Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the need to save important information voiced during a call. The built-in MIUI system allows you to automatically or manually record the audio stream, but many users do not know where these files are stored and how to activate them. The process of searching and playing can vary depending on the firmware version and device model.
There are several ways to access audio recordings: through a standard Phone app, file manager or special system settings. It is important to understand that recording conversations on modern versions of Android can have restrictions due to Google's security policy, so the functionality is sometimes hidden or changed its location.
If you're just planning to use this feature, you should set up your quality and storage settings right away, which will save you from losing data in the future. For those who have already recorded a dialogue but can't find it, below are detailed paths to hidden system folders.
Where call records are stored in a standard application
The fastest way to listen to a saved dialog is to use the Phone interface, and the MIUI wrapper has a convenient integration that allows you to see tagged conversations right in your call history, and you don't have to search for files manually if you just want to play audio.
Open the Phone app and go to the History or Recent tab. Find the number you've been talking to. Next to the contact name or phone number, you'll see a special icon that looks like a tape recorder or tape tape, and if you click on that icon or select Listen to the call menu, you'll immediately start playing.
⚠️ Note: If the record icon is missing, it may be that the function was not active at the time of the call or that the file was deleted by the memory cleanup system.
To manage files in the app in more detail, click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings. Here is the Call Record section, where you can enable automatic recording for all numbers or only selected contacts, and this menu also displays the path to the folder where the files are located.
It allows you to sort records by date and time, which is especially useful when you need to find a specific conversation among hundreds of incoming and outgoing, and remember that audio files take up space in memory, so checking the archive regularly will help maintain order.
File Search through File Manager and File Explorer
Sometimes the standard Phone app doesn't display the record list correctly, or you need to copy the file to your computer, in which case you need to know the exact path in the file system. On Xiaomi smartphones with a MIUI shell, the path to the records is usually standardized, but can vary.
Open File Manager. Go to Audio or Records. Often, the system automatically categorizes files and you'll find them in the folder. Call_rec or MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. If automatic sorting doesn’t work, go to the root of internal memory and follow the path:
/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/In some firmware versions, especially global ones, the path may differ and lead through the folder. Android/data/com.android.soundrecorder/files/Recordings/Call_rec. Access to the folder Android/data on new versions of Android (11 and above) may be restricted without special authorization.
☑️ File access check
Once you find the file you want, you can rename it, send it via messenger or save it to the cloud. The file format is usually.m4a or.mp3, which ensures compatibility with most players. If the file is not played, try changing the extension or using a third-party audio player.
Automatic recording and sound quality setting
To avoid missing an important point in the conversation, you should set up an automatic recording, which eliminates the need to manually turn on the recorder every time you call, and the setting is made in the menu of the phone application itself.
Go to Phone Settings, then select Call Record. Here you will see the Auto Record switch, and when you activate it, you can select All Numbers or Selected Numbers, and the system will ignore normal calls and only record contacts from your list.
| Setup parameter | Description of function | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Sound source | Choice of microphone (headphones, speaker) | Leave "Automatically" |
| File format | Audio Compression Quality (MP3, AAC) | High quality for important matters |
| Notification | Audible signal during recording | Insert for legality |
| Cleanup | Automatically delete old files | Set up in 30 days |
Pay attention to the quality of the recording. You can select bitrates from the settings menu. High quality will take up more space, but will provide better legibility of quiet voices. Low quality will only be suitable for recording the fact of a call or loud conversations.
Why can the recording be interrupted?
Using Google Phone to Record
Many of the new Redmi and Xiaomi smartphones sold globally have replaced the standard dialer with Google Phone. The recording functionality is also present in this app, but has its own features. The interface and file location will differ from the native MIUI app.
When you make an incoming or outgoing call, you'll see a "Write" button on the screen, and when you press it, you'll be alerted by voice to the caller that the conversation is being recorded, which is an Android security requirement that you can't get around with regular means.
You can listen to the recording immediately after the call is completed by clicking on the notification, or later through the call history.
/Android/data/com.google.android.dialer/files/sound_recorder/It is important to know that in Google Phone, records are often stored in the cloud or have limited access for third-party applications.To transfer a file, you may need to use the Share feature inside the application, as direct access through the file manager can be difficult.
⚠️ Note: When using Google Phone, the mandatory voice warning is recorded in a file and heard by both interlocutors.
Third-party applications for recording conversations
If the built-in tools don't meet your requirements, you can use third-party software, but it's worth considering that with the release of Android 10, 11, 12 and later, Google has restricted the access of applications to the microphone during the call, which means that many old programs stopped working correctly.
One of the working solutions is the Call Recorder app - Cube ACR. It requires special permissions through the Accessibility menu, which can then intercept VoIP (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram) audio streams and regular GSM calls.
- 📱 Cube ACR — Supports VoIP and regular calls recording, requires accessibility settings.
- 🎙️ TapeACall is a popular solution, but often paid and working via conference call.
- 🔊 Automatic Call Recorder – a classic application, the functionality depends on the version of Android.
When you install these apps, you need to be careful about the permissions you're asking for, they need access to the microphone, the phone, and the storage, and without those permissions, you can't record audio or the file is empty.
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For better performance, third-party recorders add them to the battery exception list (Sunset) so that the MIUI system doesn’t close them in the background.
Recording problems and their solution
Users often experience a situation where there is no recording, no file, no one is listening, and one of the common causes is application conflict, and if multiple programs are installed to record, they can block each other.
The problem may also be in the energy saving settings. MIUI aggressively unloads background processes. To avoid data loss, go to Settings → Applications → Phone (or your recorder) → Battery and select No Limits mode.
If you can't hear yourself or the person you're talking to, check to see if the microphone is covered with a cover or protective film. In rare cases, resetting the phone app to factory settings helps, but that will remove the call history, so back up.
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The main reason for the lack of sound recording on new Android is the OS’s security limitations, which require the use of built-in tools or complex workarounds.
Legal aspects and ethics
Using the recording function, it is important to keep in mind the laws of your country: in some states, recording a conversation without warning the other party is illegal and can only be used as evidence with mutual consent.
Always evaluate whether to record. Keeping sensitive information (passwords, card data) in the open on your phone poses a risk of leakage. If the device falls into the wrong hands, attackers can access your dialogues.
⚠️ Warning: Before using the record in court or public space, make sure you are not violating the law on the protection of personal data.