Owners of budget smartphones often face the need to save important information voiced by the interlocutor during a phone conversation. Xiaomi Redmi 9 device, running on the shell of MIUI, has built-in functionality for this, but finding a saved file is difficult due to the peculiarities of the Android file system. Users often search for created files in the standard folder "Music" or "Downloads", not knowing that the system sorts them according to a strictly defined logical path inside the root directories.
Complicating matters, depending on the version of the firmware installed — whether it’s a global Global ROM or a Chinese version of China ROM — directory structure may vary slightly, and file availability is affected by access rights that Google tightens with each new version of the Android operating system, starting with the eleventh version. In this article, we’ll detail how to find the right audio recording using built-in Explorer, third-party snails and cloud sync services.
Understanding where a file is located is critical not only for listening, but also for transferring it to another person or saving it to a computer. If you just try to copy the entire folder without understanding the structure, you may lose important data or become confused with duplicates. Let's understand the storage architecture of your smartphone.
Use of built-in voice recorder and application "Phone"
The most obvious and often overlooked way to find a recording is to go to the source of the recording. In the MIUI shell installed on Redmi 9, the phone system application, which is integrated with the recorder, is responsible for recording conversations. When you record it automatically or manually during a call, the system creates a link to an audio file that can be found without digging into the depths of the file system.
To do this, open a standard call app that you usually dial through. In the dialing interface or in the call log (a button with a picture of a clock or a tube), find the specific contact with whom the conversation was conducted. If the recording took place, a special icon will be displayed next to the number or name of the subscriber - most often a small cassette or wavy line.
By clicking on this icon or selecting View Record from the call menu, you immediately launch the built-in player. However, if you need the physical location of the file to forward, that's not enough. The call menu often has a Send or Share button that will open a list of available messengers but will not show the path to the file.
⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI 12 and MIUI 13 Direct link to the folder from the Phone app can be hidden by developers in favor of Google's privacy policy. If the folder open button is missing, go to the next section of the instruction.
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If you don't see the log entry icon, check the automatic log settings. It's possible that the feature is disabled or that only certain numbers are selected, so the file just wasn't created.
Searching through File Manager: The Exact Path to the Directory
To find a file manually, you need access to the root file system. Xiaomi Redmi 9 preinstalled standard Explorer (icon with a folder yellow). That's where we'll route to the cherished folder. It's important to understand that Android 10 and above has divided the storage into internal memory and SD card, if installed, but by default, the records are stored in internal storage.
Open the Explorer app and at the top of the screen select a category or go to folder viewing mode. You need to consistently open directories, observing the letter register, as the Linux file system on which Android is based is sensitive to this. The way is as follows: first open the folder. MIUI, Then we look for a folder inside. sound_recorder.
Inside, right? sound_recorder It stores all the audio recordings that the voice recorder and the call recorder have made, but it doesn't just pile them up, it sorts them by type. call_rec. The complete chain looks like this: Internal shared drive → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec.
☑️ Checking the path to the file
Inside the folder. call_rec You'll see a list of files, and they're automatically assigned names, and they usually have a date and a time to write, which makes it easier to find the right conversation.mp3 or.aac, which is compatible with most media players and instant messengers. If you don't see files, make sure that the hidden files are enabled in Explorer, although in this particular folder they are usually visible by default.
Working with cloud storage Xiaomi Cloud
Modern smartphones, including Redmi 9, are tightly integrated with cloud services. If you're logged in to your Mi Account on your device, you have the ability to sync recordings of conversations with the cloud, not only freeing up space on your phone, but also serving as a reliable backup in case your gadget is lost or broken.
To check if your records are saved in the cloud, go to your account settings. Go to your smartphone settings, click on the top plaque with your name and avatar, then select Xiaomi Cloud. In the list of synchronized data, find the "Dictophon" or "Records" section.
If the slider is active, then copies of all files from the folder are available. call_rec You can view them not only from your phone, but also through the web interface on your computer, going to the site i.mi.com. This is especially convenient if you need to urgently download a recording of a conversation, and the phone itself is discharged or unavailable, but there is another device with Internet access.
| Parameter | Local storage | Xiaomi Cloud | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed of access | Instant. | Depends on the Internet. | Depends on the Internet. |
| Remembrance class | Takes up space on the phone. | Does not take (when synchronized) | Takes Google's quota |
| Security | Risk of losing your phone | High (password required) | High (2FA) |
| Access to PC | Cable/conductor required | Through the browser | Through browser/application |
Alternative Search Methods and Third Party Applications
Sometimes embedded Explorer may not work properly or display files due to software failures. In such cases, third-party file managers come to the rescue, which often have more advanced functionality to find and display hidden system folders. Popular applications like Total Commander, FX File Explorer or Files by Google can see what is hidden from standard tools.
Once you have installed such a manager, repeat the search along the way. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. The advantage of third-party programs is the ability to sort files by date of change, size or type, and also the presence of a powerful search engine by the content of folders.mp3 or part of the file name to find the desired record.
And there are third-party applications that record calls, like Call Recorder -- ACR or TapeACall, and if you use them instead of system recording, you'll have to search for files in their own folders, which are usually created at the root of internal memory and named after the developer, like ACR or CallRec.
⚠️ Attention: Third-party applications for recording calls on Android 10+ They can work unstablely or record silence instead of the voice of the interlocutor due to the limitations of the operating system.
Access and rights issues in Android 11/12/13
Redmi 9 owners who have received an update to Android 11 and higher may find themselves in a situation where the MIUI folder is empty or unavailable even through Explorer.This is not a bug, but Google’s Scoped Storage feature, which restricts applications from accessing files from other applications.
To get around this restriction and gain full access to the file system, you may need special permission. If you try to open an Android or MIUI folder in some conductors, the system will request access to manage all files, you must confirm this action by switching the slider to the "Allow" position.
If a standard Explorer doesn’t ask for permission, try using the method of typing commands through a hidden menu, although on MIUI it is made easier through settings. Go to Settings → About phone and click on the build number several times to activate the developer mode. Then in the advanced settings, look for items related to accessing USB or files.
What if the MIUI folder disappeared completely?
Transfer and backup of records
Once you have found the files you want, it is important to organize their proper storage. The internal memory of a smartphone is not a reliable place for a long-term archive.
To transfer to your PC, connect your phone with a USB cable, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification curtain. On your computer, open the device, follow the path above, and copy files. You can use synchronization programs such as Mi PC Suite (although support is discontinued, older versions work) or Android File Transfer to automate the process.
Another effective way is to automatically sync a particular folder to cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox or Yandex.Disk. Many cloud clients let you select a specific folder on your phone to instantly upload new files, which will create a double copy: one in the Xiaomi cloud (if enabled), the second in the service you choose.
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Regular backup of conversation records to an external medium or to an alternative cloud is the only guarantee that important information will not be lost when you reset your settings or break your smartphone.