How to return deleted messages on Xiaomi phone: everything from backup to deep scanning

You're not alone: statistically, one in three smartphone users has lost data at least once due to accidental pressing or system failure. Fortunately, MIUI has built-in recovery tools, and for complex cases, third-party utilities. But you need to act quickly: the longer it has been since deleting, the lower the chances of success.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven methods, from simple (cloud recovery) to advanced (ADB and root access), and note that the effectiveness of the methods depends on the phone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11, etc.), the version of MIUI, and whether backups were enabled, and if you use messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram, there are separate instructions for them at the end of the article.

1.Recovery of messages from MIUI backup

The most reliable way is to return data from an automatically created copy. MIUI saves SMS to the Mi Cloud cloud or locally on the device if the function is activated.

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Backup.
• ☁️ If sync with Mi Cloud is enabled, tap “Restore” and select the desired date.
• 📁 For local copy: Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Local backup.

Important: when you recover from the cloud, all current messages on your phone will be replaced by data from a copy. If you add new SMS after you create it, they will disappear. The local copy does not overwrite data, but it may not contain all messages.

⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone to factory settings after deleting messages, the backup in Mi Cloud may not contain up-to-date data.The cloud saves copies every 24 hours when connected to Wi-Fi.

2.Use of the standard application "Messages"

Some versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 14 and later) have a hidden function to restore deleted SMS directly in the Messages app, which works if messages were deleted no more than 30 days ago and the shopping cart was not cleared.

Instructions:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → «Basket».
3. Select the necessary messages and click "Restore".

If you don't have a Recycle Bin, you've disabled the function or deleted the messages permanently, and then move on to the next method.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Make sure your phone is at least 50% charged.

Connect to stable Wi-Fi (for cloud-based copies)

Close all background applications-->

3. Restore via Google Drive (for Android Messages)

If you use Google’s Messages app (rather than the standard one from Xiaomi), check backups in Google Drive.This method works even after a phone reset if sync was previously enabled.

How to restore:

1. Install the Messages app from Google from the Play Market.
2. When you first start, select the account that you synced with.
3. Confirm the recovery of data from the backup.

4. Third-party programs: SMS Backup & Restore

If the built-in methods didn't work, try specialized tools, one of the most reliable is SMS Backup & Restore (available on the Play Market), which scans the phone's memory for deleted messages and restores them in XML or directly to the Messages app.

Step-by-step:

• 📲 Install the application and provide all the permissions requested.
• 🔍 Select "Restore» → Specify the source (local folder or cloud).
• 📄 If you have an old backup, select it. If you don't, click "Search for Deleted Messages».
• 📥 Keep the rebuilt ones. SMS conveniently.

⚠️ Note: The app may not find messages if more than 2-3 weeks have passed since deleting or if the phone’s memory is heavily fragmented.

5. Advanced methods: ADB and root access

If messages are critical and previous methods have failed, deep scanning through ADB or root-rights remains, a technique that requires technical skills and can lead to a loss of warranty.

Instructions for ADB (without root):

adb shell


su




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




sqlite3 mmssms.db




.select * from sms;

For full recovery, you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools and Xiaomi drivers.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Return to “Additional» → «For developers» → «Debugging by USB»)

Alternatively, programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver automate the process, but they require payment, and they work even without root, but the efficiency is lower.

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Before using ADB, make a full backup of your phone via adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab. This will protect your data from accidental errors.

Recovery of messages in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

Remote chats in instant messengers are restored differently than SMS. Here are the brief instructions for popular applications:

• 📱 WhatsApp: Remove and reinstall the app → When you first start up, the system will prompt you to restore chats from Google Drive (if backup was enabled).
• 📘 Telegram: Messages are stored in the cloud. Remote chats can be returned via Settings → Additionally. → Data management → Clean the cache (not always working).
• 💬 Viber: Recovery is only possible from a manual backup (Settings) → Account. → Backup copy).

⚠️ Note: WhatsApp backups are automatically created once a day (if you have a Wi-Fi connection), but only if there is free space in Google Drive.

💡

For instant messengers, the main factor of success is having a backup, and without it, recovery is almost impossible, even with root access.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If all methods are exhausted, there are two options:

1. Contact Xiaomi Service Center, they have specialized equipment for extracting data from flash memory (for example, Chip-Off method), Cost: from 5 000 to 20 000 rubles depending on the model.

Remember, the more modern Xiaomi’s model (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the harder it is to extract data due to improved encryption. On older devices (Redmi 4X, Mi A1), the odds are higher.

FAQ: Frequent questions about post recovery