Owners of budget and mid-budget smartphones often face the need to save important information voiced during the call. Xiaomi Redmi 10 model is equipped with a standard set of tools for communication, but the location and operation of the recording function may differ from the usual patterns. In the operating system MIUI, which is based on Android, the process of saving the dialogue is automated, but access to the archive is not always obvious to the new user.
There are several ways to find and play back a stored audio file, ranging from the built-in Phone app to file managers. It is important to understand that depending on the firmware version (Global, EEA or Chinese), the interface may have visual differences. Starting with Android 9 and above, the system forcibly alerts the interlocutor with a voice signal to start recording, which is a requirement of many countries.
In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to access the audio archive, review the sound quality settings and answer frequent questions when using the voice recorder during calls. You will learn how to quickly find the right files and manage them without installing third-party software.
Search for records through the standard phone application
The fastest and most logical way to listen to the saved dialogue is to use the built-in call app. In the MIUI shell, call history is integrated with the voice recorder function, so you don't search files deep in the file system. To start, open the standard "bell ringer", the icon of which usually has a green background and a white phone.
At the top of the screen, you'll see the Favorites, Recents and Contacts tabs, and you'll need to go to the Recent tab, which shows a chronological list of all incoming and outgoing connections, find the contact or number that you recorded, and next to the subscriber's number or name, if the recording is successful, you'll see a special icon -- usually a small cassette or a voice recorder symbol.
Click on this icon and the audio file will play back immediately. If the icon is not available but you are sure that the recording was made, click on the phone number or contact name itself to reveal details about the call. The call details menu that opens should also have a play button. The interface may change depending on the version of Google Dialer or MIUI Dialer.
⚠️ Note: If you have updated the Phone app through the Google Play Store, the interface may change and the record icon may move to the submenus of the details of a particular call rather than appearing in the shared list.
The playback control is basic: there is a pause, rewind and the ability to turn on speaker, which is convenient when you need to quickly refresh the address, meeting time or contract terms in memory without leaving the dialing screen.
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If the recording icon disappeared after the system update, check the settings of the Phone application - it is possible that the automatic recording function has been deactivated or the way files are saved has changed.
Using the Dictaphone application to access the archive
The second method involves using the system application Recorder. Unlike many other manufacturers, Xiaomi separates audio streams: voice notes and phone conversations can be stored in different tabs within the same application, this is done for the convenience of sorting large amounts of data.
Run the Dictaphone app. On the home screen, you'll probably see a list of your voice notes. Pay attention to the top of the screen or the side menu (a three-band hamburger menu). There should be a tab or category called Phone or Call. Going to this section, you'll see a complete archive of all recorded conversations, sorted by date and time.
It's more functional than the call app, and you can not only listen to the file, but you can also:
- 🎧 Edit the beginning and end of the recording, cutting unnecessary pauses.
- 📤 Send a file via messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) or mail directly from the interface.
- 🗑️ Delete unnecessary dialogs in batch by highlighting multiple files at once.
- 🔒 Hide records in a secure folder if they contain confidential information.
Importantly, in some versions of MIUI 12 and MIUI 13 firmware for Redmi 10, the path to recording settings is inside this application. Clicking on three dots in the corner, select Record Settings to change the save format (MP3 or AAC) or sound quality.
Search for files through Explorer (File Manager)
If standard applications do not display the necessary information or you plan to copy the database of records to your computer, you will have to go to the file system. Xiaomi Redmi 10 uses the standard structure of Android directories, but taking into account the features of the shell.
The path to files may vary depending on which component of the system was responsible for writing (the old MIUI Dialer or the new Google Dialer). Open Explorer and go to Internal Memory. Next, open folders sequentially.
/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/Or, in the case of using Google components:
/Recordings/Call/Inside these directories are files with the.mp3,.aac, or.m4a extension. File names are often generated automatically based on date, time, and phone number. If you can't see files, check if they're hidden. In Explorer settings, the "Show Hidden Files" option should be activated.
This is especially useful when you need to make room. Audio recordings, especially in high quality, can take up a significant amount of space. You can sort files by size and delete the heaviest ones without erasing your phone's call history.
☑️ Verification of record retention
Set up automatic recording of conversations
To avoid worrying about manually turning on the recorder during an important conversation, the feature can be automated. Xiaomi Redmi 10 allows you to set up a record of all incoming calls, calls from numbers that are not in contacts, or specific subscribers from the list.
To set up, go to the Phone app. Click on the three dots in the corner of the screen (or swipe right to open the menu) and select Settings. Find Call Record. The following options are available here:
- 📞 Record all calls: The phone will automatically record every incoming and outgoing call.
- 👥 Recording selected numbers: allows you to create a list of contacts, conversations with which will be saved, and the rest – not.
- 🔕 Hide Notification: An option that removes a pop-up message that is being recorded (does not work in all regions due to legal restrictions).
You can also select a sound source from this menu, and you can use Dynamics and Microphone to hear both the speaker and your voice, and if you just choose a microphone, the voice can be very quiet.
⚠️ Note: Global versions of firmware (Global) ROM) For EU countries, the automatic recording function can be software blocked or work with a permanent voice warning that both interlocutors hear.
Do not forget to periodically check the availability of free space, as when recording all calls actively, the device memory can quickly fill up.
Why can't the recording work automatically?
Comparison of audio storage formats
Users often wonder what format is best for storing conversations, which affects file compatibility with other devices and the amount of time they take. There are usually two basic coding options available in Redmi 10's voice recorder settings.
For the understanding of the differences, we refer to the comparative table of formats used in the system:
| Parameter | MP3 | AAC / M4A |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | Maximum (plays everywhere) | High (requires codecs on PC) |
| Sound quality | Nice, but big size. | Best with less bitrate |
| File size | Large (about 1MB per minute) | Compact (about 0.5 MB per minute) |
| Editing | Supported by all editors | Requires conversion for old programs |
If you plan to store your archive for years and transfer files to different devices, including old tape recorders or players, choose MP3. If the priority is saving space on a Xiaomi Redmi 10 smartphone and you only listen to recordings on modern software, AAC format will be the best choice.
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AAC format provides a better ratio of quality and file size, which is critical for devices with a small amount of internal memory.
Solving problems with lack of records
It's not uncommon to have a record that seems to have been recorded (a notification was made) but the file is not found, and it can be due to app cache errors, access rights, or storage overflows. First, check if the phone's memory is full. If it's less than 100MB free, the system can block the creation of new files.
Step two is permissions. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find Phone and Recorder. Make sure they have permission to access Memory and Microphone. Without that, recording is physically impossible.
It’s also worth trying to clear the cache of the Phone app, which won’t delete your contacts or call history, but will reset temporary files that could have caused the recording module to crash. If the problem persists, it’s possible that a third-party call app (such as one installed from Play Market) conflicts with the system one, in which case try to delete the third-party caller.
⚠️ Warning: Antivirus programs or memory cleaners can automatically delete files in the Recordings folder, considering them temporary garbage. Check your antivirus settings and add a folder with records in exceptions.
If nothing works, the last resort is to reset the phone app to factory settings, which will return all settings, including recording settings, to the original state.