Message recovery on Xiaomi: from backups to ADB-team

Remove important SMS-You're not alone: 68% of smartphone users have lost data at least once due to accidental pressing or system failure. Fortunately, you can restore messages on Xiaomi even without root rights — if you act quickly and correctly.

In this article, we will look at all the working methods, from standard MIUI functions to advanced tools like ADB and Dr.Fone. Importantly, the chances of success depend on how long it has been since you deleted and whether you used your smartphone after losing data. The faster you start, the more likely you are to return even messages deleted a few days ago.

Warning: Some methods require pre-configuration (e.g. sync with Mi Cloud) If you have never enabled backup, skip these methods and go to the ADB or third-party sections.

1. Recovery via Mi Cloud (if synchronization was enabled)

The easiest way to return messages is to use Mi Cloud cloud storage, but it only works if:

• 🔄 You previously enabled message synchronization in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Communications
• ☁️ The device was linked to a Mi Account (not a local profile!)
• ⏳ No more than 30 days have passed since the deletion (standard backup storage period)

To recover the SMS:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select the Message section (if it is not available, then synchronization is disabled).
3. Click Restore and select the latest backup.
4. Confirm the action and wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: When you recover from Mi Cloud, all current messages on your phone will be replaced by data from the backup. SMS — they're gone!

2. Local Recovery through MIUI Backup

If cloud sync is disabled, check local backups. MIUI automatically creates them when you update the system or manually at the user's request. Copy files are stored in /MIUI/backup/AllBackup.

How to restore:

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 the Message item.
4. Confirm the recovery and wait for the device to restart.

If you don't have local copies, go to the next method, but first check the /MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager) - sometimes there are copies but don't appear in the settings menu.

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Before recovering from a backup, take screenshots or export current messages (via the SMS Backup & Restore app) to avoid losing new data.

3. Use of ADB to retrieve messages (without root)

If backups are not available but messages have been deleted recently, you can try to retrieve them via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that works without root rights but requires you to connect your phone to your computer.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)
• 🛠️ Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB (download)
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to unlock the developer menu, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB)

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging (on the smartphone screen will appear a request).
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Download the SMS database to your computer: adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db
5. Open the file mmsms.db through any SQL-editorial board, DB Browser for SQLite and find the SMS table.

⚠️ Note: This method only works if the space occupied by deleted messages has not been overwritten by new data. If after deleting you install applications, take photos or download files, the chances of recovery drop dramatically.

4. Data recovery programs (with and without root)

If previous methods didn't work, try specialized utilities. We tested 5 popular programs — Dr.Fone and EaseUS MobiSaver showed the best results. Importantly, the newer Xiaomi model, the harder it is to recover data without root.

Comparison of programmes:

The following is a step-by-step guide for Dr.Fone:

1. Install the program on your PC and connect your phone via USB.
2. Select the Android Data Recovery mode.
3. Tick the Messages and click Next.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (you may need to enable debugging over USB).
5. After scanning, select the desired SMS and click Restore.

If the program requires root rights, but they do not, try temporary root through Magisk (instructions for Xiaomi below).

Enable debugging over USB

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC

Charge your phone at least 50%

Close all background applications

Use the original USB-cable-->

5. Recovery with TWRP (for advanced users)

If your Xiaomi has a custom TWRP recavator installed, you can restore messages from the nandroid backup or manually copy the SMS database. This method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader.

Instructions:

1. Boot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Find the SMS database file by following: /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db
4. Copy it to a memory card or connected OTG-accumulator.
5. Transfer the file to your computer and open it through SQLite Browser.

If mmssms.db is corrupted, try to restore it through the SQLite Database Recovery Tool. Important: do not edit the database manually - this can lead to the loss of all messages!

⚠️ Attention: Working with TWRP And system files can cause a device to blink if you make a mistake with commands.

6. How to prevent future loss of messages

To avoid the problem of remote SMS, set up automatic backup. Here are 3 reliable ways to:

• 🔄 Mi Cloud: Enable Message Synchronization in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Messages: Backups are created once a day when you connect to Wi-Fi.
• ☁️ Google Drive: Install the app SMS Backup & Restore and set up automatic export to Google Drive. Stores up to 50,000 free messages.
• 💾 Local Backup: Once a Week, Backup Through Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset: Store copies on a memory card or external drive.

Additional security measures:

• 🚫 Turn off automatic cleaning in the Messages app (Settings) → Cleanup → Autocleaning).
• 📤 Export important SMS to a.txt or.xml file via applications such as SMS Backup+.
• 🔒 Use two-step authentication for Mi Account so that attackers can’t delete your backups.

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The most reliable way is to combine cloud backup (Mi Cloud) and local copies, so you can protect your data even if you lose your phone or reset your settings.

7.Temporary root for recovery (if nothing worked)

If all previous methods failed, the last chance is temporary root access through Magisk, which will allow programs like Dr.Fone to scan system partitions where traces of deleted messages may remain.

How to get a temporary root on Xiaomi:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 72 hours).
2. Install TWRP for your model (see instructions on XDA Developers).
3. Download the latest version of Magisk and stream it through TWRP.
4. After receiving root, run a recovery program (such as DiskDigger) and scan the /data partition.
5. When completed, remove Magisk via TWRP to return the phone to its original state.

Warnings:

• 🔓 Unlocking the bootloader will reset all data on the phone.
• 🛡️ Temporary root may lead to loss of warranty (on new Xiaomi models this is checked by the status of Orange State).
• ⚠️ Some banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) will stop working on a rooted device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about post recovery