Where to record calls to Xiaomi: where to look for files and how to save them

Why recording calls on Xiaomi is not as easy as it seems

Did you turn on a conversation record on a Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or Poco X5 Pro, but after the call is over, you can't find the file? Or suddenly you find that old records are missing after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many Xiaomi smartphone users - the brand uses a non-standard approach to record storage that is different from Samsung or iPhone.

Unlike competitors, where records are usually stored in the CallRecordings folder on internal memory, Xiaomi can save them in several places, depending on the version of MIUI, the phone model and even the firmware region. Moreover, with the release of MIUI 14, the storage logic has changed: some records are sent by default to Mi Cloud, not stay local. In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios, from standard paths to hidden folders and cloud synchronizations.

Standard ways to store call records on Xiaomi

If you haven’t changed your default settings, your call records on Xiaomi must be in one of the following places:

• 📁 Internal memory: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — mainfolder MIUI 12-14.
• 📁 External SD-map (if installed): /storage/XXXX-XXXX/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ (where XXXX-XXXX — card).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Records are automatically downloaded if sync is enabled (check Settings). → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Call records).

Important: on some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or Redmi K60) The path may be different instead sound_recorder used call_recorder. Also after updating to MIUI 14 Some users note that the records are no longer saved in the folder, but appear only in the Dictophone application (com.miui.soundrecorder).

To quickly find the folder, use the built-in Explorer (Files):

1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
2. Go to the Category section → Audio.
3. Enable the display of hidden files (three dots in the upper right corner → Show hidden files).
4. Look for the file. call_rec or sound_recorder.

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If the folder doesn’t appear, try connecting the phone to your PC and search for a keyword. call_rec Total Commander or Windows Explorer.

Features of recording calls on different versions of MIUI

The logic of keeping records depends heavily on the firmware version, and here is a comparison table for the most common versions:

If you have MIUI 14 Global, check your sync settings:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Find the Call Recordings section.
3. If the switch is active, the records are automatically uploaded to the cloud and may NOT be stored locally.

Why Call Records May Be Lost and How to Fix It

Xiaomi users often experience recordings disappearing suddenly, and here are the main reasons and solutions:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: After a major update (for example, with a MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) Solution: copy the folder before updating. call_rec PC-only.
• 🗑️ Cache Clearing: When you clean the data of the com.android.dialer app (Phone) or com.miui.soundrecorder (Dictorney) the records are deleted. Solution: don't manually clean the cache of these apps.
• ☁️ Conflict with Mi Cloud: If sync is enabled, local files can be deleted after uploading to the cloud.Solution: disable autosynchronization in Settings → Mi Cloud.
• 📵 Reset to factory settings: All local records are deleted. Solution: Pre-save folder call_rec externally.

Create a backup copy of the folder call_rec PC-only|Disable Auto Cleaning in Mi Cloud|Not update MIUI backup|Use third-party recording applications (e.g. Cube Call Recorder)-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Poco) F5 Or the Redmi Note 11 Pro.+) Default call records are not saved unless you manually enable this feature. To activate the record, go to Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Record calls and select Always Record or Record Automatically.

How to Change the Place of Keeping Call Records

If you don't like the standard file layout, you can change it.

1. Open the application "Dictophone" (mic icon).
2. Go to Settings → Save Place.
3. Choose one of the options: 📱 Internal memory (by default). 💾 SD-map (if installed). ☁️ Mi Cloud (only for the MIUI 14+).

Nana MIUI 13 and below, the path to the folder can only be changed through ADB-commands (developer rights required) For example, to redirect records to SD-map, execute:

adb shell settings put global call_recorder_storage_path /storage/XXXX-XXXX/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

Where XXXX-XXXX — identifier SD-maps (you can find it through adb shell ls) /storage/).

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Changing the save path through ADB doesn’t work on all models; on some devices (such as the Xiaomi 12S Ultra), this setting is reset after the reboot.

Hidden folders and alternative storage locations

If the records are not found anywhere, check the following hidden locations:

• 🔍 /data/user/0/com.android.dialer/cache/ — Temporary records files (root rights required to access).
• 🔍 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.soundrecorder/files/ — folder MIUI 14.
• 🔍 /MIUI/voice_recorder/ — used in Chinese firmware.

To access hidden folders:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Turn on the display of hidden files and system folders in the manager settings.
3. Follow one of the paths indicated.

⚠️ Attention: Files in the folder /data/user/0/ If you see files with the.dat or.enc extension, they can't be played without special tools (for example, Mi). PC Suite).

How to keep records of calls for long-term storage

Local files on Xiaomi may disappear after a phone is reset, upgraded or broken.

1. Export to PC: Connect your phone to your computer via USB (File Transfer Mode. Copy the folder. call_rec in a safe place (for example, on disk D:).
2. Upload to the cloud (not Mi Cloud): Use Google Drive, Yandex Disk or Dropbox to back up. In the Files app, select a folder call_rec → Share. → Save it to the cloud.
3. Convert to Universal Format:.m4a or.amr files may not play on some devices. Use Audacity or online converters (like Online-Convert) to convert to.mp3.

If you often record important conversations, consider using third-party apps such as:

• 🎤 Cube Call Recorder ACR — saves the records in the folder you selected.
• 📱 Call Recorder by Lovekush – Supports Automatic Downloading in Google Drive.
• ☁️ Otter.ai – recognizes speech and saves text transcripts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls to Xiaomi