How to completely remove messages from your Xiaomi phone: instructions for all models

Deleting messages on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you encounter nuances: some messages disappear without a trace, others remain in backups or sync with the cloud, and some messengers (like WhatsApp or Telegram) store data according to their own rules. In this article, we will discuss all methods of cleaning. SMS/MMS Chats in popular apps, including hidden features MIUI, which are not written in official manuals.

Feature of firmware MIUI — Integration with Xiaomi services such as Mi Cloud and Mi Account, which means that even after deleting a message on the phone, they can be saved in the cloud or on the messenger servers. We will show you how to delete data without recovery, including clearing cache and system logs that many users miss out on.

This article is relevant for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO base MIUI 12-15, and for devices with pure Android (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS), some items may be different — we'll mention that too.

1. Removal of standard SMS and MMS through the “Messages” annex»

The basic method is to clean through the standard Messages app (or Messages on global versions), which is suitable for deleting individual messages, entire dialogs, or all of them. SMS Importantly, you only delete local copies, so if you sync with Mi Cloud, the messages will stay in the cloud.

To delete:

• 📱 Open the Messages app and find the right dialog.
• 🗑️ Press and hold the message (or dialogue), then select Delete (basket icon).
• 🔍 For mass removal: tap on three points in the upper right corner → «Delete Everything (or Clear History»).
• ⚙️ To remove everything SMS Immediately: Go to Settings → Clearing of messages → Delete everything.

Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) The cleaning menu has the option "Delete messages older than 30 days" which is convenient if you need to make room, but keep fresh chats. SMS You can recover using special utilities (like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver) if you do not overwrite the phone’s memory.

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Before mass removal, export important items SMS to file: open Settings → Export messages and save a backup to Google Drive or memory card.

2. Clear messages in Mi Cloud (Xiaomi cloud)

If your Xiaomi has Mi Cloud sync enabled, remote local messages can stay in the cloud to erase them permanently:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select "Messages" (or «SMS») synchronized data.
3. Turn off sync, then click “Delete Data from the Cloud”.
4. Confirm the action with a password from Mi Account.

⚠️ Warning: After that, all messages will be permanently deleted, including backups.If you use one Xiaomi account on multiple devices, SMS disappear.

In the models with MIUI 14+ (For example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra, we have a selective synchronization option, so you can leave only contacts in the cloud, and you can exclude messages and calls:

1. Get in to Mi Cloud. → Synchronization settings.
2. Uncheck the box in front of the “Message” and “Call log”.
3. Save the changes and restart the phone.

3. Deletion of messages in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

Standard. SMS — This is just the tip of the iceberg. Most Xiaomi users communicate through instant messengers, where the rules for deleting differ:

There's a caveat in Telegram: even if you delete the "for everyone" message, it can stay in Saved Messages (if you've forwarded it to yourself).

1. Open Saved Messages (the chat at the top of the list).
2. Find the message, hold it and select “Delete”.
3. For mass cleaning: press three dots → «Clear history».

On WhatsApp, it is important to disable backup, otherwise deleted messages will return when the next recovery is done.

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → chat → Backup.
• 🚫 Click on “Reserve copy in Google Drive» → «Never».
• 🗑️ Remove an existing copy manually via Google Drive → Warehouse → Backup copies.

4.Deep cleaning: removing system logs and cache

Even after the messages are deleted, they can still be left in the system logs and the cache of the applications, which is true if you sell the phone or transfer it to another person.

Step 1. Clean up the Messages app cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Messages (or Messages) and select it.
3. Click on “Storage” → “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data”.

Step 2: Remove system logs:

Nana MIUI There's a hidden log cleanup feature that's available through the engineering menu, and this method will delete all system logs, including call and error data from applications:

#4636## → Select “Usage statistics” → “Clear logs”

⚠️ Warning: Do not use this code on devices with unlocked bootloader or custom firmware – this can lead to crashes.

Step 3: Resetting security settings:

If you have used messages encryption applications (such as Signal or Session), their data may remain in a secure storage. MIUI. To erase them:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy.
2. Select “Reset privacy settings”.
3. Confirm the action with a password or fingerprint.

Disable Mi Cloud and remove data from the cloud|

Delete everything SMS/MMS through the “Messages” annex»|

Clear cache and data messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.)|

Reset your privacy settings|

Perform a complete reset to factory settings-->

5 How to delete messages without the possibility of recovery

If you want to guarantee that you can erase messages so that they can't be recovered even with professional tools, you'll have to take drastic measures. Here are three reliable ways to do this.

Method 1: Encryption and formatting:

• 🔐 Enable device encryption: Settings → Additionally. → Encryption and credentials → Encrypt the phone.
• 📱 After the encryption is complete, reset to factory settings: Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings.
• 🔄 Fill your phone’s memory with junk data (for example, download a large file and delete it immediately).

This will overwrite the memory sectors where the messages were stored with new data.

Method 2. Use ADB (for advanced users):

With help. ADB (Android Debug Bridge can be manually erased from database files SMS. For that:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/*




rm -rf /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/app_mms/*




exit




exit

⚠️ Note: this method requires root rights and can disrupt system applications. Use it only if you understand the risks.

Method 3: Physical Memory Destruction (Extreme Case):

If the phone contains highly sensitive information (such as corporate data) and you dispose of it, the only way to physically destroy the memory chip is to:

• 🛠️ Disassemble the phone and remove the motherboard.
• 🔥 Find an eMMC chip or UFS (It is usually labeled as Samsung, Hynix or Micron).
• 💥 Damage it mechanically (e.g., drill or melt with a soldering iron).

This method is irreversible and only suitable for devices that are not planned to be used further.

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The only way to guarantee that data is deleted without recovery is to overwrite the memory with new data or physically destroy it.

6. Recovery of accidentally deleted messages

If you have removed important SMS Or chat rooms by mistake, you can try to restore them, and success depends on how long ago the cleanup took place and whether the phone was used after that.

Method 1. Restore from Mi Cloud backup:

1. Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Communications.
2. If synchronization has been enabled, click "Restore".
3. Select the desired backup date and confirm the recovery.

Method 2: Recovery programs:

For Xiaomi, the following utilities are suitable (require root rights for a full scan):

• 📱 Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (supports) MIUI 12–15).
• 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver (runs without a root, but recovers less data).
• 💾 GT Recovery (specialized in the SMS and call logs).

Method 3: Recovery via Google Drive (for WhatsApp):

If you have backed up WhatsApp in Google Drive, you can return messages as follows:

1. Remove and reinstall WhatsApp.
2. When you first start, enter the same phone number.
3. Follow the recovery tips from Google Drive.

⚠️ Warning: the more you use your phone after you delete it, the lower your chances of recovery. Android can re-write the space with new data.

7. Set up automatic message cleanup

To avoid manual removal, set up automatic cleaning. MIUI There are built-in tools for this:

For SMS/MMS:

1. Open the messages. → Settings (three points) → Auto-cleaning.
2. Enable the option to “Delete messages older” and select the period (30, 60 or 90 days).
3. Add exceptions for important contacts (e.g. banking) SMS).

For WhatsApp:

• 🗑️ Turn on “Disappearing Messages”: Open the chat → contact → «Disappearing messages» → Select a time limit (24 hours, 7 days or 90 days).
• 📂 Set up automatic deletion of media files: Settings → Warehouse → Storage management → Auto-cleaning.

For Telegram:

• ⏳ Enable Self-Destruction Timer: Settings → Confidentiality → Self-destruct timer.
• 🧹 Clean the cache regularly: Settings → Data and memory → Clear Telegram cache.

On Xiaomi models with MIUI 14+ And we have a smart cleanup feature that analyzes memory usage and suggests that you delete unnecessary data, including old messages, to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Smart Cleaning.
2. Turn on the option and set up a schedule (for example, weekly).

FAQ: Frequent questions about deleting messages on Xiaomi