Owners of budget and mid-budget smartphones often face the need to save an important conversation, whether it is a business arrangement or a personal conversation. On Xiaomi Redmi 9 devices running the MIUI shell, this feature is built-in by default, but finding saved files can cause difficulty for inexperienced users. Android has a strict directory structure, and audio files are hidden deep in system folders protected from accidental deletion.
Understanding where a conversation is being recorded is critical not only to quickly access the information it needs, but also to free up the internal drive. Many users wonder why a phone's memory fills up quickly, unaware that gigabytes of audio archives lie dead weight in hidden directories. In this article, we'll take a closer look at file structure, how to automate search, and how to transfer data to external media.
Note that file layouts may vary slightly depending on the Android version and the specific MIUI build installed on your Redmi 9. However, the basic principle of file system organization remains the same for the entire ecosystem of the Chinese manufacturer.
Standard path to files in system storage
By default, all the records from the phone are stored in the internal memory of the device, which is made for the system performance, since the write speed on the built-in drive is higher than on the microSD card. To find the file manually, you need to open the standard Explorer or Files application, which is preinstalled on the smartphone.
Then you go to the root directory of the internal storage, and the path to the folder is as follows: MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. This is where all your audio files are, sorted by date of creation, and the files have an extension.m4a or.mp3, This ensures their compatibility with most media players without the need for conversion.
If you can't see the MIUI folder when you log in, your file manager may be hiding the system directories, so you need to turn on the hidden files in the Explorer settings, which is usually on a menu called at three points in the corner of the screen, called "Show Hidden Files."
💡
Use the built-in search in the Files app by entering the.m4a extension to instantly find all audio files on your device, bypassing the complex folder navigation.
It is worth considering that direct access to this folder may be limited in new versions of Android (starting with the use of the new version). 11 Because of Google's security policy called Scoped Storage, in which case some third-party file managers may not display the contents of the folder. call_rec, requiring the use of a system conductor or special permissions.
Using a built-in voice recorder to access
The easiest way to find a record is to not wander through the file system, but to use the regular Dictaphone app. On Xiaomi smartphones, this app combines voice recording and phone management functions. When you open it, you will see a list of all the records, broken down into categories: "Everything", "Interview", "Lectures" and, most importantly, "Phone".
When you select the Phone tab, you can access a chronological list of all saved calls, and you can not only listen to the file, but also perform basic steps with it: rename, delete or send it to the interlocutor. To access additional functions, you need to click three dots next to a particular file or hold your finger on the record name.
☑️ Checking the recording settings
An important advantage of using the built-in voice recorder player is the ability to edit audio. You can cut off unnecessary parts of a conversation directly in the application without installing third-party software. This is especially convenient if you need to send only a fragment of a conversation, keeping the rest of the dialogue confidential.
⚠️ Note: When you delete a record through the Dictator app, the file is permanently erased, bypassing the basket. Be extremely careful when cleaning the list, as it is extremely difficult to recover the data deleted in this way.
Transferring entries to SD memory card
Redmi 9 is equipped with a memory card slot, which is a great solution for users who are actively recording calls. Audio files, especially in high quality, take up a significant amount of space, and storing them on a microSD card will help save space in the system. However, you can not automatically transfer the record folder, this operation will have to be done manually or through settings.
In some versions of the MIUI shell, you can change the save path directly in the voice recorder settings. To do this, open the application, click on the menu (three bars or dots) and select Settings. If there is a Save Path or similar, just select your memory card. If there is no such option, use the following algorithm:
- 📂 Open the "Conductor" and go to the folder MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec.
- 📋 Select the desired files or click "Select All" for mass transfer.
- ✂️ Select the action "Move" or "Copy" in the Operations menu.
- 💾 Go to the root of the memory card (usually indicated as SD Card) and insert files into the created folder.
Once you transfer files to a memory card, they will disappear from the Dictophone app, because the program scans only the internal storage, and you will have to listen to them through any music player or file manager, which is an important nuance to remember before cleaning the internal memory.
Why does the phone not see files on the SD-map?
Search for records through a computer
It's much more convenient to use a computer to work with large archives of records. Connect your Xiaomi Redmi 9 to a PC via USB-On the screen of the smartphone will appear notification about the mode of connection — select File Transfer (MTP). After that, the device will appear in My Computer as a removable disk.
Open the phone’s internal storage and follow the path you already know: MIUI -> sound_recorder -> call_rec. You can copy files to your hard drive, sort them by folder with contact names or dates, and backup them. Working with files on a big screen and using a keyboard greatly speeds up the archiving process.
If your computer can't see the MIUI folder, check if the USB debugging mode is on or try another cable. Sometimes it helps to reboot both devices. Also make sure the phone unlocks the screen, as in a locked state, access to the file system can be restricted for security reasons.
| Parameter | Internal memory. | Memory card (SD) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of access | Tall. | Depends on the class of the card. |
| Visibility on the Dictaphone | Displayed automatically | Not displayed (only as files) |
| Risk of loss on discharge | High (when dropped to factory) | Low (files saved) |
| Recording speed | Instant. | Possible delays on old cards |
Configure automatic recording and formats
Redmi 9's functionality allows you to not only store, but also flexibly configure the recording process. You can turn on automatic recording of all incoming and outgoing calls or select only certain numbers, which eliminates the need to manually turn on the recorder every time you call.
To set up, go to the Phone app, click three dots in the corner and select Record Settings. Here are the following options:
- 📞 Call recording: Common function switch.
- 🔊 Recording through a speaker: improves the quality of the interlocutor’s recording, but ambient noise can be heard.
- 📂 Recording format: the choice between MP3 (smaller size) and AAC (quality).
The format choice directly affects how much space a file takes. AAC format provides cleaner sound with less bitrate, but MP3 is a more universal standard. If you plan to transfer recordings to older devices or specific hardware, it is better to opt for MP3.
💡
Automatically recording all calls can quickly exhaust the free space, so it is recommended to check the folder regularly. call_rec Cleaning out old unnecessary files.
Problems with the lack of records and their solution
Sometimes users are faced with a situation when the conversation took place, the recording indicator was on, but the file is nowhere, most often this is due to a lack of free memory. If the phone has less than 100 MB of free space, the system may interrupt the recording process or not save the file at all.
Another common reason is access restrictions: Once the system is upgraded, the Phone or Recorder app may lose the memory recording permission. Check this in Settings -> Applications -> All Apps -> Phone -> Permissions. Make sure that access to the memory and microphone is allowed.
⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. EU countries), due to privacy laws, the recording function of conversations may be software disabled or require a voice alert to the interlocutor about the beginning of the recording.
If files are corrupted and won’t open, try playing them on your computer using the VLC Media Player, which can open broken file titles. Rename the file extension from.m4a to.mp3 or vice versa, although this doesn’t always work.