Owners of the Redmi series’ budget-friendly but robust devices often face the need to document important phone calls.The Redmi 5 Plus model, released in early 2018, originally came with a MIUI shell in which the call recording feature was built in by default.However, depending on the software version and firmware region, access to this option can be hidden or changed by the operating algorithm.
The situation is complicated by the fact that Google’s privacy policies and local laws of different countries periodically make adjustments to the work of a standard caller. Users may find that after the next update, the system stopped offering a record, or the interlocutor hears a loud warning about the beginning of the dialogue fixation. MIUI This will be the key to achieving this goal.
In this guide, we will discuss in detail the standard activation methods, look at the nuances of working with different versions of the Android operating system based on MIUI, and also offer alternative solutions for cases where standard functionality is not available.
Checking the full-time functionality in the Phone application
The first step is always to diagnose the current state of the system. In most cases, especially on the global versions of MIUI 9 and MIUI 10 firmware, which are relevant for the Redmi 5 Plus, the tool is already integrated into the system application.
In the upper right corner of the screen, there's a menu button, often denoted by three dots or a gear, and if you click on it, you'll see a drop-down list. If there's a Call Record item in the list, you're lucky that your region and the software version allow you to use the native function. By going to this menu, you can activate the record switch and adjust the settings.
⚠️ Note: If the "Call Record" item is not on the menu, it may mean that your version is not on the menu. MIUI belongs to a region where it is legally forbidden to record without the consent of the second party, or the localization file does not contain the corresponding lines of code.
Within the recording settings menu, you can usually automatically record all incoming or outgoing numbers, and select specific numbers. The default save format is most often MP3 or AAC, which provides a balance between sound quality and memory usage, and you can also enable the write notification option, which is important from a legal point of view.
It is worth noting that in some MIUI builds, the interface may be different. For example, in Chinese versions of firmware, settings can be hidden deeper in the Settings menu → Applications → Phone. If you do not find obvious switches, try to make a test call to another number and look at the screen during the connection - sometimes the Record button appears directly in the active call interface.
Set up automatic recording and file management
Once activated, it is critical to properly configure the function so that you don’t lose important data or overflow the device’s memory. Redmi 5 Plus has a modest amount of built-in storage, so space management becomes a priority. Go to the Call Record menu inside the Phone app for detailed configuration.
You'll find the Auto Shooting Switch here, and you can activate it and select the "All Numbers" or "Selected Numbers" mode, and the second option is more preferable for space and privacy, and the "Selected Numbers" option will open a contact list where you'll check the boxes against the right subscribers.
☑️ Auto-recording setup
Pay special attention to the ways to save files. By default, the records are saved to the folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec In the internal memory, if your device is installed SD-map, in the settings you can (though not always explicitly) try to redirect the path, but the Android system often restricts the recording directly to the external drive for security reasons.
Record notification is another important option: you can choose whether to play the voice message "Conversation is recorded" for both people or just for you. Disabling the notification for the interlocutor is not possible in all regions due to legal restrictions of Google.
Solving the problem of lack of function in new versions of MIUI
Users who upgrade Redmi 5 Plus to later versions of MIUI 11 or even experimental builds of MIUI 12 may face a complete disappearance of the feature, due to Google’s tightening policy regarding the telephony API in Android 9 Pie and higher, the system blocks access of third-party and system applications to the audio stream during a call.
In this case, the standard switches may disappear from the menu. However, there is a method to return functionality through a change of region. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Region. Try changing the region to a country where call recording is allowed and demanded, for example, India, Indonesia or Vietnam.
| Region | Probability of a function | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | Tall. | The function is often present by default |
| India | Very high. | Maximum support for recording in firmware |
| Germany | Low. | Strict privacy laws, function hidden |
| USA | Medium | Depends on the state and operator, often a warning is required |
After changing the region, the phone may require a reboot or simply update the configuration of the applications. Check the Phone app again. If the feature appears but the interface remains in English or another language, this is a temporary inconvenience, which is solved by waiting for the language pack to load or manually changing the system language.
Risks of regional change
Use of third-party applications for recording
If the standard methods didn't work, third-party apps come to the rescue. However, due to the limitations of Android 9+, many of them are unstable or require complex settings. One of the most reliable solutions at the moment is the Call Recorder app - ACR or Cube ACR.
The Redmi 5 Plus often requires special permissions to work properly, and after installation and first running, the application will ask for Accessibility, so that the program can press the write button in the system interface instead of you.
- 📱 Download a proven app from Google Play or the official developer website.
- ⚙️ Provide all the permissions requested: microphone, phone, contacts, storage.
- 🔓 Activate Overlay permission over other windows in system settings.
- 🎙️ In the application settings, select the recording method by experimenting with options (e.g. Media or Voice Communication).
It is important to understand that third-party programs may not record the voice of the interlocutor if the system forcibly directs the audio stream through a secure channel. In such cases, the recording will be only your voice, and the interlocutor will be heard very quietly or through a speaker. To improve quality, try to turn on speaker communication during a conversation, if the environment allows.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, keep a close eye on ads and hidden subscriptions. Some free versions may have limitations on how long you write or how many files you save.
Technical nuances and sound quality
The quality of the Redmi 5 Plus recording is directly dependent on the hardware and noise reduction algorithms, and it has one main microphone located at the bottom of the case, and you can cover it with your hand during a conversation, which will lead to a deaf and indistinct sound.
The recording code also plays a role. In settings (both system and third-party applications), it is recommended to choose the WAV format for maximum quality if space allows, or MP3 with a bitrate of at least 128 kbit / s for balance. High compression formats can make the voice robot-like.
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To improve the quality of the interlocutor’s recording, try not to close the lower part of the smartphone with your palm and hold the device vertically so that the microphone remains open.
Another technical aspect is noise reduction: MIUI aggressively suppresses background noise, which sometimes leads to the circumcision of quiet voices. If you are in a noisy place, recording can be intermittent. In such cases, software methods to improve sound are ineffective, and it is better to ask the interlocutor or call back from a quiet room.
Where to find and how to save conversation records
Once the call is complete, the file is saved almost instantly, and you can find it through the standard file manager Explorer. → MIUI → sound_recorder → call_rec. Files are often called the date and time of the call or contact name if it is saved in the phone book.
For long-term storage, it is recommended to regularly transfer archives to your computer or to cloud storage (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk, Dropbox). Internal memory of Redmi 5 Plus is limited, and the accumulation of audio files can slow down the system. Some third-party applications allow you to set up automatic upload of records to the cloud immediately after the call is completed.
- 📂 Open the Application Explorer or Files.
- 📁 Go to the folder. MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec.
- ▶️ Click on the file to listen to it, or hold it for a long time to copy.
- ☁️ Use the “Send” or “Share” function to upload to the cloud.
If you're using a computer, connect your smartphone to a USB cable in file transfer mode (MTP). Find the appropriate folder and copy the files to your hard drive. This is the most reliable way to back up important information before resetting or flashing the device.
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Regular backup of conversation records is critical, since when you reset your phone or break it, it will be impossible to restore data from internal memory without root rights.