Where on Xiaomi saves conversation records: search for files in MIUI

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 exactly are these audio files stored? Unlike photos or screenshots, call records do not always lie in obvious folders, and their location may depend on the version of MIUI, the device model and even the recording application used.

In this article, we will discuss all possible options: from standard storage paths in Xiaomi firmware to alternative places where records can be saved when using third-party programs. You will also learn how to find files through the file manager, why they sometimes “disappear” and how to recover deleted records. MIUI (12 to 14) and popular models - Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and others.

If you've never changed your default recording settings, chances are your files are in the standard folder, but what if they're not there? Next, step-by-step instructions for all scenarios.

Standard folder for recording conversations in MIUI

In most cases, Xiaomi smartphones retain records of calls to the system folder, the path to which depends on the firmware version. MIUI 12-14 are the following options:

• 📁 Internal memory: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — Main storage area for most models.
• 📁 An alternative path: /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/ — It is found on some devices with custom firmware.
• 🔄 For older versions (MIUI 11 below): /storage/emulated/0/recorder/ or /sdcard/recorder/.

Files usually have a format.m4a or.amr and named by template: Call_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.m4a, where YYYYMMDD — date of entry, and HHMMSS — Time, for example, Call_20260515_143022.m4a signifies 15 may 2026 yearly 14:30:22.

To check for the availability of files:

1. Open the standard File Manager application.
2. Go to internal storage (device or internal storage).
3. Enter the folder name in the search bar: call_rec or sound_recorder.

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If the folder is not displayed, turn on the display of hidden files in the file manager settings: Settings → Show hidden files.

Important: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi K60), records can be automatically archived to the Mi Cloud cloud if synchronization is enabled. Check the Mi Cloud section → Records in account settings.

Why can’t the records be in the standard folder?

If you did not find the files in the specified ways, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔧 Using a third-party recording application (such as Cube Call Recorder or ACR). Such programs save files to their folders, often to a memory card.
• ⚙️ Changed storage settings in MIUI: Users can reassign the saving path manually.
• 🗑️ Autoclean: Automatic deletion of old records (e.g., older than 30 days) can be enabled in the Phone application settings).
• 📱 Features of the model: on some devices (for example, POCO F5) records are saved in a folder /storage/emulated/0/POCO/Recorder/.

To rule out the first two reasons, check:

1. Which application you recorded the conversation (standard “Phone” or third-party).
2. Settings of this application: Usually the storage path is specified in the Settings → Save folder section.

If you use Cube Call Recorder, the recordings are most often found here:

/storage/emulated/0/CubeBackup/CallRecordings/

How to find records through file search?

If manual folder search didn’t help, use the built-in search function in Xiaomi’s file manager:

1. Open the Files app.
2. Click on the magnifying glass icon (search) in the upper right corner.
3. Enter the keywords: 🔍 Call_ (filename) 🔍.m4a or.amr (extensions) 🔍 rec or record (part of the folder name)

The system will show all files that match the query, including those in hidden or system folders. If the search does not yield results, try:

• 📱 Connect the smartphone to the PC and check through the conductor Windows/macOS (Sometimes files are only visible like this).
• 🔄 Reboot the device: sometimes indexing files is lost.

Enable the display of hidden files

Check the folders. call_rec and sound_recorder

Search for extensions.m4a and.amr

Connect your phone to your PC for verification

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Alternative ways to access records

If standard methods don’t work, try these options:

To check out Mi Cloud:

1. Open your Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud
2. Select Conversation Records (if there is a item in the list).
3. Click Sync if the data is not displayed.

What to do if the records are deleted?

If files were deleted accidentally, you can try to restore them. Success depends on how long it has been since the deletion and whether the device was actively used (new data could overwrite old ones).

Recovery methods:

• 🔄 Basket MIUI: Xiaomi's file manager has a shopping cart where files are stored for 15 to 30 days. → Recycle Bin and check for records with extension.m4a.
• 🛠️ Third-party utilities: Programs like DiskDigger or Recuva (for PCs) can scan a device's memory for deleted files, requiring root access or a phone connection to a computer in mode. MTP.
• 📱 Cloud Backups: If you previously enabled sync with Mi Cloud or Google Drive, check your cloud history.

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The chances of recovery are maximum in the first 24 to 48 hours after deleting, and the longer you use your phone after deleting, the greater the risk of overwriting data.

To recover via DiskDigger:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select Full Scan (requires root).
3. Filter results by file type: Audio → M4A/AMR.
4. Save the files found to a safe place (for example, on a PC).

⚠️ Warning: Do not save recovered files back to the phone's internal memory - this may cause them to be overwritten again.Use the cloud or external drive.

Conversation Recording Settings in MIUI: Where to Change the Save Path?

If you're not happy with the standard location, you can change it in the settings.

1. Open the phone app.
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the Record of Conversations section.
4. Select the save folder and specify a new path (for example, to a memory card).

Options available:

• 📱 Internal memory is by default.
• 💾 Memory card – if you have a microSD installed.
• ☁️ Cloud – Automatic booting to Mi Cloud (requires authorization).

Some models (such as Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11) also have additional settings:

• 🔕 Autodelete: Enabling/disabling automatic cleaning of old records.
• 📌 File format: the choice between.m4a (Best quality and.amr (smaller size).
• 🎤 Sound source: Record only your voice, only the person you are talking to, or both.

⚠️ Note: When changing the save path to the memory card, make sure it is formatted in FAT32 Or exFAT. NTFS Not supported by most Xiaomi smartphones.

Problems with recording conversations on Xiaomi: causes and solutions

Sometimes users find that records are either not saved or are distorted, and consider typical problems and solutions:

If the problem persists, try:

1. Update the firmware to the latest version of MIUI (some builds had recording bugs).
2. Install a third-party recording app (such as Cube Call Recorder) if the standard one doesn't work.
3. Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

On some models (such as the POCO X3 Pro), recording may not work due to regional restrictions, in which case changing the firmware region to India or Global via Fastboot will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi conversation records