We'll focus on the nuances of why records can go missing after a system update, how to recover deleted files, and what to do if a standard voice recorder doesn't save conversations, and if you've ever lost important records or just want to know where to look for them, this is the guide for you.

Standard Ways to Keep Records in MIUI

By default, Xiaomi smartphones store conversation records in a system folder, the path to which depends on the firmware version and device model. /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/. However, there are several important nuances:

• 📁 For MIUI 12 And newer: the path may change /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/ (Especially on the global versions of the firmware).
• 🔄 After the update: the system sometimes transfers files to a new folder, leaving the old one empty.
• 🔒 Hidden files: the folder can be hidden from the explorer. To see it, turn on the display of hidden elements in the file manager settings.

If you use the standard Recorder app to record calls, files can also be saved to /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/ without the Call/ subfolder. This depends on the application settings and the MIUI version.

1. Open the Recorder app.
2. Go to Settings → Save Place.
3. Pay attention to the path indicated (usually internal memory)./Recordings).

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If the dictaphone settings indicate the path SD-The card, but the records are still stored in the internal memory - it's a bug MIUI. Try reinstalling the app or clearing its cache in Settings → Annexes → Dictaphone → Warehouse.

Why records are “disappearing” and how to find them

One of the most common complaints of Xiaomi users is that the call records are not saved, in fact, files are often simply moved or hidden by the system.

• 🔄 Automatic archiving: MIUI can move old records to the archive (folder) /MIUI/sound_recorder/archive/).
• 🗑️ Cache Clearing: When you clean up the Phone or Recorder app data, the records are deleted without warning.
• 📱 Double. SIM-Maps: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note) 10 Pro) records from different SIM are retained in separate subfolders (call_rec_sim1/, call_rec_sim2/).
• ☁️ Cloud Sync: If Mi Cloud is enabled, records can automatically be uploaded to the cloud and deleted from the device.

To find the "lost" files:

1. Use file search in Explorer (enter.amr or.mp3 in the search bar – standard MIUI record formats).
2. Check the folder. /MIUI/sound_recorder/trash/ — Temporarily deleted files can be stored here (to the extent of the 30 days).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and use Windows/macOS Explorer to search throughout storage.

On Xiaomi models with Snapdragon chip 8 Gen 1 and newer (e.g. Xiaomi) 12 Pro, 13 Ultra) records are encrypted by default and stored in a secure folder /data/media/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/secure/. Access to it is possible only through root or special applications like MiXplorer with the enabled superuser mode.

Cloud Services: Where else can records be stored

If your Xiaomi smartphone is synced to Mi Cloud, call records can be automatically uploaded to the cloud.

1. Open the Mi Cloud app (or go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud).
2. Select the Backup section.
3. Check if Call Recording is enabled (in some versions of MIUI it is called Recorder).

If synchronization is active, files can be downloaded back to the device:

• 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in.
• In the section Cloud → Recorder, find the necessary records.
• 📥 Click on three dots next to the file and select Download.

Please note that the free Mi Cloud tariff only provides 5GB of storage. If the space runs out, new records will not be downloaded, and old ones can be deleted automatically.

Disable Automatic Download of Records in Mi Cloud| Regularly clear the cloud of unnecessary files | Download important records on PC | Use third-party clouds (Google Drive, Yandex Disk) for backups

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If you use third-party applications to record calls (such as Cube Call Recorder or ACR), Check their settings – they can save files to their own cloud services or to the public. SD-map.

How to Change the Place of Records Saving

By default, Xiaomi stores the records in internal memory, but this can be changed.

1. Open the Recorder app.
2. Go to Settings → Save Place.
3. Choose one of the options: 📱 Internal memory (by default). 💾 SD-map (if installed). ☁️ Mi Cloud (requires authorization).

On some models (for example, POCO F4 or Redmi K50) in the settings of the recorder is also available option Record format. We recommend choosing MP3 instead of AMR - files will take up more space, but they are easier to play on other devices.

Inner memory|Nana SD-map|In Mi Cloud|Into the other cloud (Google Drive, Yandex)|I don't record calls.-->

Note: If you choose to save on SD-The card, but then you extract it, the new records automatically return to the internal memory. MIUI It does not not notify you of this, so files can be “dispersed” to different folders.

For advanced users: If you have root access, you can manually change the save path by editing the file. /system/etc/recorder_config.xml. However, this is risky - incorrect edits can lead to malfunctions in the recorder.

Call recording problems: why files are not saved

Sometimes users find that records are not created, and here are the most common reasons and ways to eliminate them:

• 🚫 Lack of permission: Phone or Recorder app is not granted audio recording rights or storage access. → Annexes → Permits.
• 🔕 Android-level ban: Starting with Android 10, Google has tightened its call record policy.Some apps (like Truecaller) can block the record.
• 📵 Power Saving Mode: If Ultra Mode or Super Saving is enabled, the system can pause recording to save charge.
• 🔄 Application conflict: If multiple recording programs are installed (e.g, ACR + Standard voice recorders, they can interfere with each other.

To diagnose the problem:

1. Try recording a call, not a call, but a regular sound through a voice recorder, and if the recording is saved, there's a problem in the telephony module.
2. Check if the Incognito Mode is enabled in the Phone app (it blocks the recording).
3. Install a third-party recording app (like Cube Call Recorder) and check if it works.

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If the records are not stored only on a specific SIM-The problem may be with the operator's settings, Tele2 or Yota, block the recording of calls at the network level.

On models with MIUI 14 and later (for example, Xiaomi 13T), a feature called Cloud Conversation Recording has been introduced, which is disabled by default, to activate it:

Settings → Applications → Phone → Record calls → Save to Mi Cloud

How to transfer recordings to another phone or PC

If you need to copy the call records to another device or computer, there are several ways:

• 📎 Through cable. USB: Connect your phone to your PC. Select File Transfer Mode (MTP). Go to the entries folder (see section above) and copy the files.
• ☁️ Through the Cloud: Upload files to Google Drive, Yandex Disk, or Mi Cloud, then download them on another device.
• 📤 Po Po Po Bluetooth/Wi-Fi: Use apps like Send Anywhere or Xender for wireless transmission.