Recovering Remote SMS on Xiaomi: From Backups to ADB

Remove an important message on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO — And now you don't know how to get it back? You're not alone: Statistically, one in three users has lost at least once. SMS It's because of a random tap, a setup reset, or a system failure. MIUI There are several ways to restore – from built-in features to professional tools.

In this article, we will analyze 6 proven methods, including working with backups, cloud services, ADB-Importantly, the chances of success depend on whether you overwrite data after deletion — the faster you act, the more likely you are to return messages. Some methods require root rights, others work without them — choose the right option.

1. Checking the basket in the app “Messages”

Modern versions of MIUI (starting with MIUI 12) automatically save deleted SMS in the Recycle Bin for 30 days, the easiest way to return messages without additional tools.

How to check:

• 📱 Open the standard Messages app (Icon with envelope).
• 🗑️ Slip on three points in the upper right corner. → pick the basket.
• 🔍 Find the right message, hold your finger on it. → press Restore.
• 📤 To get some back. SMS, Check them out and re-establish them.

⚠️ Attention: If the "Basket" function is disabled in the application settings (Settings) → Additionally. → The cart, this method won't work, and the messages are finally deleted from the cart after 30 days or by manual cleaning.

If the cart is empty or the function is disabled, move to the next method. On devices with MIUI 11 and older, there may be no basket - in this case, use backups.

2.Restore from MIUI backup

MIUI automatically creates local backups of data, including SMS, if the function is activated. You can check for it in the Settings menu → About phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.

Instructions for remediation:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge.
• 📂 Select Local Backups → Find the last copy (sorted by date).
• ☑️ Check the Messages item (do not select other data to avoid conflicts!).
• 🔙 Click Restore and Confirm Action.

If there is no local copy, try recovering data from Mi Cloud (see the next section for more on this). Note: backups can take up a lot of space, so MIUI stores them for a limited time (usually up to the latest 3 versions).

Recovery via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

Mi Cloud is a cloud service from Xiaomi that syncs SMS, contacts and other data if the feature is activated.

Steps:

1. 🌐 Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. 📱 Make sure you are logged in to the same account you used before you were deleted. SMS.
3. 🔄 Scroll down to the Data Recovery section. → select Messages.
4. 📅 Select the backup date (before deleting messages) and click Restore.

⚠️ Warning: Recovery from Mi Cloud will overwrite current messages! before the procedure export important messages SMS manually (such as screenshots) or sync them with another device.

If the sync with Mi Cloud has been disabled, this method will not work, in which case move on to the methods using the PC.

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Before recovering from Mi Cloud, check if there is enough space on the device. If there is not enough memory, the service may interrupt the process or not fully recover the data.

4.Use ADB to extract SMS (without root)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a tool for interacting with a device via a computer, which can extract an SMS database even without root permissions, if messages have not been overwritten.

Step-by-step:

1. 💻 Install. ADB Tools on PC and enable Debugging on USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version, then return to the Additional settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
2. 🔌 Connect your phone to your computer and confirm debugging access.
3. 🖥️ Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) file ADB enter:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed.)

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

This command will copy the SMS database to your computer.

• 📁 The file mmsms.db will be saved in the folder with ADB. Open it with the help of the program DB Browser for SQLite.
• 🔍 Go to the Data Review tab → select the SMS table.
• 📤 Find the right messages and export them to CSV or TXT.

If the command returns a Permission denied error, then root rights are required, in which case move to the next section.

Install ADB Tools on PC| Enable debugging over USB on your phone | Connect your phone with the original cable | Check the visibility of the device with the adb device-->

5. Data recovery programs (with and without root)

If previous methods have failed, try specialized utilities that scan the device’s memory for deleted data and can restore SMS even after resetting (assuming the memory area has not been overwritten).

Top.-3 Xiaomi:

How to use (as an example of Dr.Fone):

1. 📥 Download and install the program on PC.
2. 🔌 Connect your phone to your computer through USB (set up the debugging USB).
3. 🔍 Start scanning (select Messages data type).
4. 📤 After the scan is completed, mark the necessary SMS and press Restore.

⚠️ Note: Free versions of software often show the data found, but do not allow you to save it. Full recovery will require a license purchase (from 30 to 30).$). Also avoid installing programs from questionable sites – they may contain malware.

If you have root rights, the chances of success go up to 80%. Without root, some programs can recover only a fraction of the data (e.g., messages sent after the last reboot).

6 Manual restoration with root rights

If your Xiaomi has root rights, you can manually extract the SMS database and restore it through SQLite Editor or similar applications.

Instructions:

1. 📱 Install the SQLite Editor app from Google Play.
2. 🔍 Open the app and go along the way:

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

1. 📋 Find the SMS table – all messages, including deleted ones, are stored here (they can be marked as deleted).=1).
2. 🔄 Tag the required records, change the status to deleted=0 and keep the changes.
3. 📱 Restart your phone – messages will appear in the standard app.

An alternative way is to copy the mmssms.db file to your computer, edit it with DB Browser for SQLite, and then return it back to your phone (with the original file being replaced).

⚠️ Note: Incorrectly editing the database may result in the loss of all messages or the failure of the Messages application.Before making changes, back up the mmssms.db file!

If you don’t have root rights, but you’re ready to get them, use the official instructions to unlock the bootloader on the Xiaomi website.

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Root rights give you the best chance of recovery, but you need to be careful. Don't edit other system files, it can put your phone down.

How to Prevent SMS Loss in the Future

To avoid looking for ways to restore, it is better to take care of the safety of messages in advance. Here are 5 simple rules for Xiaomi users:

• ☁️ Enable synchronization with Mi Cloud: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization → Communications.
• 📥 Regularly create local copies: Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backup (set a schedule, for example, once a week).
• 📤 Export important SMS: Use applications like SMS Backup & Restore to save messages XML or TXT Google Drive.
• 🚫 Turn off automatic cleaning: in the Messages app, check Storage settings → Autoclean and set a maximum deadline (or disable the function).
• 🔄 Use two-step authentication: this will protect your Mi Cloud account from hacking and loss of access to backups.

If you lose data frequently, consider using instant messengers (such as Telegram or WhatsApp) that store your message history in the cloud and make it easy to recover.

FAQ: Frequent questions about SMS recovery on Xiaomi