How to listen to a call on Xiaomi: official and hidden ways

Recording phone conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature that helps you capture important details of conversations, save evidence or just get back to the topics discussed. However, many users face the problem of where to find these records, how to play them, and what to do if they disappear. In this article, we will discuss all the official and hidden methods of accessing call records on Redmi devices, POCO and other Xiaomi products, including models with MIUI 12/13/14.

It's important to understand that the ability to record conversations depends on the firmware version, regional restrictions, and even the carrier, for example, in some EU countries, the recording function is disabled by default due to privacy laws, and we'll show you how to circumvent these restrictions legally and safely without violating the rights of the interlocutors.

If you’ve never turned on call recording, check first if your model supports this feature. In older devices (Xiaomi Mi 8 or Redmi Note 7), the record may work differently than in new ones (Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5). Also note that the records take up space in memory – they should be archived or deleted periodically.

1. Where are the default call records on Xiaomi stored

The official Phone app (com.android.dialer) in MIUI saves the records in a secure folder, and the path to the files depends on the firmware version:

• 📁 MIUI 12/13: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/
• 📁 MIUI 14: /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.miui.voicerecord/
• 🔍 For POCO: Sometimes the records are duplicated in /POCO/Recorder/

The files are.amr or.mp3 and are named by pattern: call_[Date] [time] [number].amr. To see them, you will need a file manager with access to hidden folders (e.g., Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer).

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If the folder is not displayed, turn on the display of hidden files in the file manager settings: Settings → Show hidden files.

On some models (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K50), records are automatically synced to Mi Cloud if backup is enabled. Check the cloud along the way: Mi Cloud → Backups → Application Data → Phone.

⚠️ Warning: Don't rename the records manually, which can break the link to the contacts in the Phone app. If you want to save the record separately, copy it to another folder.

2. How to listen to the recording directly in the application "Phone"

The easiest way is to use the built-in player in the call log.

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Go to the Journal section (the tab with the list of calls).
3. Find a recorded conversation – there will be an icon next to it. 🎤 (microphone).
4. Slip on the record → will open the playback panel with a timeline.

In this panel, functions are available:

• 🔊 Replay/pause – Standard buttons.
• 📥 Download – saves a copy to the Downloads folder.
• 🗑️ Delete – deletes the record irrevocably (unless backup is enabled).
• 📤 Share – sends the file via messengers or mail.

On MIUI 14, voice decryption (transcribing) is available in the player. It works offline, but requires you to load the language pack into Settings → Additional → Speech Recognition.

Find a log entry|Make sure there's a badge. 🎤|Check the volume level|Connect the headphones (if necessary)

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3. Alternative methods of listening to records

If the built-in player doesn’t work or the entries don’t appear in the log, try these methods:

Method 1: Through a File Manager

Use the Mi File Explorer or Total Commander:

1. Cross the path. /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/.
2. Select a file with the.amr or.mp3 extension.
3. Put it on the file. → Select "Open with the help» → «The loser».

Method 2: Third-party audio players

Some recordings may not play in a standard player because of codecs. Install VLC or MX Player - they support the.amr format without additional plugins.

Method 3: Connecting to a PC

If there is no suitable player on the phone:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB (File Transfer Mode).
2. Copy the records from the folder. call_rec PC-only.
3. Open files in Windows Media Player or Audacity.

In the annex "Telephone"|Through the file manager|On a computer.|I'm using third-party players.|I don't listen to the tapes.-->

4. How to enable call recording if the function is disabled

Some firmware (MIUI Global for the EU) has hidden the call record to activate it:

Method 1: Through the settings of the Phone application

1. Open the phone» → slip on ⋮ (three-point) → Settings.
2. Select Call Recording (or Call Recording).
3. Turn on the "Record Call" switch.
4. Set up the parameters: 📞 Record all calls automatically for all contacts. 👥 Selected contacts – only for marked numbers. 🔄 Incoming/outgoing only – filter by call type.

Method 2: Engineering menu (for advanced)

If you don’t have it in your settings, try activating it using ##4636##:

1. Enter the code in the application "Phone" → will open "Phone Information".
2. Go to the Usage statistics tab.
3. Find com.android.dialer → App ops.
4. Activate permission. RECORD_AUDIO.

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu can cause your phone to malfunction.Do this at your own risk by backing up beforehand.

5. Recovering deleted call records

If you accidentally delete a record, you can try to restore it, and success depends on how long it has been since it was deleted and whether memory cleanup functions have been used since then.

Method 1: Through the MIUI basket

MIUI 12+ has a built-in file basket:

1. Open the Mi File Explorer.
2. Go to the basket section (dumpster icon).
3. Find deleted records (filter by date or file name).
4. Select the files → press "Restore».

Method 2: Third-party recovery programs

If the cart is empty, use tools like DiskDigger or Recuva (requires root for deep scanning).

1. Install the program from Google Play.
2. Select a scan of internal memory.
3. Filter the results by expanding.amr/.mp3.
4. Save the recovered files to SD-card.

Critical information: If you used the Garbage Cleanup feature in the Security App after deleting the record, the chances of recovery are near zero.

6.The Best Third-Party Call Recording Apps

If Xiaomi's built-in feature doesn't suit you, consider alternatives. They offer advanced features: cloud storage, automatic decryption, password protection.

• 📱 Cube Call Recorder ACR: Recording calls in high quality (MP3 128 kbps! Integration with Google Drive and Dropbox. runs on Android 10+ rootless (with restrictions).
• 🔍 Truecaller: Automatic recording for spam calls, number identification and fraud locking, free, but with advertising.
• 🔒 Call Recorder by Lovekush: Password encrypting. VoIP (WhatsApp, Telegram calls) Free paid version.

⚠️ Note: Google Play apps may stop working after Android updates due to tighter privacy policies.For example, with Android 12, recording calls without notifying the interview is prohibited.

To install third-party recording applications, you may need permission to "Record audio" and "Read call logs" and only issue them to trusted programs from the official store.

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Third-party applications (APKs) may contain malicious code. Always download call recording software exclusively from Google Play or Mi App Store.

7. Legal aspects of call recording

Before you record conversations, read the laws of your country. Most regions have the following rules:

• 📜 Unilateral consent: In Russia, the United States and China, the consent of one participant in the conversation (you) is sufficient).
• 🚫 Bilateral consent: EU, Canada and Australia require all interviewees to be notified of the recording.
• ⚖️ Use in court: Records are only accepted as evidence if they are obtained legally (without hacking or hidden recording).

Xiaomi with EU firmware (MIUI EU) automatically plays a voice notification before recording begins: “This conversation is recorded.”

If you record a conversation for personal use (for example, to keep in mind details), there are usually no legal issues, but distributing the recording without the interviewer's consent can lead to a privacy lawsuit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)