Where to find a recording of a conversation on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions for all models

You've been looking for important information from a phone call, but you didn't get it recorded in time? Or do you want to keep proof of verbal agreement? On Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco, call recording is available out of the box -- but it's not always obvious where to look. In this article, we'll look at all the ways you can go from built-in MIUI functionality to third-party apps and cloud services.

It is important to understand that the ability to record depends on three factors: firmware versions (MIUI 12-15 have differences in the interface), phone model (on some devices the function is disabled due to regional restrictions), and security settings. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with global firmware, the recording is turned on automatically, and on the Redmi Note 10 for the European market, manual activation may be required.

If you don't find a record in a standard place, don't panic. 80 percent of the time, the problem is solved by checking your settings or using alternative methods, which we'll describe below, and if you're not sure if it was recorded at all, there's an FAQ at the end of the article with answers to the questions.

1. Standard Phone application: where the record is stored

The most obvious way is to check the built-in Phone app (the phone icon). On most Xiaomi devices, the recordings are saved automatically, but their location depends on the version of MIUI:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ MIUI 14/15: Open the phone appยป โ†’ The Record tab (the microphone icon at the bottom menu) shows all the saved conversations, sorted by date.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ MIUI 12/13: Go to the Call Journal. โ†’ press on the contact โ†’ swipe left on the call record (if any, the Replay button will appear).
  • ๐Ÿ” If the tab is not: Possibly the function is disabled. Check settings: Phone โ†’ โš™๏ธ Settings โ†’ Recording calls.

Records are stored in.amr or.mp3 format in the folder:

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

This directory can be opened through any file manager (e.g., Google Files or Mi File Manager).

โš ๏ธ Attention: On devices with MIUI European region (EEA) Call recordings may be blocked due to privacy laws, in which case use the methods in Section 3 or 4.

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If the record is not played, try renaming the file by adding the.mp3 extension manually โ€“ sometimes the system does not recognize the format.

2.Mi Cloud Cloud Storage: How to Recover a Remote Record

If you enabled sync with Mi Cloud, the call records could automatically be uploaded to the cloud, which is especially useful if you accidentally deleted a file from your phone.

  1. Open your Settings โ†’ Xiaomi Account โ†’ Mi Cloud.
  2. Make sure that the call record sync option is active (if not, turn it on in advance to keep new records).
  3. Go to i.mi.com โ†’ log in โ†’ Records section (if any).

Unfortunately, Xiaomi doesnโ€™t always save records in the cloud by default.If the option isnโ€™t in the settings, try manually uploading important files through Files โ†’ Mi Cloud โ†’ Download.

ConditionsIs the recording still in Mi Cloud?How to repair
Synchronization is on before the call.โœ… Yes.Through the web version of Mi Cloud or the application
Synchronization is enabled after the callโŒ No.Only locally on the phone.
The device reset to factory settingsโš ๏ธ Depends on backup.Restore the backup via Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Recovery and Reset
๐Ÿ“Š You use Mi Cloud to backup your computer?
Yeah, regularly.
Photo/contact only
No, I don't.
I don't know what it is.

3. Third-party applications: what to do if the embedded record does not work

If standard methods fail (for example, due to regional restrictions), install one of the apps you have tested:

  • ๐ŸŽค Cube Call Recorder ACR โ€” It writes automatically, supports cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox). MIUI on some models.
  • ๐Ÿ“ž Call Recorder by Lovekesh โ€“ a simple interface, saves records in the.mp3. Plus: It works on the Redmi Note. 8/9 rootless.
  • โ˜๏ธ OTT Call Recorder specializes in recording VoIP calls (WhatsApp, Telegram) Important: requires permission to access notifications.

Before installation, check:

Delete the cache of the Phone application (Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Phone โ†’ Storage โ†’ Clear the cache)

Enable permission to record sound for the application (Settings โ†’ Privacy โ†’ Permissions โ†’ Microphone)

Turn off battery optimization for the recorder (Settings โ†’ Battery โ†’ Battery Optimization โ†’ Select the app โ†’ No restrictions)

Check if the recording is blocked by an antivirus (e.g. Mi Security)

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On Android 10+ devices, some apps may not work due to Googleโ€™s restrictions on recording calls, in which case only root access or using a second phone to record will help.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Apps from Google Play are often removed for violating call record policies. APK only from trusted sources (e.g. APKMirror).

Manual recording via dictaphone: an alternative method

If automatic recording is not available, use the built-in recorder (Sound Recorder app):

  1. Open the recorder (if not, install it from the Mi App Store).
  2. Start recording before the conversation begins (or pause and resume at the right time).
  3. After the call, save the file to /Recordings/.

Advantage: works on any Xiaomi device, including the Poco X3 or Mi A3 (where call recording is turned off at the firmware level).

How to improve the quality of recording through a voice recorder?
Use headphones with a microphone, this will reduce noise. Close all background applications that consume the microphone (such as Google Assistant). In the voice recorder settings, choose the WAV format over AMR for better quality (but the files will be heavier).

5. Search for records through file manager

If you're sure that the recording was done but you can't find it in the interface, check the hidden folders manually. Use Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer:

  • ๐Ÿ“ Main folder: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ (for MIUI).
  • ๐Ÿ“ Alternative paths: /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/ (hand-written). /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.providers.media/ (for some third-party applications).
  • ๐Ÿ”Ž How to enable the display of hidden files: In the file manager, click โ‹ฎ โ†’ Settings โ†’ Show hidden files.

Record files usually have names of the type:

call_rec_20260515_143022.amr

where 20260515 is the date (year/month/day) and 143022 is the time (hours/minutes/seconds).

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If the folder call_rec empty, but you are sure the recording was - check the basket (Files) โ†’ Recycle bin. Deleted files are stored there until 30 days.

Recovery of Deleted Records: Extreme Measures

If a record has been deleted, try to restore it with specialized utilities, and it is important that you do not write new files to your phone so as not to overwrite deleted data.

  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ DiskDigger scans internal memory for deleted audio files.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง EaseUS MobiSaver โ€“ works without root, but only restores files that were recently deleted (1-7 days ago).
  • ๐Ÿ’พ Google Backup: If you have previously done a backup through Settings โ†’ Google โ†’ Backup, try to restore data to a new device.

The chances of recovery depend on:

  • The time that has passed since the removal (the earlier the better).
  • Memory type: UFS 3.1 (e.g. Xiaomi 12T) overwrites data faster than eMMC (budget Redmi).
  • Root rights (with them the chances are 60% higher).

โš ๏ธ Warning: Recovery programs often contain advertising or paid features. Do not install them from unverified sources - this can lead to the installation of malware.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I record calls to Xiaomi without notifying the other person?
In most countries (including Russia), the law does not require you to notify the person you are recording if you are a participant in the conversation. However, in MIUI for the EEA (European Union), the recording function is disabled by default due to local privacy laws. To get around this, use third-party applications or enable recording manually through the engineering menu (experience is required).
Why does the call stop in 5-10 minutes?
This is a limitation of the built-in MIUI recorder. To record a long conversation: Use a third-party app (such as Cube Call Recorder with the Unlimited Recording setting) Enable Do Not Disturb (Settings โ†’ Notifications โ†’ Do Not Disturb) mode so that the system does not interrupt the recording. Check if the phone overheats - at high temperatures, MIUI forcibly stops background processes.
Where are the WhatsApp calls on Xiaomi stored?
WhatsApp calls are not recorded by the standard MIUI recorder. To save them: Use OTT Call Recorder (by setting up notification access). Enable screen recording (Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Screen Recording) and capture sound via Internal Audio (requires Android 10+). Connect the second phone to the conversation via speakerphone and record the sound on it. Files will be saved in the /storage/emulated/0/Movies/ScreenRecords/ (for recording the screen) or in the directory of the selected application.
How to transfer the recording of calls from Xiaomi to your computer?
There are three ways: through the cable. USB: Connect your phone to your PC. Select File Transfer Mode (MTP). Copy files from the folder /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/. Wi-Fi: Install Mi Drop or Send Anywhere. Send files to your PC over a local network. Over the cloud: Upload records to Google Drive or Mi Cloud. Download them to your computer through your browser.
Can I turn off all calls automatically?
Yes, it is done in the settings: Open the phone โ†’ โš™๏ธ Settings โ†’ Call recording. Turn off Automatic Recording. Add contacts to Blacklist/Whitelist for selective recording. On some firmware (e.g, MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 11) this option may be called Record all calls.