How to return deleted messages on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways from simple to complex

You're not alone: according to statistics, one in three MIUI users has experienced this problem at least once. Fortunately, in most cases, it's quite possible to restore SMS, Telegram chats or WhatsApp correspondence - even if you did not back up before. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for Redmi, Poco, Black Shark and other lines running on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.

It's important to understand that recovery success depends on three factors: time (the earlier you start, the better the odds), message type (SMS, messengers, system notifications), and sync settings on your device. For example, messages in Google Messages are restored differently than correspondence in Viber. We structured instructions from the simplest (built-in MIUI tools) to advanced (using ADB and third-party utilities) so you can choose the best option.

We warn you right away that if you delete messages more than 30 days ago and you don't sync with the cloud, your chances of recovery drop dramatically, and in those cases, only professional software will help, and it doesn't guarantee 100%, and we start with basic methods that work 80 percent of the time.

1. Recovery through MIUI basket (SMS only)

Starting with MIUI 12, the standard Messages app introduced the Recycle Bin feature, which includes deleted SMS and MMS, the fastest way to return accidentally erased correspondence – but it only works for 30 days after deleting.

To use the basket:

• 📱 Open the Messages app (Icon with envelope).
• 🔍 Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the basket.
• 🗑️ Go through the list of deleted messages. To return one or more, tick them and click Restore.
• 📤 For mass recovery, use the button to highlight all (if you need all messages from the cart).

Note that the cart only stores messages if they were manually deleted, if the correspondence disappeared after resetting the settings, updating MIUI or changing the firmware, this method will not work, and the cart does not save messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.) - they need other ways.

⚠️ Note: After cleaning the Recycle Bin (manually or automatically after 30 days), messages are deleted irrevocably.Do not confuse the Messages application basket with the Files system basket - they store different types of data.

2.Restore from MIUI backup

If your Xiaomi has automatic backup enabled, the chances of returning messages are much higher. MIUI creates backups once a week (by default), and they can save:

• 💬 SMS and MMS (If the option is included in the reservation settings).
• 📱 Application data (including some messengers if they support backup via MIUI).
• 📞 Call log (useful if the messages and call records are missing).

To recover data from backup:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backups.
2. Select the last backup (note the date of creation – it should be earlier than the moment of deletion of messages).
3. Click Restore and tick Messages and Application Data (if you need to return correspondence in messengers).
4. Confirm the recovery and wait until the process is complete (may take 5-15 minutes).

An important nuance: when you recover from the backup, the current data in the Messages app will be replaced with the ones in the copy, so if you receive new SMS after you create the backup, they will disappear. To avoid this, export current messages to the file before you restore (more about this in the next section).

Take screenshots of important current messages |

Check the vacant space (needs at least 1 GB)|

Connect the charger (process drains the battery)|

Disable Wi-Fi (recovery is faster on cable)

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3.Export and import of messages via MIUI

If the basket is empty and there are no backups, you can try exporting current messages to the file and then import them back after resetting.

• 🔄 You have recently deleted messages (within 1-2 days).
• 📄 You need to save correspondence before experimenting with recovery.
• 🔧 You plan to reset your phone to factory settings (for example, due to a virus or glitches). MIUI).

Instructions for export/import:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Click on three points → Settings → Additional → Import/Export Messages.
3. Select Export to your device and specify the folder to save (it is better to choose Downloads or DOCUMENTS for convenience).
4. The file will be saved in.xml format. Copy it to your computer or cloud (e.g. Google Drive or Mi Cloud).
5. To import, repeat steps 1–2 and select Import from the device, specifying the previously saved file.

This method will not return deleted messages, but will help to save current ones before radical actions (for example, resetting to factory settings), and the exported file can be opened on the computer through a text editor (for example, Notepad++) and manually find the desired messages for keywords.

4. Recovery of messenger messages (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

Messages in messengers are restored differently than SMS. Most applications (WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook Messenger) sync correspondence with the cloud, but only if the function was enabled in advance.

For WhatsApp, the recovery process looks like this:

1. Remove the app and install it again from Google Play.
2. When you first start up, the system will prompt you to restore correspondence from Google Drive.
3. If a copy is not found, make sure you are logged in to the same Google account that was used for the reservation.

For Telegram, it is enough to reinstall the application and log into your account – all chats and media files will be downloaded automatically (unless they were manually deleted from both sides).

⚠️ Note: In WhatsApp, backups on Google Drive do not include media files (photos, videos, voice) if their size exceeds 15 MB. Full recovery will require a local copy on the device or memory card.

5. Use of third-party programs (for experienced users)

If the built-in methods didn’t work, you can use specialized utilities to recover data.

• 🛠️ Dr.Fone (Wondershare) – Supports recovery SMS, Contacts and data messengers. MIUI HyperOS without root rights (but with restrictions).
• 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver scans internal memory and microSD card, finds deleted files, including message databases.
• 📱 GT Recovery is a free Android app, but requires root access for deep scanning.

The algorithm of actions (on the example of Dr.Fone):

1. Install the program on your computer and connect Xiaomi via USB (enable USB debugging in the developer settings).
2. Select the Android Data Recovery mode.
3. Check Messages and Application Data (if you need instant messengers).
4. Run the scan. It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of memory.
5. View the messages found and save the ones you need to your computer or back to your phone.

Importantly, programs without root rights will only recover data that has not yet been overwritten by new information. If you have been using your phone after deleting messages (installing apps, downloading files), your chances of success are reduced, and avoid memory cleaners (such as Clean Master) - they can permanently delete the remnants of the deleted data.

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Before using third-party software, check their reputation on forums (such as 4PDA or XDA Developers).Some utilities may contain malicious code or require unnecessary permissions (such as accessing SMS).

6. Recovery through ADB (for advanced users)

If you have experience with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can try extracting databases of messages directly from system folders, which is suitable for non-root devices, but requires care - incorrect commands can cause MIUI to crash.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB on your computer (download Platform Tools from Google).
2. Turn on USB Debugging on Xiaomi: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times), then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command in the terminal: Adb devices Make sure the device is identified.
4. Copy the SMS database to your computer: adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db
5. Open the mmsms.db file through a database program (e.g. DB Browser for SQLite).

In the database, messages are stored in an sms table, and you can export them to the CSV and search for the entries you want by phone number or date, which is more complex than using specialized programs, but gives you more control over the process.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB If you see a permission denied error, you will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool (this will result in the phone resetting!).

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Third-party programs and ADBs are only effective in the first 72 hours after deletion, and the longer you wait, the greater the risk that data will be overwritten with new information.

7. Contact Xiaomi Support

If the messages were critical (such as those containing litigation or financial information), you can try to get official Xiaomi support, but the chances of success are minimal for several reasons:

• 📵 Xiaomi does not store copies of user data on its servers (unlike Apple or Google).
• 🔒 Even if the device was warranty, data recovery is not included in the list of mandatory services.
• 💰 For expert restoration (through partner service centers) will have to pay from 5 000 to 20 000 rubles.

However, if other methods have not worked, you can send a request through:

• 🌐 Official website: mi.com/support (Select the region and device model).
• 📧 E-mail: support@xiaomi.com (The answer comes in the course 3–5 days).
• 📞 Hotline phone: 8 800 775-64-20 (for Russia, call is free).

In the request, specify:

• The phone model and the MIUI/HyperOS version.
• Approximate date of deletion of messages.
• The reason you need to recover (e.g., “lost trial data”).

Don’t expect a quick response – in most cases, support will redirect you to standard recovery methods (basket, backups) or advise you to contact a service center.

Frequently asked questions