How to delete SMS on Xiaomi Redmi 7: all ways to clean up messages

Xiaomi Redmi 7 is still a popular budget smartphone, despite the release of new models. One of the frequent tasks of users is to clean up the memory from accumulated memory. SMS — Especially if the messages take hundreds of megabytes or contain sensitive information. SMS Redmi 7, including hidden features MIUI, mass cleaning and work with SIM-card.

It is important to understand that standard deletion through the Messages app is not always effective: some messages may remain in cache or backups. SMS No recovery, and what to do if the messages are deleted by accident. MIUI Redmi 7 (including global and Chinese firmware).

Method 1: Standard removal through the Messages app

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Messages app (or Messages in the English version of MIUI), which is suitable for deleting individual SMS or small dialogs, but has limitations: you can not massively clear messages older than 30 days without additional actions.

To delete messages:

• 📱 Open the Messages app on the home screen or in the app menu.
• 🔍 Find the dialogue you want to clear and click on it long.
• 🗑️ The top menu will show a basket icon — click on it. To mass delete, select several dialogs.
• ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

If you want to delete individual messages within the dialogue:

1. Open the chat room.
2. Press your finger on the message → select others (if necessary).
3. Click on the basket icon in the upper right corner.

⚠️ Attention: Removed in this way SMS They remain in the memory of the device for up to 30 days and can be restored by special programs. SMS forever».

Method 2: Massively delete all SMS messages at once

If you have thousands of messages in your memory, it's not rational to delete them one at a time. MIUI has a hidden mass-cleaning function, but it doesn't work so clearly.

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. In the list, find Messages and open its settings.

• 🧹 Clear data – delete all messages and settings of the application (including saved drafts).
• 🗃️ Clear the cache - delete temporary files, but yourself SMS remain.

For selective cleaning:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select Message Cleanup → install filters (e.g., “Over 30 days”).
4. Confirm removal.

Back up important messages | Check if SMS is linked to your Mi| account Close your background apps to speed up the process | Make sure your battery is over 20% charged

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Method 3: Removal SMS s SIM-map

Many users forget that some messages are stored not in the memory of the phone, but on the phone. SIM-This is a map. SMS They don't show up in the main dialog list and can take up space without you knowing. On Redmi 7, you can delete them like this:

Open the Messages app → Click on the three dots on the top menu → Select Settings → Additionally. → Delete messages from SIM-The system will show the number of saved cards. SMS and suggest erasing them.

If this item is not on the menu:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
• 📋 Choose yours. SIM-map → Reports on SIM.
• 🗑️ Press Delete Everything.

⚠️ Attention: SMS on SIM-The card has a character limit (usually 160 characters per message) if you receive a notification "Memory" SIM-The card is full, be sure to clear it – this can block the reception of new messages.

Redmi 7 with firmware MIUI 12 and above messages from SIM-The cards are automatically copied to the phone's memory when the Messages app is first launched, and then they can be deleted in the standard way.

Method 4: Delete via File Manager (for power users)

For those who are willing to work with system files, there is a way to manually delete SMS through the File Manager, which requires caution, as improper actions can lead to malfunctions in the messenger.

Instructions:

1. Open the File Manager (or any other one with access to root folders, such as Root Explorer).
2. Go to /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db This is a database of all SMS on the device.
3. Delete the file mmssms.db (root rights required) or clear it through SQL-editor.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

If you do not have root rights, you can use them. ADB-commands (connection to the PC is required):

adb shell


pm clear com.android.mms

⚠️ Note: Deleting system files without backup can lead to loss of more than just SMS, but MMS, And then you have the messenger settings, and after that, the Messages app will reset to the factory settings.

💡

Before working with system files, back up your system files via MIUI Backup (Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset) to restore SMS in case of an error.

Method 5: Irreversible Deletion (for privacy)

If you need to completely erase your SMS without recovery (e.g. before selling your phone), standard methods are not enough.

1. Encryption + reset:

• 🔐 Encrypt the device in Settings → Lockdown and protection → Encryption.
• 🔄 Make reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).
• 🗝️ After discharge SMS They will be permanently removed, and even professional software will not restore them.

2. Rewriting of memory:

Use apps like Secure Delete or Shreddit that overwrite your phone’s memory with random data.

1. Install SD Maid from Google Play.
2. Start the Recycle Bin → Analysis → Deep Cleaning.
3. Select Rewrite Free Space (Secure Delete option).

Physical formatting:

To ensure removal, remove the microSD (if SMS was stored on it) and format it on your PC with the option Full formatting (not fast!).

How to Recover Accidentally Deleted SMS

If you delete important messages, you can try to return them, and success depends on how long ago the cleanup took place and whether messengers were used after that (new data overwrites old ones).

Recovery methods:

• 🔄 Built-in basket MIUI: In the Messages app, open the menu → This is where the remotes are stored. SMS 30 days.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: If sync was enabled, go to i.mi.com → Communications → re-archive.
• 📱 Third-party programs: Applications like SMS Backup & Restore or Dr.Fone scan your phone for deleted messages.

If SMS stored SIM-map, their recovery is almost impossible – mobile operators do not store copies of user messages.

💡

The faster you start recovering from deletion, the better the chances of returning an SMS. Each new recording operation (photo, video, app installation) reduces the likelihood of a successful recovery.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When using SMS on Redmi 7, users often face typical problems, and here’s how to prevent them:

1. Messages are deleted, but reappear:

Reason: synchronization with Mi Cloud or Google.

• Open Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud and turn off message synchronization.
• Check Settings → Google → Backup and delete SMS backups.

2. You cannot delete SMS from the bank or services:

Some system messages (e.g. from Mi Pay or banks) are protected from deletion.

• Open the message → Click More → Delete from the “Important” section.
• Use Developer Mode: Enable it in Settings → About Phone (7 times click on MIUI Version), then in Settings → Additional → For Developers, turn off System Message Protection.

3. After deleting the SMS, the memory is not released:

The reason: cache or damaged database.

• Clear the Messages app cache and Message Warehouse.
• Delete /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/cache through the root-rights file manager.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removal SMS on the Redmi 7