Recovery of Remote SMS on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide with Guaranteed Methods

Deleted an important message on Xiaomi by mistake or after resetting? Don't panic - the chances of returning SMS are higher than you think. Today's Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO and Mi models) store data in several places, from local backups to cloud storage MI Cloud. Even if you didn't backup consciously, the system could save copies automatically.

In this article, 5 proven recovery methods, from simple (through standard MIUI features) to advanced (using ADB and third-party utilities), we will break down each method with step-by-step instructions, specify limitations, and give you tips on how to increase your chances of success by 70% through the right actions in the first hours after removal.

Recovery via MI Cloud: The Official Way From Xiaomi

MI Cloud is Xiaomi’s cloud storage that automatically syncs SMS, contacts and other data if the feature is activated, a method that works even after the phone is completely reset, but with one condition: sync had to be enabled before messages were deleted.

To check for a backup copy:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Xiaomi account → MI Cloud.
• 🔄 Scroll to the Sync section and make sure the switch next to Messages is active.
• 📥 If sync has been enabled, click "Restore" and select the desired backup date.

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If MI Cloud does not have an SMS backup, check the Devices section – it is possible that the data is stored under another account (for example, if you changed your phone and registered a new profile).

Limitations of the method:

• ⏳ All messages are restored to the selected date, not individual messages. SMS.
• 🚫 If synchronization is disabled, there is no data in the cloud.
• 📅 Maximum storage time for backups is 30 days (old copies are automatically deleted).

2. Local backups: where Xiaomi hides your SMS

MIUI creates local backups of data, including SMS, when certain conditions are met, and these copies are stored in the phone's memory and can be recovered without the Internet.

1. Manual backups: If you’ve ever used Settings → About Phone → Backup, check the /MIUI/Backup/AllBackup folder through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager).
2. Automatic backups: The system creates them before major MIUI updates. The folder is located along the /MIUI/Backup/auto path.

How to restore:

1. Copy the backup folder to your computer (in case of a crash).
2. In your phone, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup → Restore.
3. Select a file with the desired date (format: backup_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS).

Important: If you don’t find the Backup folder, check the settings for displaying hidden files in the file manager. In Mi File Manager, this is done through Three Dots → Settings → Show hidden files.

3. Third-party applications: when standard methods do not work

If there are no backups in MI Cloud and local memory, specialized utilities will come to the rescue, they scan the phone's internal memory for residual data and can restore SMS even after resetting.

• 🔍 DroidKit (paid but with a free trial) – restores SMS, Contacts and Media Files without Root Rights.
• 📱 GT Recovery (free but requires root) – scans deep layers of memory, finds even fragments of messages.
• 💾 EaseUS MobiSaver – supports recovery from memory card (if) SMS stayed there).

Instructions for DroidKit (the most reliable option):

1. Install the program on your PC and connect Xiaomi via USB (enable Debugging by USB in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version → 7 times click on the version).
2. Select the Android Data Recovery mode.
3. Check "Messages" and click "Scan."
4. After scanning, select the desired SMS and click "Restore to the device".

Enable debugging on USB|Allow installation from unknown sources|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Use the original USB-cable

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⚠️ Attention: Apps like GT Recovery requires root rights, which cancels the warranty and can lead to the blocking of Mi Account. On Xiaomi models with a blocked bootloader (for example, Redmi Note 12) it is difficult to get root - you will need to unlock through Fastboot.

4.Recovery through ADB: for advanced users

If you’re familiar with the command line, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) will help you extract SMS directly from the system database, a method that only works before you overwrite the data (i.e. the less you use your phone after you delete, the better the odds).

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Connect Xiaomi to USB and enable USB Debugging (see previous section).
3. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell


su




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




sqlite3 mmssms.db




.select * from sms where address='Sender number';

Replace the SMS number with the current number (e.g. +79123456789). If you want to unload all SMS, use the command:

.output /sdcard/sms_backup.txt


.select * from sms;




.output stdout

File. sms_backup.txt It will appear in the root folder of the phone, and you can open it with any text editor.

⚠️ Note: On new Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+) access /data/data/ It is blocked without root rights, in which case only unlocking the bootloader and installing custom recovery (for example, will help, TWRP).

5. Recovery through SIM-map: myth or reality?

Many users mistakenly believe that SMS stored SIM-It's a map, actually:

• ✅ Old phones (up to) 2010 could have been maintained up to one year 20-50 message SIM.
• ❌ Modern smartphones (including all Xiaomi) are stored SMS Only in internal memory or on a memory card (if configured manually).

How to check:

1. Put it in. SIM-card in another phone (preferably an older model, for example, Nokia 105).
2. Go to "Messages" → "Settings" → "Message Memory".
3. If you have the option of "SIM Storage", try to view messages.

On Xiaomi, you can check the SIM storage through the engineering menu:

##4636## → Phone Information → SIM Settings

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SIM-card is not used for storage SMS on Xiaomi, but may contain service messages from the operator (for example, about the balance of funds).

6.Prevention: How to avoid future SMS loss

To avoid looking for recovery methods, set up automatic backups:

• ☁️ MI Cloud: Enable synchronization SMS In Settings → Xiaomi account → MI Cloud → Synchronization.
• 📲 Google Messages: If you use this app, activate the backup in Settings → Backup of communications.
• 💾 Local Copies: Once a Month Create Backups Through Settings → The phone. → Backup.
• 📧 Export to Gmail: Google Messages can set up automatic sending SMS post.

Additional advice:

• 🚫 Avoid using the Garbage Cleanup features in the Security App – they can delete backups.
• 🔋 Do not drop your phone to factory settings without a backup.
• 📱 On models with Mi Account, link your phone to your account – this will make it easier to recover from a reset.

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If you frequently delete SMS by mistake, install the SMS Backup & Restore app from Google Play, which allows you to recover individual messages without completely rolling back the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about SMS recovery on Xiaomi