Why SMS is deleted from Xiaomi phone: system bugs, settings and recovery methods

You opened Messages on your Xiaomi Redmi, POCO or Mi, and important SMS disappeared without a trace? This problem is familiar to many smartphone owners of the brand — messages can disappear either singly or in whole streams. Unlike accidental deletion by the user, it is more often the fault of MIUI system settings, synchronization errors or hardware limitations.

In this article, we will discuss 7 real reasons why SMS are deleted by themselves on Xiaomi, from the banal lack of memory to hidden firmware functions. You will also learn how to return deleted messages even without a backup (spoiler: this is not always possible, but the chances are there), especially focus on models with MIUI 14 and later, where the logic of SMS storage has changed.

Warning: Some “solutions” from older forums (like factory resets) can make the problem worse.We’ve only collected current methods tested on the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13 in 2026.

1. Automatic Message Cleanup in MIUI: Where to Look for Settings

The most common reason is the built-in function of automatically deleting old SMS. MIUI It is hidden deep in the menu and is often activated accidentally (for example, when setting up memory optimization), the problem is compounded by the fact that the system does not not notify the user of the cleanup.

To check or disable this function:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select Additional → Communications management.
4. Scroll to Automatic Message Deletion (on some firmware – Clean old messages).
5. Turn off the slider or set a storage limit (we recommend Never).

💡

If Auto Delete is not on the menu, update the Messages app via Google Play. On some models (e.g. Redmi 10), this feature only appears after the update.

Please note: even if the function is disabled, MIUI remover SMS There is also a hidden rule in some firmware: messages older than 180 days are automatically deleted if there are more than 1,000. POCO F4 Xiaomi 12T.

2. Memory Lack: Why SMS disappears when filling the drive

In Xiaomi, messages are stored in the system section /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db. When the internal memory of the phone is filled by 90% or more, Android begins to aggressively clean the cache and temporary files - including the SMS database. This can happen even if you have a microSD: MIUI by default does not transfer the message to the memory card.

How to check:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Memory and see the percentage of filling in the section System memory.
• 🔍 If the value is higher than 85%, use the built-in Cleaner (remove unnecessary files, application cache).
• 📁 Transfer the photo/video to a memory card or cloud (but not to the computer). SMS — their transfer is not supported).

Critical: If the memory is 98%+ full, the system can delete all messages older than 30 days without warning, as confirmed by the error logs on the Redmi Note 11 with 128 GB of memory, where users lost SMS due to recorded in 4K videos.

3. sync errors with Google Messages or Mi Cloud

If you use Google Messages (an app from Google) or sync with Mi Cloud, SMS may disappear due to conflicts between services.

• 🔄 You are logged into your Google account on a new device and your messages are deleted from your old device.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud is synchronized SMS, The backup was overwritten with a newer (empty) version.
• 📱 On shifts. SIM-maps (for example, from MTS to Tele2) some messages are not transferred due to operator error.

How to check:

1. For Google Messages: Open the app → tap on the avatar → Message settings → Backup and restore. Make sure the backup is recent (the date must match the latest SMS).

Mi Cloud

Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization → Messages

Turn off sync if it is enabled and check if SMS returns.

Important: If you reset your phone to factory settings and reset your Mi Cloud data, SMS may not return if you backed up after you deleted it, in which case you can try to restore a copy from another device (if it was linked to the same account).

4. firmware bugs: known problems with SMS in MIUI 13–14

Some versions of MIUI have critical errors that cause messages to disappear for no apparent reason, such as:

If your model and firmware version are in the table, follow the guidelines.

Update MIUI last-minute|Clear the cache of the application “Messages"|Turn off the spam filter|Reset your network settings (not data!)-->

Warning: Don't reset your phone to factory settings without backing up! on some devices (like POCO F3), this results in a complete loss of SMS, even if they've been synced to the cloud.

5. Conflict with Spam Blocking Apps

Xiaomi aggressively filters spam messages through its built-in Security app (or Global Firmware Security), sometimes by erroneously removing regular SMS messages, especially if:

• 📛 The message contains a link or code (e.g. from a bank).
• 🏦 Sender – Short Number (like Notification Services).
• 🔢 The text has numbers in format XXXX-XXXX-XXXX (card-number).

How to check:

1. Open Security → Protection against spam → SMS filter.
2. Check out the Blocked tab – maybe your posts are there.
3. Press Settings (cog) → turn off Automatic Lock.

If important SMS has already been deleted, try to restore them through the Recycle Bin in the Security app (not available on all models).On Redmi 9 and POCO M4 Pro, blocked messages are stored there for up to 30 days.

Hardware problems: damage to the memory module or SIM-map

If the SMS disappears only from a certain operator or after physical exposure to the phone (fall, moisture), the problem may be:

• 📶 Damaged. SIM-map: microcracks on the chip lead to failures when reading messages.
• 💾 Memory malfunction. eMMC/UFS: If the phone frequently overheats or discharges to zero, the memory cells wear out, and the data (including: SMS) may be lost.
• 🔌 Oxidized contacts: on the Redmi Note 8 Pro and other models with a removable tray for SIM oxidation leads to a breakdown of communication with the network.

How to diagnose:

1. Try inserting. SIM-The card to another phone. SMS It’s a problem with your Xiaomi.
2. Run the memory test through the engineering menu: ##4636## → Test → Memory (not working on all models).
3. Check the tray. SIM-If your contacts are green, clean them with a swallow.

💡

If the phone falls or gets wet, SMS They disappear along with their call history, which is a sure sign of a hardware malfunction, in which case data recovery is possible only through specialized services (for example, Chip-Off), and it costs from 3,000 dollars. ₽.

7. How to restore remote SMS on Xiaomi (3 working methods)

If the messages are already gone, try these methods in order of effectiveness:

Method 1: Restore from Mi Cloud backup

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization.
2. Select Messages → Restore.
3. Please provide the date of the backup (before the SMS disappears).

⚠️ Attention: if after missing SMS You've created a new backup, the old data will be overwritten, and then it won't work.

Method 2: Use of third-party programs (without root)

Applications like SMS Backup & Restore or DroidKit can recover messages if:

• 📲 The phone did not restart after being removed. SMS.
• 🔄 No new information was recorded at the deleted data site (do not install programs or take photos!).

Instructions for DroidKit:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC and start the program.
2. Select Data Recovery → Communications.
3. Follow the tips (you may need to debug via USB).

Method 3: Contacting the communications operator

If the SMS was from a bank, government services or other important services, the operator can provide a printout of messages for the last 3-7 days (depending on the tariff).

• 📞 Call your operator support (MTS: *111#, Beeline: *102#).
• 📄 Write a request for detailing SMS (You may need a passport).
• ⏳ Expect a response up to 3 business days (usually by email).

⚠️ Note: operators do not store content SMS If the messages are old, this method won't help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the disappearance of SMS on Xiaomi