You have enabled a call recording on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, but now you can't find the file itself? Or do you want to know where the system automatically stores audio recordings to free up memory? In this article, we'll look at all possible locations for storing call records, from standard MIUI folders to cloud services and third-party applications. It's important to understand that the path to files depends on the firmware version, phone model and recording method (built-in voice recorder, Google Phone, third-party programs).
MIUI doesn't always tell you where records are saved, and some users are faced with files suddenly disappearing after updating or resetting their settings. Not only will we show you the exact paths to folders, but we'll also explain how to avoid data loss, why records can't be saved, and what to do if the folder is empty. If you're using Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 or older models, the instructions below are relevant for everyone.
1. Standard place of storage of records in MIUI
By default, MIUI stores conversation records in the system folder, but its location has changed depending on the firmware version. In the latest versions (MIUI 14/15 based on Android 13/14), the path looks like this:
- π /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ β main folder for recordings made through the built-in voice recorder during the call.
- π /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/ β alternative paths in some models (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi K50).
- π How to find: Open any file manager (such as Mi File Manager), turn on the hidden folder display, and follow one of the paths above.
Record files are usually formatted.m4a or.amr and named by template: CallRecord_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS_XXXXXXXXXX.m4a, where XXXXXXXXXX β If the file is empty, check the phone number:
- βοΈ Recording settings: You may have disabled saving in Settings β Annexes β Dictaphone β Recording calls.
- ποΈ Basket: MIUI It can temporarily move files to /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/.trash/.
- π± Access rights: If you use a third-party recorder, it can save records in its folder (for example, /Android/data/com.app.name/files/).
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If the folder call_rec If not, try recording a test conversation β it will be created automatically.
2. Google Phone recordings (on Android One smartphones)
Some Xiaomi models (such as Mi A3 or POCO X3 NFC) use Android One firmware instead of MIUI, in which case call records are saved through the Google Phone app, and the path to the files will be different:
- π /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/ β The main folder for Google Phone records.
- π The files are.opus and are referred to as Recording_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.opus.
- π To enable a record in Google Phone, go to Settings β Record calls and select the "Always Record" option".
Features of Google Phone:
- β οΈ Warning: In some countries (e.g. the EU) the call recording function may be blocked due to privacy laws.
- βοΈ Records are automatically synced to Google Drive if backup option is enabled.
- π To find entries in Google Drive, open the web version and type in the search type:audio "Recording".
How to change the format of records in Google Phone?
3. Cloud services: Mi Cloud and Google Drive
If your Xiaomi backup is enabled, the conversation records can be automatically uploaded to the cloud, and you can check this in two ways:
| Service | The path to the records | How to turn on/off |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Cloud | Mi Cloud β Backup β Recorder or Mi Cloud β Files β Audio | Go to Settings β Xiaomi Account β Mi Cloud β Backup and check if the βDictophonβ option is enabled. |
| Google Drive | Google Drive β Backups β Apps β Google Phone | Open Google Drive, click on it. βοΈ β Settings β Backup and disable "Calls". |
| OneDrive (if configured) | OneDrive β Files β Audio Recordings | Check the autoload settings in the OneDrive app. |
Important: Mi Cloud only stores records for 30 days in a free rate, after which they are deleted without the possibility of recovery. If you want to save files forever, copy them to your computer or to another cloud (for example, Yandex Drive).
Mi Cloud|Google Drive |OneDrive |Other |Not using the cloud-->
4. Third-party applications for recording calls
If you're using third-party programs, rather than a standard MIUI recorder, like Cube Call Recorder, ACR, or Boldbeast, the paths to recordings will be different.
- π€ Cube Call Recorder: /storage/emulated/0/CubeBackup/CallRecordings/ or /Android/data/com.catalinagroup.callrecorder/files/.
- π ACR (Another Call Recorder): /storage/emulated/0/ACR/ (file-format.3gp or.mp4).
- π Boldbeast Call Recorder: /storage/emulated/0/Boldbeast Recorder/ (format-support.mp3,.wav,.ogg).
- βοΈ Truecaller: records are stored in the Truecaller cloud, you can download through the web version https://www.truecaller.com/recordings.
Advantages of third-party applications:
- β Recording of both sides of the conversation (in MIUI Sometimes only your voice is recorded).
- β Ability to automatically decipher speech into text (for example, in the ACR).
- β Encryption of records (in Boldbeast you can set a password to the folder).
β οΈ Note: Some apps (such as Cube Call Recorder) require ROOT-rights to record conversations on new versions of Android (10)+). Without them, they can only record your voice through a microphone, not the sound from a line.
5.Why conversation records are lost or not saved
Xiaomi users often experience records suddenly disappearing or not being saved at all, and here are the main reasons and ways to eliminate them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Records are not retained. | No rights to record | Go to Settings β Applications β Rights β Recorder and enable access to the microphone and storage. |
| Files disappear after updating | Resetting MIUI settings | Before updating, copy the folder call_rec computer. |
| Only my voice is recorded. | Limitations of Android 10+ | Use Boldbeast with the βWrite through Modified APIβ setting. |
| folder call_rec idle | Records are saved to the cloud | Check out Mi Cloud or Google Drive (see Section 3). |
Another common problem is that records are cut (for example, only the first 30 seconds are saved).
- π Optimizing the battery: MIUI It can pause the voice recorder in the background. Add the app to the exceptions: β Battery β Optimizing the battery β All applications β Dictaphone β No restrictions.
- πΆ Bad signal: If you have a weak network coverage, you can interrupt the recording. Try to turn on Airplane mode and use Wi-Fi Calling.
- π οΈ Firmware errors: on some models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) after upgrading to the MIUI 13 the record stops working. The solution is a rollback to a previous version or the use of third-party software.
Check the microphone and storage rights | Turn off battery optimization for the app | Update MIUI to the latest version |Try a third-party recorder (e.g. Boldbeast) |Copy existing records to your computer-->
6 How to extract records from phone to computer
If you need to save PC conversation records (for example, for litigation or archives), use one of these methods:
- π₯οΈ Through USB-cable: Connect your phone to your computer in File Transfer mode (MTP). Open the folder This computer β [Your phone name] β Internal memory. β MIUI β sound_recorder β call_rec. Copy files with extension.m4a or.amr on a hard drive.
Through the cloud:
Google Drive
Mi Cloud
By e-mail:
Through FTP-server:
FX File Explorer
Solid Explorer
If.opus entries (from Google Phone) are not played on your computer, install the K-Lite Codec Pack or convert files to.mp3 using Audacity or the online CloudConvert service.
β οΈ Note: when transmitting conversation records via email or messengers (such as Telegram), files may be compressed, which degrades the sound quality. USB-cable.
7 How to Protect Records from Loss or Theft
Phone records can contain sensitive information, so it's important to keep them safe. Here are a few ways to do this:
- π Encrypting folder: Use applications like Folder Lock or AppLock to block access to the folder call_rec password.
- ποΈ Backup: Set up automatic uploads of records to Google Drive or Dropbox via the Automate or Tasker app.
- π§Ή Autocleaning: in the settings of the recorder MIUI You can turn on the option βDelete records older than 30 daysβ to avoid accumulating unnecessary files.
- π« Transfer ban: in Android 12+ You can restrict access to the application folder with records through Settings β Confidentiality β File permissions.
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Never keep records of conversations with personal data (passport details, card numbers) publicly available, and in the event of a leak, this can lead to blackmail or fraud.