Where Xiaomi saves a recording of a conversation: a full guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often wonder about saving important phone conversations. MIUI’s shell and its new HyperOS counterpart have built-in functionality that allows you to capture dialogs without installing third-party software. However, it is not always easy to find saved files, since the system hides them in the depth of the file structure for data security.

By default, audio recordings are not displayed in the shared gallery or standard music list. To access them, the user needs to know the exact path or use special viewing tools. In this article, we will discuss in detail where Xiaomi stores the default conversation record, how to change this path to a memory card, and what to do if files are stopped after the system update.

Understanding the structure of Android directories is critical for those who are negotiating business or recording important information through a phone. We will look at not only the standard paths, but also the nuances of working with access rights in new versions of the operating system, and you will learn how to set up an automatic record of all incoming calls so that no important call misses your attention.

The Standard Way to Files in Internal Memory

By default, all audio recordings created through Google's standard Phone or MIUI Dialer are stored in the device's internal storage. Android organizes files in a strict hierarchy, and call records are no exception. Most often they are in the root directory, but can be hidden from quick access through simple file managers.

To find the file you want, open the Explorer or Files app. You need to follow the following path: Internal Memory → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. In the file. call_rec If you're using a third-party file manager with root rights, the path might look like /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec.

⚠️ Note: In some versions of the firmware folder MIUI Make sure that the Explorer settings include the option to show hidden files, otherwise you will not see the desired directory.

Sometimes the path may vary slightly depending on the regional version of the firmware (Global, China, EEA). If there are no files in the folder, try searching for the Record or Rec directory inside the folder. sound_recorder. Files usually have an extension.m4a or.mp3, This allows them to be played on most devices without conversion.

Recording SD-Map: changing the storage settings

The internal memory of a smartphone is often limited, and the storage of heavy audio files can quickly exhaust the free space. Fortunately, the system allows you to redirect the storage of conversation records to an external microSD card. This is especially true for users who archive all incoming and outgoing calls.

To change the save location, do the following: Open the Phone app, go to settings (three dots or gears) and find Call Record. From the record settings menu, select Storage settings or Save to. The system will then choose between “Internal Storage” and «SD-map».

After switching, all new records will be automatically sent to the root of the memory card or to a specially created folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec The old files will remain in the same place, they will have to be transferred manually if necessary.

• 📂 Transition to SD-The card frees up valuable space of the system partition.
• 🔄 Files on the card are easier to copy to a computer through a card reader without connecting a cable.
• ⚡ The speed of writing on modern Class 10 cards is not inferior to internal memory.
• 🛡️ When resetting your phone, the files on the map will remain intact (provided formatted as portable storage).

Search through computer and USB connection

The most convenient way to manage a conversation archive is to connect your smartphone to your personal computer, which allows you to quickly sort, rename and reserve important files. When you connect with a cable, select the USB File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notifications on your phone screen.

In My Computer, you'll see a device that's called your smartphone. Open it, go to internal memory. Like a mobile conductor, look for a folder. MIUI. Inside you are interested in subdirectory sound_recorder, then call_rec. Files are sorted by date of creation, which makes navigation easier.

The copying path:


This computer > [Device name] > Internal Sharing > MIUI > sound_recorder > call_rec

If you can’t see the MIUI folder when you connect to your PC, it’s possible that the phone only displays the basic media directories, so use the built-in Explorer on the smartphone itself to move your files to a more accessible location, such as the Download or Music folder, where they can be easily picked up via your computer.

Using cloud services for backup

Modern Xiaomi smartphones are closely integrated with cloud services, so you do not have to worry about the physical safety of files. Mi Cloud and Google Drive can automatically synchronize the folder with the recordings of conversations, which protects data from loss in the event of a device breakage or loss.

To set up sync with Mi Cloud, go to your Mi Account settings, select "Mi Cloud" and find "Dictorney" or "Records." Activate sync. Files will be uploaded to the cloud and accessed from any device that logs into your account via a browser or app.

It is worth noting that direct synchronization is the folder. call_rec Google Drive may require customization through third-party synchronization apps, as the standard Google Drive client does not always scan system folders. MIUI. Mi Cloud works more natively for brand users.

Access problems in Android 11, 12, 13 and 14

Starting with Android 11, Google has imposed strict restrictions on access to the file system (Scoped Storage), which means that many file managers, even installed on the phone, no longer see the folder. Android/data and some system directories where records may lie. MIUI 13/14 HyperOS is also a problem.

If a standard Explorer doesn’t display files, try using the built-in Recording app (a tape-recorded icon) that often has an All Records or Phone tab inside, where files are available for listening and forwarding, even if they are hidden in the file system. Through the three-dot menu in the app, you can send the file to the messenger or by mail.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to root just to access the records folder, it will disrupt banking applications and may result in a loss of warranty. ADB. For advanced users, there is a method of access through ADB (Android Debug Bridge by connecting the phone to a PC with installed ADB, You can copy files with the command: adb pull /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec C:/BackupCalls This method works even when the conductor’s graphical interface blocks access to certain directories. 💡Use the "Files by Google" app with Special App Access to see hidden system folders without root permissions. The call recording functionality on Xiaomi allows you to flexibly configure saving options. You can choose whether to record all calls, only unknown numbers, or specific contacts from the phone book, which helps you avoid recording personal conversations and save space. You can also choose the file format from the call recording settings menu. MP3 (less quality, smaller size) and WAV or M4A (For archiving important conversations, it is better to choose a format with less compression to keep the speech legible, especially if the conversation is conducted in a noisy room or through a speaker. 📞 All calls: the system will record every incoming and outgoing horn. ❓ Unknown numbers: ideal for recording calls from scammers or couriers. 📝 Selected contacts: point recording for specific individuals. 🔕 No sound: the option to disable the audio recording notification for the interlocutor (does not work in all regions). In such cases, circumventing the restriction is software difficult, and users often resort to using a voice recorder on a second device. 💡Automatic recording is a powerful tool, but requires regular storage cleaning or cloud sync settings to keep your phone's memory from overflowing. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Why is recording a conversation interrupted or not started? Most often the problem lies in a lack of free memory or conflict with another application using a microphone (for example, a voice recorder or voice assistant). Also check if the background activity restriction for the Phone app is worth the battery settings? If the file was deleted from the folder call_rec And the conductor basket is cleaned, and recovery is possible only with specialized data recovery software (for example, DiskDigger), and then only if the memory cells have not been overwritten with new information. In the global versions of firmware (Global) ROM) There is often a voice warning, "Call is being recorded," which is heard by the person in the Chinese version (CN ROM) Or after the region changes to Singapore/Indonesia, this warning may not be available, but it depends on the specific model and version of Android. Where do I look for records if I change my phone to a new one? Files are not automatically transferred when you simply change them? SIM-map. You need to copy the folder in advance. call_rec To a computer or cloud, and then move it to a similar directory on the new device so that they appear in the call log.