Recovery of remote SMS on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all ways with a guarantee of results

You deleted an important message on Xiaomi Redmi 9 and now you don't know how to get it back? The situation is familiar to many: accidentally clicking, resetting, or even a virus could erase your correspondence. Fortunately, Xiaomi smartphone owners have several ways to restore SMS — from built-in MIUI functions to third-party utilities. The main thing is to act quickly before deleted data is overwritten with new ones.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven methods, including Google Drive recovery, MIUI backups, specialized programs like Dr.Fone, and even manual methods for advanced users. We’ll focus on the nuances of Redmi 9, from the firmware version to the eMMC memory features that affect recovery success, and if you act on the first day after deletion, the chances of returning messages are 85-90%.

Why SMS Can Be Recovered (and When It Is No Longer)

When you delete a message on Redmi 9, it doesn't disappear from the device instantly. Instead, MIUI labels the memory area as "free," but the data itself stays in place until new files overwrite it, and this principle works for text messages, photos, and other types of data.

• 🔄 Memory overwriting: If you used your phone actively after deleting SMS (installing apps, downloading files, taking photos), the new data could erase old messages.
• 📱 Reset to factory settings: Complete cleaning of the device through Settings → The phone. → Resetting removes all data without recovery.
• ⚡ Firmware update: If you have updated after deleting the SMS MIUI before the new version, the chances of recovery drop sharply - the system can remark memory.
• 🛠️ Physical damage: Falls, moisture or faulty eMMC memory (especially for low-end models like the Redmi 9) can make data unreadable.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi Redmi 9 uses memory like eMMC 5.1, which is less reliable for data recovery than UFS in flagships, which means that even specialized programs may not cope if more than a week has passed after deleting, but in the first 24-48 hours the chances are maximum.

⚠️ Please do not connect Redmi 9 to your computer. MTP (File transfer mode) immediately after deleting the SMS. This can trigger automatic synchronization and overwriting of data.

Method 1: Recovery through MIUI backup (most reliable method)

If your Redmi 9 has automatic backup enabled, you can return your SMS in a few minutes. MIUI saves copies of messages to the Mi Cloud cloud or local drive.

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. See the date of the last backup in the Local Backup or Mi Cloud section.
3. If you have a copy, click Restore and select the desired date.

If you don’t have a local copy, try the cloud.

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Log in (if not authorized) and check if Message sync is enabled.
3. Click Restore and select a backup with the desired date.

Note: Mi Cloud only stores backups for 30 days. If messages were deleted earlier, this method won't work. Also check if there's enough space in the cloud - only 5GB is provided for free, and if the limit is exhausted, no new copies are created.

Local backup enabled (Settings → Backup)

Mi Cloud is authorized and Message Synchronization is activated

The last copy is no older than 30 days (for Mi Cloud)

There is enough free space on the phone (minimum 500 MB)

-->

⚠️ Note: If you are recovering SMS from Mi Cloud, all current messages on your phone will be replaced by data from the backup. Pre-export important chats manually (for example, through the app). SMS Backup & Restore).

Method 2: Restore via Google Drive (if sync was enabled)

Many Redmi 9 users don't know that Google automatically backs up SMS if sync is enabled, which works even if you haven't set up the backup manually.

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Make sure that the backup switch in Google Drive is active.
3. Check the date of the last backup – if it is later than the date of deletion of the SMS, the data can be returned.

To recover messages:

1. Reset Redmi 9 to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Resetting).
2. When you first set up your phone, select Restore Data from a backup.
3. Log in to the same Google account that was previously linked.
4. Select a backup with the desired date and wait for the process to be completed.

Unfortunately, Google doesn't allow you to restore only SMS — you have to reset all settings, which is suitable if you lost messages long ago and there are no other options. Also, Google only stores backups for 60 days — after that they are deleted without the possibility of recovery.

Yes, through Mi Cloud.

Yes, through Google Drive.

Yes, manually on the computer.

No, I'm not.

I don't know how it works.-->

💡

If you don’t want to reset your phone to factory settings, try an alternative: install the SMS Backup & Restore app from Google Play, log in to the same Google account, and recover messages selectively.

Method 3: Use of third-party programs (for power users)

If you don’t have backups, the only option is to use specialized data recovery software. Xiaomi Redmi 9 will suit:

• 📱 Dr.Fone – Data Recovery (Android): Supports SMS, contact and photo recovery. Works without root, but with root rights, chances are higher.
• 💻 EaseUS MobiSaver: It works well with eMMC memory, but requires connecting your phone to your PC.
• 🔍 DiskDigger: Free Android app, but only recovers part of data without root.

Let’s look at the example of Dr.Fone:

1. Download and install the program on your computer (official site).
2. Connect Redmi 9 through USB-cable (turn on debugging by USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).
3. Start Dr.Fone, select Android Data Recovery.
4. Select the data type – Messages and attachments.
5. Follow the instructions of the program (you may need to confirm access on your phone).
6. After scanning, select the desired SMS and click Restore.

The following are the key features for Redmi 9:

• Without root rights, only a fraction of messages will be restored (usually in the last 1-2 weeks).
• If the phone is not identified, try another one. USB-cable or port – Redmi 9 is sensitive to connection quality.
• Don't save the recovered data to the phone itself, it can overwrite the remaining deleted SMS, use a computer or cloud.

⚠️ Note: Software like Dr.Fone can recover not only your data, but also system files, which will lead to conflicts.

Method 4: Manual search in system files (for advanced)

If you're familiar with ADB and the structure of Android, you can try finding deleted SMS manually. Messages are stored in the mmssms.db database along the way:

/data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db

To gain access:

1. Install ADB on your computer (download from Google).
2. Connect Redmi 9 to USB and enable debugging over USB (see previous section).
3. Open the command line and type in: adb shell su cp /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db /sdcard/ exit exit
4. Copy the file mmsms.db from phone to computer: adb pull /sdcard/mmssms.db
5. Open the file with SQLite Browser or similar program. Deleted messages can be stored in the sms table marked deleted = 1.

This method requires root rights and knowledge of SQL. If you are not sure about your skills, you should use specialized programs from the previous section. Also note that on Redmi 9 with MIUI 12+, the path to the database may differ due to changes in security policy.

💡

Manual is only good if you are confident in your actions, and errors in working with mmssms.db can lead to the loss of all messages, not just deleted ones.

Method 5: Contacting a service center (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked and the messages are critical (e.g., court evidence or data for work), you can contact a service center, and professionals use professional equipment like the UFI Box or Medusa Pro, which reads data directly from the memory chip.

What you need to know before your visit:

• 💰 Cost: Data recovery on Redmi 9 will cost 3,000-8,000 rubles (depending on complexity).
• ⏳ Timeline: 1 to 5 days (some centers offer express recovery in 2-3 hours).
• 📋 Take a check or a box from your phone with you to confirm that the device is not stolen.
• 🔒 Privacy: Check if the specialists will review your data. These services only report on the files found, without disclosing their contents.

In Moscow and St. Petersburg, you can contact:

• Xiaomi Service Center (official partners, but not all of them are engaged in data recovery).
• Data Recovery Laboratory (specializes in mobile devices).
• Service centers "Svyaznoy" (offer service in some branches).

Don’t turn your phone on or try to repair yourself before visiting, which can make it difficult for the team to work, and note that if the Redmi 9’s eMMC memory is damaged, recovery may not be possible even in the service.

How to Prevent SMS Loss in the Future

To avoid the problem of remote messages, set up automatic backup on Redmi 9:

1. Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud. Enable Message Sync. Set up automatic backups (daily or weekly).
2. Google Drive: Open Settings → Google → Backup. Activate App Data Backup. Make sure there are Messages in the list of data included.

Third-party annexes

• Install Backup & Restore SMS from Google Play.
• Set up automatic backup on Google Drive or Dropbox.
• Turn on the option to Remove old copies so as not to clog up the memory.

Additional measures:

• 📲 Exporting important messages: Manually save important SMS to.txt or.xml via apps like SMS Backup & Restore.
• 🔐 Virus protection: Install antivirus (like Dr.Web Light) – some malware erases SMS.
• 📵 Blocking random actions: C Settings → Lock screen and password configure confirmation before deleting messages.

💡

Even if you haven’t lost your messages now, set up a backup today.Statistically, 60% of Xiaomi users experience data loss at least once a year.

FAQ: Frequent questions about SMS recovery on Redmi 9