How to Delete All Messages on Xiaomi: 7 Proven Ways

Deleting all messages on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons: from wanting to free up memory to having to sell a device without personal data. However, standard methods through the Messages app often do not allow a massive cleanup of history at a time. In this article, we will examine all possible ways - from built-in functions. MIUI beforehand ADB-commands and third-party utilities.

It is important to understand that “messages” may mean:

• 🔔 Notifications – Alert History from Applications;

Each type requires a different approach. For example, cleaning SMS through a system application will not affect notifications from Viber or Facebook Messenger. We will look at solutions for all cases, including hidden MIUI 14/15 features and bypassing manufacturer restrictions.

1. Delete SMS/MMS through the standard Messages app

The most obvious, but not always effective, way to use the built-in Messages application is to use the interface, which may vary depending on the version of MIUI, but the general logic is maintained:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → Select Settings.
3. Go to Message Management or Message Clearing.
4. Select the option to Delete all messages or Mass Delete.

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI (for example, MIUI 12.5 for Redmi Note 10) the mass removal option is hidden:

• 🔍 Keep your finger on any message. → Put it all in the box at the top;
• 🗑️ Click on the basket icon (confirmation may be required).

If the app doesn’t allow you to delete messages in a packet, try an alternative path through Settings → Applications → Messages → Memory → Clear data. This will delete ALL message history without the possibility of recovery, including drafts and attachments.

💡

Before mass removal, export important items SMS to.xml file via the Messages application settings» → «Imports/Exports».

2.Resetting notifications and alert history

Notifications from apps (such as Instagram, Gmail or Mi Fit) are stored separately from SMS and are not deleted via the Messages app.

1. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar.
2. Select Notification History (enable it if disabled).
3. Tap it on three points (⋮) → Clear everything.

If you don’t have notification history (as is the case with the Poco F3 or Xiaomi 12T), use an alternative method:

adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.telephony

This command will reset the system notification provider cache. ADB rights are required (see Section 5).

3. Mass removal of chats in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.)

Messages in third-party messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) are stored in their own databases and are not associated with system SMS.

WhatsApp

• 📱 Open the app. → three-point (⋮) → Settings → chat → Chat history;
• 🗑️ Select Clear all chats (delete messages but save media files);
• 🔄 For complete removal: Settings → Memory. → Memory management → Clean up.

Telegram

• ☁️ Press three lines (☰) → Settings → Data and memory → Clear the cache;
• 🧹 To delete chats: hold your finger in the dialogue → Choose all → Delete;
• 🔥 For a complete reset: Settings → Additionally. → Reset all settings (will not affect cloud chats).

⚠️ Note: Telegram messages in secret chats are only deleted manually - they can not be cleaned en masse. WhatsApp backups on Google Drive will save the history even after deleting on the device.

4.Use Safe Mode to remove blocked messages

If messages are not deleted due to MIUI malfunctions or viruses, try Safe Mode, which disables all third-party applications, sometimes bypassing the locks:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the power button before the Xiaomi logo appears, then release and immediately press Volume down.
3. Hold on until the Safe Mode sign appears in the lower left corner.
4. In Safe Mode, try again to delete messages through the standard application.

If the problem is caused by a virus (e.g., adware that blocks access to SMS), in Safe Mode:

• 🛡️ Remove suspicious apps through Settings → Annexes;
• 🔍 Check your device with an antivirus (e.g. Malwarebytes);
• 🔄 Restart your phone in normal mode.

Disable Wi-Fi and Mobile Data

Charge your phone at least 50%

Remember passwords from accounts (reentry may be required)

Prepare a list of applications to remove (if the cause is a virus)

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5. Delete messages via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a low-level device management tool that is suitable for:

• 📱 Delete messages on locked phones (if debugging is enabled) USB);
• 🔧 Cleaning system databases without resetting to factory settings;
• 🛠️ Correction of errors when MIUI prevents removal SMS.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (stick 7 times) → Additional settings → For developers.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the trusted device.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices


adb shell




su




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




reboot

⚠️ Note: The Rm command permanently deletes the database file SMS. If you need a backup copy, first perform:

adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db

To remove notifications, use:

adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.telephony


adb shell pm clear com.miui.notification

💡

ADB-Teams can circumvent limitations MIUI, But you need root permissions to access your system folders, and without root, some files can be protected by SELinux.

Full reset of the phone (last option)

If no methods have worked, then you have to do a Hard Reset, which is a factory reset, and it will delete all the data, including:

• 📱 Communications (SMS, MMS, messenger-chat);
• 📷 Photos, videos and music;
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords and accounts;
• 🎮 Installed applications and their data.

How to perform the reset:

1. Make a backup of important data through Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Restore and reset → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm.

⚠️ Note: Some models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi) K60) After reset, you may need to enter a password from the Mi Account account associated with the device. If you forget the password, restore it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

Alternative Recovery Mode Resetting Method:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi Recovery logo appears.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm.
4. After reset, select Reboot.

7. Recovery of accidentally deleted messages

If you delete important messages, you can try to restore them, and success depends on whether the data on the device has been overwritten:

Method 1: Through the Google Backup

• 🔄 When you initially set up your phone after reset, select Restore from Google Backup;
• 📥 Make sure that the backup is SMS was included in the settings → Google → Backup;
• ⏳ Recovery can take up to 24 hours.

Method 2: With the help of third-party utilities

Programs like Dr.Fone, EaseUS MobiSaver or GT Recovery scan the device's memory for deleted messages.

1. Connect the phone to the PC;
2. Start the program and select SMS recovery mode;
3. Wait for the scan to be completed (may take several hours).
4. Select the necessary messages and save them to a file.

⚠️ Warning: The more you use your phone after deleting messages, the lower your chances of recovering them.

FAQ: Frequent questions