Where to record calls on Xiaomi smartphones: all possible storage locations

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature that helps to capture important conversations, interviews or just save memorable conversations. However, many users face the problem: where do these recordings go after a call is completed? Unlike photos or screenshots that automatically enter the gallery, audio files with conversations often “hide” in the non-obvious folders of the MIUI system.

In this article, we will analyze in detail all possible storage locations for call records on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO — From standard internal memory directories to cloud services and hidden system folders, you'll learn how to find files manually, which applications use their own directories, and what to do if records suddenly disappear. MIUI (12 to 14) and smartphone models where file paths may differ.

Important: If you use third-party recording apps (like Cube Call Recorder or ACR), the search algorithm will be different — we’ll talk about that later, too. And for those who are afraid of losing data, we’ve prepared instructions for backing up and recovering records.

Standard place for storing records in MIUI

By default, Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI firmware store call records to the system folder, accessible through any file manager.The path depends on the firmware version and device model, but most often the files are here:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — The main folder for most devices (including Redmi Note) 10/11, Xiaomi 12/13).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/ — alternative paths in some models (e.g, POCO F3/F4).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.providers.media/ — rare case when records are saved in a secure directory of the Phone application».

The files are formatted.m4a or.amr and named by template: Call_[date [time] [number] [number].m4a. For example: Call_20260515_1430_+79123456789.m4a. To find the folder quickly:

1. Open the File Manager app on your smartphone.
2. Go to the Category section → Audio or Internal Memory.
3. In the search bar, enter call_rec or Recordings.

💡

If the folder call_rec not displayed, enable the display of hidden files in the file manager settings: → Show hidden files

On some devices (such as Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra or Redmi K50), records may be duplicated in the Downloads folder if the Save in Downloads option was activated during the call.

Storage features on different versions of MIUI

MIUI firmware is regularly updated, and with each new version, the storage paths of records may change. Below is a comparison table for popular versions:

On MIUI 14 and later, records can be automatically archived in the Mi Cloud if synchronization is enabled.

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Scroll to Backup and select Call Records.
3. If the option is active, the files are duplicated to the cloud and are available on i.mi.com.

On Android 13+ devices (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), folder access may be restricted due to new privacy rules.

⚠️ Note: If the file manager does not show the folder call_rec, Try using the Total Commander or FX File Explorer with root enabled (if you have superuser rights) can be blocked without root access to system directories.

Where to look for records of third-party applications

If you're using third-party applications, rather than the standard MIUI recording module (e.g. Cube Call Recorder, ACR, Call Recorder by Lovekesh), the path to the files will be different.

• 🔹 Cube Call Recorder: /CubeBackup/ or /CallRecordings/ (format.mp3 or.ogg).
• 🔹 ACR (Another Call Recorder): /ACR/ (nested folders by year/month).
• 🔹 Call Recorder by Lovekesh: /CallRecorder/ (amr).
• 🔹 Boldbeast Call Recorder: /Boldbeast/ (support).

Third-party applications often save records to cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox) or send notifications about new files. For example, Cube Call Recorder can automatically upload records to Google Drive if this is configured in the application settings.

To find the files:

1. Open the recorder app.
2. Go to Settings → Save folder (or similar).
3. Copy the path and paste it into the file manager address bar.

Important: Some applications (e.g. Boldbeast) require that battery optimization be disabled to work properly. If records are broken or not saved, add the app to the exceptions:

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 13+ Battery optimization can block background recording. To fix this, go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Title of the annex] → Battery → No restrictions.

Why Call Records May Be Lost

Users often face a situation where records suddenly disappear, and the reasons can be both software and hardware.

• 🗑️ Auto-cleaning: B MIUI There is a function of garbage cleaning (in Settings) → Memory) that can delete old records if they are marked as “unnecessary».
• 🔄 Resetting: After resetting to factory settings, all entries in the folder call_rec deleted without recovery (if there was no backup).
• 📱 Update: When you upgrade to a new version MIUI System folders are sometimes cleaned or transferred.
• 🛡️ Antivirus: Software like Avast or 360 Security can delete records if they are identified as suspicious files.
• 🔋 Memory Lack: If your device has less than 10% of the available space, the system can automatically delete old audio files.

If the records are missing, first check:

Check the Recycle Bin folder in the file manager

Look for duplicates in Mi Cloud or Google Drive

Make sure that auto-cleaning is not included in Settings → Memory

Try recovering files via DiskDigger or Recuva (on PC)-->

A critical feature of MIUI 14 is that if you have enabled Privacy Protection (in Settings → Privacy), call records are encrypted and unavailable without a password.

How to Recover Deleted Call Records

If the records were deleted, not all is lost. Here are the ways to recover them, from the simplest to the most complex:

1. Recycle Bin Check: The standard Xiaomi file manager has a Recycle Bin folder where files are stored for 15-30 days. path: /storage/emulated/0/.Trash/.
2. Cloud backups: 🌥️ Mi Cloud: Check the Backups section → Call records. 🌥️ Google Drive: If you use Cube Call Recorder or ACR synchronized.
3. Recovery programmes: 🖥️ Recuva (for PC) scans internal memory through USB. 📱 DiskDigger (for Android) – works without root, but with limitations. 🛠️ Dr.Fone – a paid solution with high efficiency.

Manual recovery through ADB:

adb pull

To recover via DiskDigger:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select the Basic Scan (without root) section.
3. Filter the results by expanding.m4a or.amr.
4. Save the files found to a safe place (for example, on the SD-map).

💡

The chances of recovery are maximum if no new files are written to the device after deletion, and each new record or installation reduces the likelihood of success.

If the records were encrypted (e.g., in MIUI 14), it is impossible to restore them without a password, in which case it is only necessary to check backups in the cloud or on other devices where the files could be synchronized.

How to transfer call records to a computer or other device

To keep the records in a safe place, you need to transfer them to a PC, a flash drive, or the cloud, and here are the step-by-step instructions for different ways:

Method 1: Through USB-cable

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer via USB.
2. Select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification on your phone.
3. On PC, open This Computer → [Device Name] → Internal Memory.
4. Go to the folder with the records (for example, MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/).
5. Copy files to any directory on your PC.

Method 2: Through the cloud

• 🌥️ Mi Cloud: Open Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud. Enable sync for call records. Upload files to i.mi.com.
• 🌥️ Google Drive: Install the Google Drive app. Click + → Download and select the folder with records.

Method 3: By email or messenger

If there are few files, you can send them to yourself:

• 📧 Email: attach the entries to the letter in Gmail or Mail.ru.
• 💬 Telegram: Send files to Save Messages.
• ☁️ Dropbox/OneDrive: download it through the mobile application.

💡

For mass transfer, use archiving: highlight all files in the folder call_rec, Press More. → Archive and then copy the archive to a PC, which will speed up the process and preserve the folder structure.

Call Recording Settings in MIUI: Where to Turn On and How to Set Up

If you haven't used the recording function, you need to activate it first. MIUI It's done this way:

1. Open the phone application** (Dialer).
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the section Recording conversations (or Call recording in English firmware).
4. Turn on the option to Record automatically or select Record selectively.
5. Set up additional parameters: 🔊 File format:.m4a (Best quality or.amr (less space). 📁 Reservation folder: Select Internal Memory or SD-map. 🔔 Notifications: Enable the notification of the beginning of the recording.

On some devices (such as the Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the recording option may be hidden due to regional restrictions.

1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.


2. Find com.android.dialer.




3. Select CallSettingsActivity and open hidden settings.




4. Activate the recording manually.

Also note the legal restrictions: in some countries (e.g. the EU), recording calls without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited, Xiaomi with global firmware can display a warning about compliance with local laws.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi call records