Recovering Remote SMS on Xiaomi: Everything from Backups to Deep Scanning

Losing SMS on Xiaomi is a frustrating situation, but it’s not a dead end. Unlike many Android devices, MIUI phones offer several built-in tools for recovering messages, from Mi Cloud cloud storage to hidden backup features. However, the effectiveness of each method depends on whether the appropriate settings were enabled before deleting the SMS.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to return lost messages, from official Xiaomi solutions to third-party utilities with deep memory scanning.

• 📱 You accidentally deleted it. SMS manually or through "Cleaning"
• 🔄 Reset the phone to factory settings
• 📲 Update. MIUI and the messages are gone.
• 💥 The device stopped turning on (but there is a backup copy)

Important: The chances of recovery are maximum in the first 24-48 hours after deletion, then the new data can overwrite the old SMS in the device’s memory.

1. SMS recovery via Mi Cloud (official method)

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that automatically saves copies of messages if the feature was activated in advance.

To recover SMS via Mi Cloud:

1. Open your Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud
2. Make sure you are logged in to the same account that was linked to the device before deleting messages.
3. Check Sync → Messages – if the switch is active, the data may have been saved.
4. If messages don’t show, try Restore from a backup (available when you reset your phone).

⚠️ Warning: Recovery from Mi Cloud will replace all current data on your phone (including contacts, photos and apps) with those that were at the time of backup creation. SMS, Use alternative methods.

2. Local Recovery through MIUI Backup

MIUI creates local backups of data, including SMS, if Backup and Reset is enabled, and these copies are stored in the phone's internal memory and are independent of Mi Cloud.

How to recover messages from local copy:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backups.
2. Select the most recent copy (see the date of creation).
3. Click Restore and tick only the item "Messages" (so as not to erase other data).
4. Confirm the recovery and wait for the process to be completed.

🔹 Advantage of the method: does not require an Internet connection and works even without a tied Mi Account.

⚠️ Note: If you have reset your phone after deleting it SMS, Local copies could have been erased. In this case, try the methods. №4 or №5.

Check the free space on your phone (needs at least 500MB) | Connect the charger (process can take 10–30 minutes) | Turn off mobile internet (to avoid conflicts during recovery) | Remember the current SMS settings (they can reset)

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3. Use of third-party applications (without root)

If the built-in methods didn’t work, you can use specialized utilities for data recovery. We recommend DroidKit or FonePaw Android Data Recovery — they support Xiaomi and do not require root rights.

Step-by-step instructions for DroidKit:

1. Download and install the program on PC (official site).
2. Connect Xiaomi to USB and enable Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on the version, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
3. In the program, select Data Recovery Mode → Messages.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (you may need to install drivers).
5. After scanning, mark the desired SMS and click Restore.

📌 Comparison of popular programs:

⚠️ Note: Free versions of programs often show found SMS, Before buying, check to see if the utility recognizes your Xiaomi model (some new devices may not be supported).

4. Deep scanning with root rights (for power users)

If the SMS was deleted long ago or after resetting, the usual methods may not work, in which case deep memory scanning with utilities like GT Recovery or DiskDigger will help, but this will require root rights.

How to get root on Xiaomi:

1. Unblock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (you need a Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install Custom Recovery (TWRP) and scrolle Magisk to get root.
3. Download GT Recovery from Google Play (requires root).
4. Start the scan and select the Messages section.

🔹 Pros of the method: high probability of recovery even very outdated SMS.

🔸 Cons:

• 🚫 Reset warranty (if phone is warranty, do not use root!)
• 🛠️ Risk of "bricking" of the device with incorrect firmware
• ⚠️ Vulnerability to malware (root opens access to system files)

💡

Before getting root, make a full phone backup via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will help restore the phone if something goes wrong.

5. SMS recovery from damaged or non-inclusive Xiaomi

If the phone is not turned on, but was previously linked to the Mi Account with sync enabled, the chances of returning messages remain.

• 📱 Another Xiaomi smartphone (or emulator) MIUI PC-only)
• 🔑 Access to the same Mi Account that was on the damaged device
• 📡 Stable Internet connection

Instructions:

1. Log in to Mi Account on your working device.
2. Go to Mi Cloud. → Communications.
3. If synchronization has been enabled, SMS backups will be displayed here.
4. Copy the messages you need manually or export them to.txt/.xml.

If the phone is turned on but not booted (bootloop), try:

1. Download to Fastboot (clip Power + Volume down).
2. Connect to your PC and use the Mi Flash Tool to flash it. MIUI without data cleaning (select the option) clean_all_and_lock let go!).
3. After you restore your system, check the folder /data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db – SMS can be saved here.

💡

If the phone doesn't turn on but you have a backup on your PC (made via Mi PC Suite), try extracting SMS from the copy file using the SQLite Browser program.Look for the mmssms.db database in the backup archive.

6. How to prevent future loss of SMS

To avoid losing important messages, set up automatic backups:

Method 1: Mi Cloud

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Enable Message Synchronization and Automatic Backup.
• 📅 Set the copy frequency (recommended daily).

Method 2: Local copies

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Backup and reset.
• 💾 Enable Automatic Backup and select Messages in the Data List.
• 📂 Please specify a folder for storing copies (better for the SD-map, if there is one).

Method 3: Third-party applications

For reliability, use additional tools:

• 🔐 SMS Backup & Restore (Saves) SMS in.xml on Google Drive)
• ☁️ Super Backup (supports cloud services and email export)
• 📧 Pulse SMS (Synchronizes messages between devices)

💡

If you frequently clear cache or use Quick Cleanup features in MIUI, add the Messages app to the exceptions (Settings → Apps → Permissions → Auto Run).

Frequently asked questions