How to view deleted messages on Xiaomi Redmi 8: from backups to deep scans

Removed an important message on Xiaomi Redmi 8 You're not alone, according to statistics, 68% And users have lost data at least once because of accidental pressing or system failure, and fortunately, even on a budget smartphone. 2019 Year of release, there are several ways to restore SMS, chat WhatsApp/Viber and investments from standard functions MIUI specialized-to-specialty utilities.

In this article, we will look at 5 proven methods, from simple (backups in Google Drive) to advanced (using ADB and third-party programs). Importantly, the effectiveness depends on how long it has been since the deletion and whether the data on the phone has been overwritten. If you act in the first 24 hours, the chances of returning messages are close to 90%.

So we're going to start with step-by-step analysis, and we're going to start with the most affordable ways that don't require any additional software.

1. Verification of backups in MIUI and Google

Xiaomi smartphones automatically back up messages if you have Mi Account or Google sync enabled. On Redmi 8, this feature works by default, but many users turn it off to save battery.

Method 1.1: Recovery through Mi Cloud

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Scroll down to Backup and click SMS.
• 🔍 If you have a copy, select a date and click Restore.
• ⚠️ Note: After recovery, new messages received after copy creation will be deleted.

Method 1.2: Restore via Google Drive

If you have used Google Messages (the standard SMS application for Android), check out:

1. Go to the Google Drive website from your computer.
2. In the search box, type:sms.
3. If you find an archive, download it and import it through Google Messages on your phone.

Method limitations: Backups are created every 24 hours (by default) and only store data for the last 30 days. If the message is deleted earlier, move to the next method.

2.Use of the standard application "Basket" in MIUI

Redmi 8 with MIUI 12+ has a hidden SMS Recycle Bin feature that stores deleted messages for up to 30 days, and many users are unaware of its existence, as it is only accessible through the system menu.

To find the deleted SMS:

1. Open the Messages app (SMS/MMS).
2. Tap it on. ⋮ (three-point) → Basket.
3. Select the desired messages and click Restore.

If the item is not on the menu, it means:

• 📵 On your phone. MIUI version below 12 (update system in Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🔧 Function disabled in settings (includes in Settings) → Annexes → Communications → Additionally. → Basket).
• ❌ Messages deleted more than 30 days ago and irretrievably erased.

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If the cart is empty but you're sure your messages have been deleted recently, try rebooting your phone. Sometimes MIUI doesn't display fresh data without a reboot.

3. Recovery through reanimator applications (without root)

If you don't have backups and the cart is empty, you need to plug in third-party utilities. Redmi 8 can use programs that scan internal memory at the file system level. Importantly, don't install apps on the phone itself, it will overwrite deleted data. Use a computer.

Top.-3 recovery:

The following is a step-by-step guide for Dr.Fone:

Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (7 times tap) → For developers → Debugging on USB

Connect Redmi 8 to your PC via the original cable

Install Xiaomi USB Drivers (download from the official website)

Close all background apps on your phone-->

After preparation:

1. Run Dr.Fone and select Android Data Recovery.
2. Select the data type: Messages and contacts.
3. Click Scan and wait until it is completed (10-30 minutes).
4. View the SMS found, mark the necessary ones and click Restore.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone requests permission to root, refuse — this can lead to loss of warranty and system failure.

4.Manual recovery via ADB (for power users)

If the software doesn’t work, try extracting messages directly from system files using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that requires command line knowledge but gives access to raw data that standard utilities can’t see.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux and established ADB (download from Android).
• 📱 Xiaomi Redmi 8 with enabled debugging USB.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (do not use extension cords!).

Instructions:

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


sqlite3 mmssms.db "SELECT * FROM sms WHERE address='Phone number'";

This command will copy the SMS database to the computer and display messages from the specified number. To view all messages, replace the condition with SELECT * FROM sms;

⚠️ Note: Do not edit the mmssms.db file manually - this can result in the loss of all messages.

5. recovery of messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram)

Deleted messages in instant messengers are restored differently than SMS. Consider the three most popular applications on Redmi 8.

5.1. WhatsApp

• 📁 If backup is enabled in Google Drive, uninstall and reinstall the app – the system will prompt you to restore chats.
• 💾 Local copies are stored in /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases. Rename the file msgstore.db.crypt14 to msgstore.db and import via WhatsApp.
• ⏳ Copies are created daily at 2:00 local time.

5.2. Viber

Viber does not have cloud redundancy for Android, but you can:

1. Make a backup manually: Settings → Account → Backup.
2. Copy the file viber_backup.vbk from phone to PC (pathway: /sdcard/Viber/Backup).
3. When reinstalled, Viber will offer to restore data from a local copy.

5.3. Telegram

Telegram is stored in the cloud, so:

• 🔄 Deleted messages in secret chats can not be restored – they are erased forever.
• 📥 In normal chats, it is enough to reinstall the application and log in under your account - the story will download automatically.
• 🗑️ If you manually cleaned the cache (Settings) → Data and memory → Clear cache, restore media files will be impossible.

6.When recovery is not possible: signs of irretrievable data loss

Not all messages can be returned. Here are 5 signs that data is lost forever:

• 🗓️ Messages deleted more than 6 months ago (even professional programs do not guarantee results).
• 🔄 More than 10 GB of new data is recorded on the phone after deletion (photos, videos, applications).
• 📛 Reset to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).
• 🛠️ The phone was repaired with a memory replacement (the eMMC chip on the Redmi 8 is not recoverable after physical intervention).
• 🔒 Encryption of the device (Settings) → Lockdown and protection → Encryption – This makes it impossible to scan the memory.

If one item fits your situation, further attempts at recovery are pointless.

• Check if there are screenshots of messages in the Gallery → Screenshots.
• Please contact the sender to send the information again.
• Set up automatic backup for the future (instructions in the next section).

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If the phone after deleting messages was used actively (install games, shoot videos), the chances of recovery fall by 30% every day.

7. How to protect against future data loss

The best way to avoid losing a message is to set up automatic backups. On Redmi 8, it's done in 3 steps:

Step 1: Enable SMS reservations in Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Activate the slider in front of the SMS.
3. Click Reserve Now and select Daily.

Step 2: Configure Google Drive for Messages:

• 📱 Install Google Messages from Play Market.
• 🔧 Open the app, tap the avatar. → Message settings → Backup.
• ☁️ Enable Backup in Google Drive.

Step 3: Create a local copy (for WhatsApp/Viber):

For WhatsApp:

Settings → Chat → Backup → Create a copy

For Viber:

Settings → Account → Backup → Create a copy now

Additional measures:

• 📌 Export important messages to the file regularly: open a chat room → ⋮ → Chat export (available in SMS WhatsApp).
• 🔐 Use Accidental Deletion Protection: Google Messages has Archive instead of Delete.
• 📵 Avoid “memory cleaners” (such as Clean Master) – they often erase backups.

FAQ: Frequent questions about post recovery