How to Recover Deleted SMS on Xiaomi Phone: From Backups to Hidden MIUI Features

Why do SMS messages disappear from your phone and can they be returned?

Deleting important messages on Xiaomi is a familiar situation, one careless click, reset or system failure, and valuable correspondence disappears. But don't panic: in most cases, it is possible to restore deleted SMS on Xiaomi, even if you did not make backups in advance, it all depends on how long ago the loss occurred and what settings were activated on the device.

Modern Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO, Mi series) are based on MIUI firmware, which has built-in backup tools. In addition, the manufacturer offers Mi Cloud cloud storage, which automatically stores data - including SMS. If these options are disabled, third-party utilities or even hidden Android system files, where messages can be stored for up to 30 days after deletion, will come to the rescue.

It's important to understand that the faster you start to act, the better the chances of success. When you delete messages, they don't disappear instantly - the operating system simply marks them as a "free place" that can be overwritten with new data. So minimize your phone use before you recover: don't install apps, take photos, or record videos.

Method 1: Recovery via Mi Cloud (if synchronization was enabled)

Mi Cloud storage is the most reliable way to return remote SMS if your Xiaomi has been synced, a procedure that takes only a few minutes and does not require a PC connection.

• 📱 Open the Settings app → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Make sure that the slider synchronizes SMS included (if not, the method will not work).
• 📥 Go to Data Recovery and select a backup with the desired date.
• ✅ Confirm the recovery – messages will return to the Messages app.

If there is no suitable copy in the list, check:

1. Whether synchronization was enabled before SMS was deleted (it is useless to include after deletion).
2. Is there enough space in the cloud (free 5GB available, but messages take up little space)
3. Have you changed your Xiaomi account – the data is linked to a specific profile?

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If there are no backups in the Mi Cloud, check the MIUI/Backup/AllBackup folder in the phone’s internal memory – sometimes local copies are saved there automatically.

⚠️ Note: When recovering from Mi Cloud, all current SMS If you receive new important messages after deleting, first save them manually (for example, screenshots).

Method 2: Local MIUI backups (without cloud)

MIUI creates local backups even without connecting to the Mi Cloud, which are stored in your phone's memory and can contain SMS if you've ever run a manual backup, to find and recover data:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select the most recent copy (see the date of creation).
3. Click Restore and tick the Message item.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (the phone will restart).

If there are no suitable copies in the list, manually check the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Backup/AllBackup/

It should have files with the.bak extension, and you can restore them through the same settings section.

Look at the settings → Backup

Check the /MIUI/Backup/ folder through the file manager

Make sure the copy date is older than the SMS deletion date

Download a copy to PC (in case of failure)-->

Method 3: Third-party recovery programs (without root)

If there are no backups, specialized utilities will come to the rescue, scanning the phone's memory for "unoverwritten" data and can find SMS, even deleted a few weeks ago.

• 🛠️ Dr.Fone (Wondershare) – supports 6,000+ All models, including Redmi and POCO. The free version shows the found ones. SMS, A paid license is required for restoration (~$50).
• 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver is a simple interface, works without root, but requires a connection to a PC. 5-15 minute.
• 📱 GT Recovery is a mobile app (installed on your phone) recovers up to 2 messages free of charge, full version — ~$30.

Step-by-step instructions for Dr.Fone (on the example of the PC version):

1. Download and install the program from the official website.
2. Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB (enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on version number → go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
3. Select the Android Data Recovery mode → Messages.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (the program will suggest you to choose the type of scan: fast or deep).
5. After scanning, mark the desired SMS and click Restore.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party software, never save recovered software. SMS Back to your phone, this can overwrite the remaining unrecovered data. Export it to your PC or to the cloud (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk).

Through the Mi Cloud

From a local copy of MIUI

Third-party programs (Dr.Fone, EaseUS, etc.)

I went to the service center.

I haven't tried it yet.-->

Method 4: Manual recovery through system files (for advanced ones)

Android stores SMS in the database mmssms.db, which is located in the folder /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/. When you delete a message, the entry in the database is marked as inactive, but physically remains in place until overwriting. If you have root access, you can try to extract the data directly.

Instructions (require root and a file manager with superuser rights, such as Root Explorer):

1. Open the file manager and go on the path: /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db
2. Copy the mmsms.db file on your PC or in the cloud.
3. Use a SQLite reader (e.g. DB Browser for SQLite) to open the database.
4. Go to the Data Review tab → sms table.
5. Find the lines with deleted=1, which are deleted messages. Change the value to 0 and save the base.
6. Return the modified file back to the folder (create a backup of the original!).
7. Restart the phone – messages will appear in the standard app.

If root is not available, try an alternative method through ADB (Android Debug Bridge):

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


adb shell "sqlite3 /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db 'UPDATE sms SET deleted=0 WHERE deleted=1;'"




adb reboot

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If independent attempts were unsuccessful, and messages are critical (for example, contain access codes or legally relevant information), you should contact an authorized service center Xiaomi, UFED Cellebrite, which can extract data from damaged devices.

What you need to know before your visit:

• 💰 Cost of service: 1500 to 5000₽ Depending on the complexity (price 2026).
• ⏳ Time: 1 day to a week (if you need to send to the head service).
• 📄 Documents: Take your passport and phone purchase check (if any).
• 🔒 Privacy: by law, professionals are not allowed to disclose the contents of your data.

The service centers can be found on Xiaomi’s official website, and check by phone before you visit if they are engaged in data recovery – not all centers provide this service.

⚠️ Avoid garage services that promise recovery for 500₽. Unqualified actions can irrevocably damage the phone's memory, making further recovery impossible.

How to Prevent SMS Loss in the Future: 5 Simple Rules

The best way to combat data loss is to prevent it, and follow these tips to never look for recovery again:

• ☁️ Enable automatic sync with Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization SMS (check the box).
• 📅 Create local copies once a month: Settings → The phone. → Backup → Local backups.
• 📱 Use third-party messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) for important correspondence – they store history on servers.
• 🔄 Export. SMS file via applications such as SMS Backup & Restore (Free on Google Play).
• 🚫 Avoid “cleaners” of memory (Clean Master, CCleaner) – they often delete system files, including backups.

For owners of Xiaomi root-access there is an additional option: install the module Xposed or Magisk with the function of automatic backup SMS. For example, the module SMS Backup+ sends copies of messages to your email.

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Even if you don’t plan on recovering SMS, regular backups will save you in case your phone gets stolen, breaks or resets to factory settings. 5 minutes to set up sync will save you days of nerves in the future.

FAQ: Frequent questions about SMS recovery on Xiaomi