Where to look for conversation records on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones: the full guide

Have you accidentally deleted an important conversation or can't find a call record on your Xiaomi? Unlike iPhone, where call recording is often blocked at the operator level, devices on MIUI offer more flexibility - but not always obvious. In this article, we'll look at all possible storage locations, from the standard Phone app to hidden folders and third-party services.

It’s important to understand that file location depends on the firmware version (MIUI 12/13/14/15), the smartphone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.) and even regional settings. We have collected up-to-date data for 2026, including changes following the privacy policy updates of Google and Xiaomi.

1. Standard Phone app: where records are stored

If you used the built-in call recorder, the files should automatically be saved to the app folder. Here's how to find them:

Open the phone application → Go to the tab Journal. → tap on the icon ⋮ (three points) in upper right corner → Select the Talk Records, and you'll see all the stored audio files, sorted by date. MIUI 14+ The path may be different: sometimes the record is hidden behind a long press on the contact → Details. → Records.

• 📁 The path to files: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ or /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/ (depending on the version MIUI).
• 🔊 File format: usually.m4a or.amr (to save space).
• ⚠️ Limitation: on some models (POCO F4, Redmi K50) Records are automatically deleted after 30 days unless they are moved to another location.

If the folder is empty, check the recording settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone.
2. Go to Permissions and make sure that Sound Recording and Warehouse are enabled.
3. Return to Phone Settings → Record conversations and check AutoSave.

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If the records are gone after the MIUI update, try clearing the Phone app cache in the settings, which often helps restore access to old files.

2. Hidden system folders: where else can the records lie

Sometimes, call records are stored in non-obvious places, especially if you've used third-party apps or Google Drive features.

To see hidden folders, use a root file manager (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) or connect your phone to your PC via MTP. On Windows, enable the display of hidden files in Explorer → View → Hidden Items.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from the folder /Android/data/ manually, this can cause system applications to crash. Better copy the records to a secure location.

3. Cloud services: synchronization of records

Many users are unaware that Xiaomi can sync call records with cloud services by default.

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup. In the Application Data section, find the Phone and check if the recording synchronization is enabled.
• 📁 Google Drive: If you have used the Google Phone app (installed on some models for the European market), records can be stored in Drive. → Backup copies → Call Recordings.
• 🔄 Dropbox/OneDrive: Some third-party recording apps (such as Cube Call Recorder) automatically upload files to the cloud.

To recover the recordings from Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Press 5 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and use the Mi PC Suite to access backups.

Mi Cloud|Google Drive|Dropbox|OneDrive|Don't use the cloud.|Other-->

4. Third-party applications for recording calls

If standard methods didn’t help, you probably used third-party software, popular apps and where they store files:

To find the records:

1. Open the application that was used to record.
2. Check the History or Records section.
3. If there are no files, try to restore them through the built-in backup function (for example, in ACR it is Settings → Recovery).

⚠️ Note: Some apps (like Truecaller) encrypt recordings, and without a premium subscription, you won't be able to listen to them even if you have files.

Make sure that the application is installed|Check the sound recording permissions|Update the application to the latest version|View the history of records in the application itself|Exporting records to another location-->

5. Recovery of deleted records

If the records have been deleted, don't despair - you can try to restore them.

• 🗑️ Basket MIUI: Go to the Files. → The bin, the records are kept there for up to 30 days.
• 🔍 Recovery Programs: Use DiskDigger, Recuva (on PC) or Dumpster (cart application).
• 📱 Backup copy TWRP: If you have custom recap installed, try to recover data from the backup.

To recover via DiskDigger:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select Full Scan (root rights required).
3. Filter the results by expanding.m4a or.amr.
4. Save the files found to a memory card or cloud.

If the phone is not rooted, the chances of recovery are lower, but you can try connecting the device to the PC in PTP mode and scan the internal memory with programs like EaseUS Data Recovery.

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The faster you start recovering from deletion, the better the chances of returning records, and each new record or application installation reduces the likelihood of success.

6. Features of recordings on different Xiaomi models

The location and format of the recordings can vary greatly depending on the model and the region of the firmware, and here are the key differences:

• 📱 Xiaomi 13/13 Pro/13 Ultra: Records are stored in /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/.opus format (requires a special player).

On devices for the Chinese market (with CN firmware), the recordings can be automatically encrypted to listen to:

1. Copy the files to the PC.
2. Rename the extension from.dat to.m4a.
3. Use the VLC or PotPlayer player to play.

7 Legal aspects of recording conversations

Before you search or distribute records, make sure it is legal in your country.Most countries have the following rules:

• 🏛️ Russia: Recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor is allowed if you are a participant in the conversation (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation).
• 🏛️ EU (GDPR): All participants in the conversation need to agree, and storing records without consent can result in a fine.
• 🏛️ Laws vary by state, some (e.g. California) require consent from all parties.

On Xiaomi devices for the European market (EEA), call recording is often disabled by default.

1. Install MIUI Version Changer (unlocked bootloader required).
2. Change the region to India or Global.
3. Restart your phone and check for the recording option in the Phone app.

⚠️ Note: Use of court records or blackmail may be qualified as a violation of the law on personal data (for example, Art. 137 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi conversation records