Where to record conversations on Xiaomi smartphones: all the ways to find and save audio

Have you ever tried to find a recording of an important phone conversation on your Xiaomi but couldn’t remember exactly where these files are stored? This problem is familiar to many users – the brand’s smartphones offer multiple ways to record calls, and each uses its own storage paths. Depending on the version MIUI, The device model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T etc.) and recording settings, audio files may be in internal memory, on SD-map or even cloud.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible places to store your Xiaomi conversation records, including standard system folders, hidden directories, cloud services, and third-party apps. You’ll learn how to find files manually through the file manager, why some records can “disappear,” and how to set up automatic saving to a place that’s convenient for you.

We pay special attention to the unique features MIUI 14+: With this version, the default system can encrypt conversation records, making it harder to find them through standard methods.+ Call recording and where to look for files if you use alternative firmware like Pixel Experience or LineageOS.

1. Standard folders for recording conversations in MIUI

By default, Xiaomi smartphones store phone records in one of two folders, depending on the version of MIUI and the device model. On most modern devices (starting with MIUI 12), files are stored here:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — main folder for recordings made through the standard Dictator app or call recording function.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/ — alternative path used in some models (POCO F4, Redmi K50).
• 🔊 /storage/emulated/0/Download/CallRecordings/ — If you manually changed the save settings through the Phone app».

To open these folders, use the standard Files by Google or the built-in Mi File Explorer. If the folder doesn't show up, turn on the hidden files in the manager settings.+ Access to some system directories may be limited, in which case ROOT or ADB-team.

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If you don’t see the MIUI folder in the root directory, try connecting your smartphone to your PC and using Windows/macOS Explorer. Sometimes MIUI hides system directories from custom file managers.

Record files are usually.m4a or.amr and are named by the template:

• 📞 Incoming_[number [date] [date].m4a — incoming calls.
• 📱 Outgoing_[number [date] [date].m4a — outgoing.

2. Cloud services: Mi Cloud and Google Drive

Many Xiaomi users are unaware that their conversation records are automatically synchronized with cloud services, depending on two factors:

1. Settings of the Dictophone application: if the option “Auto-Save to the Cloud” is enabled.
2. Global settings MIUI: synchronization with Mi Cloud (Xiaomi account).

To check the entries in Mi Cloud:

1. Open the Settings app → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select the Recorder or Recordings section (the name may vary).
3. If there are files, they can be downloaded back to the device or listened to online.

For Google Drive, the algorithm is different:

• 🔄 Records are synced only if you use Google’s Phone app (not the standard phone from Google). MIUI).
• 📂 Files are searched for type:audio call in Disk search.

3. Hidden directories and system folders

On devices with MIUI 13/14 Android 12+ Some records can be saved in hidden system folders that are not available without ROOT-rights or special teams. These are the key paths:

To access these folders without ROOT can be used ADB-team:

adb shell


su




ls /data/media/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/

Important: Since Android 11, Google has tightened security policies, and many system folders have become unavailable even through ADB without superuser rights. If it is critical to access hidden records, consider unlocking the bootloader and installing a customized backup (TWRP).

4. Third-party applications for recording calls

If you're using third-party apps like Cube Call Recorder, ACR or Boldbeast, the ways you save will be different.

• 🎤 Cube Call Recorder: /storage/emulated/0/CubeBackup/ or /storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings/.
• 📲 ACR (Another Call Recorder): /storage/emulated/0/ACR/ (Incoming, Outgoing folders).
• 🔒 Boldbeast: /storage/emulated/0/Boldbeast/ (date-folded).

Note that many third-party applications allow you to customize the save path in your settings, for example, in ACR it is done like this:

1. Open the application → Settings → folder records.
2. Choose the internal memory or SD-map.
3. Specify a specific folder (e.g. Download/CallRecords).

If you can't find the records, check:

Application settings → Save Way | Default folder (see list above) | Cloud sync (if enabled) | Application Recycle Bin (sometimes records get there)

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5 Why records "disappear" and how to recover them

One of the most common problems is the sudden disappearance of conversation records, and the reasons can be different.

• 🧹 Auto-cleaning: MIUI It has a garbage cleanup feature that can delete old audio files. → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 🔄 Resetting: After resetting to factory settings, the records in the internal memory are deleted (but remain on the SD-map or cloud).
• 🛡️ Encryption: B MIUI 14+ Records may be encrypted and become inaccessible after update.
• 📱 Application Errors: Cube Call Recorder sometimes “loses” files when sync fails.

To recover lost records:

1. Check the Recycle Bin in file managers (Mi File Explorer or Google Files have a recovery feature).
2. Use data recovery software such as DiskDigger or Recuva (you need a PC connection).
3. View backups in Mi Cloud or Google Drive (if sync was enabled).

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If the records are missing after the MIUI update, try to roll back to the previous version via Fastboot or use the Mi Flash Tool. In 80% of cases, files remain on the device, but become unavailable due to changes in the folder structure.

To prevent loss:

⚠️ Warning: Set up automatic copying of records to the cloud (Mi Cloud or Google Drive) or to the cloud SD-In the settings of the Dictator app, select AutoSave → Cloud and specify the frequency of backup.

6. Features of recordings on different Xiaomi models

Depending on the Xiaomi model and the MIUI version, the ways of saving and recording may vary.

On Android One devices (such as the Xiaomi Mi A3), the standard call recording feature is not available due to Google’s policy, in which case you will have to install third-party apps, but note:

⚠️ Note: Starting with Android 10, Google has banned recording calls through the Internet API for third-party applications. Many programs (e.g, ACR) Use workarounds that may stop working after security updates. If the record suddenly stops working, check for updates for the app or try alternatives like Boldbeast (requires manual access settings).

7 How to Change the Place of Records

If you don't like the standard file layout, you can reconfigure the way you save it, depending on the method of writing you use:

For the standard Dictator application:

1. Open the recorder. → Settings (⚙️) → Preservation site.
2. Choose the internal memory or SD-map.
3. Specify the folder (for example, Download/CallRecords).

To record through the application "Phone":

1. Go to the phone. → ⋮ → Settings → Recording of conversations.
2. Select the save folder and specify a new path.

For third-party applications (on the example of ACR):

1. Open ACR → Settings → Record folder.
2. Click Select folder and specify a new path (for example, /storage/emulated/0/Download/ACR_Calls/).
3. Save the changes and restart the application.

If you want to keep records on SD-map, take note:

• 📌 The card should be formatted as internal memory (in the storage settings).
• 🔋 Some applications (e.g. Boldbeast) require additional permissions to write to the user. SD.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Xiaomi