Have you recorded an important phone call on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, but can't find it now? Or accidentally deleted an audio file and want to recover? In this article, we'll go into detail about where exactly the conversation records are stored on devices with MIUI firmware, how to find them manually, export them to your PC, and even restore them after deletion.
The manufacturer doesn’t always obviously put these files: they can hide in system folders, cloud services, or even in the database of the Phone application. We analyzed the performance of records on MIUI 12-14 (Android 11-14) and identified all possible storage locations, from standard directories to hidden technical paths. You will also learn how to circumvent the restrictions of MIUI on access to recording conversations in new versions of firmware, where professional service centers search for files, and why records sometimes disappear after a system update.
Standard storage locations for MIUI records
In most cases, phone records on Xiaomi are stored in one of the three standard internal memory folders, and their location depends on the version of MIUI and the way they are recorded (built-in function or third-party application).
The main directories where to look:
- 📁 /Internal Storage/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — standard folder for records made through a built-in voice recorder MIUI (beforehand 12.5). The files here are.amr or.mp3 name-named Call_20260515_143022.amr.
- 📁 /Internal Storage/Recordings/Call/ — relevant MIUI 13–14 and new models (Xiaomi) 13/14, Redmi Note 12). Here, records are sorted by dates and contacts.
- 📁 /Internal Storage/Android/data/com.android.providers.media/ — a hidden folder where the metadata of the records is temporarily stored (not the files themselves!) and is only accessible via Root or ADB.
Important: If you have used third-party applications (such as Cube Call Recorder or ACR), the records will lie in their own folders, usually along the path /Internal Storage/Android/data/[application packet name]/. For example, for ACR it is /Android/data/com.nll.acr/.
How to find records through file manager
To manually locate recordings of conversations, follow the following steps:
- Open the standard Files by Google or MIUI File Manager.
- Go to the internal memory (internal storage).
- Turn on the display of hidden folders: click on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Show hidden files.
- Alternately check the folders in the previous section. Use the search by name (moon button) by entering the request. call_* or.
If there are no records in standard places, try alternative methods:
- 🔍 Check the file manager basket (.Trash or Recycle Bin folder).
- 🌐 Go to Mi Cloud (if sync is enabled): Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup copies.
- 📱 Install an application to search for files, such as Files by Google or FX File Explorer, and scan the memory for audio files.
☑️ Searching for conversation records
Tip: If you recorded a conversation via Google Phone (on some POCO models), files can be stored in /Internal Storage/CallRecordings/ or synced with Google Drive (Call Recordings folder).
Why records can "disappear" and how to recover them
Xiaomi users often experience a situation where conversation records suddenly disappear, and the reasons for this can be different:
| Reason for disappearance | How to prevent | Can we restore it? |
|---|---|---|
| Update MIUI (Resetting the Phone app cache) | Before updating, copy the folder /MIUI/sound_recorder/ PC-only | Yes, via Recuva or DiskDigger (unless there was a re-recording) |
| Clean Memory Through Settings → Memory | Exclude the folder with records from cleaning in Settings → Memory → Exceptions | Not if the files were deleted by the system |
| Reset to factory settings | Sync your posts with Mi Cloud or Google Drive | Only if there was a backup in the cloud. |
| Virus or Failure of File System | Install antivirus and avoid suspicious applications | Possibly via PhotoRec (for experienced users) |
To recover deleted records:
- Use programs like Recuva (Windows) or DiskDigger (Android), and it's important that you don't write new files to your phone after you delete them!
- If the records were in the cloud (Mi Cloud or Google Drive), check the Recycle Bin (files are stored there for 30-60 days).
- For root users: scan the /data partition through ADB or TWRP for residual files.
How to recover records after resetting to factory settings?
⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 (Android 13+) Default conversation records are not saved due to Google's privacy policy limitations.To record works, you need to manually enable permission for the Phone app in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Microphone and Warehouse.
Cloud Services: Where else can records be stored
Many users are unaware that Xiaomi can sync recordings of conversations with cloud services by default, depending on the account settings and firmware version.
Where to look:
- 🌥️ Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backups. Check if Recordings are enabled (not available on all models).
- 📁 Google Drive: If you used Google Phone to record, files can automatically be uploaded to the Call Recordings folder (check through the web version of Drive).
- 🔗 Third-party clouds: apps like Cube Call Recorder often offer to save records in Dropbox, OneDrive or Yandex.Disk.
To enable automatic recording synchronization with Mi Cloud:
- Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Press the device backup.
- Enable the Call Record option (if available for your model).
- Press Sync.
Important: Starting with MIUI 13, synchronization of conversation records in Mi Cloud is disabled by default due to tightening of privacy policy. ADB:
adb shell settings put global upload_call_recordings 1How to export records to a PC or other phone
If you need to transfer recordings of conversations to a computer or other device, there are several reliable ways to do this:
Method 1: Through USB-cable
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer or MTP mode).
- Open the folder with records (see the section "Standard storage places").
- Copy files (usually with the.amr or.mp3) extension to any folder on your PC.
Method 2: Through the cloud
- 📤 Download files to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Dropbox directly from your phone.
- 📥 Download them to another phone or PC through the web version of the service.
Method 3: Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct
For transmission to another phone:
- Open the file manager on both devices.
- On the source phone, highlight the recordings, click Send → Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct.
- Accept files on the second device.
💡
If.amr records are not played on PC, convert them to.mp3 using free services like Online-Convert or Audacity.
⚠️ Note: When sending recordings via instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), the sound quality may deteriorate due to compression (ZIP or RAR) before shipment.
Technical nuances: databases and system files
The MIUI conversation records are not always stored as separate audio files, and in some cases, the information about them is recorded in the Phone application databases, and the files themselves can be encrypted or hidden in system partitions.
Where to look for technical data:
- 🗃️ /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db — Metadata about calls, including links to records (Root required).
- 🔑 /data/data/com.miui.voiceassist/ — a voice assistant folder where records are sometimes duplicated (if the call was processed by an AI).
- 📊 /data/system/users/0/ — System logs where traces of deleted records can remain (available only through ADB).
For power users: To extract entries from the database, you can use SQLite Browser:
- Backup contacts2.db file via ADB:
- Open the file in SQLite Browser and complete the request:
- In the results, you will find paths to the records files (unless they were physically deleted).
Warning: Working with system files via Root or ADB may result in a loss of warranty or firmware failure.If you are unsure of your actions, contact Xiaomi Service Center.
Alternative ways to record conversations on Xiaomi
If the built-in MIUI recording feature doesn’t suit you (for example, due to restrictions on new Android versions), consider third-party solutions:
| Annex | Features | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cube Call Recorder ACR | Record both sides of the conversation, cloud storage, support for MIUI 14 | Paid features may not work on some operators |
| Call Recorder by Lovekush | Simple interface, automatic recording of all calls | Advertising in the free version, no encryption |
| Google Phone (for POCO) | Built-in recording on Android 11+, sync with Google Drive | Not working on all Xiaomi models, country restrictions |
| Truecaller | Record + Spam Identification, Cloud Backup | Requires registration, collects contact data |
To install a third-party application for recording:
- Download APK from the official website (e.g. Cube ACR).
- Allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
- Launch the application and provide all the necessary permissions (Microphone, Warehouse, Phone).
- In the application settings, select the save format (MP3 or WAV) and the folder for records.
💡
Third-party recording apps (such as Cube ACR) often bypass MIUI limitations, but may conflict with system services.