How to view deleted messages on Xiaomi Redmi 7: proven methods of 2026

Removed an important message on Xiaomi Redmi 7 and you don’t know how to return it? This problem is familiar to many smartphone owners – accidentally tapping or cleaning a chat can cost you valuable information. Fortunately, even on the budget Redmi 7 with a Snapdragon 632 processor and 2-4 GB of RAM, there are several ways to recover deleted SMS messages, messages from WhatsApp, Viber or Telegram.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, from standard MIUI functions to third-party utilities that do not require root rights. It is important to understand that the success of recovery depends on how long it has been since the deletion and whether the phone is actively used after that. The faster you start to act, the better the chances of returning lost data.

Note that some of these methods involve backups, so if you've never set up backups, you can go straight to the special programs section. And if you deleted them long ago (over 30 days), the chances of recovery are minimal, because the data could be overwritten with new information.

1. Checking the archive of messages in MIUI

Xiaomi Redmi 7 based on MIUI 10-12 (depending on the firmware version) automatically archives some SMS and messages from the standard Messages app, a feature that works by default, but many users are unaware of it.

To check the archive:

1. Open the Messages app (the envelope icon on the home screen).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Archive.
3. View the list – messages deleted less than a month ago may be stored here.

If the archive is empty, try another way. note that not all SMS are archived, but only those that were marked as important or sent by certain contacts (the algorithm of the function is not disclosed by Xiaomi).

⚠️ Attention: Archive in MIUI It is automatically cleared when you update your firmware or reset your settings. If you have recently performed these actions, the data may have been lost irretrievably.

2.Restore from Google Backup

If your Redmi 7 has been enabled to sync with your Google Account, there is a chance to return messages via backup, which works for SMS and MMS, but not for messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Make sure that the backup function in Google Drive is enabled and the last copy is created before the message is deleted.
3. Perform a reset of the phone to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Resetting).
4. When you first set up after reset, select Restore from Google backup.

The downside is that you lose all the data you add after you create a backup, and Google doesn't save copies more than once every 24 hours, so if a message is deleted immediately after you back it up, it won't be restored.

3. Use of specialized programs (without root)

If standard methods do not help, you can use third-party utilities to recover data. For Xiaomi Redmi 7, programs that work without root rights are suitable, since obtaining superuser rights on this device involves risks (for example, loss of warranty or a “brick” if you make an error).

Top.-3 tested:

• 📱 Dr.Fone – Data Recovery (Android) SMS, The free version shows the files found, but a paid license is required to save them (~$50).
• 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver: scans internal memory and microSD card (if installed in Redmi 7.
• 💾 DiskDigger: a free utility with a simple interface, suitable for text recovery, but does not work with multimedia attachments.

How to use Dr.Fone (Step-by-step):

Connect Redmi 7 to PC via USB (file transfer mode)|Install and run Dr.Fone on your computer |Select Messages data type |Start scanning (takes 10-30 minutes) |View SMS found and save the desired ones

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Important: don't install recovery software on your smartphone, because it can overwrite deleted data and make it impossible to recover it.

⚠️ Note: Some programs (e.g. Tenorshare UltData) require debugging mode to be enabled. USB. On Redmi 7, it can be activated in Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and enable debugging by USB.

4.Recover WhatsApp messages

For WhatsApp messenger on Redmi 7, there are separate recovery rules. If you deleted the chat or message, but you had backup enabled, follow this instruction:

Steps to recover:

1. Remove WhatsApp from your phone.
2. Reinstall the app from Google Play.
3. When you first start up, the system will prompt you to recover a history from Google Drive (if the backup was created).
4. Confirm the recovery and wait for the process to be completed.

If you haven't created a backup, try to find the backup file manually. It's stored in the /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases folder and is called msgstore.db.crypt12 (or similar). Using a file manager (like Mi File Manager) copy this file to your computer, then use WhatsApp Viewer to view the content.

Note: WhatsApp creates backups once a day at 2:00 a.m. if the phone is connected to Wi-Fi and charging, and if the message was deleted before backup, you can't recover it.

5. Search for temporary files via Mi File Manager

MIUI on Redmi 7 sometimes saves temporary copies of files, including messages, in hidden folders, and to find them, you will need a built-in Mi File Manager (or any other file manager with support for showing hidden files, such as Solid Explorer).

Instructions:

1. Open Mi File Manager.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings → Show hidden files.
3. Go to the root folder of internal memory (/storage/emulated/0/).
4. Look for folders with names:.backup – backup copies of SMS can be stored here;.thumbnails – thumbnails of attachments from messages; Android/data/com.android.providers.telephony – system message files.

If you find files with the.xml or.db extension, you can open them through a text editor (for example, QuickEdit) and search for the text of deleted SMS. Note that this method requires technical skills - the data in such files is stored in an encrypted or structured form.

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Before searching for temporary files, turn off mobile internet and Wi-Fi on Redmi 7 to avoid overwriting data with new notifications or messages.

6. Contact Xiaomi Support

If all of the above methods have failed and the messages are critical (e.g., containing evidence for a court or financial information), you can try to contact official Xiaomi support.

• 🔒 Privacy Policy: the company does not provide access to user data without a court decision;
• 📵 Technical limitations: No copies are stored on Xiaomi servers SMS chat-room;
• ⏳ Timeline: Even with a positive response, the process can take months.

How to make a request:

1. Go to the Xiaomi support website.
2. Select the Contact Us section and fill out the form, specifying the phone model (Redmi 7) and the essence of the problem.
3. Attach screenshots (if any) with proof of the importance of messages (for example, correspondence with a bank or government agency).

Alternatively, you can contact Xiaomi’s service center to diagnose the device’s memory, and in rare cases, specialists can extract data using professional equipment, but this is a paid service (from 3,000 to 10,000 rubles depending on the complexity).

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Xiaomi’s official support is not about data recovery, it’s the user’s responsibility, and you do all the manipulation at your own risk.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)