Where to look for call recording on Xiaomi: all ways and hidden folders

Have you been looking for an important conversation but can’t find it on your Xiaomi? Or are you planning to turn on call recording but don’t know where to look for files? In this article, we’ll look at all the possible storage locations for records, from standard folders to hidden system directories, and how to set up automatic recording and recover deleted files.

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones use different versions of the MIUI shell, and the location of records may vary depending on the model and firmware. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14, files are stored in one place, and on the Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 12.5 in another. We took into account all the nuances and collected current information for 2026, including changes after security updates.

Important: If you don't find records in standard folders, check the settings of the Phone app — maybe the recording function is disabled or files are saved to the cloud. We also reveal hidden tricks how to find records that are not displayed in the gallery, but are physically present in the device's memory.

1. Standard location of call records in MIUI

By default, Xiaomi smartphones save conversation records in a folder MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec But the path may change depending on the firmware version:

• 📁 MIUI 12–14: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — main folder for most models.
• 📁 Old versions (MIUI 11 below): /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/CallRecord/ — relevant to Xiaomi Mi 9, Mi A2 and other devices before 2020 year-end.
• 📁 POCO and global firmware: /storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings/ — meet POCO X3, POCO F3 etc.

To find the folder quickly:

1. Open the File Manager application.
2. Go to the Category tab → Audio.
3. In the list, find the CallRecord folder or call_rec.

⚠️ Note: If the folder is empty but you are sure that the records were, check the settings of the Phone app.In some regions (e.g. EU), the call recording feature is disabled by default due to privacy laws.

2. How to enable call recording if the function is disabled

If you don't see entries in folders, first make sure the write function is activated.Instructions for MIUI 14 (on older versions, the steps may differ slightly):

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Settings.
3. Select Conversation Recording (or Call Recording in Global Firmware).
4. Activate the Record Switch automatically.
5. Choose which calls to record: All, Outgoing only or Only incoming from selected contacts.

Some models (such as the Xiaomi 12T) may require additional confirmation of rights to write, if the Record button is not available:

• 🔧 Check the firmware region: in the EU and some Asian countries, the function is hidden.
• 🔧 Update the Phone app via Google Play.
• 🔧 Install an alternative call app (such as Truecaller or Cube Call Recorder) ACR).

3. Alternative places of record storage

If the records are not in the standard folders, they could be saved in other locations:

To see hidden folders (such as.callrec), in the Files app:

1. Press three lines (☰) top-left.
2. Select Settings → Show hidden files.
3. Go back to the root directory and find the folder.

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If you use a memory card, the records can be saved to it. /storage/XXXX-XXXX/MIUI/sound_recorder/, where XXXX-XXXX — ID yours SD-map.

4. File formats and how to open them

Call records on Xiaomi are saved in the following formats:

• 🎵.AMR is the standard format for MIUI, It takes up little space but low quality.
• 🎵.mp3 or.m4a — Used in third-party applications (e.g. Cube) ACR).
• 🎵.Ogg is rare, but occurs on some models. POCO.

To listen to the files:

• 📱 Built-in Music Player or Google Play Music.
• 💻 On PC - any audio player (VLC, Windows Media Player).
• 🔧.amr may require conversion to.mp3 (Use Online-Convert or Audacity).

⚠️ Note:.amr files may not play in some players because of codecs. If you hear only noise, try opening the record in the video. VLC or convert format.

5. How to recover deleted call records

If you accidentally delete a record, you can try to restore it, depending on how long ago the file was deleted:

• 🗑️ Recycle Bin in the Files app: Open Files → Basket → Find the record and restore it.
• 🔍 Specialized programs: DiskDigger, Recuva (requires root rights for deep scanning).
• ☁️ Cloud Backups: Check Mi Cloud or Google Drive for synchronized files.

For recovery with DiskDigger:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select Full Scan (requires root).
3. Filter the results by expanding.amr or.mp3.
4. Save the recovered files to a safe place.

6. Third-party applications for recording and their features

If the built-in recording function is not satisfied, you can use alternative applications.

To make the third-party application work correctly:

1. In the phone settings, allow it access to the Microphone and Warehouse.
2. Enable the option of Recording via speakerphone (if any in the application settings).
3. Add the application to the AutoRun list (Settings → Applications → AutoRun).

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The side of the application often records the voice of the interlocutor better than the standard MIUI function, but may require additional settings or root rights.

7.Why records may not be saved and how to fix it

If records are not retained, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🚫 Legal restrictions: In some countries (EU, India) recording calls is prohibited without notifying the interlocutor.
• 🔋 Memory Lack: If the device has less than 10% of the available space, MIUI Automatically delete old records.
• 🔊 Mik Error: Check if the microphone is working in other applications (e.g., in a recorder).
• 📱 Application Conflict: Antiviruses or SEOs (e.g., Xiaomi’s Security) can block the recording.

Decisions:

• 🔧 Reinstall the Phone app (disable updates to Google Play if the problem occurs after the update).
• 🔧 Clear the phone app cache in settings (Settings) → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🔧 Check the permissions for the Phone application: Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Permits → Turn on the microphone and the storage.

Frequently asked questions