How to completely remove SMS on Xiaomi Redmi 6: all ways with pictures

Xiaomi Redmi 6 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2018, but even after years, its owners are faced with a basic problem: how to properly delete SMS to free up memory and avoid personal data leaks. Unlike modern models, Redmi 6 runs on MIUI 9-11 (depending on the firmware), where the messaging interface has its own peculiarities.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to delete SMS, from standard swipe to hidden MIUI features that are not written about in the official instructions. We will also discuss how to delete messages forever, bypassing the basket (relevant for firmware with backup function), and what to do if SMS is not deleted due to system errors. If you are looking for a way to clear memory or prepare your phone for sale, there are solutions for any task.

Why SMS is taking up memory on Redmi 6 and when to delete them

On Xiaomi Redmi 6 with 16/32 GB of memory, even a thousand messages can take up to 50-100 MB - especially if they have attachments (photos, video, audio). MIUI automatically reserves part of the memory for SMS, and when it is overflowing, you may encounter:

• 📱 Slowdown of the messenger and the system as a whole.
• 🚫 Errors of sending/receiving new messages.
• 🔄 Automatically delete old SMS (if the option is enabled in the settings).
• 🔒 Risks of data leakage when selling a phone (messages store a history of codes, passwords, bank notifications).

In addition, MIUI defaults to save deleted SMS in a hidden folder (analog of a shopping cart) for up to 30 days, which means that even after cleaning, messages can be restored through special utilities. If you need to permanently erase data, read the section on deep cleaning.

Method 1: Standard removal through the Messages app

The easiest method is to use the built-in Messages app (an envelope icon) which is suitable for removing single or group SMS, but does not clear the memory completely (remain backups).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Messages app on the home screen or menu.
2. Find a dialogue with the right contact or number.
3. Press the message you want to delete (a tick will appear).
4. Mark other messages if you need to delete a few.
5. Click on the basket icon (🗑️) top-right.
6. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

To remove all messages from one contact:

1. Open the contact dialogue.
2. Put three points on it (⋮) top-right.
3. Select Delete all messages.

Method limitations:

• ❌ Does not delete messages from backup copies MIUI.
• ❌ Does not clear the system cache of the Messages application».
• ❌ It does not work if SMS is blocked by antivirus or parental controls.

Method 2: Remove via MIUI settings (deep cleaning)

If the standard method didn’t help or you want to completely erase all SMS without the possibility of recovery, use the MIUI system tools.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Messages (an envelope icon) in the list and tap it.
3. Choose Warehouse.
4. Click Clear Data (this will delete all messages, settings and cache).
5. Confirm the action by entering a password or pattern lock (if requested).

Important! Once the data is cleaned, the Messages app will reset to the factory settings, and you'll need to reconfigure notifications, signals, and other settings.

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Before clearing the data, export important SMS to the file: open the dialog → ⋮ → Export of communications → Save it in.txt or.xml format.

Method 3: Remove via Mi Cloud (if synchronization is enabled)

If your Redmi 6 is synced to Mi Cloud, messages can be duplicated in the cloud, and they need to be deleted separately, otherwise, after resetting the phone, SMS will automatically recover.

How to remove SMS from Mi Cloud:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Make sure you are logged in under your account.
3. Go to the Synchronization section.
4. Turn off the slider opposite the Message (this will stop synchronization).
5. Go back to Mi Cloud and select Data Management.
6. Find the Messages block and click Delete.

If you want to save a backup copy before deleting:

• 📁 In Mi Cloud → Backups create a backup (click Create a backup copy).
• 🔍 Once you delete the SMS, you can restore it from that copy (but only in its entirety, not selectively).

⚠️ Note: If you delete messages from Mi Cloud, they will disappear from all devices associated with this account.

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

If the built-in MIUI tools fail (e.g., SMS is not deleted due to a database error), third-party utilities are available.We only recommend proven apps from Google Play to avoid viruses.

Top.-3 Applications to remove SMS on Redmi 6:

• 📲 SMS Backup & Restore – allows you to export and delete messages in packets, as well as clear history.
• 🧹 Clean Master – has a module for deep cleaning of SMS and cache (including hidden files).
• 🔍 SMS Organizer (from Microsoft) – automatically sorts and suggests to delete old / unwanted messages.

How to use (SMS Backup & Restore):

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give you access to the SMS.
3. Go to the Message Management section.
4. Check boxes for unnecessary dialogues or messages.
5. Click Delete and confirm.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Clean Master) require super-user rights to be completely cleaned. On Redmi 6, getting root can lead to loss of warranty and unstable system operation.

Method 5: Manual Deletion through File Manager (for advanced ones)

This method is suitable if SMS is not deleted in standard ways due to database damage. Care is required - incorrect actions can lead to the loss of all messages or the application crash.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with access to system folders (e.g. FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Go to /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db (this is the SMS database in MIUI).
4. Delete the file mmssms.db (this will erase all messages).
5. Reboot the phone.

Alternative path (if the first one fails):

/data/user_de/0/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db

After deleting the file, the Messages app will create a new database the next time it runs, and all the old SMS will be permanently lost.

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Deleting the mmsms.db file is the most radical way, but it is guaranteed to erase all messages, including those that are not displayed in the interface due to errors.

What to do if SMS is not deleted: solving common errors

Sometimes users of Xiaomi Redmi 6 face problems when deleting messages, here are the typical errors and their solutions:

If none of these methods worked, try:

1. Update the Messages app via Google Play.
2. Reset the application settings to factory (Settings → Applications → Messages → Reset).
3. Perform a soft reset of the phone (hold the power button for 10 seconds).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing SMS on Xiaomi Redmi 6