Where to save phone calls on Xiaomi

Searching for a specific audio file with an important conversation often turns into a real quest, especially when standard folder search does not give an instant result. Users of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones face this problem regularly, as the logic of the Android file system periodically changes with the release of new versions of the MIUI or HyperOS shell. Understanding where the data physically lies is critical for their backup or transfer to another medium without loss of quality.

To make matters worse, depending on the dialing app you use, the path to the files can be very different. If you use a standard Google Phone, which is now pre-installed on most global firmware versions, the folder structure will be the same. At the same time, older models or Chinese versions may use a native MIUI Dialer that stores information in a completely different place, and it depends on the type of caller that you have to dive into.

In this article, we will go through all the possible audio archive scenarios, explain the difference between storage formats, and provide precise navigation instructions. You don't have to be a programmer to find the right file, just follow the specified routes in the Explorer. The key factor here is the version of Android and the type of application installed for calls, since they dictate the naming rules of folders.

The standard path in the Google Phone app

At this point in the Android ecosystem, Google is pushing its Phone app as the only true standard, which means that for Xiaomi owners, most of the time, after buying a new device or updating a firmware, the records will be in a directory owned by that service, and you can find them by opening any file manager, like the standard Explorer from Xiaomi.

You have to go to the internal storage and open the folders sequentially, and the path is this: first, the Internal Storage root folder, then Android, then data. That's where the search for specific packages begins. You need a folder called com.google.android.dialer. Follow the file path and then call_recording. This is where your files are in the format.m4a.

An important caveat to note is the security policies of Android 11 and above: Direct access to the Android/data folder can be restricted to third-party conductor apps. If you can’t see the content, try using the built-in MIUI file manager, which has special access rights, or connect the phone to your computer in file transfer mode.

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If the folder call_recording empty, check if automatic recording is enabled in the settings of the Phone application itself through the three-point menu.

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 often, the list can be huge, and it is worth targeting time stamps. For quick access to frequently used directories, many users add them to Favorites inside the explorer.

Location of files in MIUI Dialer

Owners of older Xiaomi models, as well as users who have reflashed their devices to the Chinese version of the software or installed Google Camera ports with appropriate modifications, can use the classic version of the device. MIUI In this case, the file storage logic is simpler and more understandable, since it does not require deep immersion in the system directories. Android/data.

To search for records in this case, open the file manager and find the folder with the name MIUI. There's a folder inside it. sound_recorder, And now — call_rec. The full path looks like /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. Files can be stored in a format here.mp3 or.aac, depending on the codec settings in the dictaphone menu.

⚠️ Note: When you clear the cache of the Dictator or Sound Recorder application through your system settings, files from this folder can be deleted without recovery. Always back up important conversations to the cloud drive.

The convenience of this structure is that the MIUI folder is always at the root of the internal drive and is available for viewing by any application without special permissions, which simplifies the process of synchronizing with cloud services like Dropbox or Yandex.Disk, which can automatically download the contents of this directory.

If you've gone from one type of call to another, your old records will stay in the old folder. They won't disappear, but the call app may stop "seeing" them in its history list. You'll have to go the old way manually to listen.

Automatic recording settings and formats

Before you search for files, make sure that the recording function is activated and configured correctly. In modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS, settings can be hidden or require confirmation every time you call, access them by opening the Phone app, clicking on three dots in the corner and selecting Settings, and then "Call Recording."

It's important to look at the format of the record here. Often the default format is high compression to save space, but for legally significant conversations, it's better to choose the maximum quality, and it's also worth checking if the box on "Record all calls" or "Record selected numbers."

• 📁 Format M4A: Google Phone Standard, Good Quality with Small Size, but Might Not Read on Older Players.
• 🎵 Format MP3: Universal format, supported everywhere, often used in MIUI Dialer, but takes up more space.
• 🎙️ Format AAC: Balance between quality and size, often used in Xiaomi voice recorders by default.

The choice of format affects not only compatibility, but also how fast the phone’s memory will fill up. If you record hours of interviews or lectures, MP3 can take up gigabytes of space in a month, whereas the M4A will be many times more compact.

Use of third-party applications for recording

If Xiaomi or Google’s standard tools don’t meet your requirements (e.g., you need to record calls via Viber, Telegram or WhatsApp), users often turn to third-party solutions. Popular applications like Call Recorder – ACR, TapeACall or Blackbox create their own directories for storing data.

Usually, these apps create a folder with a name at the root of the internal storage, such as ACR, CallRecorder or Blackbox, and these folders often create an additional structure by year and month, which makes navigation more convenient, but requires addiction.

It’s important to understand that with Android 10 and later, Google has severely limited the ability of third-party apps to access the audio stream. Therefore, many “third-party” recorders on the new Xiaomi can record the silence or voice of only the interlocutor, but not yours, in such cases, the only way out is to turn on the speakerphone or use a second device to record.

When using third-party software, be sure to check permissions in Settings → Applications → [Application Name] → Permissions. Permissions must be activated to access the microphone, phone and, critically, device memory.

Search and sort records through the Explorer

When you know the approximate path, but there are hundreds of files, manual brute force becomes inefficient. The Explorer built into Xiaomi has powerful filtering tools. Click on the folder icon at the top to go to category mode, and select Audio or Records.

However, to find the records of calls among music and podcasts, it is better to use a search by keyword "call_rec" The system will instantly filter out all folders and files containing these characters in the title, which is the fastest way to find a lost file if you forget the exact path.

For easy file management, you should sort them by date of change. In list mode, click on the "Date" column header or select the appropriate item in the sort menu. The most recent entries will be at the top or bottom of the list, depending on the order you choose.

⚠️ Warning: Be careful when sorting "by size" system files or erroneously recorded long audio can be large and you risk removing the wrong thing you planned. Always check the file name before deleting.

If you plan to work with these files often, create a shortcut to a folder with records on the desktop or in the quick access of the Explorer. This will save time in the future, eliminating the need to wade through the system jungle every time. Android/data.

Transfer and backup of audio archive

Your internal memory is not rubbery, and call records tend to fill up quickly, especially in high quality. Regularly transferring your archive to your computer or to the cloud is a mandatory procedure for any business person. The easiest way is to connect your phone to your PC via a computer. USB-cable.

When connecting, select the "File Transfer" mode" (MTP). On the computer, open the device, find the desired folder (for example, call_recording) It is recommended to create folders by year or month on your computer so that there is no confusion, since file names often contain only the date and time, but without explicitly stating the year in the title.

You can use cloud services to automate the process, for example, in the Google Drive or Yandex.Disk application you can set up automatic folder loading. Android/data On new versions of Android, automatic download from the system folders Google Phone may not work without root-rights, in which case you will have to periodically manually move files to a public folder, such as Documents or Download, from where the cloud will take them safely.

Also worth considering is the use of specialized backup applications such as FolderSync. They allow you to configure synchronization of a specific local folder with a remote server (FTP, SMB, WebDAV) on a schedule, for example, every night when the phone is on charge.

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Regular backup of the folder with call records will prevent the loss of important information when resetting settings or breaking a smartphone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)