Where are Android audio recordings stored?

Android devices offer a variety of ways to record audio and save those recordings. The recordings can be stored in different folders depending on which app you use to record the audio and the version of Android running on your device. Some recordings are saved to external SD cards while others are stored in internal device storage. Finding your recordings can sometimes be confusing given all the potential storage locations.

This introduction explains that Android offers various recording options and storage locations that depend on the app and Android version. It sets up the rest of the article to go into more detail on the default storage locations and how to find recordings. The introduction focuses on the user’s need to understand where their recordings are stored rather than technical details.

Default Storage Locations

Audio recordings made with Android’s default apps are typically stored in specific folders on the device’s internal storage. Here are some of the common default locations:

The Music folder for music/audio files: Where are the voice recorder files in Android? Most music and audio files recorded or downloaded on an Android device get saved to the Music folder. The default path is Internal Storage/Music.

The Ringtones folder for ringtones: Where exactly are the recordings from the Recorder app Custom ringtones created on an Android device are stored in the Ringtones folder located at Internal Storage/Ringtones.

The Alarms folder for alarm sounds: Alarm audio files and recordings used for alarms are saved in the Alarms folder. The default path is Internal Storage/Alarms.

The Notifications folder for notification sounds: Finding “Super Voice Recorder” files on computer Notification sounds are stored in the Notifications folder located at Internal Storage/Notifications.

Storage Locations for Default Apps

The default voice recorder app on Android devices stores recordings in the Music folder, specifically in a subfolder called Recordings. This can be found at internal storage/Music/Recordings (1).

Recordings made with the built-in voice recorder app are automatically saved here, unless you actively choose a different storage location when saving the file. The Recordings folder will contain all the audio files created with the voice recorder app.

Voicemail recordings are also saved by default in the Music folder, but within a subfolder called Voicemail. The path is internal storage/Music/Voicemail. Any voicemails you save from the Phone app’s voicemail section will be stored here for easy access (1).

So in summary, the main Music folder contains two key subfolders for storing audio recordings from default apps – Recordings and Voicemail. This organization makes it easy to locate and manage these files.

Storage Locations for Third-Party Apps

Many popular audio recording apps like Evernote and OneNote use custom folders to store recordings rather than the default locations.

For example, in Evernote on Android, audio recordings are typically stored in an Evernote folder located at internal storage/Android/data/com.evernote/files/audio (1). OneNote audio recordings on Android are usually located in internal storage/Android/data/com.microsoft.office.onenote/files/ (2).

These apps create their own folders for organizational purposes and to keep audio files bundled with the corresponding notes.

Sources:

(1) https://discussion.evernote.com/forums/topic/136830-where-is-the-audio-record-local-storage/

(2) https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/where-are-audio-files-stored/5b58d758-5912-4685-988c-8549eeadc7cd

Removable vs. Internal Storage

Audio recordings are typically saved to either the phone’s internal storage or to removable storage like an SD card. The folder structure where recordings are saved differs between these two storage types.

For removable storage like SD cards, audio recordings are usually located in the root folder of the SD card, under a folder path like SD_Card/Voice Recordings. Some OEMs like Samsung may use a folder name like Audio instead of Voice Recordings. The full path can vary.

On internal storage, recordings are often saved in a folder tied to the app used to record the audio. For example, the native Voice Recorder app on many phones saves files to Internal Storage/Voice Recorder. Third party recording apps will similarly create their own folder to store recordings.

So in summary, removable storage has a simple root folder for audio while internal storage ties recordings to the creating app. Check both locations when hunting for a particular recording.

Finding the File Location

File manager apps like Files by Google or a third party alternative like ASTRO File Manager can help locate recordings stored in various folders across internal or external storage. These apps provide access to the full Android file system and advanced search tools to find media files. For example, in Files by Google you can search by file type, date modified, name, or location.

Media scanner apps like ReScan Media [1] can also help rediscover files that may not show up in your gallery or music apps. These apps rescan storage and rebuild the media index, which is useful if default apps can’t seem to find a recording you know exists somewhere. Just be aware that constantly rescanning large media libraries can impact battery and performance.

[1] https://www.quora.com/Where-are-the-voice-recorder-files-in-Android

Backing Up Recordings

It’s important to back up your audio recordings to prevent losing them if your phone is lost, damaged, or wiped. Copying recordings to cloud storage or your computer acts as a backup so you always have access to the files.

To back up recordings to Google Drive on Android:

1. Open the Files app and navigate to the folder containing your audio recordings.
2. Tap and hold on the recordings to select them.
3. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the upper right and select Copy to.
4. Choose Google Drive and select a folder to copy the files to.

Another option is using the Google Drive app. Open Drive, tap the + button, select Upload, choose the audio files and upload them.

To back up to Dropbox, install the Dropbox app if needed, then tap the + button, select Upload, choose recordings and upload. Other cloud services like OneDrive and iCloud offer similar options.

You can also connect your Android device to a computer with a USB cable and copy the audio files to the computer for backup. Locate the phone’s storage on the computer and navigate to the folder with recordings.

Changing Default Storage Location

Some audio recording apps allow you to change the default storage location from internal storage to external SD card or another folder. This gives you more control over where your audio files are saved.

For example, in the popular Samsung Voice Recorder app, you can change the storage location by going to Settings > Storage location. Choose either Internal storage or SD card.

In the Dolby On app, go to Settings > Audio files location to set a custom storage folder for your recordings. Tap Export Settings and select Audio files location to browse folders on your device.

Changing the default storage location in recording apps allows you to better organize and manage your audio files across different storage mediums.

Organization Best Practices

Keeping your audio recordings organized on Android can make them much easier to find and use later. Here are some tips for organizing recordings:

Sort recordings into folders by date, topic, or project. For example, create an “Interviews” folder for interview recordings, and subfolders by month or interviewee name. The app MicCheck allows creating custom folders to categorize recordings.

Use descriptive file names that will make sense later, like “Interview with Jane Doe on 01-05-2023”. Avoid vague names like “Recording 1”. Rename files right after recording if needed. Some apps like Voice Recorder by Millesoft can auto-name files.

Consider using an app like Sort2Folder to automatically move recordings into categorize folders based on rules.

Back up important recordings so they aren’t lost if your phone is damaged or lost. Copy files to a computer or cloud storage periodically.

By putting some thought into organization upfront, you can save a lot of time searching for recordings later.

Conclusion

In summary, the main storage locations for Android audio recordings include the Music folder for recordings created with default apps like Voice Recorder, as well as app-specific folders for third-party recording apps. Removable SD cards may also be used if available. While the default locations work fine in most cases, it’s important to back up your recordings regularly in case of device issues. Proper organization into folders makes it easier to find recordings when needed. Naming files descriptively rather than just accepting default names can also help avoid confusion later. Knowing where your audio recordings are saved and managing them appropriately ensures you’ll always have access to those potentially valuable files.