Where to find a call record on Xiaomi: hidden folders and settings

Owners of Redmi and POCO smartphones often find themselves unable to find a stored audio file in a standard gallery after an important conversation, due to the peculiarities of the Android architecture, which strictly separates multimedia content from system data. Users search for tracks in folders with music or voice recorder, but the system folder with call records is usually hidden deeper in the root directory of the file system.

In modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS shells, file layouts may have changed, and access to some system directories has become limited by Google's security policies. If you don't know the exact path, search can take a long time, especially if you urgently need to provide evidence of a conversation. In this article, we will detail all the possible paths, settings and nuances of the recording function on Xiaomi devices.

The fastest way to get to a file is to use the File Manager application, which stores all audio recordings of conversations in a special directory inside internal memory. The path may look confusing, but knowing the folder structure, you'll find the file in seconds. Open the app and sequentially navigate the path. → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. In the file. call_rec All your conversations are stored, sorted by date and time of the call start, but in some cases, especially after upgrading to new versions of Android (11, 12, 13 and above), the system can redirect entries to a standard Android system folder to meet privacy requirements. If in a folder MIUI No files, try an alternative path: Internal memory → Android → data → com.android.soundrecorder → files → Recordings → Call_rec. 📂 Way MIUI: Classical location for older versions of firmware. 📂 Android Way: Relevant for new OS versions with increased security requirements. 🔍 Search: Use the file search function by entering the extension.mp3 or.m4a. 📅 Sorting: files are often called the date of creation, which makes it easier to search by time. Note that file extensions may vary depending on the format of the recording in the settings chosen. MP3 or M4A, And if you change the quality settings to High, the file may take up more space, but it will sound cleaner.

You don't have to go through the deep folders of the file manager every time, because Xiaomi has made it easier to access the conversation history. All recorded dialogues are automatically linked to a particular contact or number in the call log. This allows you to quickly listen to the right moment without being distracted by searching for files in the device's memory. To do this, open the standard Phone application and go to the "Journal" or "Contacts" tab. Find the desired number with which the conversation was conducted, and click on it. In the open menu, you will see a list of details of the call from this small tape with this call. ⚠️ Warning: If the record icon is not near the number, then the recording function was disabled or not activated automatically at the time of the call. By clicking on the record icon, you start playing directly in the call interface. You can pause, rewind tracks, or delete unnecessary files, and there's a Share option that allows you to send an audio file through a messenger, which is the most convenient way to quickly check the content of a conversation without using third-party software.

Many users don't know that Xiaomi smartphones can automatically record all incoming and outgoing calls. This eliminates the need to manually press the recording button during a conversation, which is especially important in stressful situations or in a hurry. The feature is fully built into the MIUI shell and does not require the installation of third-party software. To activate this feature, open the Phone application and click on three dots in the upper corner (or on the gear settings). 📊 Automatically all calls Only selected numbers Not recorded At all The system allows you to flexibly configure filters for automatic recording. You can choose the option "All numbers" to save absolutely all incoming and outgoing. Or use the Selected Numbers mode, adding only important contacts to the list, and the Unknown Numbers setting is also available, which is useful for recording calls from scammers or couriers. ☑️ Auto Recording Setup Open App Phone:Push three dots or gears:Select Call Record:Enable Automatic Record Completed: 0 / 1

When setting up the recording function, it is important to understand the difference between the available formats, as this affects the compatibility of files with other devices and the space occupied. Depending on the Android version and regional firmware, the formats can vary. Below is a table to help you choose the best settings for your needs. MP3 M4A (AAC) AMR Sound quality High Very High Low (voice only) File size Medium Small at high quality Very small Compatibility Universal (PC, TV, Auto) Modern smartphones and PC Only old devices Recommendation For archiving important negotiations Optimal choice for Xiaomi For Saving space on old phones Selection of format M4A Often the best compromise between quality and size. MP3 is the most compatible format if you plan to transfer files to older computers. AMR is used rarely and mainly on very old versions of Android to save every megabyte. Modern codecs allow you to keep the clean sound of the interlocutor even when communication is poor.

With the release of new versions of the Android operating system, Google has implemented strict restrictions on the access of applications to the microphone during a call. This was done for the sake of user privacy, but for many Xiaomi owners this has become a nuisance: the built-in feature of recording calls may disappear or stop working correctly. On devices shipped with Android 11 and above, or after an update, recording can be conducted without the sound of the interlocutor. In such cases, the system often warns both participants of the conversation with a loud voice message about the start of recording. This restriction applies not only to Xiaomi, but also to Samsung, Realme, Motorola and other brands of audio capture. ⚠️ Warning: If you lose your recording button or no longer hear a speaker after an Android update, it's a security limitation, not a phone breakdown. There are workarounds like hands-free and voice recorder, but they're less convenient. Some users have resorted to patching or using special versions of Google’s Phone app, but regular funds on new versions of the OS often do not allow full recording without root rights. It is important to check the relevance of information for your specific model and firmware version. Why is recording not working on some models?In some regions (e.g. India, Europe) call recording features may be software removed or hidden due to local privacy laws. If you bought the Global ROM, the feature may not be available initially, while the Chinese version (CN ROM) always has it.

Frequent questions and answers (FAQ) Where do the records go when you delete the Phone app? Call records are stored in the device's memory, not inside the app itself. However, if you reset the Phone app to the factory settings or delete its updates, the shortcuts and file links in the log may disappear. The files will remain in the folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec, until you manually delete them through Explorer. Can you set up the recording only for certain contacts? Yes, in the call record settings menu (three dots in the Phone app -> Call recordings are available, and you have the option, "Automatically record conversations." If you select "Selected numbers," you will see a list where you can add specific contacts from the phone book. All other calls will not be recorded. Why does the person hear a warning about the record? Starting with Android 10 and especially in Android 11+, Google requires you to notify people about the recording, and the voice message "Talk recording has started" is automatically played by system means, and it is almost impossible to turn off this warning using standard methods on global firmware, since this is a security requirement of the OS. How do you transfer the call records to your computer? It's easy to connect your phone to your PC through a computer. USB-cable in the mode "File transfer" (MTP). Then copy the files from the folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec You can also send files through cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) or messengers, if the file is not too large. 💡To quickly find a specific conversation in a folder, sort files by date of change. The file name often contains a date and time, which helps identify the desired dialogue without listening. 💡Call recording on Xiaomi is a built-in feature, but its availability and quality depend on the Android version and regional firmware of the device.