Where to look for a recording of a conversation in a Xiaomi phone: all the ways to find and save

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature that helps you capture important conversations, interviews or just save memorable conversations. However, many users face the problem: where exactly these records are stored, how to find them, and can you recover accidentally deleted files? In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to search for records on Redmi devices, POCO and other Xiaomi products, and also explain how to set up automatic recording and avoid data loss.

If you’ve never turned on conversation recording, check first if your model supports this feature. Starting with MIUI 12 and later, the ability to record calls is built into the standard Phone app, but on some devices (especially for the European market), it may be disabled due to local privacy laws, in which case third-party apps will be required - we’ll talk about them too below.

Before you start searching, make sure that the records exist at all. If you didn't press the record button during the call and set up automatic fixation, there may simply be no files, and it's also worth remembering that the records take up space in the device's memory, so old files can be automatically deleted when space is scarce.

═══

1. Standard place of storage of records in MIUI

By default, all conversation records on Xiaomi are saved in the /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ folder. This path is relevant for most devices on the MIUI 12-14, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5 and the flagship Xiaomi 12/13/14.

1. Open any file manager (e.g., standard Files or Google Files).

2. Go along the path: Internal Memory → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec.

3 The files will be.m4a or.amr with template names: call_rec_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS, where YYYYMMDD is the date and HHMMSS is the time of the recording.

If the sound_recorder folder is not available, then the records are either not maintained or are stored elsewhere (see next section). Also check the basket in the file manager - deleted records can be stored there for up to 30 days.

Important! On some firmware (especially global versions for Europe), the path may be different. For example, on POCO F3 with MIUI 13, records are sometimes saved to /sdcard/Recordings/Call/. If the standard path does not work, search the file manager by typing a call_rec or.m4a request.

⚠️ Warning: On MIUI devices for China (CN- version), the recordings can be encrypted, and listening to them requires porting to a PC or using special players like VLC.

═══

2. How to find records through the application "Phone"

The easiest way to do this is to use the built-in record manager in the standard Phone app. Here's how to do this:

1. Open the Phone app (the phone icon on the home screen).

2. Go to the Records tab in the bottom menu, and if it's not, tap the three dots in the top right corner and select Call Records.

3. This will show all the saved conversations with number, date and duration, and tap on the tape to listen to it directly in the app.

If there's no Record tab, it's disabled in the settings.

1. Open Phone → "⋮" → "Settings."
2. Select "Call Recording" (Call Recording).
3. Turn on the switch "Automatic Recording" or "Manual Recording".

On some models (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO M3), the recording option may be hidden, in which case the installation of alternative firmware or the use of third-party applications will help.

Open the "Phone" appendix"|Find the "Records" or "Call Records" section"|Check if the function is included in the settings|Make sure there are no legal restrictions (for the EU-version)-->

═══

3. Search for records through file manager (alternative paths)

If standard methods didn’t work, the records could have been saved in one of the alternative locations, and here’s a full list of possible storage options on Xiaomi:

• 📁 /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ is the primary folder for most devices.
• 📁 /sdcard/Recordings/Call/ is an alternative path on some firmware.
• 📁 /sdcard/Download/CallRecordings/ – if third-party applications were used.
• 📁 /sdcard/Android/data/com.android.incallui/files/ is a hidden folder for system records.
• 📁 /sdcard/DCIM/CallRecorder/ is a rare variant for older versions MIUI.

To find records faster, use the file manager search:

1. Open the Files (or Google Files).
2. Put it on the magnifying glass (search) in the top menu.
3. Enter the queries: call_rec,.m4a,.amr or recording.

If the search fails, check the hidden folders. To do this, activate the display of hidden files in the file manager (in Google Files: "⋮" → "Settings" → "Show hidden files").

⚠️ Warning: On devices with MIUI for India (IN- version), records can be automatically deleted after 7 days unless the storage settings have been changed. Check settings in Settings → Apps → Phone → Storage.

═══

4. Recovering Deleted Records of Conversations

If the records were deleted accidentally, you can try to restore them. Success depends on how long it has been since the deletion and how actively the device memory was used.

Method 1: Through the File Manager Recycle Bin

Many file managers (including Xiaomi’s standard Files) have a recycle bin that stores deleted files for up to 30 days to recover:

1. Open the Files → “Basket” (dumpster icon).
2. Find files with the.m4a or.amr extension.
3. Select the necessary records and tap "Restore".

Method 2: Using specialized applications

If the cart is empty, use the utilities to restore data:

• 🛠️ DiskDigger – Searches for deleted audio files without root rights.
• 🛠️ Recuva (for PC) – connect your phone to your computer in File Transfer mode.
• 🛠️ GT Recovery works with internal memory and SD- cards.

Before recovering, do not write new files to your device – this will reduce your chances of success.

Method 3: Through Backup

If you've previously created a backup through Settings → System → Backup, the records could be saved in an archive to retrieve them:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Select the last backup and click "Restore".
3. Please indicate that only Call Records need to be restored (if available).

💡

If recovery doesn’t work, try connecting your phone to your PC and scanning the memory with EaseUS Data Recovery, which often finds files that mobile apps can’t see.

═══

5. Set up automatic call recording

So you don't have to search for records every time, set up an automatic save.

1. Open Phone → "⋮" (Menu) → "Settings."

2. Select "Call recording" (Call recording).

3. Activate the option "Automatic Recording" and specify the conditions:

• 📞 All calls are to record incoming and outgoing calls.
• 📥 Incoming only - only call calls from subscribers.
• 📤 Outbound only - record your outgoing calls.
• ⚙️ By numbers, add specific contacts to the blacklist/whitelist.

4. In the Storage section, select where to save files: internal memory or SD- card (if any).

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI EU), the automatic writing option may be blocked, in which case installing the Magisk CallRecorder module or using third-party applications like Cube ACR or Boldbeast will help.

═══

6. Third-party applications for recording and storing conversations

If Xiaomi's built-in tools don't work, use specialized software that offers more customizations: cloud storage, speech-to-text transcription, password protection. Here are the TOP-3 applications for recording calls:

• 🎤 Cube ACR — records both ends of a conversation (your voice and the other person), supports cloud backups. Minus: some devices require you to turn off battery optimization.
• 🎙️ Boldbeast Recorder – works even on locked firmware (for example, MIUI EU), supports formats.mp3 and.wav. Minus: complex settings for beginners.
• ☁️ Automatic Call Recorder is a simple interface, automatic upload of records to Google Drive. Less: the free version limits the number of files saved.

To install any of these applications:

1. Download APK from an official website (such as Cube ACR) or from Google Play.
2. Before first using, allow access to microphone, storage and phone in Android settings.
3. In the application settings, specify the folder to save (for example, /sdcard/CallRecords/).

Important! On Android 10+, apps are not allowed to record sound from a microphone while calling without special permissions, so some programs may require root rights or installation via ADB.

💡

Third-party apps are often better than built-in ones: they offer transcription, cloud storage, and run on locked firmware. However, root may be required to fully record new versions of Android.

═══

7 How to transfer records to a computer or cloud

To avoid losing important records, regularly copy them to your PC or cloud storage. Here are 3 reliable ways to do this:

Method 1: Through USB-cable

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Open the folder with the records (see section 1 or 3).
3. Copy.m4a/.amr files to any folder on your computer.

Method 2: Through cloud services

• 🌥️ Google Drive: Download files manually or set up an automatic backup via Automatic Call Recorder.
• 🌥️ Mi Cloud: in Settings → Xiaomi Cloud → Backup enable synchronization of records.
• 🌥️ Dropbox or Yandex Disk: Use the “Outload” feature in the mobile app.

Method 3: By email

If there are few records, you can send them to your own post office:

1. Open the file manager, find the record.
2. Tap on the → Share file → select Email.
3. Give me your address and send me a letter.

For convenience, rename files before transfer. For example, instead of call_rec_20260515_143022.m4a, you can specify Call Ivanov pro contract.m4a.

═══

8. Frequent problems and their solutions

When you work with Xiaomi call records, users encounter common mistakes. Here's how to fix them:

Problem 1: Records are not retained

• 🔹 Check if there is enough space on the device (needs at least 500 MB of free space).
• 🔹 Make sure that the recording function is enabled in the Phone settings.
• 🔹 On MIUI EU install the Magisk module to unlock the record.

Problem 2: Records are available but not lost

• 🔹 Try playing a file on a PC via VLC or Windows Media Player.
• 🔹 If the format is.amr, download a player that supports that codec (e.g., AMR Player).
• 🔹 Reconvert the file to.mp3 using Online-Convert or Audacity.

Problem 3: Only my voice is recorded.

This is a typical problem on Android 10+, where access to the system audio stream is limited.

• 🔹 Use Boldbeast Recorder with Record Mode = 1 (requires root).
• 🔹 Turn on speaker while you call, and the microphone will capture both voices.
• 🔹 Install the firmware MIUI Global instead of EU (but this will reset all data!).

⚠️ Warning: On Android 13+ and MIUI 14 devices, the recording of calls through third-party apps can be completely blocked. The only solution is to use the built-in feature or obtain root rights.

═══

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording conversations on Xiaomi