Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to keep important information from phone conversations, whether business arrangements or personal conversations. On the Redmi 9 model, equipped with an NFC module and a MIUI shell, the recording and storage process has its own technical features that distinguish it from standard Android smartphones. Understanding the structure of the file system allows you to quickly find the desired audio archives without using third-party programs.
The system logic of the voice recorder in MIUI is to automatically create separate directories for different types of records, so if you activate the automatic recording of incoming or outgoing calls, the files are not scattered randomly, but folded into a specific location, which is done for data security and convenience of synchronization with the manufacturer's cloud services.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the file structure, the nuances of working with internal memory, and answer the question of whether the presence of an NFC module affects the way these files are transferred, you will learn how to find hidden folders, change the ways of saving and effectively manage the audio archives of your device.
The standard path to audio archives in MIUI
By default, the Android operating system in conjunction with the shell MIUI It creates a single root structure for media storage, for phone records on Redmi. 9 A special directory is reserved, which can be accessed through any file manager. The standard path is as follows: → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec.
In the file. call_rec All audio files created by the regular Phone application are stored.m4a or.mp3, And they often have a call date and a call time, which makes it easier to sort, and if you haven't changed the settings manually, all your conversations are right here, regardless of the amount of space you're taking up.
It is worth noting that sometimes users can not find this folder due to access restrictions in new versions of Android. In such cases, the system may hide the system directories from third-party applications, but the standard MIUI Explorer displays them correctly.
⚠️ Attention: When cleaning the system cache or deleting the data of the Phone application through settings, files in the folder call_rec Always back up important conversations before resetting your settings.
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The standard way to record calls on Redmi 9 It is always inside the system folder. MIUI/sound_recorder, Even if it is visually hidden from some applications.
Using a built-in conductor to search
The fastest way to get to the files you want is to use the Explorer tool, which is pre-installed on Redmi 9. It has easy access to all system partitions and does not require additional software installation. Launch the application and go to the Internal Memory category to see a list of all root folders.
Next, you need to open the folder consistently. MIUI, then move on sound_recorder. You will see a few sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub-sub- call_rec (For calls, rec for voice recorders, and more. If there are many folders, use the change date sorting function to find the most recent records.
☑️ Searching for Files through Explorer
You can use file search to make navigation easier. At the top of the Explorer screen, there's a search bar where you can type in the.m4a extension or part of the file name, which is especially true if you're recording a lot of long conversations and you're lost in dates.
Configuring paths and formats of recording
MIUI provides flexible tools to manage conversation recording. You can change not only the storage space, but also the audio format, which is critical for compatibility with other devices. Go to the Phone app, click three dots in the corner, and select Recording Settings.
The following parameters are available here:
- 📁 Recording format: the choice between MP3 (smaller size) and AMR (quality).
- 📂 The Way of Conservation: Opportunity to Choose SD-card.
- 🔔 Notification: audible signal about the beginning of recording (can be turned off).
- 📞 Automatic Recording: Set rules for all numbers or selected contacts.
Changing the format from AMR to MP3 can significantly reduce the amount of space it takes, which is important for low-end models with limited memory. However, for legally relevant conversations, it is better to use a format with minimal compression to preserve all the details of the voice timbre.
Why is AMR sometimes better than MP3?
The Impact of the NFC Module on File Transfer
Module NFC (Near Field Communication, installed in Redmi 9, often raises questions about its connection to the file system. NFC-The chip doesn't affect where the call records are stored, and its function is limited to short-distance wireless data and contactless payment.
However, having NFC allows you to use Android Beam technology (or its counterparts in new OS versions) to quickly transfer the found recording files to another device. You can select a file in the Explorer, click Share, and bring the phone to another smartphone with active NFC. This is a convenient way to quickly download the recording of a conversation without using the Internet or cable.
The NFC transmission speed for heavy audio files can be slow, as the channel is used only for pairing, and the transmission is via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct. However, this eliminates the need to enter passwords or search for devices in the list of available devices.
| Parameter | Internal memory. | SD-map | The Mi Cloud Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed of access | Tall. | Medium | Depends on the network. |
| Risk of loss | High on discharge | Low. | Minimum |
| Volume | Limited by the system | Depends on the card. | Depends on the tariff. |
| Access to PC | Through cable. | Through the adapter | Through the browser |
Access and rights issues in Android 10/11/12
With the release of new versions of Android, Google’s security policy has become stricter, which also affected Xiaomi Redmi. 9. The system now restricts applications from accessing root folders so that viruses can’t steal personal data.If you use a third-party file manager (like Total Commander), it may not see the folder. call_rec Or not allow the files to be opened inside.
To solve this problem, the system itself will suggest that you give permission to a special system application Files or MIUI Security, you need to carefully read pop-ups and confirm access. Without this step, you will see the folder, but when you try to log in, you will get an error "No access."
Also worth mentioning is Scoped Storage, which isolates app data, which now counts call records as private data from the Phone app, so direct access to them from the outside is limited, which protects your privacy but makes life difficult for those who are used to the open file system of older versions of Android.
⚠️ Note: Attempts to obtain Root rights to bypass access restrictions may result in loss of warranty and disruption of banking applications (Google Pay will not work with an unlocked bootloader).
Transfer and backup of records
Regular backups are the only guarantee of the safety of important information. 9 There are a number of ways to do this. The easiest way to do this is to connect your smartphone to your computer through a computer. USB-cable, select file transfer mode (MTP) and copy the folder call_rec hard drive.
Alternatively, you can use Mi Cloud or third-party storage like Google Drive, so you can activate sync in the voice recorder settings, and then each new record will automatically fly to the cloud, which is convenient, but requires a stable Wi-Fi connection, because mobile Internet rates can be quickly exhausted.
The following is the way to manually copy through ADB:
adb pull /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ ./backup_calls/For advanced users, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) copying method is available, and this command above allows you to pull all the recordings from your phone to your computer in one line if USB debugging is enabled on your device. This is the fastest way to make a full backup of all conversations at once.
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Use automatic cloud sync only when connected to Wi-Fi so that you don’t spend mobile traffic on large audio files.