How to completely delete all SMS on your Xiaomi phone: safe methods

Deleting all SMS messages on Xiaomi smartphones is a task that can be required in a variety of situations, from preparing a device for sale to freeing up memory or resetting personal data. Unlike selectively deleting individual messages, complete cleaning requires knowing the nuances of MIUI, the brand shell, without the right approach, you risk losing important data or facing system errors.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for removing SMS on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, including hidden MIUI functions, the use of standard tools and third-party applications. Special attention will be paid to recovering accidentally deleted messages - this information is not in the official documentation of Xiaomi.

Why standard SMS removal doesn’t always work

Many users try to delete messages through the Messages menu by highlighting them one at a time or using the "Delete All" feature, but this method has three critical drawbacks:

• 📱 Incomplete cleaning: MIUI saves the message cache in the folder /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony, which is not cleaned by hand removal.
• 🔄 Restore from backup: If automatic backup is enabled in Mi Cloud, messages may return after the reboot.
• 🛑 System limitations: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12) MIUI Blocks mass removal due to security policies.

Also, if you are using double-digit SIM-The cards, the messages can be stored in different parts of the memory. SIM, And that's especially true for models that support Dual Apps or Second Space.

Method 1: Delete via the standard Messages app

The most obvious, but not always effective, method is suitable for users who want to quickly clear dialogs without using additional tools, and it is important that it does not delete messages from backups and can leave traces in the system cache.

Instructions:

1. Open the Messages app (an envelope icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the section Additional → Clearing messages.
4. Select period: All messages or date range.
5. Confirm removal by pressing OK.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (For example, the global version for POCO F5) Message clearing may not be available, and in this case, use an alternative route: hold your finger in any dialogue. → Choose to highlight everything → press the basket.

Backup important messages |Check sync with Mi Cloud |Disable automatic backup |Close all background apps-->

Method 2: Reset the Messages application (without root)

This method removes all of the application data, including messages, settings, and cache, and is suitable for users who want to reset the messenger to factory status, with the advantage of clearing even messages that are not visible in the interface.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Messages in the list (or Messages in English firmware).
3. Select Warehouse and Cache.
4. Click Clear Data and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: After the data is cleared, the Messages app can request permissions again (access to contacts, storage). 12T And more recently, this can lead to a temporary blocking of sending SMS before restarting the device.

Method 3: Using MIUI Hidden Settings (Hidden Settings)

The MIUI branded shell contains hidden menus that allow you to manage system data, including SMS. This method is suitable for experienced users and requires accuracy, since improper actions can disrupt the operation of the phone.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information.
3. Scroll down to the Battery section and tap on the three dots in the top right corner.
4. Select Additional Settings → Clear Message Data.
5. Confirm the removal of all SMS.

🔹 Important: On some firmware (for example, for the Redmi Note 11 with the MIUI 13) this path may be different. If the code doesn't work, try the alternative:

am start -n com.android.settings/.TestingSettings

This command must be entered via ADB or terminal (Developer Mode enabled is required).

Method 4: Completely reset your phone to factory settings

A radical method that removes all data from a device, including text messages, photos, apps and settings, is recommended only in extreme cases: before selling a phone or in case of serious system failures.

How to perform the reset:

• 🔧 Through Settings: Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Delete all data.
• 📱 Recovery: Turn off your phone → clamp down on power. + Loudness up → Choose Wipe Data.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a locked bootloader (most modern Xiaomi), a reset via Recovery can lead to a hard brick - complete inoperability of the phone:

⚠️ Critical warning: If your Xiaomi is tied to your Mi Account, you will need to enter your login and password after reset, and without this data, your phone will become a brick (especially for Redmi models). 9A, POCO M3 etc.).

💡

Factory reset is the only method guaranteed to remove SMS without recovery, and only use it if other methods have failed.

Method 5: Third-party applications for deep cleaning

If the standard methods didn't work, you can use specialized utilities, and we tested 5 popular applications and selected two of the most reliable ones:

🔹 Recommendation: It is better to use Xiaomi SMS Backup & Restore, as it works well with features MIUI. Instructions:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Launch and provide all the requested permissions.
3. Go to the Delete Messages section.
4. Select All Messages and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: Some antiviruses (e.g. Avast) may block these applications from working as suspicious.

💡

If messages continue to appear after deleting, check your sync settings in Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Sync → Messages. Disable this option to prevent the recovery of deleted data.

How to Recover Accidentally Deleted SMS

If you delete important messages, you can try to get them back, and success depends on how long ago the cleanup took place and whether the system tools were used.

3 ways of recovery:

• 🔄 From Mi Cloud backup: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Data recovery → Communications.
• 📱 Using Google Drive (if synced): Install Google Messages and log in to the same account.
• 💾 Using PC: Use programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver (required) USB-debugging).

🔹 Important: The less time has passed since the deletion, the better the chances of recovery. After a complete reset of the phone or cleaning through Recovery, it is almost impossible to return an SMS.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing SMS on Xiaomi