Lost an important phone call record on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 and don’t know where to look? This problem is familiar to many users — especially if the record was taken long ago or accidentally deleted. Unlike today’s flagships, the Redmi Note 5 (released in 2018) does not have a built-in automatic recording feature for all calls, but the records can still be saved — just not where you expect.
In this article, we’ll look at all the possible storage locations on your device, from standard folders to hidden system directories, and learn how to recover deleted files if they haven’t been overwritten, and which third-party apps will help you keep important conversations in the future. We will pay special attention to the nuances MIUI — Xiaomi’s proprietary shell, which often hides files in non-obvious places.
Before you start searching, check: was the recording exactly taken? On Redmi Note 5, the call recording function is disabled by default — it must be activated manually during a conversation (the Record button in the call interface). If you didn't press it, there is no recording. But if you are sure that the recording existed, read on.
1. Standard place of storage of records in MIUI
If you recorded a conversation through the standard phone application (com.android.dialer), the file must be in one of the system folders. On the Redmi Note 5 with MIUI 9/10 (the current version for this model), the records are saved by the following path:
/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec/How to get there:
- Open any file manager (e.g., the built-in Explorer or Total Commander).
- Go to the root directory of internal memory (/storage/emulated/0/).
- Open the folder. MIUI, later sound_recorder, And inside — call_rec.
Record files are usually.amr or.mp3 and named after a pattern: rec_[If the folder is empty, try to enable the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings – sometimes the records are hidden in subfolders with a point at the beginning (for example,.nomedia).
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If the folders call_rec No, check out the alternative path: /storage/emulated/0/Recordings/Call/ — The records could be saved in early versions. MIUI.
⚠️ Warning: Don't rename the records files directly in the folder! This can knock down the time stamps and the Phone app won't recognize them. If you need to edit the name, copy the file to another location.
2. Search through the application "Records" (Sound Recorder)
Redmi Note 5 has a Sound Recorder app that is the default for storing all audio files, including call records. Even if you recorded a conversation through the Phone app, the files can be duplicated here.
How to find it:
- Open the Records app (the microphone icon on your desktop or in the app menu).
- Go to the Calls tab -- if you have one. In some versions of MIUI, all records are stored in a shared feed.
- Look through the list. Call records are usually marked with a phone call icon.
If there is no Call tab, try sorting records by date — the file you want will probably be at the top of the list. Note: Records can automatically delete old files when you don't have enough memory. To avoid this, transfer important records to the cloud or to your computer.
- 🔍 Tip: Use the search inside the application – enter the phone number or the name of the interlocutor.
- 📁 Export: Click on the record → «Share» → Select “Save to Files” to create a backup copy.
- ⚙️ Settings: In the app menu (⋮ → Settings) check if automatic call record saving is enabled.
3. Verification of cloud services and backups
If the phone doesn't have a record, it could be synced to the cloud. Xiaomi offers two main storage services:
- Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud, and call records are synced there only if the option “Multimedia Backup” is enabled in your account settings.
- Google Drive – If you use backup through Google, the recordings may have been in the Audio section.
How to check out Mi Cloud:
- Open your Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud
- Make sure you are authorized.
- Go to “Backups” and check the last save date.
- If you have a copy, restore it (but note that this will overwrite the current data on the phone!).
How to check Google Drive:
- Open the Google Drive app or the web version of drive.google.com.
- In the search box, type:audio.
- Look at the results – call records may be among them.
⚠️ Warning: Restore from Mi Cloud backup will reset your phone to the state at the date of the copy creation. Pre-save important data (contacts, photos) to another place.
4. Search through a file manager with root rights
If standard methods didn’t work, the records could have been left in system folders that were not available without superuser rights (root). On Redmi Note 5, you can get root through unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk, but this is a risky procedure – you can lose the warranty or damage the system.
Where to look with root access:
- /data/data/com.android.providers.media/databases/external.db is a multimedia database that can link to deleted files.
- /data/com.android.dialer/databases/ – This is where the metadata of calls, including records, is stored.
- /system/media/audio/ is a system sound, but sometimes user recordings are included.
Use Root Explorer or FX File Explorer with superuser mode enabled to search, and be careful: deleting or changing files in system folders can cause the OS to crash.
How to unlock the bootloader on Redmi Note 5?
5. Recovery of deleted records
If the record has been deleted, you can try to restore it using specialized utilities.
- 🛠️ DiskDigger scans internal memory for deleted files, but the free version shows results, but does not restore them.
- 🔄 Recuva (for PC) – if you connect your phone to your computer in drive mode (MTP).
- 📱 Undeleter – works directly on the device, supports the recovery of audio files.
Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger:
Install the app from Google Play| Run and select "Full Scan" |Tick the Audio file type |Take an hour or more to complete the scan. |Take a look at the files you find and restore the files you need-->
Important nuances:
- The less you use your phone after removing it, the better the chances of recovery.
- Recovered files can be damaged – check them before deleting the originals.
- Do not save the recovered files to the same disk you are recovering from!
⚠️ Note: If you have used the “Waste Cleanup” function in MIUI (For example, through security. → Clean up, the chances of recovery are close to zero – this option permanently deletes temporary files.
6.Setting up automatic call recording
To avoid losing important conversations in the future, set up automatic recording on the Redmi Note 5. Unfortunately, the standard Phone app in MIUI doesn’t support this feature out of the box, but there are workarounds:
Method 1: Appendix "Records"
- Open the "Sound Recorder" (Source)
- Go to Settings. → Recording calls.
- Enable the Auto Record option and select which calls to record (all, outgoing or incoming only).
Method 2: Third-party applications
If the built-in features are not satisfied, install one of these applications:
| Annex | Features | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cube Call Recorder | Records both ends of the conversation, cloud storage | Paid version for full functionality |
| Call Recorder – ACR | Flexible settings, integration with clouds | A complex interface for beginners |
| Truecaller | Record + Block Spam | Registration and access to contacts |
Before installing, check the app's permissions - it must request access to microphone, storage and calls. On Android 9+ (and Redmi Note 5 can be upgraded to Android 8.1), some apps may not work properly due to OS limitations.
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On the Redmi Note 5 with MIUI 10 and below, automatic recording of calls through third-party applications can be blocked by the system, in which case only manual recording during a conversation (the “Write” button in the call interface) will help.
7. Alternative ways to record conversations
If standard methods don’t work, consider alternatives:
- 🎧 External recorder: Connect a second phone or recorder to a conversation via speakerphone.The quality will be worse, but the record is guaranteed to last.
- 💻 PC recording: Use programs like Audacity with a connected microphone, suitable for important business negotiations.
- ☁️ Cloud services: Set up automatic sending of email or Telegram bot records (for example, via email or Telegram bot) IFTTT).
On the Redmi Note 5 with MIUI 9.5 and below, call records can be saved in /storage/emulated/0/CallRecordings/, a path that is often overlooked. If you don't find files in standard locations, check it out.
Also remember that in some countries, recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited by law.