Searching for audio recordings of conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is often a star-studded task, especially after upgrading to new versions of MIUI or switching to HyperOS. Changes in Google’s security policy and local laws have forced the company’s engineers to move the standard call recorder inside the system’s Phone app, removing the ability for third-party programs to record sound without complex manipulation.
Users who are used to searching for audio files in a folder MIUI/sound_recorder, And you might be surprised not to find their dialogs there, because today's encryption and sharing algorithms isolate the call data from the public repository. To listen to the recording, you no longer need to search for the file in the Explorer - this can be done directly through the call log, but to transfer to the computer or send the interlocutor will need to know specific paths to the system folders.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current ways to detect conversation records on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices. We will look at the regular system tools, hidden paths in the file system, as well as ways to circumvent restrictions for old and new versions of the shell, you will learn how to automate the process and where to search for files if standard search does not give results.
The easiest and fastest way to find a call record on Xiaomi is not to dig through files, but to use the built-in interface of the Phone application. In the latest versions of MIUI and HyperOS, developers have integrated the player directly into the contact card. This is done for the convenience of users, so you do not need to search for a specific file among hundreds of others. To do this, open the Phone application and go to the "Journal" tab (or "Recent"). Find the contact with which you were talking. If the recording was automatic or manually done at the time, you will start with a special name or call it to the phone number. In the window that opens, under the name of the caller and the time of the call, you will see a timeline conversation. If the record exists, there will be a play button. Also, often next to the date of the call, the record duration indicator is displayed. 💡If the voice recorder icon doesn't show up, but you know for sure that the recording was being done, try updating the call log page by pulling the list down, or rebooting your smartphone. This method is ideal for quick listening, but has limitations. You can't flip a file over Bluetooth or send it to WhatsApp right out of this window without additional action.To export, you'll still need access to the device's file system.
For those who need to copy an audio file to a computer or send it as an attachment, you will have to use the built-in application "Conductor". However, unlike older versions of Android, modern Xiaomi smartphones hide folders with call records by default. You will need to enable the display of hidden files. Open the Explorer app (file manager from Xiaomi). Click on the menu (three bars or dots) in the corner of the screen and select Settings. In the list that opens, find the "Show Hidden Files" switch and activate it. Without this step, you will not see the system directories where the call data is stored. After enabling this function, go back to the root folder and follow the following path: Internal Drive → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. Right here in the file. call_rec, All automatic and manual recordings of conversations are usually stored, and the files are called in the format of date and time, for example, 20231025_143005.mp3. Why the folder call_rec Is it possible to be empty? if you have crossed the path MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec And the folder is empty, which can mean two things: One, you're using a global firmware version where the conversation recording function is software-enabled, and two, the recordings are saved in a different format or location because of the use of a third-party application, not a regular call. In some cases, especially on older versions. MIUI (before 12-The path may be different. Try checking the directory. MIUI → sound_recorder subfoldless call_rec. Also, you should pay attention to the file format: modern systems prefer the format.m4a or.mp3, While the old ones could use.aac.
Many users overlook that the regular call and the Dictator app on Xiaomi have a common database, but different entry points. The Mi Sound Recorder app often has a more convenient interface for sorting and editing conversation records. Run the Dictator app from the app menu. At the top of the screen you will see tabs or drop-down menus where you can select the recording type. Switch to the Call Record tab. Here you can find all the audio files created during the phone conversation, and select the "massive" buttons from the "Op" from the "Op" interface. This allows you to quickly transfer important conversations to the Music or Downloads folder so that they become visible for other applications, such as: VLC Player or messengers. 📂 Sorting: In the Dictaphone application, you can sort files not only by date, but also by contact name, if it is stored in the phone book. ✂️ Editing: Built-in editor allows you to cut out unnecessary pauses or start a conversation before sending a file. ☁️ Synchronization: Through the settings of the recorder, you can enable synchronization with Xiaomi Cloud so that records do not disappear when you reset your phone. 💡The Dictator app is the central hub for managing all audio recordings, including calls, and offers more tools for working with files than the standard call log.
Table of file location in different versions MIUI And the structure of the Xiaomi file system changed with the release of new versions of the operating system, so to make it easier for you to navigate where to look for call records depending on the version of your firmware, we prepared a summary table. MIUI 10-11 /MIUI/sound_recorder/.aac /.mp3 Direct access, all files visible MIUI 12-13 /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec.m4a /.mp3 Requires the inclusion of hidden files MIUI 14 /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec.m4a Limited access for third-party HyperOS applications 1.0 /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec.m4a Strict isolation, need special access As can be seen from the table, starting with the MIUI 12, The path has become more profound and specific. If you own a HyperOS-based device, be prepared for the fact that some third-party file managers (such as older versions of Total Commander) may not see this folder without special permissions. In such cases, it is recommended to use Xiaomi Explorer, or connect the phone to your computer in file transfer mode (MTP), where the folder structure is often displayed more fully.
Often there is a situation when the folder with records is not visible through the phone or files are not copied, in this case, the most reliable way to extract records is to connect the smartphone to a PC or laptop. Computers running Windows or macOS usually ignore some of the access restrictions imposed by Android on the applications themselves. Connect your smartphone with a cable to your computer. In the notification on your phone screen, select File Transfer Mode (or MTP). Open My Computer on your PC, find your device, and go to internal memory. → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. If the folder is empty or unavailable on your computer, try the following method: 1. Open on the phone "Settings" →"The phone". 2. Press quickly. 7 once MIUI", designer. 3. Go to "Advanced Settings" →"For developers". 4. Find the item "Configuration" USB by default" and select "File Transfer". 5. Reconnect the cable. ☑️ Diagnostics of no recordsRecording enabled in call settingsThere is free space in memoryUsed original Xiaomi call Not activated mode"Do not disturb"Completed: 0 / 5 Also worth checking is that the folder is not hidden by system attributes. On the computer in Windows Explorer, in the top menu, select "View" and tick "Hidden Items." Sometimes the record files are marked as hidden system files.
Third-party solutions and search automation If standard methods do not work or you need more flexible configuration (for example, writing only certain numbers), users turn to third-party solutions. However, due to the limitations of Android 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, regular apps from the Play Market often cannot record the sound of the interlocutor without root rights. However, there are proven applications that use Accessibility Service to record audio through a speaker. ACR Or Blackbox Call Recorder, which has its own save paths, usually Internal Storage. → Cube ACR You can use file aggregators like Files by Google or Total Commander to automate search and sorting, and you can set up search extensions.m4a or.mp3 last week. This will help you quickly find the right conversation if you forgot when it happened. 🔍 Search by date: In any file manager, use the "Date of Change" sort to find fresh entries. 📤 Auto-sending: Some advanced voice recorders can automatically send a record to the cloud immediately after a call is completed. 🔒 Security: Third-party apps require a lot of permissions, so only download them from trusted sources. 📊 How do you usually record conversations on Xiaomi?Staff callThird-party app On voice recorder (loud communication)I do not record at all Always warn the interlocutor that the conversation is being recorded.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did the call recording function disappear after the update?
Xiaomi, following Google policies and laws in different countries, can software disable the recording function in certain regions. If the recording button is missing after the update, it may be that your region in the phone settings has changed to “unsupported” (for example, India or EU countries), Solution: change the region in the settings to “Singapore” or “Russia / CIS” (if available), but this does not always work on new versions of HyperOS.
Can I recover a remote call record?
In-house, not unless you backed up Xiaomi Cloud or Google Drive in advance. Files are deleted irrevocably. There are paid programs for recovering data from Android, but their effectiveness depends on whether the memory sector has been overwritten.
Where are the records stored if I used WhatsApp or Telegram?
Calls in messengers (VoIP) are not recorded by the regular function of the Xiaomi call, they need special applications recorders that capture the sound of the system, stored in the folders of these applications, for example: Internal Storage → Android → media → com.whatsapp (the path can vary).
How to transfer the call records to the new Xiaomi?
The fastest way is to use the Mi Mover app when you first set up your new phone, and it transfers system settings, including call records. call_rec manually to a computer and then to a new phone in a similar directory.
⚠️ Warning: When cleaning memory through the built-in "Security" utility, be careful. The "Rescue" feature may mark old conversation records as unnecessary files and suggest that they be deleted. Always check the file list before confirming the cleanup.
⚠️ Note: File format.m4a It may not be played on old voice recorders or in cars with support only MP3. Convert files to.mp3 before use in third-party technology.