Where Xiaomi Stores Records of Phone Calls: All Ways to Find Files

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature for recording important conversations, confirming agreements or simply archiving conversations. However, once this option is enabled, many users face the problem: where exactly are these audio files stored? Unlike photos or screenshots, the recordings of calls are not always visible in the standard gallery, and their location depends on the version of MIUI, device model and synchronization settings.

In this article, we will look at all possible storage locations, from hidden system folders to the cloud service MI Cloud, and explain how to recover deleted files and set up automatic saving. We will focus on the nuances for different versions of firmware (from MIUI 12 to HyperOS) and smartphone models, because the path to files may differ. If you do not find the records in obvious places, do not panic: most likely they are simply hidden in a non-standard directory or require additional actions to display.

Official places to store call records on Xiaomi

By default, Xiaomi smartphones store conversation records in two main locations: the device’s internal memory and the MI Cloud (if synchronization is enabled).

In most cases, audio files of records lie in a folder. /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. However, the path may vary depending on the:

• 📱 Versions MIUI: into MIUI 14 and later (including HyperOS) directory structure is simplified, and in older versions (e.g, MIUI 12) the path may include additional subfolders.
• 🔄 Recording settings: If you use third-party apps (like Cube Call Recorder), files will be stored in their own directories.
• 📁 File format: Xiaomi defaults to save.amr or.mp3, Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) may be used.m4a.

To find the folder quickly, use the built-in file manager (Mi File Explorer):

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Category section → Audio.
3. Enable the display of hidden files (click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Show hidden files).
4. Look for the file. call_rec or sound_recorder.

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If the folder call_rec empty, check the recording settings in the Phone application: it is possible that saving is disabled or files are automatically deleted after sync with the cloud.

How to find records in MI Cloud and other cloud services

If your Xiaomi has MI Cloud sync enabled, call records can automatically be uploaded to the cloud, which is convenient for backup, but it's not always obvious where to look for files.

1. Open the MI Cloud app (or go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → MI Cloud).

2. Make sure that the call record sync function is enabled (in some versions of MIUI it is hidden in Settings → Additional).

3. Go to the web version of the cloud at i.mi.com and log in.

4. Under Devices → [Your Smartphone] → Call records, you will see a list of saved files.

Important: in MI Cloud, records are only stored 30 days from the moment of download, unless otherwise configured, after which they are automatically deleted, to save files forever, download them to your computer or transfer them to another cloud (for example, Google Drive).

Alternative cloud services where records can be stored:

• ☁️ Google Drive: If you use the Google Phone app (installed separately on some Xiaomi models for markets outside of China).
• 📱 OneDrive/Dropbox: when setting up automatic download through third-party recorder apps.
• 🔗 Telegram/VK: some users set up autosending records to saved messages or the cloud VK.

Search for records through system tools and ADB

If records are not displayed in standard folders and the cloud, they can be found using ADB system tools or commands. This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires access to debugging functions.

First, try the built-in search by device:

1. Open Files and click on the magnifying glass icon (search).
2. Enter requests: call_rec,.amr, record or rec.
3. Make sure that the search is conducted throughout the memory of the device, not just individual folders.

If the search does not give results, connect your smartphone to your computer and use ADB:

adb shell ls /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/


adb pull /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ C:\Xiaomi_Calls\

These commands will copy all the records from the standard folder to the specified directory on the PC. If the folder is empty, check the alternative paths:

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On HyperOS devices, Xiaomi has changed the storage structure of records, moving them to the Android/media folder. If you can’t see files, upgrade the file manager to the latest version or use third-party applications (for example, Solid Explorer).

For advanced users: If no records are found, check the call database using the command:

adb shell content query --uri content://call_log/calls

This will show the history of calls with notes about records (if they were conducted by the system).

Recovery of Deleted Call Records

If you accidentally delete the records or they disappear after resetting, you can try to restore them. Success depends on how long it has been since you deleted and whether the device has been used after that (new data can overwrite old files).

Recovery methods:

• 🔄 Basket in MIUI: Some firmware versions have a temporary file basket (Files section) → The box is stored there for up to 30 days.
• 💾 Recovery software: DiskDigger, Recuva (requires root permissions for deep scanning) or EaseUS MobiSaver (works without root, but less efficiently).
• ☁️ Cloud backups: if automatic copying is enabled in MI Cloud or Google Drive, check the archives.
• 📱 Backup copies MIUI: If you create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup, records can be in the archive (file with extension.mbk).

Instructions for recovery through DiskDigger:

1. Install the app from Google Play (or download the APK from the official website).
2. Select Basic Scan (without root) or Full Scan (with root).
3. Filter the results by file type: Audio → AMR/MP3.
4. The recordings found can be listened directly to the application and saved to the device.

Important: If you plan to restore files, don’t write new data to your device (don’t install apps, don’t take photos) and this increases the chances of a successful recovery.

Set up automatic recording and file management

To avoid problems with finding records in the future, set up your save options in advance. Depending on the Xiaomi model and the MIUI version, the interface may differ, but the general algorithm is as follows:

1. Open the Phone app (Trainer icon).

2. Click on three dots in the top right corner → Settings → Call recording.

3. Enable the Automatic Write option and select:

• 📞 All calls (incoming and outgoing).
• 🔍 Only selected (you need to manually add contacts to the list).
• 🚫 Exceptions (not recorded for specified numbers).

4. In the Warehouse section, select:

• 📁 Local (internal memory or internal memory) SD-map).
• ☁️ MI Cloud (requires authorization in the Xiaomi account).
• 🔄 Autodelete (set the storage period, for example, "Delete records older than 30 days").

Is automatic recording enabled in the Phone application

Select the correct file format (MP3 is recommended for compatibility)

Is there enough storage space (minimum 1GB free)

Sync with MI Cloud (if necessary)

Checked out exceptions for contacts that do not need to be recorded

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On models with HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the path to settings may differ:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Permissions.
2. Make sure the app has access to the Microphone and Storage.
3. Go back to your phone settings → More → Call recording.

adb shell settings put global call_recording_support 1

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Problems with recording calls and their solutions

Sometimes the recording function stops working or saves files with errors, and let's look at the typical problems and ways to fix them:

If the records are saved but not reproduced, try:

• 🔊 Convert a file to another format using Audacity or Online-Convert.
• 📱 Listen to a recording on another device (possibly a codec problem on your smartphone).
• 🔧 Reinstall the Phone app (first make a backup of records!).

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On some Xiaomi models (especially in the European market), call recording is disabled at the firmware level due to privacy laws, in which case an alternative application like Cube Call Recorder ACR or Boldbeast Call Recorder will help.

For POCO and Redmi users with global firmware: If the recording doesn't work, check if Google Dialer (the standard call app from Google) blocks it. Replace it with Mi Dialer:

1. Download APK Mi Dialer from APKMirror.
2. Install the file by pre-allowing installation from unknown sources.
3. In the settings, make Mi Dialer the default app for calls.

Alternative applications for recording calls

If you don’t like the built-in recording feature on Xiaomi (for example, due to time or format restrictions), consider third-party apps. They offer advanced features: format selection, cloud storage, voice-to-text transcription, etc.

Top.-5 Applications for recording calls to Xiaomi:

• 📱 Cube Call Recorder ACR: Supports VoIP call recording (WhatsApp, Viber), saves files to the cloud, has transcription (paid option).
• 🎤 Boldbeast Call Recorder: Works even on restricted devices (e.g., limited devices, POCO X3 NFC), record both ends of the conversation.
• ☁️ Call Recorder by Lovekesh: simple interface, automatic upload of records in Google Drive.
• 🔍 Automatic Call Recorder: Filtering Contact Records, Password Protection, Dropbox Integration.
• 📊 Call Recorder – IntCall: free rate with a recording time limit (up to 10 minutes per call).

When installing third-party recording applications, consider:

⚠️ Note: Starting with Android 10, Google has tightened its rules for recording calls, many apps can only record your voice, not the person you are talking to. Full recording requires root rights or firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU).

Instructions for Cube Call Recorder ACR:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. When you first start, provide all the permissions you request (microphone, storage, calls).
3. In the settings, select:

Auto-start

For models with HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14), additional customization may be required:

adb shell pm grant com.cube.callrecorderandroid android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO


adb shell pm grant com.cube.callrecorderandroid android.permission.READ_CALL_LOG




adb shell pm grant com.cube.callrecorderandroid android.permission.WRITE_CALL_LOG

These commands will give the application extended write rights.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi call records