Have you just completed an important phone conversation on your Xiaomi (or Redmi/POCO) but didn't have time to turn on the recorder beforehand? Or are you sure that the recording was automatic, but you can't find it? The problem is that MIUI doesn't hide the recordings of calls where users expect them to be. Unlike Samsung or iPhone, where audio files are in a standard gallery, Xiaomi uses separate system folders and even special applications.
In this article, we will analyze all possible storage locations of records - from the built-in voice recorder to hidden folders. MIUI/sound_recorder, We also show you how to recover deleted files if they are missing after a system update. MIUI 12, 13 and 14, As the interface and storage paths changed with each major update.
1. Standard Dictator app - the first place to search
Most of the call records on Xiaomi are saved in the Dictophone app** (Mic icon) even if you didn't manually run it, which is because MIUI defaults to use it to record conversations automatically (if the feature is activated in the settings).
To find the records:
- ๐ฑ Open the Dictophone app** (if it is not on the home screen, search the system through a search).
- ๐ Go to the Records tab** โ all audio files, including automatic call recordings, are displayed here.
- ๐ For ease of sorting, tap the Filter icon** (upper right corner) and select Call Only.
- ๐ If there are no records, check the Archive folder โ sometimes files are moved there after long storage.
Important! MIUI 14 The voice recorder interface has changed: call recordings are now marked with a special pipe icon (๐), If you don't see those tags, the automatic recording function is disabled in the phone settings.
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If the recorder is empty but you are sure it was recorded, check the permissions for the Phone app in Settings โ Apps โ Permissions โ Microphone. Without this right, MIUI will not be able to save conversations.
2. Hidden system folders: where MIUI hides records
If the recorder doesn't have the file you want, don't panic. Xiaomi saves the call records in hidden folders that aren't displayed in the standard file manager. Here's a full list of ways audio files can be stored:
| MIUI version | The way to the folder | File format |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12-13 | /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec | .amr, .mp3 |
| MIUI 14 | /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.soundrecorder/files | .m4a, .mp3 |
| For POCO. | /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call | .amr |
| Older versions (up to MIUI 11) | /sdcard/sounds | .3gp |
To access these folders:
- Use a root-enabled file manager (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
- Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
- If there is no folder, check Settings โ Memory โ Files โ Audio, sometimes the records are duplicated there.
What do I do if the folder is empty?
Warning: Do not rename files in these folders manually! MIUI It uses a special numbering (for example, call_1234567890.amr), Change of name may cause loss of contact with timestamps and contacts.
3. Automatic call recording: how to turn on and where to look
If you want Xiaomi to automatically record all conversations, you need to activate this feature in the settings.Please note: in some countries (e.g. the EU), automatic recording may be blocked due to privacy laws.
Instructions for MIUI 14:
- Open the phone app**.
- Tap it on three points (โฎ) in the upper right corner and select "Settingsยป**.
- Go to the "Talk Record"**.
- Enable the Automatic Record option** and select contacts or all numbers.
- Please specify the folder to save (by default this is the MIUI/sound_recorder).
After activation, all records will appear:
- ๐ฑ In the appendix "Dictophon"** (in the tab Calls).
- ๐ In the folder you specified in the settings (see table above).
- ๐ In the history of calls โ next to the number will appear an icon ๐ค.
โ ๏ธ Note: Some models (e.g., Xiaomi 13 Pro for the European market) may not have automatic recording functionality due to limitations. GDPR. In this case, use third-party apps such as Cube Call Recorder or ACR.
4. Third-party recording applications: where they store files
If you're using third-party programs, rather than a standard voice recorder (like Cube Call Recorder, ACR, or Call Recorder by Lovekush), the storage paths will be different.
- ๐ Cube Call Recorder: /storage/emulated/0/CubeBackup or /storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings.
- ๐ ACR (Another Call Recorder): /storage/emulated/0/ACR.
- ๐ Call Recorder by Lovekush: /storage/emulated/0/CallRecorder.
- ๐ Truecaller (if recording is enabled): /storage/emulated/0/Truecaller/Recordings.
Features of working with third-party records:
- ๐ Files often have names by template: Incoming_{number {date}.mp3 or Outgoing_{name contact}.amr.
- ๐ Some applications (e.g, ACR) You can save records to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox.
- โ ๏ธ After deleting the application, its folder with records may remain, but new files will no longer be saved.
โ๏ธ Checking third-party records
โ ๏ธ Note: Applications from unverified sources (outside Google Play) can save records in encrypted form. If files have the.enc or.dat extension, they cannot be played without the original software.
5. Recovery of deleted records: step-by-step instructions
If you accidentally delete a recording of a conversation, you can try to restore it, and success depends on how long it has been since you deleted it and whether the phone has been used since then (new data can overwrite old files).
Recovery methods:
- Through the file manager basket: Open Files** (standard MIUI manager). Go to Recycle Bin** (icon at the bottom menu). Find the deleted audio file and restore it.
With the help of PC software:
- Connect your phone to your computer and use Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery, or DiskDigger.
- Select the internal memory partition and start a deep scan.
- Look for files with extensions.amr,.mp3,.m4a.
- Through MIUI backup: Settings โ About Phone โ Backup โ Restore Select the backup made before deleting the record (make sure it has Dictophone app data).
The faster you start recovering, the better the chances of success, and if the phone was used to record new files (photos, videos, music), the old data could be overwritten.
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If a record has been deleted more than 30 days ago, the chances of recovery are close to zero โ MIUI automatically clears the cart and optimizes memory.
6. Alternative methods: cloud services and synchronization
If you use Google Drive, Mi Cloud or other cloud services, the records could automatically sync there.
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Mi Cloud: Go to i.mi.com and log in. Select Filesยป โ ยซAudio. Look for files with a date of conversation.
- ๐ Google Drive: Open the Google Drive app on your phone. Type:audio in search. Check the Backup folder** โ sometimes the records get there along with other data.
- ๐ PC Sync: If you connected your phone to your computer, check this computer folder โ [The name of your Xiaomi] โ Internal storage โ MIUI โ sound_recorder.
Some recording applications (e.g. ACR) support automatic upload to the cloud to check:
- Open the application settings.
- Find the โCloudโ or โShootโ section.
- See what service is used (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive).
- Log in to this service and check the application folder.
7. Frequent problems and their solutions
Sometimes the call records are lost or not saved at all, and here are the most common reasons and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Records are not retained. | No access to the microphone. | Check the permissions in Settings โ Applications โ Recorder โ Permissions |
| Files are available, but they are not reproduced. | Codecs or format damaged | Install a VLC player or convert a file through Online-Convert |
| Records disappear after MIUI update | Resetting the application settings | Restore data from backup or check the MIUI/backup folder |
| No sound on the tape. | The โOnly My Voiceโ mode has been activated. | In the voice recorder settings, select Record both voices. |
If none of these methods worked, try:
- ๐ Reset the settings of the application "Dictophon"** (Settings) โ Annexes โ Dictaphone โ Warehouse โ Drop it).
- ๐ฑ Update MIUI up to the latest version - in new builds, bugs have been fixed with the preservation of records.
- ๐ ๏ธ Install an alternative voice recorder (e.g. Hi-Q) MP3 Recorder) if the standard does not work.
FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions
Can I record calls to Xiaomi without notifying the other person?
Why are records saved in.amr format instead of.mp3?
How to turn on the call record for POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12?
Can I record calls through a Bluetooth headset?
How to transfer the recording of calls to the new Xiaomi phone?
Through PC:
- Connect your old phone to your computer and copy the records to any folder.
- Connect a new phone and paste files into /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder.
Important! If you transfer the recordings to a phone with another firmware (for example, from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14), the files may not appear in the recorder. In this case, use any audio player to listen to.