Have you turned on a call recording on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro but can't find the file? Or want to make sure that an important call is saved? The problem is that MIUI distributes audio recordings across multiple folders -- and not always in an obvious way. In this article, we'll not just list the standard storage paths, but also uncover the hidden mechanisms of MIUI 12/13/14 that affect the location of files depending on the firmware version and the way they write.
The Redmi Note 8 Pro (codename begonia) features both a built-in Mi Recorder and a Google Phone (global firmware) recorder, and the file-saving logic of these applications is fundamentally different, such as the voice recorder by default creates a Rec folder at the root of internal memory, while Google Phone hides records in /Android/media/com.google.android.dialer — and that’s not all the options.
If you've used third-party applications like ACR or Cube Call Recorder, the search algorithm gets complicated: they often create their own directories or even encrypt files, and we'll look at all scenarios, from standard to exotic, including when records "disappear" after a MIUI update or reset.
Standard storage locations for MIUI records
On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with the original firmware, the main audio files of calls are stored in three places - the choice depends on which application was used to record. Here are the basic paths (relevant to MIUI 12-14):
- 📁 /sdcard/Rec/ — It's a folder of the built-in Mi Recorder, and it's where you can store the recordings that you've made by hand or through a widget on your desktop.
- 📁 /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — Hidden directory for automatic call recording (if the feature is activated in phone settings).
- 📁 /sdcard/Android/media/com.google.android.dialer/ — folder for records made through the Google Phone application (on global firmware).
Important: the way /sdcard/ It actually indicates the device’s internal memory, not the physical memory. SD-If you are using an external drive, you will be using a card (even if it is inserted, MIUI can create duplicate folders in /storage/XXXX-XXXX/, where XXXX-XXXX — unique identifier.
To quickly find these folders, open any file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer) and manually enter the path in the address bar. If the folder doesn't appear, check the manager's settings - perhaps hidden system directories are disabled.
How to check the call recording settings
Before you search for files, make sure the record is enabled at all.The Redmi Note 8 Pro has two independent mechanisms:
- Built-in MIUI (not available on all firmware): Go to Settings → Apps → Phone → Recording conversations. Here you can turn on automatic recording for all calls or only for selected contacts.
- Google Phone App: Open the Phone, Press ⋮ → Settings → Call recording. Please note: some versions MIUI This item may be hidden due to regional restrictions.
If you don't find these options, your firmware doesn't support them, in which case you can only record manually through a voice recorder during a conversation (click on the microphone icon in the call interface).
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On Chinese firmware (MIUI China), call recording is often blocked by default. To unlock, you need to obtain ADB permissions and execute a command.
adb shell settings put global call_recording_supported 1Why records can "disappear" and how to recover them
Redmi Note 8 Pro users often experience a situation where the recording was allegedly conducted, but the file is not.
- 🔄 Update MIUI: after major updates (for example, with MIUI 12 on MIUI 13) The folder structure may change, and the old records may move to the folder structure. /MIUI/backup/.
- 🗑️ Cache Clearing: Phone or Recorder app could have deleted temporary files when clearing data.
- 🔒 Encryption: Some applications (e.g, ACR) encrypt records, and they do not appear in the file manager without special software.
- 📵 Android restrictions: Starting with Android 10, apps are not allowed to record sound from other apps without notice.If the recording is interrupted, the file may not be fully saved.
To recover lost records:
- Check the /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ folder, and there may be archives of application data.
- Use utilities like DiskDigger or Recuva (root required) to scan memory for deleted audio files.
- If you’ve recorded it on Google Phone, check Google Drive – sometimes files are automatically synced to the cloud.
How to enable hidden folders in Mi File Manager
Alternative ways to search for records
If standard methods do not help, try these techniques:
| Method | Instructions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Date search | Sort files in the manager by date of change – records usually have a time stamp that coincides with the call time. | Record files often have the.amr or.mp3 extension. |
| ADB-team | Connect your phone to your PC and execute:adb shell find /sdcard -name ".amr" -o -name ".mp3" | Requires on-line USB-debugging (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press). |
| Logs of calls | Check the log in Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Data (file) call_log.db). | It requires root or ADB to access system files. |
If you use the Redmi Note 8 Pro with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the storage logic may be different, and in such cases, records often end up in /sdcard/CallRecordings/ or /sdcard/Documents/.
☑️ Step-by-step search for call records
How to Change the Place of Records Saving
By default, the Redmi Note 8 Pro saves the records to internal memory, but that can be changed. SD-map:
- 📁 Outwardly SD-map:
In the cloud
- Install Google Drive or Mi Cloud.
- In the settings of the recorder, turn on Autosynchronization.
- Select the cloud service and folder to download.
⚠️ Attention: When maintaining on SD-The record card may become unavailable after the drive is removed or damaged.
If you use Google Phone, you can only change the save location via ADB:
adb shell settings put global call_recording_storage_location 1where 1 is the internal memory, 2 — SD-Card (not working on all firmware).
Compatibility with third-party applications
Many Redmi Note 8 Pro users install third-party recording programs such as ACR, Cube Call Recorder or CallX.
- 🔧 ACR saves files /sdcard/ACR/, but requires you to configure access rights to Settings → Special permits → Sound recording.
- 🎤 Cube Call Recorder uses folder /sdcard/CubeBackup/ and can encrypt records (key is stored in the application settings).
- 📱 CallX integrates with MIUI and saves files in /sdcard/CallX/Recordings/, But it's not stable on firmware newer. MIUI 13.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When you're recording calls on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, you're facing some common problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Recording ends in 30 seconds. | MIUI Limitation for Uncertified Applications | Install Magisk and Disable Flag Secure module. |
| No caller sound (only your voice heard) | Android blocks the recording of the microphone without root. | Use applications that support VOIP (e.g. Boldbeast). |
| Files are saved but not reproduced | A codec is damaged or the file is underwritten. | Try playing through VLC Player or converting to.mp3. |
If none of the methods worked, check if the carrier-level recording is disabled.Some mobile networks (such as MTS or Beeline) block this feature for corporate rates.
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On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 14, recording calls via Google Phone only works when Settings are enabled → Additional → Record conversations → Allow recording. This item can be hidden – you need to reset the phone application settings to display it.