How to return remote SMS to Xiaomi Redmi: all possible methods

Deleted an important message on Xiaomi Redmi and you don't know how to get it back? This situation is familiar to many users, especially when it comes to bank confirmations, access codes or personal correspondence. Fortunately, even after cleaning the chat or resetting the settings, the chances of recovering SMS remain - but only if you act quickly and correctly.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to return deleted messages on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones (including Note 12, Redmi 10, Redmi A2 and others). From standard MIUI features to professional tools, you’ll learn which method is right for your situation, even if you don’t have root rights or backup.

Importantly, the less time has passed since the removal, the more likely it is to succeed. Some methods only work in the first 24 to 48 hours, so don't put off recovery until later.

1.Recovery through the messaging basket in MIUI

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi’s firmware has a built-in SMS Recycle Bin feature similar to the gallery cart, and if you’ve deleted messages recently (within 30 days), they can be returned in just two clicks.

How it works:

• 📱 Open the Messages app on your Redmi.
• 🗑️ Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select the basket.
• ✅ Tag the desired messages and click Restore.

Note that the cart automatically clears after 30 days, and also when manually clearing the Messages app cache, if you have already tried to “clean up” the app settings, this method will not work.

⚠️ Note: If you use Google Messages instead of the standard Messages app from Xiaomi, the shopping cart may not be available.

2.Restore from MIUI backup

Xiaomi offers a built-in backup tool, MIUI Backup, which can save SMS along with other data. If you've ever enabled this feature, the chances of success are high.

How to check and restore:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Look up the backups available. Look up the date when the messages were still on the phone.
3. Select the backup and click Restore, ticking Messages.

An important nuance: recovery from the backup will overwrite the current data. If you receive new SMS after creating a backup, they will be lost.

3. Restore via Google Drive (if synchronized)

If your Redmi is synced to Google, there’s a chance that messages are saved to the cloud, which only works for SMS, not messaging (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.).

Instructions:

• 🔧 Make sure your phone is syncing enabled: Settings → Google accounts → Synchronization of the account → Communications.
• 📲 Reinstall the Google Messages app (if it has been removed).
• 🔄 When you first run the app, you'll be prompted to recover data from the cloud.

Google only saves SMS in the cloud if you use Google Messages as your primary application SMS-Xiaomi’s standard Messages app doesn’t sync with Google Drive.

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Before restoring, check if space is occupied on Google Drive.If the quota is exceeded, no new backups are created and old data can be deleted.

4. Use of professional programs (without root)

If standard methods do not help, you can try specialized utilities for data recovery.

• 🛠️ Dr.Fone (Wondershare) – supports SMS recovery without root, but with limitations.
• 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver scans internal memory for deleted messages.
• 📱 Tenorshare UltData – works with most Redmi models, including newer ones.

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

1. Install the program on your PC and connect Redmi over USB (enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then return to Additional → For Developers).
2. Select the Android Data Recovery mode.
3. Mark Messages and start scanning.
4. After analysis, select the necessary SMS and save them to the computer.

⚠️ Warning: Free versions of these programs often show "found" messages, but require payment for recovery. Before buying, check whether the utility recognizes your Redmi model (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro).+ It may not be supported in older versions of software).

Enable debugging over USB

Charge your phone at least 50%

Install the original USB-cable

Disable screen lock (PIN/graphics)

Close all background applications-->

5. Manual recovery via ADB (for advanced)

If you have experience with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can try extracting SMS directly from system files, which does not require root, but is only suitable for messages that have been deleted recently (data can be overwritten).

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB on PC (download from the official website).
2. Connect Redmi to USB and type in the command line: adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db
3. Open the resulting file mmssms.db using SQLite Browser or a similar program.
4. In the sms table, find the body column - there are stored text messages.

This method does not work on all versions of MIUI, as the path to the database may change, for example, MIUI 14 for Redmi Note 12 will need to specify a different address:

adb pull /data/user_de/0/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If the messages are critical (for example, contain legally relevant information) and the independent attempts have not been successful, you can contact the official service center Xiaomi.

What you need to know:

• 📌 Service centers do not guarantee 100% recovery – it all depends on the phone model and the time elapsed since the removal.
• 💰 Service paid: the cost starts from 1,500 rubles (for 2026).
• ⏳ Term of execution - from 1 to 3 working days.
• 🔒 You will need proof of ownership of the device (checks, box, tied Mi Account).

Before the service visit:

• Do not update the phone firmware.
• Do not write new data (photos, videos, messages) – this can overwrite deleted SMS.
• Check by phone whether the service center is engaged in data recovery (not all centers provide this service).

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Xiaomi’s service centers in Russia do not officially recover data from phones purchased in China (the domestic version), and they will have to look for private labs for such devices.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Xiaomi Redmi users make critical mistakes that reduce the chances of SMS recovery to zero.

1. Clear the Messages app cache. After deleting the SMS, do not click Clear the cache or Clear the data in the app settings - this will remove the remaining traces of the messages.
2. Update MIUI: System updates can overwrite memory areas where deleted data was stored.
3. Using cleaners, programs like Clean Master or Security in MIUI aggressively clean up garbage, including potentially recoverable files.
4. Phone formatting. Resetting to factory settings (Settings → Reset) is almost guaranteed to destroy any chance of recovery.

If you’ve already made one of these mistakes, try the ADB methods or contact a service center – sometimes the data can be retrieved even after a partial overwriting.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions