Why Call Records Can 'Disappear' and Where to Look for Them
Have you turned on a recording of a conversation on Xiaomi Redmi, but can't find a file? The problem is familiar to many: the brand's smartphones use non-obvious storage paths, and the standard Dictator app often hides records in the depths of system folders. Even if you activated the feature through Settings → Apps → Calls → Recording conversations, the files themselves can end up in one of three places - and not the fact that in the most expected.
In this article, we’ll look at all possible locations for Redmi call records (including the Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 10, Redmi A2, and others), explain why files can be “hidden,” and show you how to export or restore them, and learn how to change the default save folder and what to do if the records suddenly disappear after the MIUI update.
Spoiler: If you use third-party recording apps (like Cube Call Recorder or ACR), the path to files will be different — that's a separate section below.
Standard storage location: folder MIUI/sound_recorder
On most Xiaomi Redmi smartphones, the default call records are saved here:
Internal memory → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_recTo get there:
- Open the Files app** (the folder icon on the desktop).
- Go to the Device (Internal Memory) tab.
- Find the file. MIUI, later sound_recorder and within — call_rec.
Record files are usually formatted.m4a or.amr and named by template: rec_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS (where YYYYMMDD — date, HHMMSS — If the folder is empty, check it:
- 🔍 Recording settings: You may have disabled saving in Settings → Annexes → Calls. → Recording of conversations.
- 📁 Hidden Files: In the Files app, click on three dots → Settings → Enable Show hidden files.
- 🗑️ Recycle Bin: Sometimes files get there after accidentally deleting (path: Internal Memory) →.trash).
💡
If the folders sound_recorder No, try to manually create a record of the test call – it should appear automatically.
Alternative paths: where else can the records lie
If MIUI/sound_recorder empty, check out these locations:
| folder | When used | File format |
|---|---|---|
| Internal storage → Recorder | On older versions of MIUI (up to 12) or after resetting | .mp3, .wav |
| Internal storage → Download → CallRecordings | If the recording was conducted via Google Phone (on global firmware) | .mp3 |
| Internal storage → Android → data → com.android.dialer → files | System records (root rights required to access) | .amr |
| SD-map → MIUI → sound_recorder | If the settings indicate saving to the memory card | .m4a, .3gp |
Pay special attention to the Download folder: some firmware MIUI (Especially the global versions of the Redmi Note 11 and newer) save the records there, but in a subfolder with a random name of the type CallRec_12345.
Important: If you are using dual SIM-The records can be divided into folders depending on the number from which the call was made:
call_rec → sim1
call_rec → sim2How to Change the Call Records Saving Folder
By default, Xiaomi does not give you a custom path for recordings, but there are workarounds:
- Through the Dictator app: Open the recorder. Press three dots. → Settings → Save folder. Select internal memory or SD-card (if supported).
- Using a file manager: Create a new folder (like CallRecords) at the root of internal memory. Use the FolderSync or Automate app to automatically move files from the back of your home. sound_recorder into your folder.
For root users
- Edit /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml by adding permission to write to the folder.
- Or use the Xposed Framework with the Call Recorder Patch module.
Important: Some applications (like Truecaller) do not allow direct access to files through the file manager.
- 📤 Export entries through the app menu (usually there is an option to Share or Send).
- ☁️ Enable cloud sync (Google Drive, Dropbox) in the application settings.