Where in the Xiaomi phone is stored SMS: All ways to find messages in MIUI

Have you lost an important message on Xiaomi and don’t know where to look? SMS You can't find a folder with them on a new phone, but you can't find a folder with them? SMS firmware MIUI — It's important to understand that messages can be stored not only in a standard application, but also in system files, cloud services, or even in the cache of messengers.

Feature of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO And Black Shark is that they use their own shell. MIUI, It's a modification of standard Android storage, like some firmware versions. SMS They can be duplicated in the Mi Cloud or hidden in folders with superuser rights, and we'll show you how to find messages anyway, even if they've been accidentally deleted or hidden by a virus.

In the article you will find:

• 📱 Standard storage spaces SMS into MIUI (including hidden folders)
• ☁️ How to Recover Messages from Mi Cloud and Google Drive
• 🔍 Search SMS through File Manager and ADB (advanced)
• 🚨 What to do if messages are missing after an update or reset
• 📤 Exports and imports SMS on another Xiaomi phone

1. Standard Messages app is the first place to search

The most obvious way is to open the built-in Messages app** (an envelope icon, usually green or blue). MIUI It's called Messaging, and it's preinstalled on all Xiaomi models. If you didn't manually remove it, it's all over the place. SMS It should be here.

How to find it:

1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Find the Messages icon** (may be called the Messages icon) SMS or Messages).

Inside the appendix:

• 📂 The "Everything" tab** - everything is displayed here SMS, spam-inclusive.
• ⭐ Favorites tab** – if you saved important messages.
• 🗑️ The Recycle Bin tab** (if enabled in settings) - Remote SMS They're kept here for 30 days.

If the app is missing, it may have been disabled or replaced with Google Messages.

⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. Europe), Xiaomi is replacing the standard app with Google Messages due to the requirements GDPR. In this case, SMS It will be stored in Google services, not in Google. MIUI.

2. Search. SMS File Manager (File Manager)

If messages are not displayed in the application, they can be found manually through the built-in Explorer. MIUI SMS Stored in an Android database, some files (such as attachments or backups) may lie in available folders.

Instructions:

1. Open the File Manager (Files icon).
2. Go to internal memory → Android → data.
3. Find the folder com.android.providers.telephony – here are stored system files SMS.
4. There's a file inside. databases/mmssms.db — It's a messaging database.

⚠️ Important: The data folder is hidden by default:

• 🔧 In File Manager, click ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files.
• 🔐 If there is no permission, you will need root access or connection to the PC through ADB.

If you don’t see the com.android.providers.telephony folder, try an alternative path:

/data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db

⚠️ Note: Do not delete or edit the mmssms.db file manually, which can result in the loss of all messages or system failure).

3. Recovery SMS from Mi Cloud and Google Drive

If messages are missing after a reset or update, they can be restored from cloud copies. Xiaomi automatically backs up SMS In Mi Cloud, if sync is enabled, and you can also have copies in Google Drive if you've used a standard Android backup.

Recovery from Mi Cloud:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Choose Synchronization → Communications.
3. If there is a backup, click Restore.

Recovery from Google Drive:

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Check if backup is enabled SMS (In older versions of Android, it was the default).
3. If yes, reset your phone and select recovery from Google Drive when setting up.

🔹 What to do if there are no cloud copies?

• 🔄 Try to export manually SMS on another phone (more on that below).
• 🛠️ Use data recovery software (e.g. Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver).
• 📧 Check the mail - some operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) duplicate SMS email.

4.Exports and imports SMS on another Xiaomi phone

If you want to migrate messages to the new Xiaomi, you can use built-in tools MIUI The most reliable way to export to a.xml or.smb file, which is then imported on another device.

Method 1: Through “Messages» (MIUI)

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Press. ⋮ → Settings → Import/Export of messages.
3. Select Export to the memory card (file saved) SMS_YYYYMMDD.xml).
4. Transfer the file to a new phone and import it through the same section.

Method 2: SMS Backup & Restore

If the in-built export does not work (for example, on the POCO F4 Xiaomi 13 Ultra, use the app SMS Backup & Restore:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Click Backup and save the file to Google Drive or locally.
3. On a new phone, install the same app and select Restore.

⚠️ Note: When importing SMS on a phone with another firmware (for example, with a MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) there may be problems with encoding, in which case, change the encoding of the file to UTF-8 through any text editor.

💡

If the messages are not imported, try renaming the export file to sms.xml And put it in the Download folder on a new phone. MIUI automatically recognizes such a file.

5. Search. SMS through ADB (for advanced users)

If you are not afraid of the command line, you can find it. SMS Android Debug Bridge via Android (ADB). This method works even without root, but requires connecting the phone to the PC.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB on your computer (download Platform Tools from Google).
2. Enable USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db
4. The file mmsms.db is copied to the computer. Open it through DB Browser for SQLite.

🔹 What to do if ADB he doesn't see the file?

• 🔌 Check if debugging is enabled and PC rights are allowed (adb devices should show your phone).
• 🔐 If the folder /data/data/ Unavailable – you will need to root or temporarily obtain rights through Magisk.
• 📁 Alternative command to backup all SMS: adb backup -f sms.ab com.android.providers.telephony (confirmation on your phone is required).

💡

ADB — the only way to access the SMS without root, unless they're displayed in the application. SQL or specialized programs.

6 What to do if SMS missing after update MIUI

One of the most common problems with Xiaomi is that messages disappear after a firmware update.

• 🔄 Data resetting when switching to a new version MIUI (for example, 13 to 14).
• 📦 Conflict between old and new versions of the Messages app.
• ☁️ Synchronization errors with Mi Cloud.

Decisions:

1. Check the Recycle Bin: New Messages app may enable Recycle Bin function (settings) → archiving).
2. Update rollback: If messages disappear immediately after the update, try rolling back to the previous version MIUI via Fastboot.
3. Backup recovery: Use Mi Cloud or Google Drive as described above.
4. Call for support: If SMS were critical (e.g., bank codes), write in support of Xiaomi with the indication IMEI Phones – sometimes they can recover log data.

In versions. MIUI 14 or newer messages can be stored in an encrypted database, and to recover them, you will need the original password from the Mi Account, which is attached to the phone.

7. Alternative methods: operators and third-party messengers

If SMS None of the above methods are found, check:

Duplicates for the operator:

• 📡 Some operators (such as Tele2 or Yota) store copies of the data. SMS Please contact support for your message history.
• 📧 Check email – many operators send notifications SMS Postal service (especially if the service is included «SMS email»).

2. Messages in messengers:

• 💬 If you use WhatsApp, Viber or Telegram, check the chat archives – sometimes SMS duplicated there automatically.
• 📎 Telegram has a function of Save messages where you can transfer important messages SMS.

3. Call logs and SMS:

• 📞 In the phone (calling) application there is a log tab where incoming incoming incoming incoming can be displayed. SMS operator.
• 📊 Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) There is a call report function where all interactions with the network are recorded.

FAQ: Frequent questions about search SMS Xiaomi