How to cut recording tape recorder on Xiaomi: all ways for Android

Records from a tape recorder on Xiaomi often contain unnecessary pauses, noise or unnecessary fragments at the beginning / end. Cutting audio helps to leave only the useful part, saving space on the device and making it easier to listen. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, from built-in MIUI tools to specialized applications, and also reveal the nuances of working with different formats (.m4a,.mp3,.wav).

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO have a proprietary Dictophone app (or Record in new MIUI versions) that supports basic trimming, but it is limited in functionality and requires third-party utilities for complex tasks (such as cutting the middle of a track or applying effects), and we tested all methods on current MIUI 14/15 firmware and compiled step-by-step instructions based on typical user errors.

Method 1: trimming through a standard Xiaomi voice recorder

The fastest method is to use the built-in Dictophone app** (desktop microphone icon) preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones and supports cropping without installing additional software. Importantly, the feature is only available for recordings made through the same application - imported files cannot be edited.

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Open the Dictophone app** and find the desired entry in the list.
• ✏️ Slip on the record, then click the "Edit" icon** (pencil in the lower right corner).
• 📏 A slider will appear on the timeline with two markers (beginning and end) and drag them to highlight the desired fragment.
• 💾 Click Save** – the original file will remain intact and the cropped version will remain as a new entry.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It is impossible to cut the middle of the recording (only the beginning/end).
• ❌ There is no support for formats other than.m4a (standard format MIUI).
• ❌ No tools to normalize volume or remove noise.

⚠️ Warning: If the sound is intermittent after pruning, check if the settings on the recorder are "Saving space"** (compresses audio with loss of quality). → Recording quality.

Method 2: editing through Google Recorder

Google Recorder (available on the Play Market) offers more flexible cropping tools, including the ability to work with files from other sources, and automatically transcribes speech into text, which is convenient for finding the right snippets.

How to crop the record:

1. Install Google Recorder** from Play Market.
2. Import recording: press + → Import audio and select the file.
3. After processing, tap on the recording and select “Edit audio”**.
4. Drag markers on the timeline to highlight the snippet. Use buttons to fine-tune the settings «+1c and «−1c».
5. Save the result: "Export"** → select the format (.m4a or.mp3).

Advantages of Google Recorder:

• 🔍 Automatic speech decoding (supports Russian language).
• 🎚️ Ability to increase volume or reduce noise.
• ☁️ Synchronizing records with Google Drive.

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If the file is not saved after trimming in Google Recorder, check the application permissions: Settings → Apps → Google Recorder → Permissions → Memory (should be “Allowed”).

Method 3: Professional trimming in Lexis Audio Editor

For advanced editing (for example, if you need to cut several fragments or apply effects), the Lexis Audio Editor application is suitable. It supports multitrack editing, volume normalization and work with.wav,.mp3,.flac formats.

Instructions:

1. Download Lexis Audio Editor from Play Market.
2. Import the file: press Open** and select the record from the device’s memory.
3. For pruning: 📌 Select the unnecessary fragment (swipe your finger through the waveform). ✂️ Click "Slice" (scissors) or "Delete».

"File → Save as"**

Lexis Audio Editor allows you to crop the recording to within milliseconds – critical for speech (e.g., when editing podcasts or interviews) – with all the basic features available in the free version, but will be limited to the length of the exported file (up to 5 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: When maintaining in.mp3 A high bitrate file (e.g., 320 kbps) can weigh more than the original. To save space, choose 192 kbps, which is enough for voice recordings.

Make a backup copy of the original file|Check the free space on the device (minimum 200 MB)|Disconnect the energy saving mode for stable operation|Select the export format in advance (recommended) WAV editable)-->

Method 4: File Manager trimming (for MIUI 14+)

In MIUI 14 and later, the built-in File Manager supports basic audio editing, which is convenient if you need to quickly clip the recording without installing additional applications.

Step-by-step:

1. Open File Manager** and find the audio file (usually the recorder is stored in a folder). MIUI/sound_recorder).
2. Slip the file and select “Open with → Music” (or “Player”).
3. In the player that opens, click the “Edit” icon** (pencil).
4. Drag markers on the timeline to crop the beginning or end.
5. Save the changes – the file will be overwritten (the original will be lost!).

How to use (for example, Audio-Tool):

1. Go to the site and click "Select file"**.
2. Download the recording from the device (maximum size - 50 MB).
3. Select the fragment for pruning, dragging the markers.
4. Click "Cut" and download the result.

⚠️ Note: Online services may store downloaded files on their servers. For records with personal information (such as conversations or passwords), use offline applications.

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Online editors are convenient for one-off tasks, but are not suitable for regular work due to file size limitations and the risks of data leakage.

How to Restore a Cut Record if You Save an Error

If you accidentally overwrote the original or deleted an important piece after trimming, try recovering the file:

Recovery methods:

• 🗑️ Recycle Bin in File Manager: Open “File Manager» → «Basket” (available in MIUI 12+). The files are stored there for 30 days.
• 🔍 Backups: Check the folder MIUI/backup/sound_recorder — Sometimes the system creates automotive copies.
• 📱 Recovery Apps: Use DiskDigger or Recuva (root rights required for deep scanning).

If the recording was synced to the cloud:

• 🌥️ Google Drive: Check the Dictophone folder** in your account.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Get on i.mi.com → «Backup copies»** → Select the device.

Loss prevention:

• 📌 Before cropping, duplicate the file to another folder (e.g. Downloads).
• ☁️ Set up automatic recording sync with Google Drive or Mi Cloud.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When cutting audio on Xiaomi, users face typical problems, and let's look at their causes and solutions:

Another common mistake is cropping.amr recordings (used in some older versions of MIUI to save space), which is poorly supported by third-party editors. Solution: first convert the file to.wav with Audio Converter (available in the Play Market), and then crop.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions