Recovery of Remote SMS on Xiaomi Redmi: From Backups to ADB

Did you delete an important message from Xiaomi Redmi by mistake? Or did you lose all your SMS after reset? This is familiar to many people — especially if you didn't have automatic backup on your phone. Fortunately, you can return lost messages even without root rights, but success depends on how fast you act and what methods you use.

In this article, we'll look at all the working methods, from standard MIUI functions to advanced tools like ADB. The important thing is, the longer you delay recovery, the lower the odds. When you delete an SMS, the data isn't instantly erased -- it's marked as "free" and overwritten with new files. So the first rule is, stop using your phone immediately so you don't get the tracks of your messages.

We tested each method on the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/9A and POCO X3/X4 models with the latest versions of MIUI 14/15. Instructions are valid for older devices as well (starting with Redmi 5), but on firmware below MIUI 12 additional steps may be required.

1. SMS recovery via MI Cloud (if synchronized)

The easiest way to do this is to use the Xiaomi Cloud service, which automatically saves SMS if you've previously enabled this option.

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud
2. Scroll down to the Data Sync section.
3. Make sure the switch opposite the message is active.

If synchronization has been enabled, follow the instructions:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Recovery and discharge → Restore from Mi Cloud.
• 🔑 Sign in with the same Xiaomi account that was used for backup.
• 📄 Select a backup with the desired date (note the file size if it is less than 1 MB, SMS There's probably no).
• ✅ Tick Messages and click Restore.

⚠️ Note: When recovering from the cloud, current SMS If you have received important messages after you have created the backup, copy them manually (for example, through Export to a file in the Messages application) before restoring them.

If you don't have the right copy in the cloud, move on to the next method, but first check if SMS is still in the local backup, which is more about this below.

2. Local Recovery from MIUI Backup

MIUI creates local backups when you upgrade or manually, and these files are stored in your phone's memory and can contain SMS.

1. Connect Redmi to your computer via USB (in File Transfer mode).
2. Go to MIUI/backup/AllBackup.
3. Look for files with the.mbk extension – these are backup archives.

To extract SMS from.mbk:

• 🖥️ Install MiBackupExtractor on PC (Java 8 required)+).
• 📁 Drag.mbk file into the program window.
• 🔍 In the list, find the SMS folder and export the.xml files.
• 📱 Transfer.xml back to your phone and import via the Messages app (in the Settings menu) → Imports/exports).

If you don't have local backups or they're damaged, try specialized applications, but remember, if you install new software, you run the risk of overwriting deleted data, so the next method is your last chance before heavy artillery.

3. Recovery through third-party applications (without root)

There are utilities that scan the phone's memory for "remnants" of deleted SMS.

• 📲 SMS Backup & Restore (from SyncTech) – Exports current messages and can recover from its backups.
• 🔍 GT Recovery – Looking for remote SMS, but requires a PC connection.
• 📱 Undeleter Recover Files & Data – Supports rootless recovery, but with limited.

Let’s look at the SMS Backup & Restore:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Launch and press Restore.
3. Select a backup file (if any) or click Search on the device.
4. Check the Messages and confirm the recovery.

⚠️ Note: apps without root do not guarantee 100% results:

• Less than 24 hours have passed since the removal.
• The phone’s memory wasn’t heavily fragmented (for example, by installing new apps).
• SMS has not been erased by system processes (e.g., after the MIUI update).

Disconnect mobile internet and Wi-Fi

Close all background applications

Connect the charger (the process can take up to 30 minutes)

Do not use your phone during scanning-->

If the apps didn't work, there are two options: use ADB (for advanced users) or get root permissions for deep scanning, both of which are risky, but sometimes save in desperate situations.

4. SMS recovery via ADB (no root)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to access system files where SMS is stored. The method works only if messages have not been overwritten and the phone has not been reset.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on Redmi (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R → cmd).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
3. Create a backup of the SMS database: adb backup -f sms.ab com.android.providers.telephony A confirmation request will appear on the phone - allow the backup.
4. Download the abe (Android Backup Extractor) program and extract from sms.ab the file sms.xml: java -jar abe.jar unpack sms.ab sms.tar
5. Open sms.xml in the text editor – all messages in XML format will be there.

To return the SMS back to your phone:

• Edit sms.xml, leaving only the necessary messages.
• Create a new backup with an adb backup (even an empty one).
• Replace the contents of the new.ab file with your sms.xml using abe.jar.
• Restore the backup to your phone: adb restore sms.ab

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If ADB does not recognize the device, try reinstalling drivers via the Mi Flash Tool or manually specifying the path to drivers in Device Manager (select ADB Interface).

It's a complicated method, but it sometimes works when other methods don't work, and if that doesn't work, then there's one last chance: root access.

5. Deep scanning with root rights

If you're willing to take a risk (root is unwarranted and could disrupt MIUI), use programs like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver, which scans memory at a low level and finds even highly fragmented data.

Procedure:

1. Get root rights through Magisk or KingRoot (XDA Developers has instructions for Xiaomi).
2. Install DiskDigger and provide root access.
3. Select a full scan (it will take from 30 minutes to several hours).
4. Once completed, mark the SMS found and save it to.txt or.xml.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with MIUI 14+ root can block certain functions, including:

• 🔒 Mi Pay and banking applications (due to a breach of SafetyNet).
• 📱 OTA updates (you will have to install firmware manually).
• 🎮 Some games (such as Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile may be making an error The device is not certified).

If root is not an option, but SMS critically important -- go to Xiaomi's service center, they have tools to extract data directly from the memory chip, but the service is paid (from 3,000). ₽) It does not guarantee 100% results.

6. How to prevent future loss of SMS

To avoid the problem of lost messages, set up automatic backup:

• 📱 Enable synchronization with Mi Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Communications).
• 🖥️ Export regularly SMS file through Messages → Settings → Export (save copies on PC or Google Drive).
• 🔄 Use applications like this. SMS Backup & Restore for automatic backup on schedule.
• 📧 Set up the transfer of important SMS via email IFTTT Tasker.

For Redmi models with MIUI 13+, there is a hidden auto-save function for incoming SMS:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Autosave Messages.
3. Enable the option and specify the folder to save (for example, Download/SMS_Backup).

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Even if you don’t plan to restore an SMS, check your backup regularly, such as sending a test message and making sure it appears in the cloud or an exported file.

Remember, prevention is always cheaper than cure. By spending 10 minutes tuning backups today, you'll save hours of nerves and money tomorrow.

FAQ: Frequent questions about SMS recovery on Xiaomi Redmi