Xiaomi smartphone owners often wonder where exactly the phone records are stored, especially after a system upgrade or a change in device model. The standard Phone app in the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS has its own features of file storage, which may differ from the usual android patterns. Understanding the structure of the file system is necessary not only to find the desired audio recording, but also to create backups of important conversations.
By default, the system records conversations in hidden directories that require access to an extended file manager or enable the display of hidden files. Depending on the version of the operating system and regional firmware, the paths can vary, which often confuses users who are used to the old folder structure. Below we will discuss in detail all possible locations and nuances of the voice recorder in the context of telephony.
It’s worth noting that Google has implemented strict restrictions on app access to the microphone during a call in recent versions of Android, which has affected the native recorder’s performance. However, Xiaomi has managed to bypass these restrictions in its shells, retaining functionality but changing the logic of saving data to improve the security of user information.
Standard Ways of Conservation in MIUI and HyperOS
The main store of conversation records in Xiaomi smartphones is in the internal memory of the device. If you use the standard Google Phone application, which is often pre-installed in global versions, the path will be one. If you use the native MIUI Dialer app (Chinese version or global with a replaced dialer), the path may be different. This is a critical point for finding files.
For most modern devices with HyperOS shell or fresh MIUI 14/13 based on Android 11 and above, the main storage is the Record folder. However, unlike older versions of Android, direct access to the Android root folder is now limited by security policies. You will need to open Explorer, click on the menu (three dots) and select Settings where you want to activate the item "Show hidden files".
The typical file path is as follows: Internal memory → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. This is where the audio files in the format lie.m4a Or.aac. If you have a specific build installed or you use a third-party recorder, the path can lead through Android. → data → com.android.callrecorder, but access to it is possible only through special file managers like Total Commander or Solid Explorer with the provision of special rules.
- 📁 folder MIUI/sound_recorder — primary storage for native system records.
- 📁 Directory Android/data — storage space for applications running in the sandbox of the new OS.
- 📁 Xiaomi Cloud Storage – Optional Sync Place if the corresponding feature is enabled.
⚠️ Note: When you clear the cache of the Phone or Recorder app through your Android settings, your records may be deleted if they are stored in a cached directory. Always check what data you delete.
Search for records through the built-in voice recorder
The easiest way to find a record without digging into the file system is to use the built-in Dictaphone app, which aggregates all the audio recordings made by the system, including phone conversations if they were not moved.
To open a list of conversation records, run the Dictophone app and look at the tabs or top menu. In newer versions of HyperOS, the interface has become more minimalist, and the Phone category can be placed in a separate block or displayed in a shared list marked with a click on a specific file, you can not only listen to it, but also see the time and duration of the call.
An important feature is the ability to rename files directly in the voice recorder interface, which is extremely convenient for organizing important information. You can also send a file through messengers without going to the Explorer. The system allows you to sort records by size or date of creation, which helps you quickly find the desired fragment in a long list.
☑️ Checking the recording settings
If you don't see recordings of conversations in the Dictator app but are sure they were conducted, check your storage settings. SD-The card, and you look at the internal memory, or vice versa, switching between the storage sources is done in the settings of the voice recorder application itself.
Set up automatic recording of conversations
Xiaomi’s automatic conversation record feature is very flexible, but requires the right initial setup. It’s often disabled by default for privacy purposes. To activate it, you need to go to the Phone app, click three dots in the corner, and select Settings → Call record.
In this menu, you'll find the Automatic Record switch, and you can activate it and choose to record all incoming and outgoing or only certain numbers. Selective recording allows you to create a list of contacts that you can automatically record while ignoring the rest of the calls, saving memory space and making it easier to search.
Path to settings:
Phone → Settings (three dots) → Recording calls → Automatic recordingIn some regions (Europe, Russia), the system can automatically add an audible warning ("Conversation is recorded") at the beginning of a conversation. In the settings, you can try to turn off the voice alert, but this depends on the legislation of the country specified in the region of the device.
- 🔊 Record volume – allows you to adjust the sensitivity of the microphone for the recorded voice.
- 📞 Recording known numbers – an option for filtering spam or courier services.
- 💾 File format – the choice between high quality (large size) and standard compression.
Hidden codes for checking the region
Work with SD-map and external storage
Many users prefer to save the conversation records to the memory card, so as not to clog the internal space of the smartphone. Xiaomi allows you to change the default save path. However, when working with Android 11 and higher, the system may require re-confirmation of access rights to the device. SD-After each major update of the system.
If you have moved the storage to the card and the records have stopped appearing or disappeared, check the file system format of the card. For proper work with media files and system records, the exFAT or FAT32 format is recommended. NTFS format may not be supported natively without third-party drivers, which will lead to recording errors.
⚠️ Attention: When extracting SD-cards without prior deactivation in the settings (“Settings» → «The phone» → «Warehouse» → «Safe extraction) There is a high risk of file system damage and loss of all conversation records.
If a cheap card with a low class speed (below Class 10) is used, micro-delays or cliffs in the audio file may occur during long conversations. It is recommended to use UHS-I or higher cards for frequent recording of conversations.
Problems with access and application rights
A common problem that users face after upgrading to Android 12/13/14 is the loss of access rights of the Phone app to memory. The system may “forget” the permission to write files, and new conversations will simply cease to persist, in which case you need to manually recheck the permissions.
Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → search for Phone (or Recorder) and go to Application Permissions. Make sure that the permissions to access Memory or Files and Media Content are set to Allow Always or Allow. Without that, the Record Module will not physically be able to create a file on the disk.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Records are not being created. | There's no memory. | Clear cache or delete old files |
| File damaged. | Interrupting recording (incoming call) | Check the call waiting settings |
| No files visible on the PC | USB Connection Mode | Switch to File Transfer Mode (MTP) |
| Silence on the record. | Prohibition of microphone access | Check the permissions in the privacy settings |
Another reason for the lack of records may be a conflict with antivirus software or memory cleaners that aggressively delete files from the folder. call_rec, Thinking of them as temporary garbage, add a folder with the records in the exceptions of your antivirus.
💡
Use Xiaomi Cloud or Google Drive cloud sync to automatically backup a folder with conversation records, which will save important information in the event of loss or breakage of your smartphone.
Third-party recording applications
Xiaomi’s built-in tools are powerful, but sometimes not enough functionality, such as WAV recording without compression or cloud download immediately after a call, in which cases users turn to third-party solutions such as Call Recorder – ACR or TapeACall.
Third-party applications work differently from system applications, and they use Accessibility services to automatically answer a call and turn on a record. When installing such software on Xiaomi, you must give it all the requested permissions, including “Above Other Windows” and “Autostart”, otherwise the system is not used. MIUI/HyperOS «Kills the "background recording process" to save battery.
The main disadvantage of third-party recorders on new versions of Android is the possible lack of audio of the interlocutor. Google blocks access to the audio stream for third-party applications. So Xiaomi’s native solution is often the only stable option where both sides of the conversation are heard.
💡
Xiaomi’s native Phone app provides the best recording quality and stability, as it has system privileges not available to third-party software in modern versions of Android.