How to view remote messages on Xiaomi Redmi 4: all working methods

Remove an important message on Xiaomi Redmi 4 and don’t know how to get it back? This problem is familiar to many smartphone users. Unlike today’s flagships, budget models like Redmi 4 (released in 2016) do not have built-in tools to back up SMS to the cloud. However, even on this device there are several ways to recover lost data, from standard Android features to specialized utilities.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven methods, including MIUI backup recovery, third-party application use, and even manual system file analysis. It’s important to understand that success depends on two factors: how long it’s been since you deleted (new data can overwrite old ones) and whether you’ve configured sync with your Xiaomi or Google account. If you’re acting quickly, the chances of returning messages are up to 70%.

Before proceeding, check if there are copies of the messages in other places:

• 📱 Notifications in the curtain - sometimes text SMS displayed in the notification history (check swipe down from the top edge of the screen).
• 🔄 Sending to email – if the option of exporting letters was included in the messenger settings.
• 💬 Chats in messengers – perhaps the message was duplicated in Telegram, Viber or WhatsApp.

1.Recovery through MIUI backup

Xiaomi Redmi 4 runs on MIUI firmware, which has a built-in backup tool. If you've ever enabled this feature, the chances of returning messages are high. Here's how to check and recover data:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Local Backups – all saved date files will be displayed here.
3. Find the backup created before deleting the messages and tap it.
4. In the list of available data, tick Messages (SMS/MMS) and click Restore.

⚠️ Note: When you recover from the backup, the current messages will be replaced by the ones in the copy. SMS, You will need to save them manually (for example, screenshots) before restoring them.

Keep current contacts in VCF-file|Export important SMS text-document|Check the vacant space (need to be checked). ≥500MB)|Connect the charger (the process can take up to 30 minutes)

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If there are no local copies, try the cloud backup:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Sign in under the same account that was used when setting up your phone.
3. Select Data Recovery → Messages and follow the instructions.

Cloud copies are created automatically once a week, but only if:

• 🔋 It was on the phone. ≥20% charge.
• 📶 The device is connected to Wi-Fi.
• ☁️ In the settings of Mi Cloud enabled option Autosynchronization.

2. Use of applications for SMS recovery

If you don't have backups, third-party utilities will come to the rescue. Xiaomi Redmi 4 will be suitable for programs that do not require root rights (although with superuser rights the chances are higher).

Consider recovery using the example of SMS Backup & Restore (the most reliable free solution):

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Launch and select Restore.
3. The program will offer to scan the memory of the phone - confirm.
4. After scanning, mark the desired messages and click Restore.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install recovery apps on the phone's internal memory, which can overwrite deleted data. SD-map.

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Before scanning, turn off mobile internet and Wi-Fi – this will prevent writing new data to the disk and increase the chances of recovery.

3. Manual recovery through database files

Messages in Android are stored in the database mmsms.db, which is located on the path /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/. Access to this folder is possible only with root rights, but even without them you can try to circumvent the restrictions.

If you have root:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
2. Click the path above and copy the mmssms.db file to your computer.
3. Open it with SQLite Browser – all SMS will be in table form.

Without root rights, try this method:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → Developer).
2. Download the Android SDK Platform Tools.
3. In the command line, run: adb backup -f sms.ab -noapk com.android.providers.telephony On the phone, confirm the creation of a backup (do not set a password!).
4. Convert the sms.ab file to a readable format using Android Backup Extractor.

🔍 Important: This method only works if messages were deleted recently (within 1-2 days). The longer the time has passed, the more likely the data has been overwritten.

4. Restore via Google Drive (if synchronized)

If Redmi 4 had a Google account and SMS sync enabled, the messages could have been saved to the cloud.

1. Open Google Drive on your computer.
2. In the search box, type:text sms.
3. If you find files with.sms or.xml extension, download them.
4. Import to your phone using SMS Backup & Restore (Restore from XML).

⚠️ Google has stopped automatically syncing SMS from 2019, but if you have manually backed up through Settings → Google → Backup, data may have been saved.

Another way to check Gmail is to check your email:

1. Open Gmail.
2. In the search, type from:me label:sms.
3. If you find emails labeled "SMS", these are copies of your messages sent to email.

5. Contact Xiaomi Support

If the messages are critical (e.g., contain court evidence or financial data), you can try a formal request from Xiaomi.com.au has a data recovery procedure for law enforcement, but it is available to ordinary users in a limited format.

To make a request:

1. Prepare proof of ownership of the phone (checks, box with IMEI).
2. Write an email to support@xiaomi.com with the topic Data Recovery Request.
3. Specify: Phone model (Redmi 4 or Redmi 4 Pro/Prime). IMEI (you can find Settings → About Phone → General Information). Approximate date of deletion of messages.

📌 Important: Xiaomi does not guarantee data recovery and may refuse without explanation.

Yes, messages | Yes, photos | Yes, contacts | No, never | I don't remember.

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How to Prevent Loss of Messages in the Future

To avoid the problem of remote SMS, set up automatic backup:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device (enable Messages).
• 📧 Gmail: Install SMS Backup+ — It sends copies of letters to email.
• 💾 Local Backup: Once a Month, Create an Archive through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Also useful:

• 🚫 Do not use the “Waste Cleanup” app in the standard Security app – it can delete temporary files from the app. SMS.
• 📲 Export important messages manually: open a chat → ⋮ → Exports (save in.txt format).
• 🔄 Set up a forwarding. SMS to the second number through the operator (paid service, but reliable).

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The most reliable way to keep your message alive is to combine cloud and local backups, like Mi Cloud. + backup SD-map.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)