How to transfer SMS from Xiaomi phone to another smartphone: the full guide 2026

Transfer SMS-Messages from an old Xiaomi phone to a new phone are a challenge that every user faces when changing devices, and unlike contacts or photos, text messages often contain important information: confirmation codes, addresses, correspondence with banks or colleagues. Unfortunately, manufacturers do not always offer convenient built-in tools for this operation, especially when it comes to transitioning between different ecosystems (for example, with the use of a large number of different ecosystems). MIUI iOS).

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to copy SMS from Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones, from standard MIUI features to third-party apps and cloud services. We will focus on the nuances of why some methods do not work on new versions of firmware, how to circumvent the restrictions when migrating to the iPhone, and what to do if messages do not appear after copying.

1. Built-in tools MIUI: backup

The most obvious way is to use Xiaomi’s proprietary tools. MIUI firmware (starting with version 12) has a Local Backup feature that saves SMS to a file and then allows you to restore them to another device, a method that is suitable if both phones are running MIUI (for example, when switching from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13T).

To create a backup copy:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backup.
• 📁 Select Messages (Make sure the tick is next to it).
• 💾 Click Create a backup and wait until it is completed (the file will be saved in the folder). MIUI/backup/AllBackup).
• 📤 Transfer the file to a new phone (via Mi Share, cable) USB-OTG cloud).

To recover on a new device, repeat the path to Local Backup, select a file and click Restore. Importantly, this method does not work when switching to iPhones or smartphones of other brands (such as Samsung or Google Pixel), and some users note that once restored, messages are displayed without contact names (phone numbers only).

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If after recovery, SMS is displayed without names, synchronize contacts through Google Account or Mi Account – this will return the binding of numbers to contacts.

2. Exporting SMS to file: a universal method for any device

If you need to transfer messages to another brand’s phone (or even an iPhone), the best option is to export them to a universal format, such as.xml or.csv. This will require a third-party application, since MIUI does not support direct SMS export. One of the most reliable tools is SMS Backup & Restore (available on Google Play).

Step-by-step:

1. Install SMS Backup & Restore on the old Xiaomi.
2. Launch the application and press Set up a backup.
3. Select Messages (messages) and Call logs (call logs if needed).
4. Click Back up now – the file will be saved to your phone’s memory or Google Drive.
5. Transfer the file to a new phone and restore messages through the same app.

The advantage of this method is cross-platform. For example, you can export SMS from Redmi 9A to a file and then import them to iPhone 15 via iTunes or specialized utilities like iMazing. However, on iOS, messages will appear as correspondence with unknown numbers (without contact names), since Apple does not support full synchronization of SMS from Android.

3. SMS Transfer via Mi Account: Cloud Method

Xiaomi offers its own cloud storage, the Mi Cloud, which should theoretically synchronize messages between devices, but in practice this feature is unstable: in some regions it is disabled, and in new versions of MIUI (for example, MIUI 14) it is completely removed from public settings.

If you have an older firmware version (up to MIUI 12.5), try:

• 🌐 Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
• 📩 Enable synchronization for the Message point.
• 🔄 Wait for the synchronization to be completed (may take up to 30 minutes).
• 📱 On the new Xiaomi phone, log in to the same Mi Account and enable Message Sync.

Problems with method:

• ❌ It doesn't work on new versions. MIUI (13th and up).
• ❌ Messages may not be transferred if the new phone has a different version of the firmware.
• ❌ Does not support porting to iPhone or other brands.

4.Using ADB: For power users

If standard methods fail, you can extract SMS directly from your phone’s memory using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that requires command line skills but guarantees 100% copying of all messages, including service messages (e.g. from banks).

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Xiaomi: go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB (download from the official website) and execute the commands:

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


adb restore sms.ab

Warnings:

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB Do not interrupt the backup process – this may result in the loss of some messages, POCO F5) Additional permission to access the SMS Adb shell pm grant.

This method is suitable for transferring to any Android device, but it doesn’t work with an iPhone, and the main advantage is that you get a full copy of the SMS database, including deleted messages (if they haven’t been overwritten by the system already).

5. SMS portability to iPhone: bypassing Apple's restrictions

The transition from Xiaomi to iPhone is the most difficult scenario, as Apple does not provide direct tools to import SMS from Android.

Method 1: Through iTunes (for Windows)

• 🖥️ Export. SMS from Xiaomi to.xml file via SMS Backup & Restore.
• 📄 Convert the file to.csv format with an online converter (e.g. ConvertCSV).
• 🍎 Connect your iPhone to your PC, open iTunes and import contacts + SMS via Info → Sync Contacts.

Method 2: Specialized Utilities

Software like iMazing or AnyTrans allows you to transfer SMS directly from Android to iPhone via USB. They are paid, but offer a free trial period. The main drawback is that messages will be displayed in the Unknown without contact names, if you do not sync them in advance.

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When transferring SMS to your iPhone, always first sync your contacts through Google Account or iCloud – this is the only way to keep names linked to numbers.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SMS Backup & Restore and backup on Google Drive, make sure you have enough space in the cloud. If you exceed the limit, the file may not be saved completely, and it will not be possible to restore it.

7. Alternative methods: SIM-map

If none of the above methods worked, you can try the old method - transferring the device. SMS through SIM-But there are serious limitations to this method:

• 📶 SIM-The card only stores 100-250 messages (depending on the operator).
• 🔢 Messages are saved without contact names (only numbers).
• 📵 Not all modern phones support recording. SMS on SIM (For example, the iPhone can’t do that).

To copy SMS to SIM:

1. Open the Messages app on Xiaomi.
2. Select the desired message → More → Copy on SIM.
3. Insert SIM into your new phone and import messages.

Another option is to contact a carrier, where some providers (such as MTS or Beeline) store the SMS history on their servers and can provide it on request, but this method is only suitable for messages sent/received in the last 3-6 months.

Synchronize your contacts with Google/Mi Account

Check the free space on the new phone

Disable battery optimization for backup applications

Backup on multiple media (cloud + PC)

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FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions