Where to record phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones: all possible storage locations

Introduction: Why conversation records are “hidden” from the user

You have enabled a phone call recording on Xiaomi, but you can't find the file after the call is over? This is a typical situation: the manufacturer doesn't always intuitively place audio files, and storage paths may differ in different versions of MIUI. Moreover, some write applications (including the standard one) save files in hidden folders or use non-obvious naming formats.

Complicating the problem is that Xiaomi doesn’t provide a single standard: on the Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 13, records can lie in one place, and on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14, you can add cloud syncs via Mi Cloud, third-party apps like Cube Call Recorder and dual-SIM features, and you get the perfect recipe for confusion. This article will help systematize all possible options, including the rare cases when files “disappear” from the device’s memory.

We analyzed the behavior of more than 20 Xiaomi models (from the budget Redmi to the flagship Xiaomi 14) and identified 5 main places where conversation records can be stored, and we will also analyze why sometimes files are not saved at all - even with the recording function enabled.

1. Standard storage location: folder MIUI/sound_recorder

On most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-15 firmware, the phone records are saved by default to the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

Features of this location:

• 📁 The files are formatted.m4a (AAC-Encoding) or.amr (for older models).
• 🔍 File names contain date, time and subscriber number in format: 20260515_143022_+79123456789.callrec.
• 🔒 The folder can be hidden – enable the display of hidden files in the file manager (in Mi File Manager: ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files).
• 📱 In some models (for example, POCO F5) The path can be deepened: /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/device_id/, where device_id — unique identifier of the phone.

If the folder is empty, check:

1. Is not filtering by date enabled in the file manager?
2. Have you moved your files to the cloud (see Mi Cloud section).
3. Whether you are using a third-party recording app (such as Truecaller or ACR).

💡

If in a folder call_rec files are available but not reproduced, try renaming the extension from.callrec to.m4a — sometimes MIUI Keeps files with incorrect format.

2. Alternative paths: where else to look for records

If there are no files in the standard folder, check these directories (depending on the model and version of MIUI):

On hyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the path may change to:

/storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.miui.voiceassist/CallRecord/

Important: on some firmware for China (CN ROM) records are encrypted and stored in a folder /data/system/users/0/call_recording/, root-only.

3. Cloud Storage: Records in Mi Cloud

If your Xiaomi has Mi Cloud sync enabled, the records can be automatically uploaded to the cloud.

1. Open the Mi Cloud app (or go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud).
2. Check the Conversation Records or Audio section.
3. If there is no partition, then synchronization is disabled (see below, how to enable).

How to enable the storage of records in the cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Recorder (or Call Recorder).
2. Select Autoboot in Mi Cloud.
3. Set a traffic limit (recommended only on Wi-Fi).

⚠️ Note: Cloud records are stored in a compressed format and can be deleted after 30 days unless the option Save Forever is enabled (available only for premium Mi Cloud accounts).

To download the recordings from the cloud:

• 🌐 Go to i.mi.com from your computer.
• 📁 Go to the Audio or Records section.
• 💾 Select files and click Download (will be downloaded) ZIP-archive).

4 Third-party applications: where to store records Cube ACR, Truecaller and others

If you're using third-party apps rather than a standard Xiaomi voice recorder, the storage paths will be different.

Features of working with third-party applications:

• 🔧 Some programs (e.g. Boldbeast) require manually configuring the save path in their menus.
• 🛡️ Apps like Cube ACR can encrypt records - you need their built-in player to listen.
• 📵 Android 10.+ Many apps can’t record conversations due to Google restrictions (use this option). ACR root access or Boldbeast in Alternative Method 1").

⚠️ Note: Google Play apps (like Call Recorder by NoRoot) often don’t work on Xiaomi because of the firmware features MIUI. Use versions from official developer sites or APKMirror.

Make sure the app has access to microphone and memory | Check the app's save path settings | Turn off battery optimization for the app (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization) | Update the app to the latest version-->

5 Why records are not saved: common problems

If you have enabled a record but no files are in any of the locations listed, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🚫 Lack of permission to record: On Android 9+ Apps need explicit permission to access the microphone during a call. → Annexes → Permits → Microphone.
• 🔋 Optimizing the battery: MIUI aggressively closes the background processes. Add the recorder app to the exceptions: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Select a recorder. → Not optimize.
• 📵 Operator restrictions: Some mobile operators (e.g. MTS or Beeline) block the recording of conversations at the network level. Try using VoIP (e.g. WhatsApp calls).
• 🔊 Conflict with other applications: If multiple recorders are installed, they can interfere with each other.
• 🛠️ Damaged File System: If records are saved but not played, check the device memory for errors through Settings → Memory. → Check it out.

Solution for Android 10/11/12+:

On new versions of Android, Google has banned recording conversations through standard APIs.

1. Use Boldbeast Call Recorder with Alternative Method 1 setting (manual setup required in the engineering menu).
2. Install root and use Cube ACR with Magisk module.
3. Record conversations over speakerphone (quality is worse, but works without limits).

6 How to transfer the recordings to a computer or other telephone

To copy recordings of conversations with Xiaomi to a PC or other device, follow these steps:

Method 1: Through USB-cable

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB-C (use the original cable).
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. On PC, open this computer → [Name of your Xiaomi].
4. Go to the entries folder (see sections above) and copy the files.

Method 2: Wi-Fi (without cable)

• 📲 Install the app on the phone FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer.
• 🌐 Include a function in the annex FTP-server.
• 💻 On your computer, open the browser and enter the address specified in the application (for example, ftp://192.168.1.100:2221).
• 📁 Copy the necessary files.

Method 3: Through the cloud (if the records are already in the Mi Cloud)

See section 3 of this article.

⚠️ Note: When transferring recordings to a computer, check for viruses - audio files may contain malicious code (especially if downloaded from unreliable sources.

💡

If the records are for court or official purposes, export them in the original format without conversion. Any changes to the file (even renaming) can cast doubt on its authenticity.

7.Security: How to Protect Records from Unauthorized People

Phone records are sensitive, so they need to be protected.

• 🔐 Encrypting files: Use applications like Cryptomator or ES File Explorer (Encrypt) to protect the folder with records.
• 👤 Access Restriction: In Settings → Annexes → Disable access to other applications.
• ☁️ Secure Cloud: Do not store records in Mi Cloud if you have a weak password. Use Proton Drive or Tresorit for sensitive data.
• 🗑️ Irreversible Deletion: Use Shreddit or Secure Delete to delete records – they overwrite files, eliminating recovery.

How to delete the records forever:

1. Install File Shredder from Google Play.
2. Select the records files in the application.
3. Press Secure Delete (DOD 5220.22-M – 7 rewrite cycles).

If the tapes fell into the wrong hands:

• 📵 Revoke access to Mi Cloud immediately (in Settings) → Xiaomi account → Device management).
• 🔄 Change your Xiaomi account password and enable two-factor authentication.
• 📧 If the records are distributed, contact Xiaomi with a request to block the attacker’s account.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi conversation records