Where to record conversations on Xiaomi: where to look for files and how to extract them

Have you turned on a recording of a conversation on Xiaomi but can't find a file? Or have you accidentally found a folder of audio recordings in your phone's memory but don't know where they came from? In this article, we'll take a closer look at where the call records on Xiaomi smartphones are stored, from standard storage locations to hidden system directories that aren't covered in official documentation.

The problem is that the location of the records depends on three factors: the version. MIUI, phone models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 They behave differently, and they're different in their recording methods (embedded voice recorder, Calls app, or third-party programs like Cube Call Recorder). We analyzed 15 of them.+ model MIUI 12-14 and identified all possible options, from obvious to undocumented.

Importantly, if you're looking for voice notes from the Dictaphone app, not phone records, the way they're stored is fundamentally different, and this article will focus on the recordings of calls, both incoming and outgoing.

1. Standard place of storage of records in MIUI

On most Xiaomi smartphones (except for models for the European market), the default conversation records are stored in internal memory along the way:

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

This folder is created automatically when the recording function in the Calls app is first enabled.m4a (AAC-coding) and are named by template:

call_rec_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS_phone_number.m4a

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global (European/Indian firmware) built-in call recording can be disabled at the system level due to legal restrictions. call_rec It will not appear even if you turn on the option in the settings.

To check for records:

1. Open any file manager (such as the built-in Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Cross the path. /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/.
3. If the folders call_rec No, that means that the records were either not kept or stored elsewhere (see the following sections).

2. Alternative Storage Pathways: Hidden Folders and the Cloud

If there are no records in the standard folder, check these locations:

• 📁 Recorders folder at the root of memory: Some versions MIUI 13–14 keep records here — /storage/emulated/0/Recorders/Call/. Especially relevant for POCO F4 Xiaomi 12T.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud (Xiaomi cloud): If sync is enabled in the recording settings, the files are duplicated to the cloud. → «Call records (a section may not be available on global accounts).
• 🔍 folder Android/data/: For models with MIUI 12.5 Enhanced (e.g. Redmi) K50) The records sometimes hide here: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.incallui/files/CallRecordings/.

💡 Tip: Use a search by file manager with extension filter.m4a Or.amr. MIUI To do this, click on the magnifying glass icon in the “Conductor” and enter:

.m4a OR .amr

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If you connect your phone to your PC but don’t see the MIUI folder, turn on the hidden files in Windows Explorer settings (the View → Hidden Items tab).

3. Features for different Xiaomi models

The manufacturer has not standardized the location of the records, so it varies depending on the series of devices, and here is a table with verified data for popular models (relevant to MIUI 14):

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for Russia (e.g. Redmi) 12C or POCO M5) The built-in call record is often blocked by the operator, in which case the system can create zero-sized "empty" files in a standard folder that can be safely deleted.

4. How to enable call recording if the function is hidden

Some firmware has the recording option hidden in deep settings to activate it:

1. Open the Calls app.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → “Settings”.
3. Select “Talk Record” (if no item, see next step).
4. For hidden options, type the dial code: ##6484## This will open the testing menu where you need to select Call Recording → Enable.

If the code doesn’t work, try an alternative method:

1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
2. Find the activity list of com.android.incallui.
3. Select.settings.CallRecordingSettings and run it.

Make sure that MIUI is not global (EU/Global)

Check for the "Record" item in the call settings

Try activating via the engineering menu (#6484##)

Install an alternative dialer (e.g. Truecaller)

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5 Third-party applications: where to save the records Cube Call Recorder, ACR and others

If you use third-party programs to record calls, storage paths are different:

• 🎤 Cube Call Recorder: Save files in the /CubeBackup/CallRecordings/ (cube format, requires conversion. Track setting: Settings» → «Folder of the record».
• 📞 ACR (Another Call Recorder: Default to use /ACR/ Supports automatic booting in Google Drive.

Critical information: Apps like Cube Call Recorder can conflict with the built-in MIUI record, resulting in file loss.

💡 Advice for developers: If you write your own application to record calls under the MIUI, Please note that the version MIUI 13 It blocks access to the microphone while calling for third-party applications. API permit-seeking RECORD_AUDIO mode VOICE_COMMUNICATION.

6 Recovery of Deleted Records of Conversations

If the records are missing, try these recovery methods:

1. Checking the basket: B MIUI deleted files from the folder call_rec They get into the basket: /storage/emulated/0/.trash/). Storage period — 30 days.
2. Disk scanner: Use DiskDigger or Recuva (requires root for deep scanning). Look for files with M4A or AMR signatures.
3. ADB-Connect your phone to your PC and execute: adb shell su -c "find /data -name '*.m4a' 2>/dev/null" This will find all audio files in system partitions.
4. Cloud Backups: If sync with Mi Cloud was enabled, check the archive at i.mi.com → Recycle Bin.

⚠️ Note: On devices with encrypted storage (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), it is almost impossible to restore deleted files without root. FBE (File-Based Encryption, and even specialized utilities like Dr.Fone are powerless.

7.Security and legal nuances

Recording conversations is governed by the laws of your country, and most jurisdictions (including Russia, the EU and the United States) have the following rules:

• 📜 Unilateral Recording: Allowed if you are a participant in a conversation (but may not be acceptable in court as evidence).
• ⚖️ Bilateral entry: Requires notification of the second participant (in some countries, explicit consent).
• 🔒 Storage of records: B MIUI Files are not encrypted by default. Use VeraCrypt for privacy or transfer records to an encrypted container.
• 🌍 International calls: Recording may violate the laws of the subscriber’s country (e.g. Germany requires consent from both parties).

💡 Practical advice: If you are in business correspondence, it is better to use specialized services like Zoom or Google Meet with an explicit recording option. MIUI You can set up an automatic recording notification via the Calls app»:

1. Open “Call settings” → “Recording conversations”.
2. Enable the option to “Notify about the record” (not available on all firmware).
3. Set up the notification text (e.g., “This conversation is being recorded”).

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In Russia, recording a conversation without notifying the other party may be regarded as a violation of Article 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Violation of the secrecy of correspondence"), the exception is if the recording is conducted in self-defense (for example, in case of threats).

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Xiaomi