Have you recorded an important phone call on your Xiaomi but can’t find the file now? Or have you accidentally deleted the record and want to restore it? In this article, we’ll look at all the possible storage locations for recorded calls on Redmi, POCO and other MIUI-powered devices, from standard folders to hidden system directories.
The manufacturer does not always make access to records obvious: depending on the firmware version and the phone model, the path to files may differ. We're going to look at not only the official methods, but also alternative methods of search, including working with a file manager, cloud services and even recovering deleted data. MIUI 12/13/14 and popular models (Redmi Note) 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T etc.).
1. Standard place of storage of records in MIUI
By default, all phone records in Xiaomi are saved in a folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec But the path can vary depending on the internal drive:
- 📱 Versions MIUI — in old firmware (up to) MIUI 12) records may have been kept in Recorder/calls
- 🔄 Settings of the Dictophone application - if you changed the save location manually
- 📁 Memory card availability – some models offer a choice between internal memory and SD-card
To find the folder quickly:
- Open the standard Files app (yellow folder icon)
- Go to the Device tab → Internal storage
- Enter in the search bar call_rec or sound_recorder
💡
If the folder is not displayed, turn on the display of hidden files in the file manager settings (three dots in the upper right corner → “Show hidden files”).
Record files are usually formatted.m4a or.amr and named by template: CallRecord_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS_phone_number.extension. For example: CallRecord_20260515_143022_79123456789.m4a.
2. Alternative storage locations: cloud and third-party applications
If the entries are not in the standard folder, check the following sources:
| Source | Path/method of access | Features |
|---|---|---|
| 🌥️ Mi Cloud | Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backups | Records are reserved only if the option "Multimedia Backup" is enabled. |
| 📱 Google Drive | Appendix "Disk" → "Backup copies" | Requires pre-setting synchronization in Google Settings |
| 🎤 Third-party recorders | Application folder (e.g. ACR/calls for Another Call Recorder) | The path depends on the specific application (see its settings) |
To check out Mi Cloud:
- Open Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud
- Select Storage Management → Backups
- Find the latest backup and check the Multimedia section
Important: Mi Cloud records are only stored for 30 days from the time of backup unless otherwise configured, and then automatically deleted to free up space.
3. Search for records through system tools
If standard methods don’t work, use the built-in MIUI tools:
Open Security → Cleanup → Files |Use search by keywords: call, rec, record |Check Download, Music, Documents folders |Enable hidden files in file manager-->
For a deep search:
- Open the Security app (shield icon)
- Go to the Cleanup tab → Files
- Enter in the search: 🔍 call_rec 🔍.m4a or 🔍 Recording (for Russian-language firmware)
System search not only for file names, but also for metadata, which increases the chances of finding a record even with a changed name.
How to search for records by date of creation?
4. Features for different Xiaomi models
The manufacturer regularly changes the logic of the record storage depending on the model and the region of the firmware.
| Model/Series | Features of storage | Additional folders for verification |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | The default records are saved in MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec, But when you first start the voice recorder, you are asked to choose a place. | Recorder/CallRecords, Documents/CallBackups |
| POCO X3/X4/X5 | In global firmware, call recording is disabled by default (required to enable in phone settings) | POCO/voice_recorder, MIUI/extra_sounds |
| Xiaomi 12/13/14 | It uses a new folder structure with metadata encryption, and records can only be displayed in the Dictator app. | miui/private/recorder (root rights required) |
For POCO models with global firmware (MIUI for POCO), call recording is often blocked at the system level.
- Open Settings → Permissions → Additional → Recording calls
- Enable Automatic Recording (SMS confirmation may be required)
- Reset the device
⚠️ Note: When recovering, do not save new files to your device, this can overwrite deleted data. Use a memory card or cloud to save recovered records.
To increase the chances of recovery:
- Turn off mobile internet and Wi-Fi immediately (to avoid automatic synchronization)
- Do not install new applications or update existing ones.
- Use a recovery program within the first 24 hours after removal
6.Setting up automatic call recording
To avoid losing important conversations in the future, set up an automatic record:
- Open the phone application (green handset)
- Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings
- Select Record of Conversations (in some firmware: Call Record)
- Enable the Automatic Recording option and select: 📞 All challenges 📱 Outgoing/Incoming only 🔕 Selected contacts (for selective recording)
Specify the location of the storage (internal memory or SD-map)
For models with MIUI 14 and newer:
- Added option Record to the cloud (synchronization with Mi Cloud)
- Encrypted records (required to be installed) PIN-code)
- You can choose the file format in the settings:.m4a (best quality) or.amr (smaller size)
⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F4, Redmi K50) Automatic recording may conflict with Smart Response. If recordings break down, turn off this option in your phone settings.
7. Problems with recording calls and their solutions
Common mistakes and ways to eliminate them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Recording ends in 30 seconds. | Restricting legislation in your area | Use third-party apps with root rights support |
| No sound on the record (silence) | Conflict with the Noise Reduction function | Turn off Settings → Sound → Improve Sound → Noise Reduction |
| Record files damaged. | Incorrect completion of the recording | Restore via VLC Media Player (open as a corrupted file) |
| I can't find a file with records. | Hidden system files | Use the adb shell to access the /data/media/0/MIUI/sound_recorder |
To solve the problem of lack of sound on the record:
- Check if the mode is activated Do not disturb during the call
- Turn off all sound effects in Settings → Sound → Sound effects
- Update your firmware to the latest version (MIUI 14.0.5+ fixes recording bugs)
If records are retained but not reproduced:
- Try opening the file via VLC or MX Player
- Convert the format with AudioConverter (available on Google Play)
- Check the file on another device (possibly a codec problem on your smartphone)
8. Security and legal aspects
Before recording phone conversations, consider the legal nuances:
- 🏛️ Russia: Recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor is allowed if you are a participant in the conversation (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.
- 🇪🇺 European Union: Most countries (Germany, France) require notification of the second participant (GDPR).
- 🌍 Other countries: In the United States (some states) and Canada, recording without consent is prohibited and punishable by fines.
Recommendations for safe storage of records:
- 🔒 Encrypt sensitive records (use Cryptomator or built-in encryption) MIUI)
- 🗃️ Keep backups in encrypted archives (.zip format with password)
- 🚫 Delete the records after their expiration (use Settings) → Warehouse → Cleanup)
⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 added the automatic deletion function of records older than 6 months. To disable it, go to Settings → Confidentiality → Data management → Autoclean and disable the option for audio files.