Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to listen to previously saved dialogue, but can not immediately find the right file in the system. the standard MIUI shell or the new HyperOS has a specific media storage logic that differs from pure Android.
The difficulty of finding the right track is that depending on the firmware version and regional settings, the path to the archive can change. Sometimes users search for files in the gallery without knowing that they are in the system recorder or hidden storage. In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways to detect and listen to audio recordings created during the call.
We’ll look at not only standard methods through embedded apps, but also advanced ways to search through the file manager. You’ll learn how to change default settings so future records are saved in a convenient location.
Search through the built-in Dictophone app
The most obvious and often ignored way to find a record is to go to the native Recorder app. Unlike many other manufacturers, Xiaomi integrates the call recording function into this system module, not the caller. When you open the app, you'll see a list of all the audio recordings sorted by date.
For ease of navigation inside the recorder, there is a tab division. Usually, phone conversation records automatically fall into the category of Phone or Calls, separate from voice notes and interviews. If you don't see the desired file on the home screen, try switching to the tab All, which displays the full chronological list.
- 📱 Open the Dictaphone app on the home screen or in the Tools folder».
- 📂 Go to the Phone tab or select the Calls filter at the top of the screen.
- 🔍 Use a contact name search if the list is too large.
- ▶️ Click on the file to play or select “More details” to view properties.
It's important to note that the voice recorder interface can vary depending on the version of MIUI. In older versions, the interface was simpler, whereas HyperOS added editing and audio quality improvements, and if the recording was recently made, it would be at the top of the list.
⚠️ Note: If you delete the Dictator app or install a third-party caller (like Google Phone), the automatic linking of records to that application may be broken, in which case the files may lie dead weight in the memory.
☑️ Checking the settings of the recorder
Direct access via Explorer (File Manager)
If you can't find a file through the application, or you need to copy it to your computer, you need to use System Explorer. The Android file system has a strictly defined folder structure, where the system drops audio by default, and the path to it may not be obvious to an untrained user.
The standard way to record conversations on most Xiaomi devices looks like MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. However, starting with Android 11 and above, access to root folders Android/data So first, check the internal memory in the folder. MIUI.
To search manually, perform the following actions:
- Start the File Manager application.
- Go to the Internal Drive section.
- Find and open the MIUI folder.
- Follow the way. sound_recorder → call_rec.
This is where files are stored in the format.m4a or.mp3. If you can't see the folder call_rec, Maybe the records are saved to a shared folder. sound_rec It is also worth checking the settings of the recorder itself, since the user could manually change the save directory to a memory card. SD.
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Use the "Sort by Size" feature in the conductor to quickly find heavy audiophiles if you don't remember the date of the recording.Talk recordings usually weigh more than short voice notes.
Automatic recording settings and saving paths
In order to avoid the need to search for files in the future, you need to set up the right automation process. MIUI allows you to manage your recording options flexibly, including your contact selection and save format, especially for business users who care about every conversation.
The call settings menu can activate a mode where the recording starts automatically when a call is in or out, and it selects whether to notify the caller with an audible signal, ignoring this item can lead to legal problems in some countries.
Below is a table of the main parameters of recording configuration:
| Parameter | Description of function | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic recording | Start recording immediately after connection | Included (for all or a select few) |
| Notification of the record | Audible signal for the interlocutor | Included (observance of the law) |
| File format | Type of audio coding | MP3 (best compatibility) |
| The way to preserve | Directory for files | Internal memory (by default) |
| Settings are in the phone application menu → Settings → Call record. |
Please note that in some regions (e.g. India or EU countries) the automatic recording feature may be software-locked or require constant confirmation by pressing a button during a call.
Access problems with Android 13 and Android 14
With the release of new versions of the operating system, Google has tightened security policies, which means that applications can’t simply access the microphone and file system without the user’s knowledge, and Xiaomi owners, who lost the ability to record conversations or find old files after updating their firmware.
The main problem is access rights. If you upgrade to Android 13/14, the system may need to re-authorize access to media files, without which even the built-in recorder will not be able to save a new file or show a list of old ones.
To solve the problem, follow the following steps:
- 🔒 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
- 📞 Find the Phone app (or dictaphone).
- 📝 Select the Application Permissions option.
- ✅ Make sure that access to the Microphone and Memory (Files and Media) is permitted.
⚠️ Note: Some global firmware versions with Android 14 may have the native call recording feature removed from the firmware code completely, in which case system settings won’t help and you’ll need to install third-party solutions.
It's also worth checking if the Sandbox mode is on for older applications, and if you use third-party recording software, it can be blocked by the system, so you'd better use the built-in MIUI tools, which have deeper access rights.
What if all records are missing after the update?
Using a hidden folder and protecting files
Xiaomi has a "Second Space" or "Hidden Folder" feature that allows you to hide confidential files from prying eyes. Users often forget that they have turned on this option, and lose access to important conversations, in which case files are not displayed in either the recorder or the conductor during normal browsing.
To check if your records are in a hidden storage, you need to open Explorer and pull the file list down until the lock icon appears, and the system will ask you to enter the password or fingerprint you set when you created the hidden folder.
If access is obtained:
- In the hidden file window that opens, go to the Audio section.
- Check for files with Call prefix or call date