How to listen to recorded conversations on Xiaomi Redmi

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the challenge of recording an important conversation, whether it’s a business conversation or details with a carrier. Fortunately, in the shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS, this feature is implemented on a system level without requiring third-party apps to be installed. However, after the conversation is over, many users are lost in the wilds of the file system and can not immediately find the desired audio file.

Finding records can be complicated by the fact that the paths to them vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the specific device model. The standard file manager sometimes hides system folders, and a search by file name does not always give an instant result. In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways to access the archive of calls, from regular funds to direct access to folders.

It’s important to understand that the quality of the recording and the fact that it appears on the list depends on the privacy settings and permissions you gave the phone when you first started the feature. Since Android 9, Google’s system restrictions have changed the way you record calls, so on new Redmi models, files can be saved in hidden directories that are not available for quick browsing without special actions. Let’s look at how to get around these restrictions and quickly find the information you need.

Search for records through the standard application “Phone”

The most obvious and quick way to find a recording of a conversation is to use the built-in call functionality. In Xiaomi smartphones, call history is integrated with the recording function, making access to audio files as easy as possible. You don't have to search for individual applications or go into system settings if you just want to listen to the last conversation.

To do this, open the Phone app and go to the call history tab. Find the contact or number you want in the list, which usually displays the voice recorder or tape recorder icon next to it. Click on the call extension arrow or just tap the number to open the detailed menu where the play button will be.

• 📞 Open the call log and find a tagged conversation.
• 🎧 Click on the speaker icon for instant listening.
• 📂 Select the “Details” option to see the path to the file.
• 📤 Use the “Share” button to send an entry to the messenger.

If you don't see the record icon, it may have been disabled automatically or the record has not survived due to memory shortage, so check the automatic writing settings or try to find the file through Explorer, and consider that on global firmware, the interface may be slightly different from the Chinese versions of MIUI.

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If the recording icon disappeared after the system update, check the permissions of the Phone app in the privacy settings - it is possible that access to the microphone was limited.

Using a built-in voice recorder to manage the archive

All phone records on Redmi devices are automatically duplicated or stored in the system app Dictaphone, a separate software module that serves as a centralized storage for all audio, including voice notes and conversations, which is especially useful if you need to sort records by date or title.

Run the Dictaphone app from the app menu. At the top of the screen, you'll see a tab switch where you want to select the "Phone" or "Calls" category. This displays a list of all the saved dialogs, sorted by time of arrival, and by clicking on any of them, you can listen to the content, crop the extra or rename the file for easy search.

There's an enhanced editing feature inside the app, so you can cut silence, amplify voice, or add effects, which makes the recorder a powerful tool not only for storing, but also for primary processing of audio before being shared with third parties.

Note that deleting a record from a call log doesn't always remove it from a recorder, and vice versa. These databases may not sync instantly, so always check both places if you're looking for a critical file. Also, you can change the record format from M4A to MP3 or WAV if the standard format is not readable on your computer.

Direct access to files through the Explorer

For those who are used to working with the file system directly or want to copy records to a computer, the standard Explorer is indispensable. The path to files can vary depending on the version of Android installed on your Xiaomi. On older versions of the system, files were in an open folder, but modern Google security requirements hide them deeper.

Open the Explorer app and go to Audio or Records. Often the system categorizes the files itself, and you'll see the folder immediately. Call_rec or MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. If the automatic sorting does not work, you will have to walk the full way manually.

The typical path to recording on the current versions of MIUI 12/13/14 and Android 11+ is as follows:

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

However, if you upgrade to Android 13 or later, the path may change to more secure:

/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.incallui/files/Record/

In the latter case, access to the folder may be restricted, and the conductor will ask for special permission to view the contents of the system directory, which is normal security behavior.

Customization of quality and format of recording

The quality of the recorded conversation depends on the selected coding settings. Xiaomi uses a default balance between the quality and the size of the file, but for important negotiations, these parameters can be changed. High quality is especially important if the recording is planned to be used as proof or sent for decryption.

Go to the Phone app settings (three dots in the corner -> Settings) and find the Call Record section. Here you can choose the file format. MP3 is considered the most versatile, since it is readable on any device. AAC or M4A format provides better quality at a smaller size, but may require conversion for older players.

You can also set up automatic recording for all incoming or just numbers from the phone book, and it's important that you turn on the recording of all calls can quickly fill up the memory of the device, so keep an eye out for the free space.

Solving problems with lack of sound in the recording

One of Redmi’s most common problems is when a recording file is created but only one side of the conversation is heard or silenced, often due to noise reduction or Google’s restrictions on using the microphone while calling other apps.

If you only hear yourself, but not the person you're talking to, try changing the sound source in the recording settings to "Microphone." If the silence is complete, check if the antivirus or built-in MIUI protection blocks the voice recorder from accessing system sounds. Sometimes cleaning the cache of the Phone application helps.

⚠️ Note: On some global firmware, the recording of the second side of the conversation may not work properly due to regional restrictions, in which case the only solution is to turn on the speakerphone during the conversation so that the microphone can catch the voice of the interlocutor.

Another reason could be the headset. Some Bluetooth headphones don't transmit audio to the system's recording channel. Try making a test call without the headset to make sure the function is working. If the problem persists only with the headset, that's a technical limitation of a particular accessory.

Transfer and backup of records

Records of conversations take up space, and over time they accumulate a huge amount. To avoid losing important information when changing your phone or resetting, you need to make regular backups. Xiaomi Cloud's built-in tools do not always synchronize call records, relying on local storage.

The best way to save an archive is to manually copy a folder. call_rec You can set up automatic synchronization of this folder in the cloud service application so that new records fly to the cloud immediately after the call is completed.

• 💾 Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
• 📂 Find a folder with records in the device memory.
• 📤 Copy files to the computer's hard drive.
• ☁️ Or set up autoboot to the cloud service.

When transferring to a new phone, simply place files in the same directory and they should be determined by the system. If no automatic determination has occurred, use the Import function in the Dictaphone app, indicating the path to the saved files.

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Regular backup of the folder Call_rec — the only guaranteed way to save records when flashing or resetting your smartphone to factory settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)