Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often wonder where the device stores audio recordings of phone conversations, a feature that is critical for those discussing work on the phone or needing proof in disputes, but after updating the MIUI interface and switching to HyperOS, the folder structure may have changed, causing confusion among users.
By default, Android and the manufacturer's shell organize the file system logically, but sometimes hidden folders or changes in access rights make it difficult to quickly access the desired audio file. The path to files is usually standard, but there are nuances that depend on the version of Android and the specific application-caller. In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible storage locations and ways to manage the archive of records.
Now, there are two main ways to listen: through the phone's built-in interface or through the file manager. Direct file access through Explorer gives you more options to copy, rename, or send records to the cloud. Understanding the directory structure will help you avoid losing important information when you reset or flash your device.
Standard path in system folders
If you're looking for a physical record file, you need to open any file manager, like the standard Explorer from Xiaomi or Google Files. The main directory where the system folds the audio tracks is in the device's internal memory. → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. This is where the files are in the format.m4a or.mp3.
In some firmware versions or when using third-party calls, the path may be slightly different. For example, files may be located at the address Internal Memory. → Sound_recorder → Call_rec.
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If you don’t see the MIUI folder at the root of internal memory, check the settings for displaying hidden files in your Explorer, although this directory is rarely required.
The files in this folder are usually named by the date and time of the call, which makes it easier to find them. However, if you communicate frequently on the phone, the number of files can run into hundreds, and manual navigation becomes inconvenient, in which case you should use built-in sorting tools or special applications for managing audio.
⚠️ Warning: When cleaning your phone's memory with built-in utilities, be careful.Some smart cleaners may classify old call records as junk and suggest that they be deleted.Always check the file list before confirming the cleanup.
Viewing through the phone application
The fastest way to find a record of a particular conversation is not to search for a file deep in the folders, but to use the call history. Open the standard Phone app and go to the History or Last tab. Find the contact or number you want that might have a special icon next to it.
If you've been recording, you can click on the speaker number or icon in the call card and see a list of available records. The call interface allows you to listen to the snippet immediately without opening other programs. This is especially useful when you need to quickly recall details of the arrangement or specify the address.
- 📞 Open the phone application on the main screen.
- 📋 Go to the call log and find the number you need.
- ▶️ Click on the speaker icon or the Listen button to start the audio.
It should be noted that the functionality of the built-in player is limited by basic features: playback, pause and rewind. For more complex manipulations, such as cropping or overlaying effects, the file will still have to be removed from the system.
Set up automatic recording of conversations
To avoid worrying about manually turning on the recorder during an important conversation, Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have an automatic recording feature, which can be activated through the settings of the Phone application, click on three dots in the corner of the screen or go to Settings.
In the settings menu, find Call Record. Here you can turn on the "Automatically Record Conversations" switchboard, and the system will tell you to choose the mode: record all calls or only numbers from certain lists, a powerful tool for controlling communication that works in the background.
Path to settings:
Phone → Settings (three dots) → Recording calls → Automatic recordingYou can set up a recording notification on the same menu, and by default, the phone tells the person that the conversation is being recorded, which is a requirement of many countries, and if you want to turn off the voice alert (where it's legal), the corresponding switch is also here.
☑️ Auto-recording setup
Using cloud services for storage
Local file storage takes up space on the device that you might need for photos or apps. Xiaomi Cloud and other services offer synchronization of call records, which not only saves memory, but also serves as a backup in case of loss or breakage of the smartphone.
To set up sync, go to Settings smartphone, select your account Mi Account and find the partition Xiaomi Cloud. in the list of data to sync, make sure that you select the item Dictaphone or Records. Once you enable this option, all new files will automatically download to the cloud when you connect to Wi-Fi.
| Parameter | Local storage | Xiaomi Cloud | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access without the Internet | There is. | No (cache required) | No (cache required) |
| Cell phone memory | Yes. | No. | No. |
| Security of data | Depends on phone protection. | High (account password) | High (2FA) |
| Limit of volume | The volume of memory of the phone | 5GB (free) | 15GB (free) |
Using the cloud also makes it easy to transfer the conversation archive to a new phone, simply logging in to your account on a new POCO or Redmi device, and the story will be accessible, eliminating the need to manually copy files through your computer.
Access and rights issues in Android 11-14
Starting with the Android version 11, Google has tightened security policies by restricting app access to shared folders, and file managers can stop seeing the folder. call_rec Users may face a situation where files are available, but it is impossible to open them.
To solve this problem, the system itself will suggest that you go to special access settings when you first try to open. You will need to confirm the permission for Explorer. If the automatic window does not appear, go to Settings → Applications → All Applications → Explorer → Access Rights and check the permissions to work with files.
Why are the old records missing?
It’s also worth checking whether Safe Folder or Hidden Profile mode is enabled if you use such features for privacy, in which case calls made in normal mode may not be displayed in a secure profile, and vice versa.Sharing spaces on Xiaomi works in isolation.
⚠️ Note: Third-party apps from the Play Market may not have access to the call record folder due to Google restrictions. Use only the built-in voice recorder or file managers with system rights to work with this directory.
Transfer and backup of files
Regularly backing up call records is good practice, especially if they have legal or commercial value, and the easiest way to do this is by connecting the phone to a computer through a computer. USB-Cable. Select the mode of operation File transfer (MTP) blind-notice.
On your computer, open the device in My Computer, find a folder MIUI and copy the contents of the folder sound_recorder It's critical to save folder structure or rename files by adding a date if you copy them to a shared directory, otherwise files can be overwritten or lost. 100% Data security, regardless of the account status.
Alternatively, you can send a file directly via Mi Share to another smartphone or laptop, or via messengers (as a document so that quality is not lost), but for mass archiving, cable remains the fastest and most reliable method.
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Physical copying of the folder call_rec on a computer or external drive is the only way to guarantee the safety of records in case of a complete breakage of a smartphone or locking an account.