Brand smartphones Redmi from the company Xiaomi are equipped with a built-in telephone conversation recording function, which is activated by default in many regions. This feature is extremely useful for saving important information, but over time, the archive of audio recordings can grow to unimaginable sizes. Users often encounter a situation where the internal memory of the device is filled to capacity, and the system begins to work slower or refuses to accept new files at all.
The process of deleting entries is not always intuitive, especially given the constant changes in the shell MIUI and the transition to HyperOS. In different firmware versions, file paths and application names may differ, which causes confusion among gadget owners. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the ways to clear call history: from standard system tools to working with a file manager for manual deletion.
We will also touch on the issues of automating the process so that you do not have to manually erase each file. Understanding the data storage structure on Android will allow you to effectively manage free space. If you want to learn how to quickly free up gigabytes of memory by deleting unnecessary dialogs, read on for a detailed guide.
Deleting through the call log and the Voice Recorder application
The most obvious and fastest way to get rid of a specific entry is to do it directly from the call log. In modern firmware versions Xiaomi the voice recorder icon is often integrated directly into the call card. You need to open the standard application Phone and go to the tab with call history.
Find the desired contact or number, next to which there is a cassette or microphone icon. Clicking this icon will usually start playing the recording. However, to remove it, you need to often click on the icon itself or select “View in voice recorder” in the drop-down menu. The interface may vary depending on the version MIUI.
If you switched to a separate application Dictaphonethe process becomes more clear. All audio files are collected here, including notes and conversation recordings. Select the desired file with a long press, after which a toolbar with a delete button in the form of a trash can will appear at the bottom of the screen. This action permanently erases the file from the system.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting an entry through the call log may not erase the audio file itself from the device’s memory, but only remove the association with the contact. For complete cleaning, it is better to use a file manager or the Voice Recorder application.
It is worth considering that in some regions, due to legal restrictions, the recording function may be disabled at the system level or hidden. In such cases, deletion is carried out exclusively through third-party applications, if they were installed by the user independently.
Manual deletion via Explorer (File Manager)
Sometimes standard interfaces do not display all files or work incorrectly. In such situations, the system comes to the rescue Explorer. This method gives full control over the file system and allows you to see the actual amount of space occupied. Open the application Explorer (or File Manager) on your smartphone.
Navigating folders in Android can be confusing for beginners. Recordings of conversations on devices Redmi are usually stored in the root directory of the internal memory. You need to find a folder named MIUI, then go to the subdirectory sound_recorder. This is where all the audio files created by the system recorder are located.
Inside this folder you will see files with names containing the date and time of recording. You can sort them by size or date to quickly find old and unnecessary data. Long pressing on a file activates selection mode, allowing you to select several objects at once for batch deletion. This significantly speeds up the cleaning process.
Use the "Sort by Size" function in Explorer to instantly find the heaviest call recordings that take up the most space.
An alternative path to the files may be in a directory Android/data, but access to it in new versions Android (starting from 11 and higher) is often limited by security policies. If you do not see the folder MIUI in the root, try using the search inside Explorer by entering the keyword rec or call.
Setting up automatic deletion of old entries
Manual cleaning is a tedious task, especially if you talk a lot on the phone. Fortunately, the application settings Voice recorder provide an automatic deletion function. This eliminates the need to constantly monitor memory usage and delete files manually every few weeks.
To activate this option, go to the voice recorder settings. Typically the gear icon is located in the top corner of the screen. Find the section responsible for managing records or storing files. There you will see the “Auto-delete” or “Storage time limit” option.
The system will prompt you to select the period after which old records will be erased. Available options may include 1 month, 3 months or a year. The choice depends on how long you need to keep the conversation archive for possible legal or personal needs.
| Storage period | Recommended use | Impact on memory |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | For current workers questions | Minimum |
| 3 months | Standard archive of correspondence | Average |
| 1 year | Long-term storage of important data | High |
| No restrictions | Only with a memory card | Critical |
After setting the timer, the system will independently check the date of file creation. As soon as an entry becomes older than the set period, it will be moved to the trash or deleted permanently, depending on the firmware version. This is a great way to maintain order without user intervention.
Automatic deletion is the best way to prevent memory from becoming full, but make sure the storage period is sufficient for your needs before activating.
Emptying the Trash and Permanently Deleting
Many users do not know that when deleting files on modern smartphones Xiaomi they do not disappear immediately. The system moves them to a special “Trash” folder, where they are stored for another 30 days. This is done to protect against accidental loss of important data, but it prevents you from freeing up space here and now.
To permanently erase records, you need to go to the application Explorer or Gallery (if the recordings are displayed there as audio attachments). Find the section Trash in the menu or in the viewing settings. There you will see a list of all recently deleted files.
You can empty the Trash completely with one button or selectively delete specific call recordings. After this procedure, it will be impossible to restore files using standard means. Only specialized data recovery software can theoretically help, but is not guaranteed.
⚠️ Attention: Before emptying the Recycle Bin, carefully check the list of files. Make sure that there are no important records among them that you may need in the future, since recovery will be extremely difficult.
If you use a cloud service Xiaomi Cloud, deleted files may sync and disappear from the device, but remain in the cloud. Check your voice recorder's synchronization settings to understand exactly where your backups are stored.
Searching for hidden folders and alternative paths
In some cases, call recordings may be saved in non-standard directories, especially if you used third-party recording applications or changed the default storage settings. A standard search may not show these files if they are marked as hidden.
To show hidden files in Explorer Xiaomi you need to go to the settings of the Explorer application itself and turn on the “Show hidden files” switch. After this, folders may appear in the root directory whose names begin with a dot, for example .SecretRecordings.
It is also worth checking the path Android/data/com.android.dialer/filesif you are using a standard phone from Googleinstalled on top of MIUI. The structure of data storage in a pure Android different from the proprietary shell Xiaomi.
What to do if the MIUI folder does not open?
In new versions of Android, access to the Android/data folder is limited. Try using a third-party file manager, such as Total Commander or Solid Explorer, which will ask for special permission to access these directories.
Sometimes files may have a different extension than the usual .mp3 or .m4a. There are formats .3gp or .aacthat take up less space, but require special players for playback on some devices. When searching, focus not only on the name, but also on the size of the file.
Transferring records to a computer or to the cloud
If it’s a pity to delete records, but you need to free up space on your phone, the optimal solution would be to transfer the archive to external media. You can connect your smartphone to your computer via a USB cable by selecting file transfer mode MTP in notifications.
On your computer, find the connected device, follow the path Internal memory/MIUI/sound_recorder and copy the necessary files to your hard drive. After successful copying, you can safely delete the originals from your smartphone, freeing up valuable gigabytes.
An alternative option is to use cloud storage, such as Google Drive, Yandex.Disk or proprietary Xiaomi Cloud. Set up automatic upload of a folder with recordings to the cloud. This will create a backup copy and allow you to delete local files without the risk of losing information.
- 📂 Connect your phone with a cable to the PC for fast transfer of large amounts of data.
- ☁️ Set up auto-upload to the cloud to create a backup before deleting.
- 💾 Use a microSD memory card if your model Redmi supports its installation.
- 🗑️ Delete files from the phone only after checking their integrity on the computer.
Using a memory card is an excellent solution for owners of budget models with a small amount of built-in memory. In the voice recorder settings, you can save the path directly to the SD card, then the internal memory of the device will not become clogged.
☑️ Preparing to transfer files
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why is there no memory space after deleting recordings free?
Most likely, the files were moved to the Recycle Bin rather than permanently deleted. Go to File Explorer, open the Recycle Bin and empty it. Also check cloud services - sometimes deleting from the phone is synchronized with deleting from the cloud, but the cache may take up space.
Is it possible to recover a deleted conversation recording on Redmi?
If you have emptied the trash, the file cannot be recovered using standard means. There are special apps for data recovery, but their effectiveness depends on whether the memory cell has been overwritten by new files. The faster you try to recover data, the higher the chances.
Where are the records stored if I used a third-party application?
Third-party applications create their own folders in the root of the internal memory or in a directory Android/data. The folder name usually matches the name of the application or developer. Use the search by file extension .mp3 in Explorer to find them.
How to disable automatic call recording on Xiaomi?
Go to the application Phone, click on the menu (three dots or gear) and select “Call recording”. There you can disable the AutoRecord function for all numbers or set up exceptions for specific contacts.
In what format are recordings saved on modern Redmi?
By default, modern smartphones Xiaomi use the format .m4a (AAC), which provides good sound quality with a small file size. Old models or third-party applications can use .mp3 or .3gp.