Owners of Xiaomi smartphones and Poco sub-brands often face the need to keep an important conversation, whether it is a business discussion or confirmation of an agreement with the service service. However, after the call is completed, users often get lost in the wilds of the file system, not knowing exactly where the audio file is hiding. On the Poco F3 model, running under the MIUI shell or HyperOS, the directory structure has its own features that distinguish it from pure Android.
Finding the right file can be complicated by the default file manager hiding system folders, and the records themselves can be scattered across different directories depending on the firmware version. Starting with MIUI 12.5, the path to the Recordings folder has changed, and the old instructions can be misleading. Understanding the logic of data storage will help you quickly find the right information and effectively manage free space on the device.
In this article, we will take a look at all the possible ways in which the system stores audio recordings, and learn how to adjust automatic file sorting. You will learn how to change the standard behavior of a recorder and where to look for hidden archives if they are not displayed in the gallery.
The Standard Path in the Android File System
By default, the Android operating system on which your Poco F3 firmware is built uses a single logical structure to store user data. All multimedia files created by applications are usually grouped into the root directory of internal memory. Call and voice recorder records are reserved for a special directory that is accessed through any file manager.
To find a file, you need to open the Explorer or Files app and go to the Internal Drive section. MIUI, It's the heart of user data in Xiaomi's shell, and it's got a directory inside it. sound_recorder, Where are all your audio archives, sorted by date.
The complete path to files is as follows:
/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/Inside this folder you will find a subdirectory call_rec, It's designed to be used exclusively for recording telephone conversations, and if you use a tape recorder to take notes, they'll be in the next folder. rec_rec. m4a or.mp3 depending on the recording quality settings displayed in the application menu.
Features of storage in MIUI and HyperOS
The MIUI 14 shell and the new HyperOS on the Poco F3 are making adjustments to Android’s standard behavior. Google Play Services’ security system, introduced in recent versions, requires smartphone makers to notify the interlocutor of a recording of a conversation, which has led to changes in how applications access the microphone and where they store the result.
In the new versions of the firmware folder sound_recorder This can be hidden from third-party applications to enhance privacy, which means that some third-party file managers may not display its content without special permissions. Use only the regular Files Explorer from Xiaomi to ensure that you see all audio archives.
Also worth noting is the Xiaomi Cloud function, which means that if you have sync enabled, copies of records can be automatically sent to the server, in which case the originals can be deleted from the device to save space, remaining available only through your Mi Cloud account. Check the sync status in your account settings if you can not find fresh files.
Why can a folder be empty?
Set up automatic recording of conversations
To avoid worrying about manually turning on the recorder during an important call, Poco F3 allows you to set up automatic recording, which is especially true for lawyers, realtors and support staff who need to document each call, and is set up directly in the phonebook interface.
Open the Phone app and click on the three dots in the top right to enter the settings menu. Select Record Conversations. Here you will be prompted to enable automatic recording for all numbers or only for selected contacts from the phone book. It is a flexible tool to save disk space.
- 📞 All numbers: the system will automatically record any incoming and outgoing calls without exception.
- 👤 Selected numbers: entry will only start when you call from the numbers listed in the special list.
- 🔇 No sound: the option allows you to disable the audio recording notification (does not work in all regions due to the legislation).
After activating the function next to the reset button, the recording indicator will appear during the conversation. You can interrupt the recording at any time or resume it if you forgot to enable automation. All files will be saved to the previously specified folder immediately after the call is completed. call_rec.
☑️ Checking the recording settings
Search for hidden and system files
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the record seems to have been recorded (the indicator burns), but the file is nowhere, in such cases it is worth checking the hidden system partitions or alternative paths that can be used by third-party applications if the standard caller has been replaced, and the files may be corrupted or have a non-standard extension.
Try using the search function inside the explorer. Type in the search bar a part of the file name or date, such as 2026 or rec. The system will index the internal memory and show all the matches, even if they lie deep in the directory structure. This often helps to find files moved by the user's erroneous actions.
Another way to connect the smartphone to the computer through USB-cable, file transfer mode (MTP) folder structure is displayed differently, and you can see the contents of the directory MIUI It's easier to sort files by date on a PC and find the right audio recordings among thousands of other documents.
⚠️ Warning: Do not delete files with the.idx or.db extension from the recorder folder. These are service databases that store information about the time and duration of calls. Without them, the application may stop displaying the list of records correctly.
Memory management and archive cleanup
Audio recordings, especially in high quality, can take up a significant amount of memory. On the Poco F3 with its fast UFS 3.1 memory, this is not as critical as on older models, but overflowing storage can still lead to system failures. Regular cleaning of the archive is a mandatory procedure to maintain performance.
The Dictaphone or Conversation Recorder app has a built-in file management tool, you can sort records by size or date and delete unnecessary packets, and it's recommended that you audit and erase conversations over three months once a month if they have no legal value.
For those who want to save the archive forever, the best solution is to periodically back up to an external medium. sound_recorder You can go to your computer or to the cloud (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk), and then remove it from your smartphone, which will free up gigabytes of space to install new apps and games.
💡
Use the Safe Folder feature in Explorer to hide confidential conversation records from prying eyes without deleting files.
Comparison of formats and recording quality
The quality of the audio you store depends on the settings and codecs you choose. Poco F3 has different bitrate options that affect file size and speech legibility. Understanding the differences will help you choose the best balance between sound quality and space.
In the voice recorder settings, you can choose the sound source: the microphone of the phone or the sound of the system (when recording through the speaker). For telephone conversations, the system usually mixes both channels to record both your voice and the voice of the interlocutor at the same volume.
| Parameter | Poor quality | High quality | No compression. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | AMR | AAC / M4A | WAV |
| Size (1 min) | ~15 Kb | ~100 Kb | ~1.5 Mb |
| legibility | Low. | Great. | Studio |
| Recommendation | For long lectures | For important calls. | For music. |
For most use cases, including phone recording, the best choice is the 128 kbps AAC format. It provides clean sound, cutting off noise, and takes up a reasonable amount of memory. WAV format should only be used if you plan to professionally process voice.
💡
The choice of AAC format provides the best balance between voice quality and saving space on the Poco F3 disk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does the recording of the conversation break down on its own?
Can I transfer the file with the records to SD-map?
How to recover a deleted recording of a conversation?
Does the interviewer hear the click of the recording?
⚠️ Attention: Many countries require that the conversation be notified of the recording of the conversation. Using the recording function without notice can entail legal liability.