Where on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 are stored conversation records: all possible locations

Why Call Records Are “Hiding” in Unexpected Places

You turned on a conversation record on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 but can't find a file in a gallery?This is a typical situation: the manufacturer uses custom storage paths to save space in main memory and protect privacy. Unlike photos that automatically enter the DCIM folder, audio files of calls are often "locked" in system directories or hidden directories.

Compounding the problem, Xiaomi's MIUI regularly changes the storage structure depending on the firmware version. For example, MIUI 9 saved the records in one place, and MIUI 12+ saved them in another place. Even after the system update, old files can remain in the same folders, which creates confusion. This article will help you understand all possible locations, from standard to the most obscure.

Standard folders for calling records in MIUI

If you use a built-in voice recorder or call recording feature from Xiaomi, files are most often stored in the following directories (paths are indicated for internal memory):

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/ — mainfolder MIUI 10–14. Here files are sorted by dates and subscriber numbers.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/ — alternative path that appears after updating to MIUI 12+ or when using third-party applications.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.providers.media/ — rare case where the system saves records as "media files" but without a gallery preview.

To check these folders:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Use Windows/macOS Explorer or file manager on your phone (such as Mi File Explorer).
3. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings (Show hidden options).

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If the folder call_rec It is empty, but you are sure that the records were, check for subfolders with names like backups or temp – sometimes files move there after crashes.

Hidden system directories: where else can there be records

MIUI creates secure directories that don't appear in the standard file manager, and you'll need root rights or special applications like FX File Explorer with Root Access enabled.

• 🔒 /data/user_de/0/com.android.providers.media/databases/ — Metadata of records (not the files themselves, but links to them).
• 🔒 /data/media/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/.nomedia/ — a folder with files excluded from the media scanning (so they are not shown in the gallery).
• 🔒 /sdcard/.miui/ — Temporary files, including records that have not been saved correctly.

⚠️ Note: Deleting or modifying files in these directories can cause the recorder or even the entire system to crash. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to use backup (about it in the next section).

How to export records to PC or cloud

The files you find are best copied to a safe place, and here are the steps for different ways:

1. Through USB-cable: 📱 Connect the Redmi Note 5 to your computer. 🖥️ In Windows Explorer, go to this computer. → [Your phone name] → Internal storage. 📂 Find the folder with records (see previous sections) and copy the files to the hard drive.
2. Wi-Fi (without wires): 🌐 Install AirDroid or Send Anywhere. 📲 In the application, select records files and send them to the PC via the web interface.

To the cloud:

• ☁️ Upload files to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Yandex Disk directly from your phone.
• 🔗 Create a link for or download Later.

⚠️ Note: Call records files in MIUI often have a non-standard extension (e.g.,.amr or.m4a). If they don’t open on PC, install the K-Lite Codec Pack or use the player. VLC Media Player.

Recovery of Deleted Records: Possible Ways

If records are lost after resetting or cleaning up the memory, you can try to recover them. Success depends on whether the data was overwritten by new files.

Critical information: If you have used the Call Record feature from third-party apps (such as Cube Call Recorder or Cube Call Recorder) ACR), Files can be stored in folders of these applications: /Android/data/[package_name]/files/. By deleting the app, you will lose access to the records even if the files are physically left on the device.

Call Recording Settings: Where the feature is turned on and how it works

Before you search for records, make sure that the recording function is activated at all. In Redmi Note 5, it can be hidden or disabled by default.

• 📞 Settings → Annexes → Calls. → Recording conversations - the main switch.
• 🔧 Settings → System and device → Additionally. → Special facilities → Call recording is an alternative way in some versions MIUI.
• 🛠️ If you don’t have the option, install Google Phone from the Play Market (it supports recording on most Xiaomi devices).

Important nuances:

• 📵 In some regions, call recording is blocked at the firmware level (for example, in the EU due to the fact that the phone is not registered). GDPR).
• 🔊 By default, records can be automatically deleted after 30 days (check in the voice recorder settings).
• 📱 On the Redmi Note 5 with two SIM-The cards can be stored separately for each slot.

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If the write option is not available on the menu, check the MIUI version. On firmware older than MIUI 11, the feature may not be available without manually enabling it via the engineering menu (#4636##).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Redmi Note 5 users often face the following difficulties:

1. There are records, but they don't play, because there are corrupted files or no codecs, so you can convert files to.mp3 via Audacity or Online-Convert.
2. The files are not displayed in the gallery. The reason is: there is no.nomedia file in the folder or an incorrect extension. Solution: rename the file to record.amr → record.mp3.
3. Whether or not the recording stops, the reason: MIUI limitations on background activity. Solution: add Calls to Settings → Battery → No restrictions.

⚠️ Note: If you use a microSD as your primary storage, records can be saved to it by default. /storage/[SD_CARD_ID]/MIUI/sound_recorder/. After the card is removed, the files will become unavailable!

FAQ: Answers to popular questions