Where to look for a call record on Xiaomi: hidden folders, cloud and alternative methods

You're looking for where Xiaomi stores phone records, but you can't find a folder with audio files? The problem is that MIUI hides those files from the user by default -- and even the standard file manager doesn't show them. In this article, we'll look at all possible storage locations (including the Mi Cloud cloud), learn how to turn on the call recording feature on new versions of the firmware, and tell you how to recover deleted files.

It’s important to understand that the location of the records depends on the version of MIUI, the smartphone model and the way of recording (built-in voice recorder, third-party applications or cloud service). For example, on the Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14, the path to files is different from the Xiaomi 13 Ultra with MIUI 15. We have collected relevant data for all modern devices, from budget POCO to Xiaomi flagships.

1. Standard location for the storage of call records in MIUI

By default, the recordings of conversations on Xiaomi are saved in a hidden system folder.

1. Open the Files app (yellow folder icon).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner → Settings → turn on Show hidden files.
3. Cross the path: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

The files are.amr or.mp3 and named after a pattern: call_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS_XXXXXXXXXX.amr, where XXXXXXXXXX — On some firmware, the folder may be called a recorder instead of a recorder. sound_recorder.

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If the folders call_rec Check the internal memory section. → MIUI → voice_recorder. On the old versions. MIUI (before 12.5) The records could have been saved there.

⚠️ Warning: Do not rename or move files directly to this folder! This may cause the built-in voice recorder to malfunction. If you want to save a record, copy it to another location (for example, in Download).

2. How to enable call recording on Xiaomi (if the function is disabled)

On newer versions of MIUI (13-15), conversation recording is disabled by default due to privacy restrictions.

• 📱 Open the phone application (green handset).
• 🔧 Tap it on three points. → Settings → Recording of conversations.
• 🎤 Turn on the Automatic Recording Switch or select Record Manually.
• ⚙️ In additional settings, specify the file format (AMR or MP3) and folder.

If you don't have a Record Conversations menu, your firmware doesn't support the system-level function, and then use third-party apps (Section 4).

3.Mi Cloud entries: how to find and download

If your Xiaomi has Mi Cloud sync enabled, call records can be automatically uploaded to the cloud to find them:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
2. Make sure that synchronization for Recordings (or Recorder) is enabled.
3. Open your browser on your PC or phone and log in to i.mi.com.
4. In the Devices section, select your smartphone → Files → Audio.

Note that the cloud only stores records for 30 days (for a free account), and to save them forever, download to your device or transfer to another cloud (for example, Google Drive).

4. Third-party recording applications: where they store files

If the built-in recording function doesn't work or doesn't work, users install alternative applications like Cube Call Recorder, ACR or Boldbeast.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (e.g. Boldbeast) require manual access to calls in Android settings. → Annexes → Permit management → Special access → Record sound and allow recording for the selected software.

5. How to recover deleted call records

If you accidentally delete a recording of a conversation, you can try to restore it using specialized utilities. On Xiaomi with MIUI 14+, the chances are higher if the file was deleted no more than 7 days ago - the system does not immediately clear the cache.

• 🔍 DiskDigger (for Android): scans internal memory for deleted audio files, works without root rights, but with them more efficiently.
• 💾 Recuva (for PC): connect your smartphone to your computer in file transfer mode and scan the memory.
• ☁️ Check out Mi Cloud or Google Drive – it’s possible that records synced automatically.

If the recording was made via Google Disctophone (Google Recorder app), check the /storage/emulated/0/Recorder/ folder. This service automatically transcribes the audio into text, making it easier to search.

Make sure that the phone has enough charge (at least 50%).

Turn off Wi-Fi and mobile internet to avoid overwriting data.

Do not install new applications until the recovery is complete.

Use the original. USB-plug-in.-->

6.Why call records may not be saved

Sometimes users find that the records are not saved or missing without a trace.

• 🚫 Lack of permission to record: in Android 10+ Apps need separate permission to access the microphone during a call. → Annexes → Permits → Microphone.
• 📵 Operator restrictions: some mobile operators (such as MTS or Beeline) block the recording of calls at the network level, the solution is to use VoIP (such as WhatsApp or Telegram calls).
• 🔋 Optimizing the battery: MIUI It can pause the background applications. Add the voice recorder to the exceptions: → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Choose your voice recorder → No restrictions.
• 📁 Damaged Storage Folder: If the folder call_rec The solution is to reset the phone application settings (Settings) → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Reset).

If the problem is not solved, try updating the firmware to the latest version or resetting the settings (but make a backup!).

7. Alternative ways to record conversations

If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t suit you, consider these options:

• 🎧 External voice recorder: connect a wired or Bluetooth recorder (e.g. Sony) ICD-UX570) It's going to be recorded on a separate device.
• 💬 Voice Notes: Enable Google Voice Search (OK, Google, Write) or Voice Recorder Notes during a conversation.
• 📱 Second phone: put next to the second smartphone with the voice recorder turned on (for example, through the Screen Recording with sound capture).
• 🌐 VoIP services: Calls via WhatsApp, Viber or Zoom can be recorded using the built-in tools of these applications.

⚠️ Note: In some countries (for example, in Russia), recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited by law (Article 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Use the function only for personal purposes (for example, fixing important information) and warn the interlocutor about the recording.

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The most reliable way is a combination of built-in recording MIUI + Automatic synchronization with Mi Cloud, which ensures the safety of files even when resetting the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording calls to Xiaomi