Where Xiaomi Stores Conversations Records: A Complete Guide to Searching and Managing Audio Files

Xiaomi smartphones can use phone records in a variety of situations, from saving important business negotiations to recording evidence for legal purposes. However, many users are faced with the problem of where exactly these files are stored, how to find them, and how to manage records if standard methods do not work? In this article, we will analyze all possible storage locations, the features of the built-in voice recorder, as well as alternative ways to record and search files.

It is important to understand that the path to recordings may vary depending on the smartphone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11, etc.), the version of the MIUI firmware (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS), and even whether a standard voice recorder or a third-party application was used to record. We will consider all options, including hidden folders, cloud services and root-user solutions.

Standard location of conversation records in MIUI

By default, Xiaomi smartphones store conversation records in a system folder accessible through any file manager.

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

Here. call_rec — This is the folder where all audio files with the extension are stored.m4a Or.amr. Files are named by template. call_rec_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.m4a, where YYYYMMDD — date of entry, and HHMMSS — time.

If you don't find the folder sound_recorder, Check the following alternative paths (depending on version) MIUI):

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/ — relevant MIUI 12 and newer on some models.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/voice_recorder/call/ — obsolete MIUI 10-11.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Download/CallRecordings/ — if the records were saved through Google Drive or other cloud services.

To quickly find a folder, open the File Manager app, go to Categories → Audio and sort files by date of creation. Call recordings are usually marked with a duration (from 30 seconds) and a name mentioning call or rec.

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If the folder sound_recorder empty, but you are sure that the records were, check the settings of the recorder: it is possible that the files are automatically deleted after synchronization with the cloud or after the expiration of the storage period.

How to Enable Conversation Recording on Xiaomi

Before you look for records, make sure that the recording function is activated at all. MIUI has two ways of recording conversations:

1. Automatic recording – all incoming/outgoing calls are recorded without confirmation.
2. Manual recording – the user presses a button during a conversation.

To set up the record:

1. Open the phone application (Dialer).
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the Call Record section (on some models – Call Record).
4. Select the recording mode: 🔄 Recording all calls – automatic mode. 📞 Record only selected - manual mode. 🚫 Not to write - disabling the function.

On models with HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the path may be different: Settings → Apps → Phone → Permissions → Record conversations.

Why conversation records may not be in the folder

If you have enabled the record but no files are in the folder, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔇 No recording permission. Check if the Phone app has permission to access the microphone and storage: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Phone. → Permits.
• 🗑️ Auto-cleaning. MIUI There is a function to automatically delete old records (by default - after 30 days). → Warehouse → Cleanup → Automatic cleaning → Turn off for call records.
• ☁️ Cloud sync. If you're syncing to Mi Cloud or Google Drive, files can only be stored in the cloud. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization → Records of conversations.
• 🛠️ Firmware error on some versions. MIUI 13 (For example, for the Redmi Note 11) There was an error that saved the records to the root folder. /storage/emulated/0/ subfoldless.

Records may also be missing if:

• 📵 The call was made via VoIP (WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype) – such conversations are not recorded by standard means.
• 🔋 The battery level was below 5% — MIUI lock-in.
• 📶 Poor communication quality – if the network signal is weak, the recording may or may not be interrupted.

Alternative ways to record conversations

If the standard Xiaomi voice recorder is not satisfied (for example, due to limitations on recording duration or the lack of functionality on your model), consider third-party applications:

When using third-party applications, consider:

• 🔒 Privacy Policy: Some applications send records to their servers (read the Terms of Use).
• 📱 Compatibility with MIUI: on new versions of Android (12)+) Additional permissions may be required to record calls.
• 🔊 Record quality: Xiaomi’s standard voice recorder only records your voice (one-way recording), and third-party applications can capture the voice of the interlocutor (two-way recording).

Open the Cube ACR|Select the recording format (MP3 or AMR)|Activate the option "Record all calls"|Configure contact exceptions (if necessary)|Check the save path in the settings-->

How to transfer recordings of conversations to a computer or cloud

If you need to save your records for a long time or make room on your smartphone, transfer them to your PC or cloud storage. Here are the steps:

Method 1: Through USB-cable

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB (select File Transfer Mode in the notification curtain).
2. Open the folder This computer → [The name of your device] → Internal memory. → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec.
3. Copy the files you want (.m4a or.amr) to any folder on your PC.

Method 2: Through the Mi Cloud

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on sync for conversation records.
3. Go to i.mi.com, log in and download files from the Records section.

Method 3: Through Google Drive

1. Install the Google Drive app.
2. Open the folder with records in Files, select the necessary files and click Share → Save to Disk.
3. Select a folder to save (for example, call records).

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To transfer a large number of files, use archiving: select a folder call_rec, Press More. → Squeeze, then move. ZIP-It'll speed up the process and keep the folder structure intact.

Solving the problems with recording conversations on Xiaomi

If the recording of conversations does not work or files are not saved, use these tips:

⚠️ Attention: On Android devices 10+ (including MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS) Google has restricted the app's access to the microphone during calls, which can block recording:

• 🔧 Use applications with Accessibility Service (e.g. Cube) ACR), circumvention.
• 📱 Install the senior version MIUI (if available, on MIUI 11 and below the restriction is milder.
• 🔓 Get root rights and use Magisk modules (e.g. Call Recorder Patch).

Other common problems and their solutions:

Xiaomi models with a MediaTek chip (such as the Redmi 9A or POCO M3) may need to disable the Voice Improvement feature in call settings, as it conflicts with the recording.

Security and Legal Aspects of Recording Conversations

Before you record conversations, read your country’s regulations:

• 🇷🇺 In Russia, recording a conversation is allowed if you are a participant (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation), however, distribution of the recording without the consent of the interlocutor can be qualified as a violation of privacy (Article 137 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
• 🇺🇦 In Ukraine, notification of the interlocutor about the recording is required (Article 31 of the Constitution).
• 🇪🇺 The EU countries are operating GDPR — Recording conversations without consent may result in fines.
• 🇺🇸 In the United States, laws vary by state: some (such as California) require the consent of all participants.

Recommendations for the safe use of records:

• 🔒 Keep files encrypted (use it) 7-Zip Password or apps like Signal for transmission).
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary records to avoid data leakage.
• 📝 If the record is needed for the court, save it unchanged (do not edit) and record the date of creation (you can use the service Notarize).

⚠️ Note: Some messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) block the recording of calls through standard means. OTT Call Recorder or record sound with a second device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi conversation records