Where on Xiaomi Redmi 5 store conversation records: search, access paths and recovery

Xiaomi Redmi 5 is a popular smartphone with call recording, but many users are faced with the problem: where exactly do these files stay? Unlike the new models with MIUI 12+, where the path to records is standardized, on Redmi 5 (with MIUI 9/10), the location can vary depending on the firmware version, the settings of the Phone application and even regional features. In this article, we will analyze all possible storage options, including hidden folders, cloud backups and ways to restore deleted records.

It’s important to understand that Redmi 5 doesn’t always save records in obvious places like Downloads or Music. Often files are hidden in system directories with non-intuitive names, and sometimes they’re not in the device’s memory at all — for example, if you’ve used third-party applications to write. We’ll analyze both standard storage paths in MIUI and alternative scenarios, including cases where records “disappear” after updating or resetting settings.

If you're looking for a particular record file but you can't find it, this article will help to organize your search. We'll also look at how to migrate the records to your computer, why they might not play on other devices, and what to do if the record folder is empty, even though you've been recording for sure. For convenience, at the end of the article, there's an FAQ with answers to frequent questions on the topic.

Standard ways to store call records on Redmi 5

By default, Xiaomi Redmi 5 saves conversation records in one of two folders, depending on the MIUI version and the phone app settings.

• 📁 Internal memory: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — most common path for MIUI 9/10. The files are.amr or.mp3 name-named Call_20260515_123456.amr.
• 📁 Map. SD: If the call record settings indicate saving to an external drive, look for a folder /storage/XXXX-XXXX/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ (where XXXX-XXXX — identifier SD-map).
• 🔍 Alternative path: Some firmware records may lie in /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/ — This is typical for modified versions. MIUI or after hand-transfer.

To check these folders, use any file manager (such as Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer). MIUI or sound_recorder It may not be there, it may mean:

• ❌ Call recording function disabled in settings.
• ❌ Records are saved to the cloud (see the Mi Cloud section).
• ❌ Use a third-party recording application (e.g. Cube Call Recorder or ACR).

On Redmi 5 with the original firmware, records are NEVER saved in the DCIM or Pictures folder, which is typical of new Xiaomi models (starting with the Redmi Note 8).

How to enable the display of hidden folders to search for records

Users often don’t see the folder. MIUI/sound_recorder, Because it's hidden by the system, to be displayed:

1. Open Mi File Explorer (or any other file manager)
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Show hidden files.
3. Go back to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/) and check for the MIUI folder.

If there is no folder, try an alternative way through ADB (for advanced users):

adb shell ls /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

This command will display a list of files in the record folder, if it exists, and if the result is empty, then the records are either deleted or stored elsewhere.

Enable the display of hidden files in the manager

Check the way /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/

Check the path /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/

Use search by keyword "Call_" or"

Connect the phone to the PC and check through the conductor-->

Why records may not be available in standard folders

If you are sure that you have recorded but the files are not in the specified folders, the reasons may be as follows:

Problems are often encountered after the update. MIUI: The system can move the records to another location or delete them altogether if there is not enough memory. MIUI 9 on MIUI 10 The path to the records may have changed with /MIUI/sound_recorder/ on /Recordings/Call/.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware for Redmi 5 (such as the Indian or Chinese version) may have the call recording function disabled at the system level, in which case no folders will have records until you install custom firmware or use third-party software.

How to transfer recordings of conversations to a computer

If you find records but they are not playing on your phone or need to save them to your PC, follow this instruction:

1. Connect Redmi 5 to your computer via USB-cable.
2. Select file transfer mode (File Manager or MTP).
3. Open Windows/macOS Explorer and go to the entries folder (see section above).
4. Copy files with the.amr or.mp3 extension to any folder on your computer.

If files are not opened on the PC:

• 🎵 Install codecs to play.amr (e.g., K-Lite Codec Pack).
• 🔄 Convert files to.mp3 with Audacity or online converters.
• 📱 Try playing them on another phone (sometimes Redmi 5 saves the recordings in a non-standard format).

Important: When copying, do not rename files, this may disrupt their reproduction. If the name contains a date and time (for example, Call_20260515_123456.amr), This will help the tag to identify the record.

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If the records are not copied because of the "File is being used" error, restart the phone and try again. You can also use AirDroid to wirelessly transfer files.

Recovering Deleted Records of Conversations

If the records were deleted accidentally, you can try to restore them.

1. Stop using your phone immediately so as not to overwrite deleted data.
2. Install a recovery application, for example: 🔍 DiskDigger (does not require root rights to scan the card) SD). 🔍 Recuva (for recovery via PC, if you connect the phone as a drive).

Select a partition to scan (internal memory or SD-map).

.amr

.mp3

.awb

The chances of recovery depend on:

• ⏳ Time since the removal (the earlier the better).
• 📱 Intensity of phone use after removal.
• 🔄 Root rights (allows deep scanning).

⚠️ Note: If you used the “Waste Cleanup” feature in the Security App (Safety app from Xiaomi), the records could have been permanently deleted.

Redmi 5 Call Recording Settings: Where and How to Change

To avoid losing records in the future, set up their preservation correctly:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Record conversations.
3. Choose: 📍 Place of preservation: Internal memory or SD-map. 🔄 File format:.amr (compact) or.mp3 (quality). 🔔 Notifications: Enable the start notification (to remember).

If the item "Recording conversations" in the settings is not, it means:

• ❌ Your firmware does not support recording (typical for Chinese versions) MIUI).
• ❌ The function is disabled by the operator (on some SIM-card recording blocked).
• ✅ You need to install a third-party application (for example, Cube Call Recorder). ACR).

Tip: After you change your settings, make a test call and check if the record file appears in the selected folder. If not, try restarting your phone.

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On Redmi 5, call recording is disabled by default in some regional firmware. Always check your settings after you buy or drop your phone!

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Redmi 5 users often face the following problems:

If none of the solutions worked, try resetting the phone app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the phone → Warehouse → Clear the data.
3. ⚠️ Warning: This will delete your call history, but can restore the recording feature.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions