How to clean up completely SIM-SMS card on Xiaomi: all working methods

SIM cards in Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi models and POCO) They're still used not only for calls, but also for texting -- despite the widespread adoption of instant messengers. SIM limited (usually) 30-250 Messages), and when overflowing, you risk losing new SMS or getting an error No space for a new SMS. SIM-In this article, we will discuss all current cleaning methods, including hidden functions. MIUI, Engineering menu commands and workarounds for older models.

It's important to understand that SIM and phone messages are stored separately, and even if you deleted all SMS messages in the Messages app, they could remain on the card itself, especially when it comes to service messages from the operator (balance, notifications) — these are often stored by MIUI on SIM, not in internal memory. Below you will find instructions for all firmware versions, including MIUI 14/13 and earlier.

1. Standard method: through the application "Messages"

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Messages app (an envelope icon), but there are nuances: in newer versions of MIUI, the SIM cleaning option may be hidden or not work properly.

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select Control. SIM-maps (or settings) SIM older).
4. Put it on the right one. SIM-map → Delete messages from SIM.
5. Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter) PIN-code SIM).

⚠️ Note: If the item Delete messages from SIM No, your version. MIUI It's hiding it. Go to the following ways.

Check your SIM balance (sometimes operators block access with a zero score)

Remember. PIN-code SIM (will require confirmation)

Back up important SMS (through export to phone memory)

Turn off autodelete messages in operator settings-->

In some firmware (e.g., POCO F3 or Redmi Note 10), instead of completely cleaning, only manually deleting each message is available, which is inconvenient if there are hundreds of SIMs on the SIM, in which case use alternative methods from the following sections.

2. through the engineering menu (USSD and MMI codes)

If the standard method didn’t work, you can use hidden commands to work with SIM. These codes are universal for all Xiaomi and most Android devices, but require caution.

Enter the following combinations in the Phone application:

• 📱 ##4636## → Go to Phone Information → choose SIM → Clear the data (not on all models).
• 🔄 *#99# → In the menu, select Management SIM (work MIUI 12 and below).
• 🗑️ ##634# → Delete all messages (camera team, may not work).

Critical information: command #634# on some SIM-cards (for example, MTS or Beeline) does not delete messages, but redirects to a paid service!

If none of the code worked, try an alternative method through ADB (described in section 5). Also check if the operator has blocked access to the engineering menu - some providers (e.g. Tele2) restrict such functions.

Standard annex “Messages”

Engineering menu(s)

Through the computer (ADB/Python)

Never cleared the SIM.

Another way.-->

3. Use of third-party applications

Google Play has apps that can work with memory SIM-But most of them require root rights or have restrictions, and we tested a few options and we selected the most reliable ones:

• 📲 SIM Card Manager – Shows all messages to SIM, It allows you to selectively remove or all at once. MIUI 14 no root.
• 🔍 SIM Toolkit is an embedded app on some Xiaomi, but often hidden.To find: go to Settings → Annexes → Show system-based → SIM Toolkit.
• 🛠️ Root Explorer is for advanced users, and allows you to manually clean files. SIM, requires root.

⚠️ Attention: Apps like SIM card SMS Backup & Restore does not delete messages from SIM — They only work with the memory of the phone!

If you decide to use Root Explorer, follow this path:

1. Open the application and provide root access.
2. Go to /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/.
3. Find the file mmsms.db – it contains information about messages.
4. Remove it (pre-remove it!).

Then restart the phone. Note that this method clears all messages, including those stored in the device's memory.

4. Cleaning through a computer (ADB and Python)

For users who aren’t afraid of the command line, there’s a way to clean SIM through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), an official tool from Google that doesn’t require root rights, but you need USB debugging enabled and a computer enabled.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Xiaomi: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shoot 7 times).

adb devices


adb shell




content query --uri content://telephony/siminfo




content delete --uri content://sms/ --where "address='SIM'"

The last command deletes all messages associated with the SIM. If you want to clear only specific ones, use filters:

content delete --uri content://sms/ --where "address='SIM' AND date < 1672531200000"

(where 1672531200000 is the timestamp date before which you need to delete messages).

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If ADB doesn’t see the device, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers or using a USB 2.0 port (USB 3.0 is sometimes in conflict).

You can use a Python script with a pyscard library to automate the process.

from pyscard.scard import *



hresult, hcontext = SCardEstablishContext(SCARD_SCOPE_USER)




hresult, readers = SCardListReaders(hcontext, [])





for reader in readers:




hresult, hcard = SCardConnect(hcontext, reader, SCARD_SHARE_SHARED, SCARD_PROTOCOL_T0)




# Here is added the logic of cleaning (requires knowledge in working with APDU-commands)




SCardDisconnect(hcard, SCARD_LEAVE_CARD)

⚠️ Attention: Wrong APDU-Teams can damage data SIM, This includes contacts and network settings, and without experience, it's best not to use this method.

5. Resetting settings SIM-maps (extreme method)

If nothing works, you'll have to reset your SIM completely, which is a radical method that will return the card to factory status, but also delete:

• 📞 All the contacts saved on SIM (if they were there).
• 📶 Mobile Internet settings (APN).
• 🔐 PIN/PUK-Codes (will have to be restored by the operator).

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose the right one. SIM → Additional (or Settings) SIM).
3. Click Reset SIM settings (the name may be different).
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

After the reset, you'll have to:

• 🔄 Restore the Internet settings (APN You can request from the operator or download automatically).
• 📱 Reset the priority of the network (4G/3G/2G).
• 🔒 Enter. PIN-code (if established).

6.Alternative solutions: Message portability and SIM replacement

If the cleaning does not help or SIM-The card is damaged, consider alternative options:

• 🔄 Transfer messages to the phone: In the Messages app, select the desired SMS → Exports → You can save the memory of the device, and then you can safely clean it. SIM.
• 🆕 Replacement SIM-Cards: Contact the operator for a new one SIM (All old messages will be lost, but you will get a clean card with full memory.
• ☁️ Cloud Backup: Use Mi Cloud or Google Drive to Back Up SMS Before Cleaning.

If you frequently experience SIM overflows, set up automatic deletion of old messages:

1. Open Messages → Settings → More.
2. Turn on the option to delete old messages.
3. Set a limit (e.g., 100 messages).

Xiaomi models on MIUI 14 also have a Smart Cleanup feature that automatically removes service SMS from the operator over 30 days.

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If you SIM-A card older than 5 years old may have been clogged with system data, and even a complete cleanup won’t help, requiring a new card to be replaced (e.g., nano-SIM or eSIM).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up the SIM on Xiaomi