How to transfer a text message from Xiaomi to Xiaomi via a computer

Changing your smartphone is often a source of stress, especially when it comes to saving personal correspondence. Xiaomi ecosystem owners are in a great position, as the MIUI shell and HyperOS offer powerful tools for data migration. However, standard methods “from the cloud” or via Bluetooth do not always work correctly if you need to migrate archives over several years or restore access to messages on a new device using a local backup.

Using a computer as an intermediary is the most reliable way to ensure the integrity of the SMS/MMS database. Direct transmission by air can be interrupted, and cloud services sometimes have limitations on file size or compatibility. By connecting the device to a PC, you have full control over the backup files and can manually manage their movement between devices.

In this guide, we'll look at the often overlooked, obscure aspects of working with the Android file system: how to create a full copy of messages, how to extract it correctly to your hard drive, and most importantly, how to embed this archive into your new smartphone's system so that it can "see" old correspondence. It's critical to understand that directly copying database files without following the folder structure will lead to loss of access to your message history. We'll bypass these pitfalls and make the process transparent.

Preparation of file storage of both devices

Before we start technical manipulation, we need to prepare the ground for both smartphones. Android, especially in the latest versions of MIUI, strictly monitors the rights of access to personal data. So the first step is to create a local backup on the original device. You need enough free space in internal memory.

Go to the phone settings and find the data retention section. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same. You need to create a restore point that will only contain text messages or all data at once, depending on your needs, and this will create a special archive file that we will later transport.

Note the format of the file you create. It's usually an encrypted container that the system can only read after the account owner has authorized it or entered the password if you have set it. Make sure you remember the password from your Mi Account if it's required to unlock the backup. Without that key, the file will remain just a set of bytes.

Creating a full backup of messages

The backup process is the foundation of the entire operation, and an error at this point will make it impossible to move forward. Open the settings menu and go to About or Advanced Settings, where you hide the "Reserve and Restore" option.

The system will suggest you to select data categories. For our task, it is critical to tick the "Messages" (SMS) item and, if necessary, "MMS." You should not choose "All data" if you want to save time and space, although the full copy is always more reliable. After choosing, click the "Create backup" button and wait for the process to be completed.

⚠️ Note: Do not interrupt the backup process or turn off the phone screen if the system requires confirmation. Interrupting the entry into the database of mmssms.db can damage it and lose part of the correspondence.

Once you're done, you'll see a report on the file you created. Remember or write down the date and time you created it, because backups can store multiple archives. The file will have a.bak extension or be packaged into a folder structure with a date in the title. Now you need to find it in the file system.

Search and retrieve archives through the Explorer

The archive is stored by default in a hidden or secure directory of internal storage. To access it, connect your smartphone to your computer through a computer. USB-On the phone screen, select the mode of operation. USB «File transfer» (MTP). The device is now displayed as an external drive in My Computer».

You have to go down the path where the system stores the backups: MIUI/backup/AllBackup/. Inside this folder, you'll find directories named after the date and time you created the copy. That's where the file you want is located. Copy the entire folder with the date to your desktop for convenience.

If you use newer versions of Android with enhanced security, the path may be different. In some cases, the system requires you to confirm access to files on the phone itself when you first connect to a new PC. Agree to a permission request. Also make sure you copy the file to your computer, rather than just drag and drop it so you don't lose the original in the event of a crash.

Alternative method: Using ADB for advanced users

For those who are not afraid of the command line, the Android Debug Bridge tool (ADB) This method allows you to copy the database directly, bypassing the standard backup menu, which is sometimes useful if the backup is not working properly. ADB computer.

Connect your phone, turn on USB Debugging in the developer menu. Open the command line on your PC in the folder with ADB. To create a full system backup (including SMS), type in the command:

adb backup -f sms_backup.ab -noapk com.android.providers.telephony

On the screen of the smartphone will be a request for confirmation of backup, you need to enter a password (if necessary) and click "Create backup." File sms_backup.ab To recover on a new device, the command will be reversed: adb restore. sms_backup.ab. This method requires care, as working with system providers directly carries risks.

Integration of backup in a new smartphone

Once the backup file is on your computer, we move to the final stage of implementing it in the new Xiaomi. Connect the new device to your PC. You need to recreate the exact folder structure that the original was in. If you copied the entire AllBackup folder, just move it to the root of the internal memory of the new phone.

If you copied a single file, place it at MIUI/backup/AllBackup/[Date copy]/. It is important that the path coincides. After copying, turn off the cable and pick up your smartphone. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore → Recovery from internal memory.

The system will scan the folder and find the available recovery points, you will see a list of dates, select the desired one, tick "Messages" and click "Restore." The process will take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the volume of correspondence, after completion, the phone may suggest a reboot.

⚠️ Note: When you restore to a new device, the system may request a password from the Mi Account that was used on the old phone. This is a security measure. Make sure you log in to the same account from which the copy was created, otherwise the recovery may not go through or the data will not be decrypted.

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The success of the operation depends on the identity of the folder structure on the new phone and the version of MIUI. If the firmware versions are radically different (for example, Android 10 vs. Android 14), there may be errors in the compatibility of the database format.

Solving typical transfer problems

Even following the instructions, users can encounter obstacles. One of the common problems is that the phone doesn't see the backup. This often happens if the file has been renamed or placed in the wrong directory. Check the path again: Internal Storage/MIUI/backup/AllBackup. Make sure there are no extra layers of nesting.

Another common situation is a recovery error or an app crash, which may be due to a lack of RAM or background processes, close all applications before restoring, and make sure that the new phone has enough space; if the memory is full, the system will not be able to deploy the archive.

If messages are restored but no pictures (MMS), check the storage settings. Sometimes media files are saved separately from the text base, in which case additionally copy the DCIM or Pictures folder if the MMS were saved there, although they usually lie inside the message database.

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If standard recovery doesn’t work, try using the “Mi Mover” app to set up the initial setup, and then load the missing SMS through a hand-built backup.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)