How to completely remove SMS on Xiaomi Redmi 5: all ways with explanations

It’s been years since the Xiaomi Redmi 5 was released in 2017, but it’s still popular thanks to its reliability and flexible MIUI firmware. However, even on such a device, users face a typical problem: the accumulation of thousands of SMS that take up memory, slow down the messenger and create chaos in finding important messages. Unlike modern models, where chats are automatically archived to the cloud, on Redmi 5, deleting messages requires a manual approach – and many make mistakes.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to delete SMS on Xiaomi Redmi 5 – from basic to little-known, including cleaning through Settings, third-party applications and even ADB commands. Particular attention will be paid to the hidden nuances of MIUI, which are not described in the official documentation, but affect the result. For example, did you know that when you delete messages through the standard Messages application, they can remain in the cache of the system? Or that some SMS (for example, from banks) are protected from removal without additional manipulation?

If your goal is not to just make room but to permanently erase confidential communications, you can use the deep-cleaning and encryption sections, and for those who accidentally deleted an important message, we have a recovery manual (with Redmi 5’s limitations in mind).

1. Standard removal of SMS through the application “Messages”

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Messages app (an envelope icon), but even here there are pitfalls that are not mentioned in manuals. For example, in a mass deletion, the system may forget to clear the linked data in the /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony folder, which will later lead to synchronization errors.

To delete messages correctly:

📱 Open the Messages app and hold your finger on the desired chat or message.
🗑️ In the top menu, click on the cart icon (or select “Delete” in the context menu).
⚠️ If messages are not deleted, check if Archivation is enabled in the application settings (path: ⋮ → Settings → Message archives).
🔄 For mass cleaning, go to ⋮ → Settings → Clear all messages.

⚠️ Note: When removed through the standard application SMS They may remain in backup copies. MIUI, If previously enabled the function Backup messages in Settings → Xiaomi account → To completely erase data, reset the cloud copies after deletion.

If you only need to delete messages from a specific sender (such as spam from a bank or operator), use the filter:

Open the chat with the right contact.
Click on the sender name at the top of the screen.
Choose Delete Chat or Delete all Messages.

📊 How often do you clear your SMS on your Xiaomi?

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when memory ends

Never delete.

Another option

2. Delete via the phone's "Settings" (deep cleaning)

Standard removal via the Messages app does not always clear the system cache of SMS, which can take up to 50–100 MB on Redmi 5.

⚙️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
🔍 In search, type in “Messages” and select the Messages (or Messaging) app).
🧹 Press Warehouse. → Clear the data and clear the cache.
📊 For a complete cleanup, also delete the data in the Message Warehouse app (if it is in the list).

This method removes all messages without the possibility of recovery through standard means. MIUI, It does not affect backups in the cloud or on the SIM-If after cleaning the Message application has started to work unstable (for example, new ones are not displayed). SMS), restart the phone.

Deleting method	Deletes messages	Removes the cache	Impact on work
Through the Messages app	✅ Yes.	❌ No.	Minimum
Through "Settings → Storage"	✅ Yes.	✅ Yes.	It may need to be rebooted.
Through ADB (see section 5)	✅ Yes (fully)	✅ Yes.	Risk of failures when used incorrectly

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI for Redmi 5 (for example, MIUI 9-10) after cleaning the application data, the Messages folders may disappear from the MMS. To get them back, send yourself a test. MMS Update the app through Google Play.

Make a backup copy of important messages|Check if they're tied up. SMS Xiaomi account|Close all messengers (Viber, WhatsApp)|Connect your phone to charge (in case of long processing)|Disable cloud sync (unless you need to save copies)-->

3. Removal SMS s SIM-Maps: Why it matters

Many users forget that Redmi 5 (like other Android smartphones) by default saves a part of the game. SMS on SIM-If it supports this function, it's mostly about the old ones. SIM (Mini-SIM or Micro-SIM, but even on modern maps can remain fragments of data.

To cleanse. SMS on SIM-map:

Open the Messages app.
Press. ⋮ → Settings → Additionally. → Management SIM-map.
Choose yours. SIM-map and click Delete messages from SIM.
Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter) PIN-code SIM).

If this item is not on the menu, it means yours. SIM-card does not support storage SMS, Or they've already been transferred to the phone's memory. To check that, insert it. SIM to another phone (such as a Nokia button) and try to view messages.

What happens if you don't clean? SMS on SIM-map?

When SIM memory is overflowing (usually limited to 20 to 50 messages), new SMS may not arrive or be partially saved, and when you transfer the SIM to another phone, old messages can be automatically imported, creating duplicates.

Redmi 5 also has a hidden feature to transfer SMS between the SIM and the phone's memory.

Open the messages. → ⋮ → Settings → Imports/Exports.
Select Export to SIM (to save a copy) or Import with SIM (to transfer to your phone).

4.Use of third-party applications for mass removal

If you don't like the built-in MIUI tools, you can use third-party tools, and the main advantage of these applications is flexible filters (for example, removing SMS over 30 days or from specific numbers), but there are also risks: some programs require root rights or can send your data to third parties.

Top.-3 Proven applications for Redmi 5:

📦 SMS Backup & Restore - allows you to backup and selectively delete messages. Supports export to the United States XML or CSV.
🧹 Clean Master – has a cleaning module SMS-Cache (but often shows ads).
🔍 SMS Organizer (from Microsoft) – automatically sorts and offers to remove spam.

Before installation, check:

Reviews on Google Play (especially in the last 6 months)
Having requests to access Contacts or Call Logs is an unnecessary permission to delete SMS.
The ability to work without root rights (on Redmi 5, getting root may disrupt MIUI).

⚠️ Attention: Apps like GO SMS Pro or Textra SMS may conflict with the standard application MIUI. If you have stopped coming after installation SMS, Return to the standard messenger or configure the default app in Settings → Annexes → By default.

💡

If you use Backup & Restore SMS, export your messages to the cloud before mass deletion, which will allow you to recover them even after your phone is reset.

5. SMS removal via ADB (for power users)

If you need to completely erase all SMS without a trace (for example, before selling a phone), you can use the ADB command. This method deletes messages at the level of the Android database, including hidden system records.

Step-by-step:

Turn on USB Debugging on Redmi 5: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to become a developer) Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB
Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
Open the Command Prompt (CMD) and type: adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.telephony This command will reset all data associated with SMS/MMS.
For selective deletion, use: adb shell content delete --uri content://sms/ --where "address='Phone number'" (replace the PHN number with the desired one).

Once you have completed the commands, restart your phone. All SMS will be deleted without the ability to recover by standard means (but there may be traces in MIUI Cloud backups).

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause the Messages app to crash or even lose other data (e.g., call logs). Create a full backup before experimenting through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

💡

The ADB method is the only way to guarantee the removal of SMS protected from change (for example, service messages from an operator or bank).

6 How to Recover Accidentally Deleted SMS on Redmi 5

If you delete an important message, not everything is lost – Redmi 5 has several ways to restore, but they only work if you meet the conditions:

🔄 Messages were deleted no earlier than 7 days ago (the system then overwrites the data).
📱 The phone did not reset to factory settings.
☁️ Synchronization with the MIUI Cloud or Google Account.

Recovery methods:

Through MIUI Cloud: Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Cloud → Data Recovery. Select a backup that has the SMS you need. Click Restore (the entire copy will be restored, not just messages!).
Through third-party utilities (without root): 🛠️ Undeleter Recover Files & Data – Scans your phone’s memory for remote files SMS (It only works if the place has not been overwritten). 🔍 DiskDigger – looks for fragments of messages in the cache (requires root for deep scanning).
Through a carrier: Some operators (such as MTS or Beeline) keep the SMS history for up to 30 days. Contact support with a passport - they can provide a printout (paid or free, depending on the tariff).

If neither method worked, try a proven life hack: send yourself an SMS from another phone with the text "Restore" (without quotes). Sometimes this works because of a bug in MIUI 9-10 that temporarily "lifts" old messages from the cache.

7 How to prevent the accumulation of unnecessary SMS in the future

To avoid having to clean thousands of messages regularly, set up Redmi 5 to automatically filter and delete:

📥 Turn off spam: Go to Messages → ⋮ → Settings → Spam filter and activate blocking of unwanted messages, blacklist bank numbers (if you do not use them). SMS-notifications) and operators.
🗓️ Set up Auto Delete: In the same settings, enable Auto Delete Old Messages and set a period (e.g. 30 days).
☁️ Move the important ones. SMS To the cloud: Use SMS Backup & Restore to automatically export messages to Google Drive once a week.
📵 Disable notifications from the operator: many SMS From MegaFon or Tele2, duplicated as push notifications. Turn them off in Settings → Notifications → Additionally. → System notifications.

If you often receive similar messages (such as confirmation codes), use the SMS Organizer app – it automatically sorts them into a separate folder and suggests deleting them after 24 hours.

💡

Regularly cleaning SMS not only frees up memory, but also speeds up the Redmi 5 communication module, especially when the network signal is weak.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removal SMS Xiaomi Redmi 5

Can I remove SMS from the bank if it is protected?

Yes, but it's hard to do this with standard methods. Bank SMS is often marked as system and not deleted through the Messages app. Use: Method with ADB (section 5). Reset the Messages app through Settings → Apps → Warehouse → Clear data. If SMS comes from a short number (such as 900 for Sberbank), blacklist it in the Messages app settings.

Why do they reappear after SMS is deleted?

It's because of this: 🔄 Sync with the cloud (turn off in Settings) → Xiaomi account → Cloud. → Synchronization of messages). 📶 Automatic recovery from backup (check Settings) → Additionally. → Backup). 📱 Duplicate SIM-map (clean it as described in section 3).

How to delete SMS if the phone is not turned on?

If Redmi 5 doesn’t respond to the power button but charges (lights), try: Connect your phone to your PC and use it. ADB Fastboot (skills required). SIM-card and insert it into another phone to delete SMS If the phone is dead, charge it to at least 20 percent -- sometimes enough for a short turn on. If the screen is broken, but the sensor is working, plug the mouse in. OTG And you can control the phone through it.

Can I delete SMS without a trace so that it cannot be restored?

For complete irrevocable removal: Use ADB (section 5) + command: adb shell sqlitedb delete from sms After deleting, rewrite the memory - install and uninstall a large application (for example, a game of 1-2 GB). Disable backup in MIUI Cloud and Google Account. Even in this case, theoretically there is a chance of recovery using professional software (for example, Oxygen Forensic), but for household purposes this is enough.

How to transfer SMS from Redmi 5 to a new phone?

Modes of transfer: ☁️ Through MIUI Cloud: Backup your old phone and restore it to your new one (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Cloud). 📱 Through SMS Backup & Restore: Export messages to XML Import on a new device. 📧 Email: Send yourself important messages SMS by mail (hold the message) → If the new phone is not Xiaomi, use Google Messages to sync through Google Account.