How to Recover Remote SMS on Xiaomi: From Backups to Deep Scanning

Deleting important SMS on Xiaomi smartphones is a situation that one in five users encounter, according to service center surveys. The reasons for losing messages are different: accidentally clicking “Delete everything”, resetting to factory settings, a virus attack or even a banal memory malfunction. Fortunately, in 80% of cases, you can restore SMS on Xiaomi yourself without contacting the service center and without losing warranty.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to return deleted messages, from standard MIUI tools to specialized applications with deep scanning, focus on free methods that work without root rights, and also look at the nuances for different models – from Redmi Note 10 to flagship Xiaomi 14. If you act quickly (in the first 24-48 hours after removal), the chances of success reach 95%.

1. SMS recovery via MIUI backup

The most reliable and quickest way to return deleted messages is to use the built-in backup function in MIUI, which works if you have enabled automatic backup creation beforehand or have them manually done, and check if a copy of the messages is saved in one of these places:

• 📁 Local storage: folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup internal memory or SD-map.
• ☁️ MI Cloud: Xiaomi Cloud Storage (requires authorization under the same Mi Account).
• 💻 Computer: If you copied backups to PC via Mi PC Suite.

To recover SMS from local backup:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select the last backup (note the date of creation – it must be before the moment of deletion of messages).
3. Click "Restore" and tick the Message item (SMS/MMS).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (it takes 2-10 minutes depending on the amount of data).

⚠️ Note: When recovering from the backup, all current SMS, If you need to save new messages, first export them manually through the Messages app (More menu» → «Exports»).

Check the date of the last backup (should be before the SMS is deleted)

Make sure there is enough space on the phone (minimum 500MB free)

Connect your phone to charge (the process should not be interrupted)

Turn off the mobile internet (to prevent new ones from arriving) SMS during recovery)-->

2. Recovery via MI Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

If your Xiaomi has enabled sync with MI Cloud, the chances of returning SMS are much higher.The cloud automatically saves copies of messages (provided the function is activated in the settings) To check and restore data:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → MI Cloud.
2. Make sure you are logged in with the same account you used before deleting the SMS.
3. Find the Data Sync section and check if the Message option is enabled.
4. If sync is active, click “Restore” and select the desired date.

If the cloud doesn’t have a current copy, try manually downloading the archive:

1. Open your browser on your PC and go to i.mi.com (the official MI Cloud website).
2. Sign in and select the “Messages” section.
3. If messages are displayed in the web version but are not on the phone, click Export (cog icon) and save the file in.xml or.txt format.
4. Import the file back to your phone via the Messages app (Import menu).

Yeah, due to accidental removal.

Yeah, after the reset.

Yes, because of a virus or a malfunction.

No, I never lost.-->

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

If standard methods don’t work, specialized data recovery utilities will come to the rescue. The following applications are suitable for Xiaomi (all work without superuser rights, but require a PC connection):

• 📱 Dr.Fone (Wondershare) – Supports Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi MIUI 12-14. Restores. SMS, Contacts and call logs, the free version shows the data found, but you need a license to save it (~1500 rubles.).
• 🖥️ Tenorshare UltData is a deep memory scanner that works even after resetting. Supports fastboot mode for damaged devices.
• 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver is a simple interface, suitable for beginners. The free version recovers up to 2 messages (for the test).

Step-by-step instructions for Dr.Fone (as in the example of Redmi Note 11):

1. Download and install Dr.Fone on PC (Windows or macOS).
2. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (data transmission mode).
3. In the program, select “Android Data Recovery” → “Message Recovery.”
4. Follow the on-screen hints (you may need to enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional settings → For developers → USB debugging).
5. After scanning, mark the desired SMS and click "Restore".

⚠️ Note: When using third-party utilities, do not save restored ones. SMS Back to your phone – export them to your PC first (in.txt or.csv format) to prevent the remaining data snippets from being overwritten in the device’s memory.

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If the phone is not defined by the program, try switching USB mode to File Transfer (MTP) or Photo Camera (PTP) in the notification curtain.

4. Recovery with ADB (for advanced users)

If you have experience with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can try extracting SMS directly from system files, which does not require root rights, but only works if messages have not been overwritten by new data.

To begin with, prepare the tools:

• 💻 Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on PC.
• 📱 Put the debugging on. USB on the phone (see the instructions in the previous section).
• 🔌 Connect Xiaomi to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.

Next, run commands in the terminal (or Command Prompt):

adb devices


adb shell




su (if there is root, otherwise skip)




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




sqlite3 mmssms.db




.select * from sms;

If the commands are successful, you will see a list of all SMS messages in the database (including deleted ones if they are not already overwritten).

.output /sdcard/sms_backup.txt


.select * from sms;




.output stdout

File. sms_backup.txt It will appear in the root folder of internal memory, which can be opened by any text editor.

5. Restore via Google Drive (if Google backup was used)

Many Xiaomi users are unaware that Google can also automatically save copies of SMS – if the backup feature is enabled in a Google account.

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Make sure that the option “Backup to Google Drive” is active.
3. Check the date of the last backup – it should be before the messages are deleted.

To recover SMS from Google Drive:

1. Reset your phone to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Resetting).
2. When you first set up, select “Recover Data” and log in under the same Google account.
3. At the recovery stage, tick the “Messages” tick.

Important: This method only works if you have NOT used your phone after deleting the SMS. New messages, contacts or apps installed after creating the backup will be lost.

6.Prevention: How to avoid future SMS loss

To avoid the problem of deleted messages, follow these recommendations:

• ☁️ Enable automatic synchronization with MI Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → MI Cloud → Synchronization of data → Communications.
• 📅 Set up regular local backups: Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset → Automatic backup (select weekly or monthly copy creation).
• 🔄 Use third-party backup apps, for example: SMS Backup & Restore (Saves) SMS c.xml on Google Drive or email).
• 🚫 Avoid memory cleaners like Clean Master – they often delete system files, including databases. SMS.

It's also useful to know:

• 📌 On Xiaomi MIUI 13+ there's a hidden folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup/auto, Where the automatic backups are stored. Check it once a month.
• 🔋 If the phone is down to 0% and turned off, don’t turn it on immediately after charging – let the battery stabilize for 10-15 minutes to avoid file system failures.

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Even if you don't plan on recovering SMS now, regular backups will save you hours of nerves in the future.Tune them once - and forget about the problem forever.

FAQ: Frequent questions about SMS recovery on Xiaomi