Modern smartphones of the brand Xiaomi, including the line Redmi, have powerful functionality for automatically recording telephone conversations. However, users often encounter a situation where a conversation is recorded, but the file itself cannot be found. This occurs due to the peculiarities of the file system MIUI and the changed data storage structure in the latest versions of Android.
Searching for audio recordings can be complicated by the fact that the standard file manager does not always immediately display the desired folder, or the user simply does not know where the system saves these files by default. In this article, we will look in detail at all possible ways to detect recordings, from using built-in applications to manually searching system directories.
Understanding where data is stored is critical not only for listening, but also for backing it up or transferring it to a computer. We will look at the nuances of working with different firmware versions and explain why the path to the files may have changed after updating the system.
Search through the standard “Dictaphone” application
The easiest and most obvious way to find a recording of a conversation on Redmi is to use a pre-installed application "Voice Recorder". In the latest shell versions MIUI developers have combined regular voice notes and phone call recordings in a single interface. Open the application, which usually has a microphone icon, and pay attention to the tabs at the top of the screen.
Users often search for files in the main "All" tab, where only manual recordings are displayed. You need to switch to a special tab, which may be called "Call recordings" or have a handset icon. This is where all automatic and manual recordings of telephone conversations are aggregated, sorted by date and time of the call.
If you do not see the required tab, check the settings of the application itself. In some regions, due to legal restrictions, the call recording feature may be hidden or require additional confirmation when first launched. Make sure that the item "Call recording" is activated in the voice recorder settings.
⚠️ Attention: In some countries (for example, in the European Union), the call recording function may be software disabled at the firmware level due to privacy laws. In this case, a standard voice recorder will not display call recordings, even if they were theoretically made.
The application interface may vary slightly depending on the version. Android. On older versions MIUI 11 and MIUI 12 tabs could be located differently than on current ones MIUI 13, 14 or HyperOS. If the standard search does not produce results, move on to deeper methods of examining the file system.
Using the “File Manager” application
If you couldn’t find the file through the voice recorder, the most reliable method is direct access to the storage through the system "Explorer" or File Manager. The path to the recording folders has changed over time, so it is important to check several possible directories. Open the "Files" application on your smartphone Redmi.
Go to the internal storage section, which is usually designated as Internal shared storage or Internal Storage. Here you need to find a folder named MIUI. Inside it there is a directory sound_recorderwhich historically was the main storage for all audio files, including calls.
However, in new versions of the system the structure may have changed. Now files are often saved in the root folder Recordings or in a subfolder Call_rec. If you use a third-party file manager with access rights to system files, the search will be more effective, since the standard explorer sometimes hides some service directories.
☑️ Checking save paths
Pay attention to the file extension. The standard recording format for Xiaomi is .m4a or .aac. These formats provide good sound quality in a small file size. If you see files with the extension .3gp, this may indicate a very old firmware version or the use of a third-party recorder.
If you cannot find the MIUI folder, use the search function inside the file manager. Enter part of the phone number or the word “call” into the search bar so that the system itself filters out the necessary files.
Search through the “Phone” application and call log
Another built-in tool for quick access to recordings is the application itself "Phone". This method is convenient because it allows you to immediately match an entry with a specific contact or number in the call log. Open the standard “dialer” and go to the tab with call history.
Find the desired conversation in the list. A special icon should appear next to the phone number or contact name if the entry was successfully saved. Usually this is a small square or a tape recorder icon. Click on this icon or on the call line itself to reveal detailed information.
In the call details menu that opens, you will see a play button. This method does not show the physical location of the file, but allows you to instantly listen to the content of the conversation. If there is no recording icon, it means that the automatic recording function for that particular number was disabled or did not work at the time of the call.
If you manually deleted an audio file through the file manager, the icon in the call log may remain, but when you click on it, the system will report that the file was not found or damaged. Always check the presence of the file in the storage if you plan on long-term archiving of important information.
| Search method | Advantages | Disadvantages | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voice Recorder application | Convenient interface, sorting by date | Does not show the file path | Low |
| File manager | Direct access, copying ability | Complex structure folders | Medium |
| Call log | Quick access to a specific number | No bulk file management | Low |
| Search by system | Finds files in any folders | Requires time for indexing | Average |
Automatic recording settings and their impact
A common reason for “missing” records is the incorrect configuration of automatic recording rules. The system MIUI allows you to flexibly configure the conditions under which the call will be saved. If these conditions are not met, the file is simply not created. Go to the settings of the “Phone” application through the menu (three dots in the corner of the screen).
Select item "Call recording". Here you will see a switch "Automatic recording". Even if it is enabled, check the subsection "Automatically record numbers". By default, the “All numbers” option is often set, but it could be confused with “Numbers not in contacts” or a specific list.
Also worth Pay attention to the registration notice. Subject to Google policy and local laws, your smartphone may play a “This conversation is being recorded” voice message at the beginning of a call. In some custom firmware or older versions, this function can be disabled, but in global versions Android 11+ this requirement is mandatory.
Why might the recording be interrupted?
Recording may be interrupted or not start if there was a critical shortage of RAM during a call, and the system closed the background process of the voice recorder to free up resources. Also, the recording will not be saved if the internal memory was completely full when the call ended.
Make sure that the “Phone” and “Voice Recorder” applications have all the necessary permissions. Go to Settings → Applications → Manage applications, find the desired application and check the section "Permissions". Access to the microphone and memory must be allowed constantly, and not just during use.
Problems with accessing folders in Android 11 and higher
Starting from version Android 11, Google has tightened the rules for accessing the file system (Scoped Storage). This means that many file managers no longer have full access to the Android/datafolder, where some system logs and records may now be stored. This often causes confusion among users Redmi.
If you are using a third-party explorer (for example, Total Commander or FX File Explorer), you may receive an access error when trying to access the system folder. In this case, the system will offer to give special permission. You will need to click “Allow” and confirm access in the system window that will appear on top of the interface.
The standard file manager from Xiaomi usually has the necessary privileges by default, but it can also restrict viewing of some directories without root access. If you are transferring a phone from an old version of Android to a new one, the path to the records may have changed precisely because of these security restrictions.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface and file paths may vary slightly depending on the regional firmware version (Global, China, EEA, Russia). Always check the current menus of your device, as the manufacturer may update the folder structure in new software builds.
Transfer and backup records
Having found treasured files, users often want to save them on a computer or in the cloud to free up space on their smartphone. Simply copying files to a folder Downloads or SD card is the safest way to back up. Do not delete the originals from the system folder sound_recorder until you are sure that the copies are working correctly.
For automatic backup, you can set up synchronization of the folder with recordings with cloud services, such as Google Drive or Yandex.Disk. In the settings of these applications, add the folder MIUI/sound_recorder to the startup list. This ensures that even if you accidentally delete files on your phone, a copy of them will remain in the cloud.
When connecting your smartphone to your computer via a USB cable, make sure that the file transfer mode (MTP) is selected, and not just charging. Otherwise, the computer will not see the internal memory and you will not be able to copy the entries. Use the original cable for a stable connection.
Regular backup of the folder with call recordings to an external drive or to the cloud is the only guarantee of the safety of important information in case of system failures or loss of the device.
If you plan to reset your phone to factory settings, be sure to check the presence of all important records on the external drive. The reset procedure (Wipe Data) permanently deletes all contents of the internal storage, including the folder MIUI and all audio recordings inside it.
Why is the conversation recording not saved on Redmi?
Main reasons: automatic recording is disabled settings, the internal memory of the phone is full, the Phone application has crashed, or there is no permission to access the microphone. Also, the recording may not be saved if the call was very short (less than 2-3 seconds).
Is it possible to record calls in instant messengers (Viber, WhatsApp)?
The standard call recording function on Xiaomi works only with regular telephone communications (GSM/VoLTE). Recording conversations in instant messengers using the built-in voice recorder is not possible due to Android security restrictions. This requires third-party applications with special rights or recording through a second device.
In what format are the records saved and how to open them?
Records are saved in the format .m4a or .aac. These files can be opened by any standard audio player on a smartphone and computer (VLC, Windows Media Player). If the file does not open, it may be damaged or have a non-standard extension.
How to change the call recording quality?
In the settings of the Voice Recorder application, you can select the recording quality (Low, Standard, High). However, for telephone conversations, this parameter is often fixed by the system and depends on the quality of the telecom operator’s network, and not on the smartphone settings.
Where is the folder with recordings on the SD card?
By default MIUI saves recordings to the internal memory. To change this, go to the Voice Recorder settings and select “Save to SD card” (if a card is installed). The path on the map will be similar: MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec.