How to delete text messages on Xiaomi Redmi: all the ways from standard to hidden

Removing SMS on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you encounter the nuances of MIUI. Operating shell from Xiaomi hides some features, offers alternative cleaning methods and even allows you to recover deleted messages within 30 days (under certain conditions).

The problem is that standard deletion through the Messages app often leaves traces in system logs, and some service SMS (from banks, operators) can be duplicated in other parts of the phone. We tested all methods on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 10C and POCO X5 Pro models (at MIUI 14-15) — the results are summarized in the comparison table below. If you need not just to free up space, but guaranteed to erase confidential correspondence, pay attention to the sections on irrevocable deletion and encryption of backups.

1. Standard removal through the application "Messages"

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Messages app (an envelope icon), and there are three options for cleaning:

• 📌 Selective Deletion: Long pressing of a message → choice → basket.
• 🗑️ Delete all chat: open a dialogue → three-point → «Delete the chat».
• 🧹 Mass cleaning: three points in the main menu → «Delete old messages” (filter by date).

Important: when selectively deleting, MIUI suggests choosing to delete only on the device or sync the deletion with the Mi Cloud. If you use a cloud backup, the second option will clear messages on Xiaomi servers. However, this does not work for all models: there is no such option on the Redmi 9A (MIUI 12.5), and on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ it appears only after the Mi Account is attached.

Where to look for deleted messages? MIUI Recycle Bin (available 30 days) but hidden: go to Settings → Memory. → The basket can be rebuilt. SMS, The exception is the message sent through the RCS-The chats (they are erased irrevocably).

⚠️ Note: If you have deleted SMS from the bank with the confirmation code, it will not work to restore it through the Recycle Bin - such messages are automatically excluded from the backup storage according to the security policy MIUI.

2. Delete via the “Settings” of the phone (hidden method)

Few people know that MIUI has a separate section for managing SMS hidden in the settings, which is useful if:

• 📱 The Messages app is unstable (for example, after an update).
• 🔍 We need to remove the service. SMS (from the operator, bank, which are not displayed in the main chat.
• 📊 Logistics need to be cleared. SMS, system-memory.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search, type “Messages” (or com.android.mms for the system application).
3. Select Storage → Clear Data (this will delete all SMS, including drafts!).
4. To selectively clean, click on “Space Management” → tick off unnecessary messages.

Back up important messages | Check if SMS is linked to your Mi Cloud| account Close all messaging apps (Telegram, WhatsApp) to avoid conflicts | Make sure your phone has enough charge (minimum 20%)

-->

This will work even if the Messages app is removed or disabled, but after cleaning through Application Management, it may be necessary to restart the phone, otherwise new SMS will come with a delay.

3. Mass removal of spam and advertising

Spam messages from operators and services can take up gigabytes of memory if left uncleaned for years. MIUI has a built-in spam filter, but it doesn't work perfectly. Here's how to delete these SMS batch:

Method 1: Through message categories:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Swipe left across the screen to open the side menu.
3. Select Spam or Advertising (names may vary depending on the MIUI version).
4. Press three dots. → «Delete everything».

Method 2: Through keyword search:

• In the "Messages" app, click on the magnifying glass (search).
• Enter words like “promotion”, “offer”, “discount” or operator name (for example, “MTS”).
• Select all the messages found and delete them.

⚠️ Note: Some spam messages may contain malicious links. If after removing spam, the phone starts to slow down, check it for viruses through Security → Scanner.

4. irrevocable removal (without possibility of recovery)

If you need to erase your SMS (for example, before selling your phone), standard methods are not enough, and even after cleaning through Settings, data can be restored using special programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver.

Method 1: Encryption + reset

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data” and activate the “Erase storage” option.
3. Before reset, turn on encryption: Settings → Security → Encrypting your phone (it will take 1-2 hours).

Method 2: Use of ADB (for advanced users):

adb shell pm clear com.android.mms


adb shell rm -rf /data/data/com.android.mms/*

These commands will completely clear the cache and data of the Messages application, including hidden logs, and they need an unlocked bootloader and USB debugging enabled.

💡

Before you delete permanently, export important SMS to a.xml file via the SMS Backup & Restore app (available on Google Play), which can be opened on a PC or transferred to a new phone.

5. SMS removal via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

If your Redmi is synced to Mi Cloud, messages can be duplicated in the cloud to remove them from the cloud:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select “Messages” (if the option is active).
3. Click on “Data Management” → “Delete backup”.

Importantly, this feature is not available in all regions, for example, on Redmi with Global ROM, SMS sync in the cloud is disabled by default, and on the Chinese versions (China ROM) it requires separate activation.

If you want to shut down the sync forever:

• Go to Settings → Mi Account → Synchronization.
• Turn off the slider opposite the "Messages".
• For reliability, delete your Mi Account in Settings → Accounts (but this will result in loss of access to all Xiaomi services).

6. Automatic SMS Cleanup: How to Set Up

To avoid manually deleting messages, set up autoclean in MIUI:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Cleaning.
2. Select “Deep Cleanup” → “Messages”.
3. Activate the Auto Clean option and set a limit (e.g. delete SMS over 3 months).

Third-party applications can also be used:

• 🤖 SMS Cleaner – removes duplicates and spam on schedule.
• 📊 Messages by Google – Offers smart sorting and archiving.
• 🔒 Signal or Session – messengers with self-destructing messages (alternative) SMS).

Redmi with MIUI 14+ has a hidden Smart Cleanup feature that analyzes your messages and suggests removing unnecessary messages (such as old receipts or notifications) to enable it:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → System settings.
2. Find the “Smart Cleanup” and activate the slider.

💡

Autocleaning in MIUI does not affect messages from banks and services with two-factor authentication – they will have to be manually deleted.

7. Recovery of remote SMS: is it possible?

If you accidentally delete an important message, the chances of recovery depend on:

• ⏳ Time: In the basket MIUI Messages are kept for 30 days.
• 📱 Phone models: Redmi with Snapdragon processor has higher odds than MediaTek models (due to storage features).
• 🔄 Post-Delete Actions: If you install new apps or make a reset, recovery is unlikely.

Recovery methods:

1. Through the MIUI Recycle Bin: Settings → Memory → Recycle Bin → select SMS → “Restore”.
2. Through Mi Cloud: If sync has been enabled, check Mi Cloud → Messages → Archive.
3. Software like Tenorshare UltData or FonePaw Android Data Recovery scans your phone's memory for deleted data, and success depends on whether or not memory sectors have been overwritten.

⚠️ Note: Do not use the first recovery software you find, many of which contain malicious code. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

On Redmi with root rights, you can try to restore SMS via SQLite-base:

adb shell


su




cd /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases




sqlite3 mmssms.db




SELECT * FROM sms WHERE address='Phone number';

This method requires technical skills and can lead to data loss in the event of incorrect actions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing SMS on Redmi