Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi Redmi 8 smartphones is a feature that can be useful in a variety of situations, from saving important business information to fixing evidence in controversial moments. However, many users face the problem of where to find these records, how to play them, and why they sometimes disappear from the device’s memory. In this article, we will examine all legal ways to access the records of calls on Redmi 8, including system tools and workarounds without using root rights.
It's important to understand that the ability to record conversations depends on the version of MIUI firmware, regional restrictions, and the settings of a particular carrier. For example, in some countries, recording calls without notifying the interlocutor is prohibited by law. We will not consider methods that violate the law or require hacking systems, only official and secure solutions.
If you've never turned on a conversation record on your Redmi 8, check if it's activated in the settings first. Maybe it's just not automatically recorded. Next, we'll go into detail on where files are stored, how to find them through standard apps, and what to do if the records aren't saved.
1.Where are the default conversation records on Xiaomi Redmi 8 stored
On smartphones Xiaomi Redmi 8 firmware MIUI Default phone records are saved in the folder /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ (for internal memory; or /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/. Files have the extension.amr or.mp3 and are named by pattern:
- 📅 Date and time: for example, 20260515_143022.amr — record 15 may 2026 yearly 14:30:22.
- 📞 Phone number: the file name may contain the caller’s number (if he has decided on it).
- 🔢 Serial number: if there were several recording sessions in one conversation, they are numbered sequentially.
To find this folder:
- Open the Files app (an icon with a blue folder).
- Go to the "Category" section» → «Audio».
- In the list, find a folder «sound_recorder» Or use the search by name. call_rec.
If the folder is empty or missing, it may mean:
- 🚫 The recording function has never been activated in the settings.
- 🔄 Records are automatically deleted after a certain period (set up in the Dictator app»).
- 📱 Firmware MIUI Does not support recording for your region (operator restrictions).
⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI For Redmi 8, call records can be saved in the Mi Cloud if sync is enabled. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup copies.
2. How to enable automatic recording of conversations
If you're not recording, check the settings of the Phone app first. On Redmi 8, the recording function can be hidden or disabled by default. Here's how to activate it:
- Open the phone application (green handset).
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
- Go to the "Talk Record" section (if not, see the next paragraph).
- Enable the Automatic Recording option and select which calls to record: 📞 All incoming and outgoing; 📵 Only incoming; 📱 Only outgoing; ❌ None (unplugged).
If the “Recording Conversations” section is not in the settings, it may mean:
- 🌍 Your version. MIUI does not support the function (e.g. global firmware for Europe).
- 📱 Installed custom firmware, where the function is disabled.
- 🔧 Requires software update to the latest version.
Alternative methods can be used in such cases, such as third-party apps from Google Play (discussed below) or a built-in voice recorder that manually starts during a call, but note that recording via a voice recorder will only record sound from the microphone, not directly from the line - the quality can be worse.
3. How to listen to recordings through the standard Dictophone app
On Xiaomi Redmi 8, phone records can be played through the Dictophone app, which automatically groupes all audio files, including call records.
- Open the Dictator app.
- Go to the "Records" tab (usually opens by default).
- Find the record marked "Call" or filter by date.
- Click on the record to play. Functions are available here: 🔊 Volume control; ⏮️ Rewinding; 📤 Sending (via messengers or email); 🗑️ Removal.
If there are no entries in the list, try:
- 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files in the Files app (settings) → show off hidden files).
- 📁 Check the folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ manually through the file manager.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes records become visible after a reboot.
☑️ Checking for call records
⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI Call records can only be displayed in the Dictator app after you manually run the recording through it for the first time. Try recording a short audio file manually, then check the list again.
4. Alternative ways: third-party applications and cloud services
If standard methods don't work, you can use third-party solutions. It's important to choose apps from Google Play that rank high and have positive reviews to avoid data leakage.
| Annex | Features | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cube Call Recorder | Recording in high quality, cloud storage, automatic number recognition. | Advertising in the free version may not work on some firmware. |
| Call Recorder – ACR | Flexible settings (recording by contacts, schedule), integration with Google Drive. | A complex interface for beginners requires additional permissions. |
| Truecaller | Record + Spam Detection, Synchronization with Contacts. | Limited free storage of records requires registration. |
| Google Drive + Dictator | Manual recording via voice recorder with automatic upload to the cloud. | It is not easy to automatically record all calls. |
Before installing a third-party application:
- 🛡️ Check the permissions it requests (access to microphone, contacts, storage).
- 📋 Read the privacy policy – some applications send data to their servers.
- 🔄 Make sure the application is compatible with MIUI 11/12 (redmi firmware 8).
Important: Starting with Android 10, Google has tightened the rules for recording calls for third-party applications. Many programs now require special access mode in Android settings ("Special Access" → "Sound Recording"). Without this, the recording may not work.
5 Why Call Records May Not Be Saved and How to Fix It
If records suddenly cease to be saved or disappear, the reasons may be as follows:
- 📱 Memory shortage: Redmi 8 has 32/64 GB of internal memory. When you fill up the storage, the system can automatically delete old records.
- 🔧 Phone app crash: Cache cleanup or reinstalling updates can help.
- 📵 Operator restrictions: Some mobile operators block network-level call recording.
- 🔄 Update MIUI: After updating the firmware, the recording settings can be reset.
Decisions:
- Clear the cache of the Phone app: Settings → Applications → App management → Phone → Storage → Clear the cache
- Check the free space on the device (should be at least 1 GB).
- Turn off battery optimization for the Phone app: Settings → Battery and performance → Battery optimization → Find Phone → Disable
- Reset the settings of the Phone application to factory (record data will not be deleted).
How to check if the operator is blocking the recording of calls?
⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-Redmi 8 cards, records can only be saved for calls from the main SIM (Slot 1. Check the settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Recording of conversations.
6 How to Retrieve Records of Calls to Computer
If you need to save the records for a long time or transfer them to another device, you can transfer the files to your computer in several ways:
- 📎 Through USB-cable: Connect Redmi 8 to the PC via cable. Select "File Transfer" mode» (MTP) In the notification on your phone. On your computer, open the internal memory folder. → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. Copy the files you want (.amr or.mp3) hard-drive.
- ☁️ Through the cloud: Upload records to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Yandex.Disk. Open the web version of the cloud on your computer and download files.
By e-mail
- Send your email as an attachment (via the Mail or Gmail app).
- Download files from the mail to the PC.
Solution: Check for updates or use third-party apps from Google Play.