Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often face the challenge of saving important information from a phone call, whether it’s a business arrangement, order confirmation or just a personal conversation, the built-in MIUI or HyperOS shell functionality allows you to do this automatically or manually, but after a call is completed, many users are lost in understanding where the audio file is stored and how to play it quickly.
Android storage on Android devices has a specific folder structure that may differ from the usual logic of other manufacturers. In addition, the location of files often depends on the version of the operating system and the regional settings that are activated on your device. In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways to access records.
You'll learn how to find files through standard applications, file managers, and even a computer, and we'll look at the nuances of working with a voice recorder that often intercepts system records, and we'll look at common errors that prevent you from listening to a desired piece. System records of calls on Xiaomi are saved by default to a hidden folder MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec, Even if you use third-party apps to make calls.
Search through the standard application "Phone"
The fastest and most obvious way to listen to a saved conversation is to use the native app to make calls. The standard MI Dialer interface, which is pre-installed on global smartphone versions, has easy integration with the call log. You don't have to search for individual audio files deep in the system if you remember the number or time of the call.
Open the Phone app and go to the Journal or Recent tab. Find a contact or number that was recorded on the list. Usually, a special icon that resembles a tape tape or just a recording indicator appears next to or below the number.
If there is no icon, try pressing the arrow to the right of the number or making a long tap (tap by name) to reveal the context menu, which may hide the option of Recording a conversation or Viewing records, which is convenient in that it allows you to immediately call back the subscriber or send him a message without switching between applications.
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If the record icon disappeared after the system update, check the settings of the Phone application - it is possible that the automatic recording function was deactivated or the save path changed.
It's worth noting that some firmware versions, especially those for the Indian or Chinese market, may have different interfaces, and in those cases, the record can be embedded directly into the call card. Just open the details of the call, and you'll see a list of all the records associated with that number sorted by date.
Use of the "Dictorphone" application (Sound recording)
Often users search for call recordings in a standard music player, which is a mistake. On Xiaomi smartphones, a separate Sound Recording (or Recorder) app is responsible for all the audio generated by the system, and this is where all voice notes, interviews and, most importantly for us, phone records are aggregated.
Run the Sound Recording app. At the top of the screen, you'll see the All, Interview, Lecture and Conversation category switches. You're interested in the Talk tab. If you switch to that, you'll get a filtered list of all the saved dialogs, and here the files are usually sorted by date, making it much easier to find the snippet you want.
Inside this tab, you can have basic editing functionality. You can crop off the extra parts of the conversation, rename the file for easy search, or share it through messengers. To do this, click on the three dots in the top right corner or make a long tap on a specific file to call the action menu.
It's important to understand the difference between manual and automatic recording. If you turned on the recorder manually during a call (via speakerphone), the file might end up in the All or Interview category, not in Conversation. System automatic recording always falls into the special secure category that we're looking at.
Searching for Files through Explorer
If standard applications don't display the information you need, or if you want to copy a file to a computer, you need to access the file system directly. The File Manager Explorer built-in allows you to see the real structure of the directories. The path to entries can vary depending on the version of Android, but the logic remains the same.
Open the Explorer app and go to the Folders (not Categories) section. MIUI. Inside it, look for the directory. sound_recorder. This is where all the audio recordings of the system are stored. Inside this folder, there's another folder that's nested — call_rec. The full path looks like this: Internal memory → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec.
Inside the folder. call_rec You will find files with extension.m4a or.mp3. File names are usually generated automatically based on the date and time of the call, for example, 2023-10-25-14-30-00.m4a. This can make it difficult to search if you don’t remember the exact time, so it’s best to focus on the date the file changes.
☑️ File access check
Note that newer versions of Android 11, 12 and above may have limited access to the Android root folder and some system directories. If you don't see the MIUI folder right away, try searching the files inside Explorer by entering the.m4a extension or part of the folder name.
Viewing computer records
For easy analysis of long conversations or data archiving, it is often necessary to transfer files to a PC. Connect your smartphone to your computer via a computer. USB-You'll see a connection mode request on your phone screen -- select File Transfer or MTP.
On your computer, open "My Computer" and find your device in the list of disks. Next, repeat the path described in the previous section: Internal Storage) → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. Copy the files you want to use on your hard drive. You can play them on your PC using a universal player, like a computer, VLC Media Player that reads any codec without installing additional components.
If the computer can't see the folder or it's showing up empty, it's possible that the phone is locked. Unlock the smartphone screen and confirm access to the data. Also make sure the cable is working and supports data transfer, not just charging.
Why can't the computer see the MIUI folder?
After copying files to the computer, it is recommended to immediately rename them, adding the name of the interlocutor or the essence of the conversation, which will save you from confusion in the future, since the original file names generated by the system are not informative.
Set up automatic call recording
To avoid looking for a recording button during an important conversation, the feature can be automated, ensuring that no important nuance is missed due to your forgetfulness or haste.
Open your phone, click three dots in the corner or the menu button, then select Settings. Find Call Record. You can have flexible settings here, you can turn on all incoming and outgoing, only unknown numbers or selected contacts from the phone book.
Pay special attention to the Warning of Recording item, if activated, the person will hear a voice message that the conversation is being recorded. In some regions, this is a legal requirement and it cannot be circumvented by regular means.
| Setup parameter | Description of function | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| All the calls | Automatic recording of each call | It requires a lot of space, turn it on if necessary. |
| Selected numbers | Record only from the contact list | Optimal for working with clients |
| Unknown numbers | Recording of numbers not in the book | Useful for protection from fraudsters |
| File format | Quality and type of audio compression | Choose MP3 for compatibility |
Remember to check the memory capacity periodically, automatically recording all conversations can quickly exhaust the space, especially if you communicate a lot, and the system can stop recording new calls if the space runs out.
Solving problems with lack of records
There are times when the feature seems to be on, but the files don't show up anywhere. The first and most common reason is a lack of access rights. Android apps require permission to work with microphone and memory. Check settings: Settings → Apps → All apps → Phone → Rights. Make sure that access to Memory and Microphone is allowed.
The second reason is to use a third-party call app. If you have installed Google Phone or other software from the Play Market, Xiaomi's system record may not work correctly or require complex ADB manipulations. In such cases, it is better to return to the stock app or use a built-in voice recorder with the speakerphone on.
⚠️ Note: After upgrading to Android 11 and higher, Google has imposed strict restrictions on call recording. On global firmware versions, the native recording feature can be completely removed or work with a voice alert that both people hear. This is not a problem, but a requirement of Google’s security policy.
Also check if Do Not Disturb or Flight mode is enabled, which sometimes blocks background recording processes.Rebooting the device often helps to reset temporary errors of telephony services.
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If the staff record does not work due to Google restrictions, the only legal solution is to use a hands-free and third-party voice recorder, or flash the device to a region with an unlocked function (China, India, Russia).