Where Xiaomi records calls: where to look for call history on Redmi smartphones, POCO mi

Have you ever lost a significant number from Xiaomi's call history and couldn't find it? Or tried to recover deleted records after resetting? In this article, we'll take a look at exactly where Xiaomi stores call data, from standard system paths to hidden backups in the cloud, and learn not only about the location of files, but also how to retrieve, migrate or restore them if necessary.

Smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi uses its own shell MIUI, Unlike pure Android, call history can be duplicated in multiple places, from a local database to synchronized Mi Account accounts. We analyzed the operation of system processes on models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra and identified all possible sources where call records can be stored.

It is important to understand that access to this data depends on the version. MIUI (12 to 14 at 2026) and sync settings: If you use third-party calling apps (like Truecaller or Google Phone), the history may be stored elsewhere — we’ll talk about that later.

1. Standard location of call history in MIUI

By default, the shell MIUI Stores all the call data in the Android system database, but with some nuances. contacts2.db and is on the way:

/data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db

This database contains not only contacts, but also a complete history of calls, including:

• 📞 Incoming, outgoing and missed calls
• ⏱️ Duration of conversations (if not reset)
• 📅 Date and time of each call
• 🔄 Status (responsible/unresponsible/rejected)

However, access to this folder /data/data/ It can only be done with root rights or through ADB. Without them, you won't see this directory even through the file manager. The alternative is to use backups, which we'll talk about later.

⚠️ Attention: Direct file editing contacts2.db It can cause you to lose all contacts and call history.It is recommended to back up through Settings first. → System system → Backup.

Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi added an additional layer of encryption for system databases, which means that even with root access, you may need special decryption software. contacts2.db. Free SQLite Browser utility will not help here - you will need it MIUI Database Decryptor (available on forums) XDA Developers).

2. Cloud Storage: Synchronization with Mi Account

If your Xiaomi has Mi Account sync enabled, your call history is automatically duplicated to the cloud.

1. Call data is sent to Xiaomi servers in encrypted form.
2. When you change your device or reset your story, it is restored from the cloud.
3. Sync happens every 24 hours (or when you connect to Wi-Fi, if the option “Saving traffic” is enabled).

To check if synchronization is enabled:

1. Open Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Choose Mi Cloud (or "Cloud").
3. Scroll to Sync and make sure the switch opposite the Call log is active.

If the sync is disabled, the call history is stored only locally and will be lost when the phone is reset to factory settings, and it will be extremely difficult to recover it later.

Xiaomi stores only metadata (number, time, duration) in the cloud, but does not record the conversations themselves.

3. backups via Mi Cloud and local storage

Even if cloud sync is disabled, Xiaomi backs up its local call history in two ways:

Automatic backups MIUI

The system automatically saves copies of the database to:

/sdcard/MIUI/backup/AllBackup/

The files are.bak and are encrypted with a device-specific format.

1. Go to Settings → System → Backup.
2. Select the last backup copy.
3. Check "Call log" and click "Restore".

Manual creation of backup through ADB

If you have access to ADB, You can manually copy the database:

adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db

This method requires the included debugging on USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to activate the developer mode).

Check the version. MIUI compatible|Disable cloud synchronization temporarily|Create a fresh backup copy|Make sure there is enough space on the device-->

⚠️ Note: Restore backup copy from MIUI 12 on the device with MIUI 14 may cause errors in call history. It is recommended to use backups created on the same firmware version.

4. Third-party applications and their storage

If you use alternative calls (like Google Phone, Truecaller or Drupe), your call history will be stored in their own databases.

To extract data from these databases, you will need:

• 🔓 Root access or ADB.
• 🛠️ The program for working with SQLite (for example, DB Browser for SQLite).
• 🔍 Knowledge of table structure (usually the history of calls is stored in the call table or in the call table) call_log).

Truecaller, for example, stores not only history, but also blacklists, which can be useful when migrating settings to a new device. However, note that some applications (like Drupe) do not sync data with the cloud, so you will not reinstall your call history.

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If you use Google Phone, check your sync settings in your Google account: Settings → Google → Backup → Call log. Here you can enable automatic history saving on Google servers, making it easier to recover from a reset.

5 How to Recover Deleted Calls Without Root

If your call history has been accidentally deleted, there are several ways to restore it without getting root rights:

5.1. via Mi Cloud (if synchronization was enabled)

Procedure:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select Recover and specify the date when the calls were still in history.
3. Confirm the data recovery.

Restriction: Only records that were synchronized before deletion are restored.

5.2. Through specialized programmes

Applications like Dr.Fone or Tenorshare UltData can scan the device's internal memory for deleted records.

• 📱 Connect your phone to your PC.
• 🔍 Start the scan (select the section "Call log").
• 📋 Look at the records found and restore the necessary ones.

Effectiveness depends on how long it has been since removal – the longer the less chance of recovery.

5.3. via Google Backup (if Google Phone was used)

If you have used a Google call:

1. Install Google Phone from the Play Market.
2. Sign in to the same Google account.
3. Wait for the synchronization – the story should be restored automatically.

⚠️ Note: Data recovery programs often require disabling the device's encryption, which can result in the loss of all data. MIUI 14 This is done through Settings → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Encryption and credentials.

6. Transferring Call History to a New Xiaomi Device

When switching to a new Xiaomi smartphone (for example, from Redmi Note 11 to Xiaomi 14), the call history is automatically transferred if:

• 🔄 Both devices use a single Mi Account.
• 📱 Synchronization of the call log is included.
• 🔄 Both phones are working MIUI 12+ (Older versions may require manual transfers).

If the automatic synchronization does not work, use the manual method:

Create a backup on an old device (Settings) → Backup)|Copy a backup file to a PC or cloud|On the new device restore from backup|Check the history in the application "Phone"-->

For Google Phone users, the process is even easier:

1. Install Google Phone on your new device.
2. Sign in to the same Google account.
3. Wait for the synchronization (it can take up to 10 minutes).

If you use Truecaller, your call history will be automatically transferred when you log in to the same account, but blacklists and blocked numbers may not sync, and you will have to reconfigure them.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Xiaomi users often face the following issues related to their call history:

7.1 Call history is not displayed after the update MIUI

Causes and solutions:

• 🔄 Resetting the cache of the "Phone" application: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Phone. → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📥 Recovery from backup: If history is gone after an update, try restoring the backup (see Section 3).
• 🔧 Resetting the settings of the "Phone" application: in the same settings of the application, select "Reset settings".

7.2 Calls duplicated in history

This is a typical problem when using multiple calls (e.g. standard and Google Phone).

• 🚫 Turn off one of the calls: leave only one (for example, the standard one) MIUI).
• 🔄 Synchronize data: in Settings → Check to ensure that your story is synced to only one account.
• 🧹 Clean up the history manually: open the phone app" → "Journal" → "Delete everything".

7.3 History is not synchronized with Mi Cloud

Check the following points:

• 🌐 Internet connection (synchronization works only through Wi-Fi, if the traffic saving mode is enabled).
• 🔒 Relevance of Mi Account version: update the application in the Play Market.
• ⚙️ Synchronization settings: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization → Call magazine.

8 Security: How to Protect Call History

Call history may contain confidential information (bank numbers, business partners, etc.) to protect this data:

• 🔐 Enable device encryption: Settings → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Encryption and credentials.
• 🚫 Limit access to the application "Phone": in Settings → Confidentiality → Application permissions check which programs have access to the call log.
• 🔄 Regularly create backups: at least once a month update the backup to Settings → Backup.
• 📱 Use the application lock: in Settings → Confidentiality → Block applications add "Phone" and set a password.

If you sell or transfer your Xiaomi to another person, you must:

1. Perform a reset to factory settings (Settings → About phone → Reset settings).
2. Delete your Mi Account and Google account from your device.
3. Format internal memory (option available when reset).

Even after reset, some data may remain in the device’s memory. Use the “Erase All Data” function in Fastboot mode to clean it completely.

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On devices with MIUI 14 call history is encrypted by default with reference to the Mi Account. This means that without authorization in the same account, it will be impossible to recover data after a reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi call history