Where to look for conversation records on Xiaomi: all methods and hidden folders

Have you recorded an important phone conversation on Xiaomi but can't find the file? Or accidentally deleted the record and want to restore it? In this article, we'll look at all possible storage locations for audio files with conversations on Redmi, POCO and other Xiaomi smartphones, from the standard Dictator app to hidden system folders.

The manufacturer doesn't always post records clearly: it depends on the MIUI version, the phone model, and even the way it records (built-in voice recorder, Google Phone, or third-party apps), and we've gathered up-to-date data for MIUI 12-14 and shown you how to find files even if they're not displayed in the gallery, and at the end of the article, we've got a manual to restore deleted records and answers to frequent questions.

1. Standard storage location: Dictophone folder

If you recorded a conversation using the built-in Call Recorder app** (or Dictator in older versions of MIUI), the files are saved by default to:

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

(for new versions of MIUI 13-14):

/storage/emulated/0/Recordings/CallRecord/

To get there:

1. Open any file manager ("Files"** from Xiaomi, Google Files or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to the Internal Memory section → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec.
3. The files will be in format.m4a or.amr with template names: Call_20260515_143022_+79123456789.m4a.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 folder can be hidden. To see it, in the file manager settings, turn on the option to Show hidden files.

Check if the call recording is included in the phone settings

Update the Dictator app in Google Play

Try to find records through file search (enter ".m4a" or ".amr")

Install a third-party file manager (for example, FX File Explorer)-->

2. Google Phone recordings (for Android One and global firmware)

Some Xiaomi models (such as Mi A2, Mi A3 or global versions of POCO X3) use the Google Phone app instead of a standard call, in which case the records are stored in:

/storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings/

Features:

• 📁 Files are.opus and are not played in all players.
• 🔍 To see them, you may need permission to access media files for Google Phone.
• 🔄 In the settings of Google Phone (Save Calls section) you can change the save folder.

If there are no records in the specified folder, check:

1. Do you have a Google Phone app open (not a standard Xiaomi call)?
2. Whether the recording function is enabled in the settings: Settings → Call recording → Enable recording.
3. Is there a ban on recording for a specific contact (in some countries this is restricted by law)?

Standard Xiaomi voice recorder

Google Phone

Third-party applications (e.g. Cube ACR)

I don't record calls.-->

3. Hidden system folders: where else can there be records

If you don’t find files in standard locations, check alternative paths where MIUI sometimes saves records:

Important: folders with Android/data/ prefix are not available without root rights or special applications (for example, FX File Explorer with superuser mode enabled).

If you use a third-party application to record (such as Cube ACR, Call Recorder or Boldbeast), the path to the files depends on the program settings.

/storage/emulated/0/[Appendix name]/Recordings/

To find out the exact path:

1. Open the application settings for recording.
2. Find the save folder or the Storage section.
3. Copy the path and paste it into the file manager address bar.

4. How to find records through phone search

If manually searching for files is difficult, use the built-in search:

• 🔍 In “Files”** from Xiaomi, click on the magnifying glass icon at the top and type:.m4a — for recordings from a standard recorder;.amr or.3gp — old-form; call_rec — by folder name; recording - universal request.
• 📱 In Google Files (Google Files app), select the Audio tab and sort by date.
• 🌐 Through Windows Explorer (if you connected your phone to your PC): turn on the display of hidden files and search by mask *.m4a.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI 14 with Privacy Mode, records can be hidden. To see them, turn off this option in the security settings (Settings) → Confidentiality → Confidentiality regime).

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If the search doesn't find files, try connecting your phone to your PC and using Everything (Windows) or Find Any File (Mac).

5. Recovering Deleted Records of Conversations

If you accidentally delete a record, you can try to restore it, and success depends on how long it took and whether the phone was used after deleting (new data can overwrite old files).

Recovery methods:

1. Through the Recycle Bin: In the Files app**, open the Recycle Bin section (the bin icon at the bottom). Find the deleted file and click Restore. Recycle Bin storage period is up to 30 days (depending on settings).
2. Recovery programs: 📱 On the phone: DiskDigger, Undeleter (requires root rights for deep scanning). 💻 On PC: Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery (Plug your phone in File Transfer mode).

Through backups:

• If you have auto-save enabled in Google Drive, check the Backups folder.
• MIUI has a backup function (Settings → About Phone → Backup) Restore data from the last copy.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install recovery software on the same disk (or partition of memory) where the deleted files were stored, which reduces the chances of success.

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The faster you start recovering, the better the chances of returning the file. After deleting, avoid writing new data to your phone (do not install programs, do not take photos).

6.Export and backup of records

To keep important records from being lost, back them up regularly. Here are 3 reliable ways to do this:

• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Upload files to Google Drive, Yandex Drive or Mi Cloud (in the MIUI Manual: select files in the folder call_rec → Share. → Choose a cloud.
• 💾 Local Copy: Connect your phone to your PC and copy the folder /MIUI/sound_recorder/ Use a memory card: in the voice recorder settings, change the save path to /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM/CallRec/ (where XXXX — ID yours SD-map).
• 📧 Posting by mail: Select the file → Share. → Gmail or another email client. Give me your address and send me an attachment letter.

To automate the process, install the AutoSync app (for Google Drive) or FolderSync and set up folder sync. call_rec cloudy.

⚠️ Note: If you record calls for legal purposes (e.g. as evidence), export files in an immutable format (e.g..wav) and save them with time stamps. In some countries, recordings without the consent of the interlocutor are not legally valid.

7.Why records may not be saved (and how to fix it)

Sometimes Xiaomi doesn't record conversations or files go missing. Common reasons and solutions:

If the problem is not resolved, check:

• 📵 Is the power saving mode turned on (it can block the voice recorder in the background).
• 🔕 Is the microphone switched off in Settings? → Sound. → Microphone.
• 📱 Is there a custom firmware installed (some builds turn off call recording).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi conversation records