Xiaomi’s smartphones, including the popular Redmi 5 Plus, feature a built-in automatic phone call-saving feature that is useful for fixing agreements, but can be uncomfortable by taking up space in internal memory or violating privacy. Owners often look for a way to deactivate this process to control their audio data.
The problem is relevant because by default, the system can automatically record all incoming and outgoing calls without additional notice. Understanding the workings of a standard MIUI caller allows you to quickly find the necessary switches in the settings menu.
You don't need root rights or third-party software to get started, all the tools you need are already built into the operating system shell, and you just need to know where the settings are hidden, because the interface can vary depending on the version of Android and MIUI.
Settings of the standard application "Phone"
The main call function management is in the regular Phone app, and that's where the master switch is, which is the key to activate the voice recorder during a conversation, so to access the menu, open the green handset app on the home screen or in a list of all the programs.
In the upper right corner of the interface, there's a button with a three-dot or gear image that opens the drop-down menu. Click on it and select Settings. In the settings list that opens, find the Call Record section, and that's where all the audio saving options are regulated.
Inside this menu, you'll see a Call Record slider, if it's active (colored blue or orange), the system saves conversations, puts the switch inactive, and then the function stops working for new calls.
☑️ Checking the call settings
It's worth noting that some firmware versions can have different tabs, so if you don't find the right item right away, check all the subsections of the app's settings menu carefully, and sometimes the setting is hidden under the name "Additional" or "Extended" settings.
Automatic recording management
Often, users are not worried about the recording itself, but about the automatic start-up of the recording, and the system can be configured to enable automatic recording for all numbers or only for contacts from the phone book, which creates a lot of files that are difficult to sort later.
In the same Call Record menu, look at Auto Record. When you go to this section, you open a script list. You can choose All numbers to record forever, or Selected numbers to limit your contacts.
⚠️ Warning: If you have disabled the shared record switch, the automatic mode settings may become unavailable for editing. First activate the feature, configure exceptions, and then disable it completely if you need to save the configuration for the future.
To customize the sample, use the Auto Shooting Numbers list, you can add specific contacts that require mandatory recording, and the rest of the calls will be normal without saving audio.
Cleaning up the storage from old files
Once the recording function is disabled, the old files will not go away. They continue to take up space in the device's internal memory. The Redmi 5 Plus model has limited space, so regular cleaning of the media library is an important part of the smartphone's maintenance.
Audio recordings are usually stored in a hidden folder in the system. To find them, open the Explorer or Files application. Go to the root directory and find the folder. MIUI, and inside — sound_recorder. This is where all the dialogues are saved.
Highlight unnecessary files with a long press and click the Remove button.The Recycle Bin in Explorer can save deleted objects for another 30 days, so it’s better to use the Cleanup feature in the Security app to instantly free up space.
| The path to the file | Type of contents | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| /MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec | Records of conversations | Periodic cleaning |
| /MIUI/sound_recorder/FM | Radio recordings | Removal as necessary |
| /MIUI/sound_recorder/Rec | Recorder recordings | Hand-sorted |
| /Android/data/com.android.soundrecorder | Cash app. | Cleaning through settings |
Use of third-party applications
If Xiaomi’s standard tools don’t meet your needs, you can turn to third-party solutions. Google Play offers a variety of apps, such as Call Recorder or TapeACall, which offer more flexible settings and cloud storage.
However, installing third-party software on Redmi 5 Plus may require additional permissions. MIUI is known for its aggressive energy saving and can block background processes. You will have to manually prevent the system from "killing" the recording process.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Find the voice recorder installed, go to Battery and select No Limits mode. Also, in the Permissions menu, make sure that access to the microphone and phone is allowed.
Why third-party apps may not work on Android 9+
Impact of MIUI System Updates
Xiaomi regularly updates its software, and with the release of new versions of MIUI, the location of settings may change, for example, in newer shells, the recording function was moved to the System Applications section in the general settings of the smartphone.
When you update your firmware, your current settings can be reset to factory values, which means that after the update, the recording function will have to be turned off again. Always check the configuration of the call after a major system update.
In some regions, due to legal restrictions, the recording function can be removed from the firmware completely. If you upgraded your phone and lost settings, you may have changed the region of the device. Check this in About Phone → MIUI version (click a few times on the logo).
⚠️ Note: Changing the region of the device may result in ads in system applications or changing the list of preinstalled software.
Legal aspects and confidentiality
The use of the telephone recording function is regulated by your country of law; in many jurisdictions, the legal recording of a conversation requires the second party's warning or consent, and failure to comply with these rules may result in legal liability.
The standard Xiaomi application often plays an audio signal or voice message about the start of recording. You can not usually turn off this signal with regular means, as this is a security requirement. Third-party applications may offer this option, but its use remains your responsibility.
Keeping records of personal data of third parties requires compliance with confidentiality rules: do not transfer such files to third parties or publish them in the public domain without the consent of the participants in the dialogue, this applies to both personal and working negotiations.
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Periodically check the folder for sensitive information. If you are handing over the phone for repair or selling it, make sure that the folder is not in the folder. /MIUI/sound_recorder/ Completely cleaned, as simple file deletion may not be enough to ensure complete security.
Addressing common problems
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the recording does not stop even after disabling the settings, this can be caused by a malfunction in the cache of the Phone application, in which case it is recommended to clear the application data.
Go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Find your phone (or MIUI Dialer). Click Clear → Clear all data. Don't worry, your contacts and call history won't be lost, just your app settings will be reset.
If the problem persists, check if you have a Google Phone app installed, which can replace the standard MIUI call on global firmware versions, and it has settings along the way: three dots → Settings → Call Record.
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Resetting the settings of the Phone application is a safe and effective way to eliminate software errors associated with sticking the recording function or incorrect operation of the interface.