How to return remote SMS on the phone Xiaomi Redmi: all working methods

Removed an important message by mistake or after resetting? On Xiaomi Redmi smartphones (and other devices running MIUI), there are several ways to recover lost SMS — from standard system functions to specialized utilities. The main thing is to act quickly: the less time has passed since the removal, the better the chances of success.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven methods, including recovery through Mi Cloud, Google backups, third-party applications and even manual analysis of system files. Separately, we will focus on the nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and Redmi models (Note 10/11/12, 9A/9C, etc.). If you did not backup in advance, do not despair: the chances of returning SMS remain even in this case.

Recovery via Mi Cloud (official method)

The most reliable method is to use Xiaomi's built-in backup feature, which automatically saves SMS to the cloud if it was enabled in advance.

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Go to Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
3. Look at the date of the last backup. If it's fresh, recover the data.

Important: Mi Cloud only stores SMS for 30 days from the last backup, if the backup is older, messages will be lost, and make sure you have enough space in the cloud (free 5GB).

Make sure that the login is made to the same Mi Account as the backup|

Check the stability of the Internet connection (Wi-Fi is recommended)|

Charge your phone at least 50% |

Shut down. VPN (It can block access to Xiaomi servers)-->

If you find a backup, click Restore and select Messages, which takes 5 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of data you have, and when you recover, the phone will restart and all current SMS will be replaced by the ones in the backup.

⚠️ Warning: Recovery from Mi Cloud will overwrite current messages if you receive new ones after deleting SMS, You will need to save them manually (e.g., screenshots) before the procedure.

2. Use of Google Drive (for synchronized messages)

Many Xiaomi Redmi users are unaware that Google automatically backs up SMS when sync is enabled.

• 📱 You are logged into a Google account on your phone.
• 🔄 Backup is enabled in the settings (Settings) → Google → Backup).
• 📤 The last synchronization took place before the deletion of messages.

To recover the SMS:

1. Install Google Messages (if not already installed).
2. Open it and click on the profile avatar → Message settings → Backup and restore.
3. Choose Restore and confirm the action.

Restriction: Google only stores the last 25MB of messages (approximately 1000-1500 SMS) If the archive is larger, the old data is erased.

Yes, by mistake deleted(a)|

Yes, after resetting |

No, never.|

I remember.-->

3. Third-party recovery applications (without root)

If you don't have backups, try specialized utilities that scan your phone's internal memory for deleted data residues.

Instructions for DroidKit (recommended):

1. Download and install the program on PC (official site).
2. Connect Redmi to USB, enable Debugging via USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times Press → Return to Additional → For Developers).
3. Select the Android Data Recovery mode → Messages.
4. Follow the program prompts (you may need to install drivers).

⚠️ Note: Do not install refurbished SMS And then you can go back to your phone through these programs, and they can overwrite the remaining data fragments, and you can export them to a.txt or.xml file on your PC.

4. Manual recovery through MIUI files (for advanced)

The MIUI system stores SMS in the mmssms.db database, which is located along the path:

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

If you have root rights, you can try extracting this file and analyzing it using the help of the root. SQL-editors (e.g. editors, DB Browser for SQLite without root access to folder /data/data/ No, but there's a workaround:

1. Install ADB on your PC and connect your phone.
2. Run the command to create a backup base: adb backup -f smsg_backup.ab -noapk com.android.providers.telephony
3. Unclose the file smsg_backup.ab Using Android Backup Extractor.
4. Find the extracted data file mmsms.db and open it in SQL-editor.

The sms table will contain all messages, including deleted ones (marked with deleted=1), which works even without root, but requires ADB and SQL skills.

💡

If you don't know the ADB, try out SMS SyncTech's Backup & Restore. It can export. SMS into XML-A format that can then be analyzed on PC.

5. Recovery after reset to factory settings

If the SMS is gone after a hard reset, the chances of it returning are minimal, but there are two options:

• 🔄 Recovery from Mi Cloud (if backup was done before reset).
• 💾 Analysis of internal memory using DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver (root required).

If the reset was made via Fastboot (fastboot erase userdata command), the data is erased irrevocably, in which case only a backup on an external medium will help.

For future cases, set up an automatic SMS backup:

1. Install SMS Backup+ from Google Play.
2. Get a Gmail account.
3. Turn on automatic synchronization (for example, once a week).

💡

Once you reset, never write new data to your phone (don't install apps, don't download files) before trying to recover. Each new file reduces the chances of returning old SMS.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If SMS is critical (e.g., containing confirmation codes or legal information), you can contact Xiaomi’s authorized service center, which has deep memory scanning tools, but keep in mind:

• 💰 Service paid (from 1500 to 5000 rubles depending on the complexity).
• ⏳ Recovery time: 2 days to a week.
• 🔒 Proof of ownership of the phone is required.

Before the visit:

1. Don't update the firmware.
2. Do not install new applications.
3. Disconnect your phone from the internet (to avoid overwriting data).

The service centers can be found on Xiaomi's official website, and check by phone if they are engaged in data recovery, not all centers provide this service.

7.Prevention: How to avoid future SMS loss

To avoid looking for recovery methods, set up automatic backups in advance:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Turn on the backup SMS In Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
• 📧 Google Messages: activate synchronization in the app settings.
• 💾 Local backup: use SMS Backup & Restore to save messages to memory card.

Also useful:

• 📌 Regularly export important SMS.txt or.pdf (can be accessed via the app) SMS to Text).
• 🔐 Do not store confirmation codes only in SMS — You can use them in Google Authenticator or 1Password.
• 🚫 Avoid “memory cleaners” (e.g. Clean Master) – they can delete backup files.

💡

If you lose data often, consider buying a Xiaomi Mi Flash Drive – it lets you quickly create backups right from your phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about SMS recovery on Xiaomi Redmi