How to save SMS on Xiaomi phone, not on SIM-Map: Complete Guide 2026

Have you ever experienced a situation where an important message is missing after a shift? SIM-Have you noticed that new SMS is saved to SIM instead of the internal memory of the smartphone? on Xiaomi devices (including Redmi and other devices) POCO) This problem is more common than it seems, because by default, the system can send incoming messages to the user. SIM-And the problem with this is that it's a very small map, especially if it's not full of memory, but it has a critical disadvantage: limited space. 20-50 Messages on most SIMs), the risk of data loss when replacing the card and the lack of backups.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer SMS from SIM to internal memory Xiaomi, and also configure the system so that new messages are saved directly to the phone. Instructions are relevant for devices on MIUI 12-14 and Android 11-14, including models Xiaomi 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5 and others. Importantly, some methods require superuser rights (root), but we will specify workarounds for standard users.

Why SMS is saved on the SIM-card, not phone?

The reason lies in the settings. MIUI By default, Xiaomi smartphones follow the standard. GSM, where SIM-The map is seen as the primary storage for messages, a legacy of old phones, where internal memory was lacking. MIUI Sometimes it forgets to update priorities. Here are the key factors:

• 📱 Default settings: When you first start, the system can automatically select SIM It's like storage if there's not enough space on the phone.
• 🔄 Resetting: After resetting to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings) the priority of saving is reset to SIM.
• 📶 Operator: Some operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) send service messages with the command to save SMS to the map.
• 🛠️ Updates MIUI: After major updates (for example, with the MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) message settings may be confused.

To check where your messages are stored, open the Messages app, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings. → Additionally. → Message storage, if it says so «SIM-map, so all incoming SMS is written there.

⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-So, the system can randomly distribute messages between the cards, and that causes some of the text messages to be stored on one SIM and some on another, making it difficult to back up.

Method 1: Manually copying SMS from SIM to phone via standard application

The simplest method, which requires no additional programs, is suitable for MIUI 12-14 and works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 11/12 and the POCO X4 Pro. Importantly, this method only transfers existing messages, but does not change the settings for new ones.

Instructions:

1. Open the Messages app (the envelope icon on the home screen).
2. Click on the three dots at the top right → select Settings.
3. Go to the section Additional → Import/Export of messages.
4. Select Import with SIM-map.
5. Tick the messages you want to copy (or click Select All).
6. Click Import and confirm the action.

After importing messages will appear in the common tape, but copies will remain on the Internet. SIM-To remove duplicates:

• Go back to Settings → Additional → SIM-card management.
• Select Delete Messages with SIM.

⚠️ Note: If you use Google Messages instead of the standard Messages app, the import function with the Messages is SIM In this case, go to Method 2.

Method 2: Change the default storage in MIUI settings

This method forever changes the place of saving new SMS SIM-internal memory cards for the phone. Works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 13/14, But the path to settings may differ depending on the firmware version.

How to change the storage:

1. Open the phone settings.
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Find Messages (or Messages) in the list and tap it.
4. Choose a storage (or memory)
5. Click Change next to Message Warehouse.
6. Select your internal memory (or phone).
7. Confirm the change and restart the phone.

If there is no Message Warehouse, try an alternative path:

Settings → SIM- Maps and Mobile Networks → Settings SIM- Cards → SMS Storage

Critical detail: after changing the storage, old messages with SIM-Cards are NOT automatically transferred; they must be imported separately (see Method 1).

Method 3: Transfer SMS via Google Messages (for users with a Google account)

If you use Google Messages as your primary SMS application, it makes it easier to transfer messages from SIM to your phone, and it also backs up your data in Google Drive, which protects data from loss, and it works for all Xiaomi models with Google services installed.

Steps:

1. Install Google Messages from the Play Market.
2. Open the application and allow access to SMS.
3. Click on the profile avatar at the top right → Message settings.
4. Choose Backup and Restore.
5. Activate the Backup Switch in Google Drive.
6. Return to the main menu and click Import with SIM-maps (in the section Additional).

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Automatic backup of new messages.
• ✅ Synchronize between devices (if you change your phone).
• ✅ The possibility of restoring SMS after resetting settings.

⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-Maps, Google Messages can save messages from each of them to separate threads. To combine them, go to Settings → SIM-maps and select the main card for SMS.

💡

Before importing SMS to Google Messages, turn off mobile internet and connect to Wi-Fi. This will speed up the process and avoid synchronization errors.

Method 4: Use of third-party applications (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use specialized utilities, and we recommend two proven applications:

1. SMS Backup & Restore by SyncTech): 🔹 Creates local backups in.xml format. 🔹 Supports the transfer of messages between SIM telephone. 🔹 It works without root rights.

Super Backup & Restore

• 🔹 Allows you to export SMS to.csv or.txt.
• 🔹 Can send copies to email or Google Drive.
• 🔹 Requires permission to access contacts and messages.

For Super Backup & Restore:

Open the application → SMS → Backup → SIM → Save to internal memory → Restore

Method 5: Transfer SMS with ADB (for power users)

This method requires connecting your phone to your computer and using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable if previous methods have not worked, or you need to massively transfer messages (for example, when switching to a new phone), does not require root rights, but involves working with the command line.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 Installed drivers ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.