How to remove completely SMS-Xiaomi Redmi 6: All the ways

Xiaomi Redmi 6 is a popular smartphone with extensive customization options, but even experienced users sometimes have difficulty removing SMS. Unlike modern models, the MIUI 9/10 on this device has features of working with messages: they can be stored in cache, backups or sync with the cloud. This article will help you understand how to permanently delete SMS – from standard methods to advanced tools like ADB.

We will look not only at the basic actions in the Messages app, but also at alternative options: cleaning through Settings. MIUI, Using a file manager to manually delete a database, and recovering accidentally erased files SMS. Particular attention is paid to hidden copies of messages in the folder /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db, which remain even after "deleting" through the interface.

Method 1: Standard removal through the Messages app

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Messages app, but it has a nuance: remote SMS can stay in memory for up to 30 days if synchronization with Mi Cloud is enabled. To avoid this, first disable backup:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Find the Sync section and turn off the Message option.
3. Return to the Messages app.

You can now proceed to remove:

• 📱 Single message: Press and hold SMS → Choose Remove (Basket icon).
• 🧹 The entire folder: tap on the three dots in the upper right corner → Delete everything.
• 🔍 Search and Delete: Use the search bar to find posts from a specific contact, then highlight them and delete them.

⚠️ Note: If after deleting you see messages in Google search (for example, when entering a phone number), this means that the data is indexed by the system. → Annexes → Google → Memory. → Clear the data.

Method 2: Cleaning through MIUI Settings (System Reset)

If messages are not deleted in the standard way or take up too much space, resetting the app will help, which will delete all Message data, including settings and cache, but will not affect other applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Messages (com.android.mms) and tap it.
3. Select Warehouse → Clear data and Clear cache.

To delete completely (including hidden files), follow these steps:

• 📁 Manual Cleanup: Use a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer) with root rights to remove the folder /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony.
• 🔄 Reboot: After cleaning, restart the device – it will reset temporary files.

Method 3: Using ADB for deep cleaning

If you're familiar with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), this method will allow you to delete SMS at the system level, the advantage of bypassing the limitations of MIUI and guaranteeing the removal of even "stuck" messages, important: the method requires on-board debugging over USB.

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 6 to your PC and run the command line in the folder with ADB.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices The device should appear in the list.
3. Remove all SMS with one command: adb shell content delete --uri content://sms/

To remove messages from a specific number, use the filter:

adb shell content delete --uri content://sms/ --where "address='+79123456789'"

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB Make sure that the backups of the messages are saved before you run them. If the device starts to brake after cleaning, restart it in Safe Mode (Powering) → Restarting in Safe Mode).

Method 4: Removal through third-party applications

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party utilities.The best options for Redmi 6 are:

• 📲 SMS Backup & Restore: allows you to selectively delete messages and backup in format XML.
• 🧹 Clean Master: has a cleaning module SMS-Cache (but be careful with permissions!).
• 🔍 DiskDigger: Helps you find and remove residual" SMS-files (requires root).

Example of SMS Backup & Restore:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Go to the Message Management section.
3. Select unnecessary SMS and click Delete.
4. For complete cleaning, use the Clean all messages function.

💡

Before using third-party apps, check their ratings and reviews. Some utilities (such as GO SMS Pro) are known for data leaks.

Method 5: Recovery of Accidentally Deleted SMS

If you delete an important message, you can try to restore it. On Redmi 6 without root rights, the chances are slim, but the following methods can help:

• 🔄 Checking the cart: in the Messages application there may be a folder of the basket (depending on the version) MIUI).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: If sync was enabled, restore messages via Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Restore.
• 📱 Google Backups: If you’ve previously used Google Drive for backup, check your archives in Settings → Google → Backup.

For deep recovery, root and specialized software will be required:

1. Install Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver on PC.
2. Connect Redmi 6 and follow the instructions of the memory scanner.
3. Select the SMS you want and save it to TXT or XML.

💡

SMS recovery without root is possible only within 1-2 days after deletion, and the longer you wait, the higher the risk of overwriting data.

How to Prevent Automatic SMS Recovery

A common problem on Redmi 6 is that messages are returned after a reboot or MIUI update.

• 🔄 Auto-Recovery from Mi Cloud.
• 📥 Synchronization with Google account.
• 🗄️ Backup copies created by third-party applications.

To avoid this:

1. Turn off autosynchronization in Settings → Accounts.
2. Remove SMS backups to Mi Cloud and Google Drive.
3. Use apps like AppOps (requires root) to block SMS access for unnecessary services.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you delete an SMS on Redmi 6, users face typical problems:

If none of the methods worked, you’ll be left resetting to factory settings. Remember, this will delete all data from the device, so pre-backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions