Where Xiaomi saves conversation records: search and setup

Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face the challenge of keeping an important conversation, whether it’s a business conversation or a confirmation of an agreement. The built-in MIUI shell call recording function works automatically or at the click of a button, but finding a stored file in a device’s memory can be difficult because of the complex folder structure. Android, especially in the latest versions, strictly regulates access to system files, which changes the standard paths to audio files.

Understanding the logic of the MIUI file system allows you to quickly find the right audio recordings without installing third-party conductors. Unlike many other manufacturers, Xiaomi uses specific directories to store system audio that are not always obvious to the average user. In this article, we will discuss in detail where files are located, how to change the save path and what to do if the records are lost after an update.

It is important to consider that the location of files may depend not only on the model of the smartphone, but also on the version of the Android operating system installed. 10 and above file access Android/data It's limited, which causes the system or the user to look for workarounds. MIUI We will give you advice on how to store your audio archives.

The standard path to the folder with records in MIUI

By default, all audio recordings of conversations are stored in the device’s internal memory in a dedicated system directory. The standard path used in most firmware versions is as follows:/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. This is where the recorder creates separate files for each registered call. Files usually have an extension.m4a or.mp3, This ensures that they are played on any media player.

⚠️ Note: When connecting a smartphone to a computer through USB-folder MIUI It may be hidden or unavailable for direct copying in new versions of Android due to Google’s security policy.

If you use the built-in File Manager Explorer, you can navigate to this folder through the category menu. Often users search for the Call or Record folder at the root, but Xiaomi hides them deeper. For quick access, you can use a file search by entering the.m4a extension, but manual copying through the full path is more reliable.

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Use the Hidden Folders feature in Explorer to hide the directory with records from prying eyes if the phone is in public access.

It is worth noting that the path structure may vary slightly depending on the regional firmware version (Global, China, EEA). In Chinese versions of MIUI, the paths may be more confusing due to integration with local Xiaomi services.

Alternative Paths and Features of Android 11-14

With the release of Google security updates, access to the root file system was severely restricted. 11, 12, 13 and 14 The path to the records may have shifted. Now, you often find a path through the application system folder: Internal memory./Android/data/com.android.soundrecorder/files/CallRec. Here the system recorder stores its data, isolating it from public access.

The Android/data folder access problem is solved by using a MIUI-built Explorer or third-party file managers with extended rights, such as Total Commander or Solid Explorer. Standard Windows Explorer may not display the contents of this folder when connected via USB. In this case, it is recommended to use the Wi-Fi file transfer function or cloud services.

It's also worth checking the settings of the Record application itself. In some cases, users will change the save path to the Record. SD-If you have a memory card installed, look for files along the way. SD-card/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec. Transferring to an external medium helps save space in internal memory, but can slow down file access when writing.

Configure automatic recording and file formats

The MIUI Call Recording feature allows you to flexibly configure save settings. To manage this, open the Phone app, click three dots in the corner and select Call Recording Settings. You can activate automatic recording of all incoming and outgoing calls or only for selected numbers, which is critical for those who are actively communicating with voice.

Special attention should be paid to the choice of recording format. In the settings, you can switch between MP3 and AAC formats. MP3 format provides better compatibility with other devices, but takes up more space. AAC (often in the M4A container) gives better quality with a smaller file size, which is important for devices with a small amount of memory.

In addition, the settings menu can enable the option of notification of the record. By default, Xiaomi warns the interlocutor with a voice message "Conversation is recorded". Disable this warning by regular means in global versions of firmware is almost impossible due to the legal requirements of different countries, but in some regions this feature may not be available.

Using Google Drive to Storage Records

Modern versions of Google’s Phone app, which is often installed on global versions of Xiaomi, offer cloud storage integration. If you have this version of Dialer installed, records can be automatically uploaded to Google Drive, which frees up space on your smartphone and ensures data is safe even if you lose your device.

To check this feature, go to the phone app settings, then to Call Recording. There should be a Save in the Cloud or similar option. The path to files in this case will be in the Google Drive app in the folder created by the system, usually called Call Recordings or has the name of your account.

Using the cloud has its advantages, but requires a stable Internet connection. If a record was made in an area without network coverage, the file will first be stored locally in the cache, and then, when Wi-Fi appears, it will be synchronized. It is important to keep an eye on filling Google's storage quota, since audio files can quickly exhaust the free 15 GB.

Table: Comparison of storage paths and formats

For ease of navigation and understanding the differences depending on the version of the system, we have prepared a summary table that will help you quickly navigate where Xiaomi put your files in a particular case.

As you can see from the table, with the update of the operating system, the paths become more secure. If you plan to transfer records to your computer often, it makes sense to create a script in advance or use cloud folder synchronization so that you don't dig into the system directories every time.

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On new versions of Android, direct access to the record folder via USB-The cable is locked by security, use file managers on the phone itself.

Access problems and missing records

One of the common problems users have is the disappearance of records after a system update or memory cleanup, most often because the Security cleaner app marks old records as garbage unless there are appropriate exceptions. To avoid this, you need to add a folder with records to the cleaner's exclusion list.

⚠️ Note: Cleanup can permanently delete files older than 30 days if the janitor’s settings have an appropriate storage time limit.

Also, records may not be saved if there is not enough space on the device. MIUI prioritizes resources for running applications, and if the memory is full, the writing process may be interrupted or the file will not be created at all. Regularly check the free space in the Settings → Memory section.

Another reason is the permission conflict. Once the apps are updated, Android components may lose their memory permission. Check Settings → Apps → All Apps → Recorder (or Phone) → Rights to make sure that access to files is allowed.

Instructions for manual search and copying

If automatic search doesn't work, use the step-by-step manual file detection manual, which works 99% of the time, regardless of the firmware version, and you only need a built-in conductor.

First, open the File Manager app. Select the Internal Memory category or click on the folder icon. Next, find the folder called MIUI. Inside it, look for the directory. sound_recorder. And that's where all the audio generated by the system is stored. And inside, you'll see a folder. call_rec — It's the storehouse of conversations.

To copy files to your computer or the cloud, select the entries you want (you can select several by holding your finger on one of the files). Click Copy or Move and select the target folder, such as Download or Documents, from where they will be easier to get through the file. USB-cable.

Remember that conversation records files can have names in date and time format, for example, 20231025_143005.m4a. Orient yourself to the time of the call to find the file you want. If there are too many file names, sort by date of change in the Explorer menu.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)