Xiaomi Redmi smartphones 9 They allow you to automatically record phone calls, but not everyone knows where to look for those files. Unlike flagship models, budget devices (including Redmi) 9/9A/9C/9T) They hide this function in non-obvious menu sections. MIUI The location of records can change, and the files themselves can be “lost” among the system folders.
In this article, you'll find all the current ways to access call records, from the standard Phone app to manual file manager searches, and we'll also look at why records can disappear after a firmware update and how to recover them. If you've never turned on a call record, here's a guide to activate the feature -- with MIUI 12/13/14 in mind.
Where do you store your Redmi 9 call records?
In MIUI firmware for Redmi 9, recordings of conversations are saved in two places:
- 📱 Inside the Phone app – in the Records section (available if the function is activated).
- 📁 In the system folder, along the way. /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec (It may vary depending on the version MIUI).
- ☁️ In the cloud Mi Cloud – if sync is enabled (requires authorization in your Xiaomi account).
The fastest way is to check the built-in record store in the Phone app.
- Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
- Tap on three points (⋮) top-right.
- Select the entry item (or Call recordings in English firmware).
If the Record partition is missing, the function is not activated or the records are saved elsewhere, in which case move to the next partition.
How to turn on call recording if the function is disabled
By default, Redmi 9 doesn’t record conversations automatically — this option needs to be activated manually. MIUI:
For MIUI 12/13:
- Open Settings → Applications → Phone → Recording calls.
- Activate the Automatic Recording Switch.
- Choose which calls to record: All, incoming or outgoing only.
For MIUI 14 (and newer):
- Launch the Phone app.
- Click on the profile icon (top right) → Call settings.
- Go to Call Record and turn on the option.
Make sure your phone has enough memory (records take ~1-2 MB/minute)
Check that the Phone app has access to the microphone (Settings → Permissions)
Turn off Do Not Disturb mode (it can block recording)
Sync recordings with Mi Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization)-->
⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. EU), call recording may be legally disabled. If the option is not on the menu, try changing region in your phone settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Region) to India or Russia, then restart the device.
Search for records in the file manager: hidden folders
If the records are not displayed in the Phone app, they can be found manually through Files (or any other file manager).
- 📂 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — mainfolder MIUI 12-14.
- 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/ — alternative path in some firmware.
- 📂 /sdcard/CallRecords/ — old-form MIUI (before 11).
Record files are usually.amr or.mp3 and are named by pattern: CallRecord_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.amr, where:
- YYYYMMDD - date (year, month, day)
- HHMMSS is the time (hours, minutes, seconds).
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If the folder call_rec empty, try to enable the display of hidden files in the file manager settings (usually in the menu "More» → «Show hidden files»).
⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI The path to records may change. If you don't find files at standard addresses, search for a keyword. call_rec or a record in the root directory of the phone.
Recovery of Deleted Call Records
If the records are missing after resetting or cleaning the memory, you can try to restore them.
- 🔍 Specialized programs: DiskDigger, Recuva (requires root rights for deep scanning).
- ☁️ Cloud Backups: Check Mi Cloud or Google Drive (if sync was enabled).
- 📱 Local backups: in the folder /MIUI/backup/AllBackup Archives with records may be kept.
To recover via DiskDigger:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Select Full Scan (requires root).
- Filter the results by expanding.amr or.mp3.
- Save the files found to a safe place.
A critical feature of Redmi 9: after physical deletion of files (not through the Recycle Bin), their recovery without root rights is almost impossible due to the features of the F2FS file system.
What if the recording is interrupted during the call?
Third-party applications for recording calls
If the standard MIUI function is unstable, alternative programs can be used.
| Annex | Features | Cons | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cube Call Recorder | Record both sides of the conversation, cloud storage, VoIP support | Advertising in the free version requires customization of rights | Google Play |
| Call Recorder – ACR | Automatic recording, integration with Google Drive, spam filtering | Paid features may not work on some firmware | Google Play |
| Truecaller | Record + number detector, spam blocking | Requires registration, length limit of recording | Google Play |
Before installing a third-party application:
- Check that the security settings allow installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Access → Installation of Unknown Applications).
- Give the application access to the Microphone, Warehouse and Call Log.
- Turn off battery optimization for the app (see section above).
⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 and later, some recording apps may not capture the voice of the interlocutor due to the limitations of Android 10+. In this case, only root access or the use of a headset with a microphone will help.
Problems with recording calls on Redmi 9 and their solutions
Redmi 9 users often face the following problems:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Records are not retained. | Lack of disk space or no rights | Clear the memory, check the permissions for the phone application |
| Recording ends in 1-2 minutes. | Battery optimization or background activity | Turn off optimization for “Phone” in the battery settings |
| The voice of the interlocutor is not recorded. | Android 10+ Limitations or Firmware | Use a headset or third-party software with root rights |
| Records disappeared after update | Resetting settings or changing storage paths | Check /MIUI/backup/ or restore via DiskDigger |
If none of the methods helped, try resetting the settings of the phone application:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage.
- Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
- Reboot the phone and turn the recording on again.
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On Redmi 9 with MIUI 14, recording calls can conflict with Screen Recording. If both options are enabled at the same time, sound will only be recorded from the microphone (without the voice of the interlocutor).
Legal aspects of recording telephone conversations
Before you record calls, make sure that it does not violate local law. Most countries have the following rules:
- 🏛️ Unilateral recording (without notifying the interlocutor) is allowed if you are a participant in the conversation (Russia, USA, most CIS countries).
- ⚖️ Bilateral consent is required in the EU, Canada, Australia and some US states (e.g. California).
- 📵 It is forbidden to publish or distribute records without the consent of the interlocutor (even if the recording itself is allowed).
In Russia, recording conversations is regulated by Article 23 of the Constitution (right to secrecy of correspondence) and Article 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (violation of the secrecy of negotiations), however, judicial practice allows recording for personal use (for example, to record threats or agreements), the use of records in court is possible only if procedural rules are observed (for example, notarization).
If you are recording a business conversation (with a client, partner), it is better to:
- Preliminary notification of the interlocutor (for example: “Conversation is recorded to fix the agreements”).
- Keep records no longer than necessary.
- Do not transfer files to third parties without the consent of the participants.