Why Xiaomi Call Records Are Hard to Find and Where to Find Them
Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) don’t always store conversation records in obvious places. Unlike Samsung or iPhone, where audio files are often in a gallery or special section, it all depends on the version of MIUI, the phone model and the recording method. For example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14, records can be automatically archived in the Mi Cloud cloud, and on Redmi Note 10, it can only remain in the app’s memory.
Another challenge is that there's no built-in voice recorder for calls in some regional firmware, and if you didn't install third-party apps like Cube Call Recorder or ACR, records might not be created, but even then it's worth checking the hidden system folders and cache, and sometimes files stay there after crashes.
In this article, we will discuss all possible storage locations, including:
- 📁 Standard folders in your phone’s memory (where to look manually).
- ☁️ Cloud Services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive).
- 🔍 Hidden System Data (How to Access It).
- 🗑️ Recovery of deleted records (if files are missing).
Method 1: Standard Records folder in the file manager
The most logical place to search is Xiaomi’s built-in file manager (Files or File Manager). Open it and check the following paths:
- 📂 Internal memory. → Recordings (or Recordings) – here are stored audio files created by the system recorder.
- 📂 Internal memory. → MIUI → sound_recorder — Hidden folder for call records (if the function is activated in the settings).
- 📂 Internal memory. → Android → data → com.android.providers.media – cache of media files (root rights required).
If there is no Record folder, try to enable the display of hidden files: in the file manager tap three points (⋮) → Settings → Show hidden files. Some models (POCO F5, Xiaomi 12T) Records may be stored in Download/Call_Record.
Enable the display of hidden folders
Search for keywords: "record", "call", "audio"
Checking MIUI and Android/data folders
Sorting files by date (new ones from above)-->
⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI Global (European firmware) automatic call recording is often disabled by default due to privacy laws. To activate it, go to Settings → Annexes → Calls. → Recording of conversations.
Method 2: Calls App and its settings
In Xiaomi, conversation records can be stored directly in the Phone app. Open it and:
- Tap on three points (⋮) top-right.
- Select Call Records (or Call Records).
- If a section is missing, check the settings: Settings → Recording conversations → Storage records.
On some models (Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 11T) you can set up automatic recording for all contacts or only for a select few. Pay attention to the audio format option - if you need.amr, the files will weigh little, but they are harder to find through a search by phone.
| Xiaomi model | The path to the records in the app "Calls" | Automatic recording by default? |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/13 Pro | Calls. → ⋮ → Records. | No (must be manually enabled) |
| Redmi Note 11/12 | Calls. → History → Microphone badge | Yes (for all incoming) |
| POCO F4/F5 | Calls. → ⋮ → Settings → Records. | No (only for selected contacts) |
| Xiaomi 12S Ultra | Calls → Profile → Recordings | Yes (with notice to the interlocutor) |
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If there is no entries section in the Calls app, try updating it via Google Play. On some firmware, the feature only appears after the update.
Method 3: Cloud Storage – Mi Cloud and Google Drive
If the phone was synced to Mi Cloud, the recordings could be automatically uploaded to the phone to check:
- Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Make sure the Call or Record slider is on.
- Go to i.mi.com, log in and check the Records section.
You can also save records to Google Drive if you use apps to record calls from third-party clouds, such as ACR or Cube Call Recorder, which by default upload files to the Call Recordings folder on Google Drive to find it:
- 🔗 Open Google Drive in your browser.
- 🔍 In the search box, type:audio "calll".
- 📁 Check the folders. ACR or CubeBackups.
⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14+ Mi Cloud records can be deleted after 30 days if you don't configure the Save Forever option.
Method 4: Search through System Tools (ADB and root)
If standard methods didn’t work, the records could be left in system folders that were only accessible through ADB or root.
- Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap the build number → return to Additional → For developers).
- Install Android SDK Platform Tools on your computer.
- In the command line (terminal) enter: adb shell ls /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/ ls /data/user/0/com.android.providers.media/documents/
If the records aren't in those folders, but you're sure they were, try scanning the memory with DiskDigger, which finds audio files even after deleting, unless their space on the disk has been overwritten.
What to do if ADB I can't find a file. sound_recorder?
Method 5: Recovering Deleted Records
If the records are missing after resetting or cleaning the memory, you can try to restore them.
- Stop using your phone – new data can overwrite deleted files.
- Install Dumpster (if activated before removal) or EaseUS MobiSaver.
- Scan the memory for audio files with extensions.mp3,.amr,.m4a.
For a deeper recovery, connect your phone to your PC and use programs like Recuva or 7-Data Recovery. Importantly, on File-Based Encryption (FBE) phones, it's almost impossible to recover files without root.
| Method of recovery | Need root? | Chances of success |
|---|---|---|
| Apps from the Play Market (DiskDigger) | No. | Low (only recently deleted files) |
| PC Software (EaseUS MobiSaver) | No. | Medium (depending on memory fragmentation) |
| ADB + Manual Search | Partially. | High (unless files are overwritten) |
| Full access via TWRP | Yes. | Maximum (including system partitions) |
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The faster you start recovering from deletion, the better the chances of getting records back. System utilities like fsck can reduce the likelihood of success, so don't use them unnecessarily.
Method 6: Checking messengers and third-party applications
The conversation records can be stored not in standard folders, but in the cache of messengers or third-party programs.
- 💬 WhatsApp/Telegram: If the conversation was conducted via VoIP, the recording can be in the chat (click on the message). → Save).
- 📱 ACR/Cube Call Recorder: These apps create their own folders (e.g, /ACR/ or /CubeBackups/).
- 🎧 Recorders: Programs like Easy Voice Recorder sometimes record calls in the background.
On Xiaomi with MIUI 13/14, some recording apps (e.g. Boldbeast) require additional permissions in Settings → Special permissions → Sound recording. Without them, recordings can be created but not saved.
Method 7: Calling for Xiaomi Support (If Nothing Works)
If the records are critical (for example, for court or work), and a self-search did not yield results, you can contact official support Xiaomi.
- Gather evidence that the records existed (screenshots of call history, recording notifications).
- Write to the support chat via Settings → Mi Account → Feedback or on the site mi.com/support.
- Specify the phone’s IMEI, model and version of MIUI (find in Settings → About Phone).
Important: Xiaomi does not guarantee data recovery, but in some cases it can provide logs of system processes that mention audio files.
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Xiaomi’s official support does not restore user data, but it can help with the diagnosis of crashes that caused the records to disappear (for example, an error module com.android.server.telecom).