Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the need to quickly find a saved record of an important conversation. The standard shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS has a built-in voice recorder function that automatically records dialogs, but finding these files in a complex file system can be difficult, depending on the version of the Android operating system and the regional settings of the device.
With the release of new versions of Android (starting with version 11), Google has tightened security policies by changing the structure of folders for storing media, which has led to the fact that the usual directories have shifted, and access to them for third-party applications has become limited. If you used to search for entries in the root folder, now you have to dig deeper into the system directories to get to the desired audio file.
In this detailed guide, we’ll look at all the possible paths your audio recordings may be in, look at standard paths for different firmware versions, how to display hidden files, and how to quickly access through standard Explorer, and learn how to change the default storage location if the device’s memory is full.
The Standard Path in the Android File System
By default, all conversation records made through Xiaomi’s standard Phone app are stored in the device’s internal memory. The exact path depends on which version of the operating system is installed on your gadget. On older versions of Android (up to 10 inclusive), the structure was simpler and more user-friendly.
Modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS, which are based on Android 11 and later, have an application isolation rule, which means that application files are stored in a secure system folder, which sometimes requires additional permissions, but the basic path remains unchanged for most devices of the brand.
The main directory is as follows:
- 📁 /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — Classical Way for Older Versions of Firmware.
- 📁 /Android/data/com.android.soundrecorder/files/Recordings/ — The path for new versions of Android with limited access.
To go this route, you’ll need a file manager with permission to access system folders, such as Xiaomi’s standard Explorer or the more advanced Total Commander. When you first log in to your Android folder, the system can request permission to view content — you need to click “Allow”.
⚠️ Note: The default Android folder may be hidden. If you don't see it in the list, open the Explorer settings and activate the "Show Hidden Files" option».
Inside the folder. call_rec File names often contain a phone number or contact name if they are saved in a phone book, making it much easier to find the right dialogue among hundreds of other records.
Why can a folder be empty?
Search through the application "Dictophone" and "Phone"
The fastest way to find a record is not to wander through file directories, but to use the built-in system. The Dictaphone app on Xiaomi devices automatically aggregates all audio recordings, including conversations, interviews and notes.
Open the Recorder app on your desktop or in the Tools folder. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a few tabs. You're interested in the Talks tab or All Records tab. Here, files are presented as a list with dates and durations, which is much easier to navigate than browsing the file system.
An alternative way is to search through the call log:
- Launch the Phone app.
- Go to the tab "Journal" (Call History).
- Find the number or contact you need in the list.
- Click on the i (information) icon to the right of the number or on the extension arrow.
If you've recorded a conversation, you'll see a little voice recorder icon or Listen button next to the details of the call, and you'll click on it and you'll immediately start playing it, which is especially useful when you need to quickly find a particular caller's record without knowing the exact date of the call.
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Use a search inside the Dictaphone app. Type a part of your phone number or contact name into the search bar on top, and the system will instantly filter the list and show relevant entries.
It's important to understand the difference between voice recorders and conversation records. Although they're stored in adjacent directories, the system often separates them visually, so make sure you're looking in the Conversations category, not the Interviews or Notes, so you don't get confused.
Storage settings: internal memory or SD-map
One of the critical settings for owners of smartphones with a small amount of internal memory is the choice of the location to save files. MIUI allows you to redirect the flow of recorded data to the external SD-This frees up precious space in the system.
To change the saving path, follow the following steps:
- 🔹 Open the Dictaphone app.
- 🔹 Click on the three-dot menu in the upper right corner.
- 🔹 Select the "Settings" option».
- 🔹 Find the "Memory" or "Preservation Site" section».
- 🔹 Switch the switch to the switchboard «SD-map».
Once the path is changed, all new records will be stored on an external medium, the old files will remain in the same place, so they will have to be manually transferred if necessary. /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ or similar, depending on the structure of the map.
| Parameter | Internal memory. | SD-map |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of access | High (instant) | Medium (depending on the class of the card) |
| Risk of data loss | Minimum | High (if card is damaged) |
| Impact on the system | Takes up the system space | Unloads the main memory. |
| Access to PC | Requires MTP mode | Direct access like a flash drive. |
Using a memory card of a class below Class 10 or UHS-I can cause recording interruptions or artifacts to appear in an audio file. If you notice that records are broken, try replacing the card with a faster one or return the storage to internal memory.
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Transfer of records SD-map is an effective way to save space, but requires the use of high-quality media to avoid losing important data.
Access problems and hidden files
Users often face a situation where the MIUI or Android folder exists, but inside it is empty, although the Dictator app displays files. This is the standard Android security behavior that hides the contents of application folders from third-party access.
To get around this restriction and see files through a computer or a third-party file manager, you may need to provide special permissions. On some versions of HyperOS, a warning system window appears when you try to open the Android folder.
Press the "Allow" or "OK" button in this window, if the window does not appear or access is blocked:
- 🛑 Check if File Protection is enabled in the security settings.
- 🛑 Make sure you use a system explorer rather than a third-party (e.g. Files by Google).
- 🛑 Try connecting your phone to your PC in the file transfer mode (MTP)» — Access to folders is often opened through a computer without additional restrictions.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to delete system files inside the folder Android/data, If you're not sure what they're doing, it could cause the Phone or the Recorder app to malfunction».
It's also worth noting that the storage format can be changed. Instead of the usual MP3 or M4A, newer firmware versions can use AMR or AAC format for better compression. If the file doesn't open, try installing a universal player, such as VLC.
Use of third-party applications for recording
Xiaomi's built-in voice recorder is functional, but not always convenient. Many users prefer to install third-party apps from Google Play, such as Skvalex's Call Recorder or Automatic Call Recorder. These programs have their own save and customization paths.
Most often, these applications create their own folder at the root of internal memory. For example, an application from Skvalex saves files along the way. /CallRecorder/. The advantage of such programs in flexible configuration of the recording format and the possibility of cloud synchronization.
However, on Android 11+, third-party recorders face the same microphone access restrictions as system recorders, which can result in only one person recording silence or sound, in which case the system can redirect the sound to another channel that the standard player does not play.
If you use a third-party application, be sure to check its save path settings. Often by default, they copy the system logic, but can be changed by the user. You can search for files in a folder with the name corresponding to the name of the recorder application.
Transfer and backup of records
Regularly backing up conversation records is an important procedure, especially if they are of legal or business importance.The internal memory of a smartphone is not reliable storage: the device can get lost, crash or be subjected to a software failure.
The easiest way to save files is to connect your smartphone to your computer through USB-Cable. If you select File Transfer mode, you can access the file system. Copy the folder. call_rec or Recordings on a PC hard drive.
Alternative backup methods:
- ☁️ Cloud services: Set up automatic synchronization of the folder with records from Google Drive, Yandex.Disk or Mi Cloud. This requires setting up in the cloud storage application.
- 📤 Messengers: Send important files to "Favorites" on Telegram or WhatsApp.It's a quick way to save a file, but it compresses audio, degrading quality.
- 🔄 Synchronization apps: Use utilities like Resilio Sync or FolderSync to automatically copy new records to your PC or PC. NAS-server immediately after its creation.
When transferring files to your computer, make sure that file names are saved correctly. Sometimes, when you copy through some cloud services, special characters in the file name (such as time or date) may be replaced, making it difficult to sort.