How to completely erase all messages on Xiaomi Redmi: from manual cleaning to resetting settings

Why delete all messages on Redmi and what risks it carries

The accumulating SMS and MMS take up not only the memory of the device, but can also contain confidential information - confirmation codes, bank card data or personal correspondence. On Xiaomi Redmi smartphones running MIUI, messages are stored in a secure database, and their mass removal has nuances, from saving system notifications to the possible loss of important data when incorrectly reset.

In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to completely clean messages, from standard MIUI tools to hidden engineering menu features, focusing on the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and the flagships of the K series, where SMS storage algorithms differ, and find out why messages can be “recovered” after deleting them and how to avoid this.

⚠️ Critical User Mistake: Many Delete Messages Through File Manager by Deleting a Folder /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db. This leads to service failure SMS We'll show you the only safe way to manually remove through the factory settings. ADB, which does not violate the integrity of the system.

Method 1: Standard removal through the Messages app

The most obvious, but not always effective, method is to use an integrated SMS manager. It is suitable for deleting up to 500 messages at a time and does not affect system notifications (for example, from banks or the operator).

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Messages app (the envelope icon on the desktop).
• 🔍 Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Clearing of messages.
• ⏳ Select period: All time (for full cleaning) or date range.
• ✅ Confirm the removal by ticking the box opposite Delete everything.

⚠️ Note: This method does not remove:

⚠️ Messages from closed folders (if the “Private Messages” function is enabled in the MIUI). You need to wash them separately through the settings. → Privacy → Closed folder.

Make sure important SMS is saved in the cloud | Disable sync with Mi Account (if you don't need to restore) | Check the Spam folder - there may be messages you need | Write down numbers from unsaved contacts (they will disappear with SMS)

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Method 2: Removal through the Engineering Menu (for advanced)

The ##4636### engineering menu allows you to erase all SMS without a trace, including service ones. This method works on Redmi with MIUI 12-14, but requires caution: improper actions can lead to a failure of the communication module.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636##.
2. Go to the Phone Information (or Phone Information) tab.
3. Scroll down to the SMS block and press Delete all SMS.
4. Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter) PIN-code SIM-map).

🔧 Technical nuance: On some models (Redmi Note 11 Pro)+, Redmi K50) This section is hidden. To unlock it, you have to unlock it:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times press "Version MIUI" in the settings).


2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.




3. Connect the phone to the PC and execute the command:




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

Method 3: Reset the settings of the Messages application

If messages are not deleted by standard methods (for example, due to a database failure), resetting the application will help, which will return the SMS manager to factory status, but will not affect other data on the phone.

How to do this:

• 🛠️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find Messages (or Messaging) in the list and open it.
• 🔄 Press Warehouse. → Clear the data and clear the cache.
• 🔙 Return and select Reset (if option is available).

⚠️ Attention:

⚠️ Once reset, all spam filtering settings, blacklists, and quick response templates will be lost.

Standard removal via app |Engineering menu |Reset application |ADB/computer |Never delete

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Method 4: Complete removal through ADB (for tech-savvy)

If previous methods fail, you can delete the SMS database directly via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is guaranteed to erase all messages, including system and hidden messages, but requires a PC connection.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the Redmi.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Commands to execute (in order):

adb shell


su




rm -f /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db




rm -f /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db-journal




exit




exit




adb reboot

🔧 It's important:

⚠️ Once you have the commands, the phone will automatically restart. If the database cannot be deleted (Permission denied error), then you do not have root rights. In this case, use method 5 (reset to factory).

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Method 5: Hard reset to factory settings

The last resort is a complete phone reset, which deletes all data, including messages, contacts, photos and apps, if:

• 📵 Phone infected with virus that sends out SMS.
• 🔄 You need to sell/give the device.
• 🛠️ Previous ways didn't work.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Resetting → Erase all data.
4. Enter your password (if installed) and confirm.

⚠️ Critical information:

⚠️ On the Redmi models with MIUI 13+ After reset, you may need to enter your previous Mi Account (Factory Reset Protection) if you forget your username/password, unlocking it will take up to 72 hours!

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How to Prevent Recovery of Deleted Messages

Even after deleting, SMS can be recovered using specialized programs (e.g. Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver) to avoid:

🔹 Rewrite the memory:

• 📷 Take a few photos in high resolution.
• 🎵 Download a large file (for example, a movie).
• 🔄 Use the app. SD Maid to clean up 'garbage».

🔹 Turn off backups. SMS:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronization.
• 🔕 Turn off the Messages option.
• 🌐 In Google Account, also deactivate backup SMS.

🔹 Use encryption:

On Redmi with MIUI 14, you can encrypt the folder with messages:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Encrypt the folder.
2. Select Messages and set a password.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)