How long SMS is stored in Xiaomi phones: settings, restrictions and recovery

Why it is important to know the storage time of SMS on Xiaomi

Xiaomi smartphones based on the shell MIUI Automatically manage storage SMS-Unlike photos or files that take up space on internal memory, messages are stored in a system database — and their "shelf life" depends on the firmware version, device model and even the carrier. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14 the default limit may differ from what is laid down in POCO X5 Pro on the same shell version.

Compounding the problem, Xiaomi doesn’t advertise these settings, which are searched for in hidden menus or developer documentation, while nuanced information leads to the sudden loss of important messages — whether it’s bank confirmation codes, shipping data or personal correspondence. In this article, we’ll discuss how SMS storage works on Xiaomi devices, how to customize it for your needs, and what to do if messages disappear prematurely.

Standard SMS storage time on Xiaomi: what MIUI says

By default, the MIUI shell sets strict limits on the amount and shelf life of SMS to prevent system memory overload, depending on the firmware version:

• 📱 MIUI 12 and below: Stores up to 500 messages in a single thread (consultant dialogue) or up to 30 days from receipt. SMS automatically removed.
• 🔄 MIUI 13-14: the limit is increased to 1000 messages or 90 days, and the system can compress old messages if the memory is running out.
• ⚠️ Android Go models (e.g. Redmi) A1): Limit reduced to 200 messages due to optimization for weak iron.

It is important to understand that these rules apply separately for each dialogue, meaning that in correspondence with your mother can store 1000 messages, and in the stream with the bank – only the last 200 if you often receive notifications. SMS (from the operator, banks, services - their shelf life is sometimes reduced to 7-14 days.

Where to store SMS in the phone Xiaomi: technical details

All right. SMS-Messages on Xiaomi devices are saved in the system database /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db. This file is not available without root rights, but it can be viewed through the ADB Or specialized applications like SQLite Editor, and you can store sms in the table:

• 📝 Text of the message (body)
• 📞 Sending/Receiving Number (address)
• ⏱️ Time of sending/receiving (date in milliseconds since 1970)
• 🔖 Read, type (incoming/outgoing)

Xiaomi can duplicate a part of the SMS to the Mi Cloud, but only if:

1. Backup enabled (Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup).
2. In the synchronization settings, the Message item is marked.
3. The device is linked to the Mi Account.

However, cloud copy is not a substitute for local storage – it is only used for recovery when resetting or changing the phone. Moreover, only text SMS is stored in the Mi Cloud, and MMS (multimedia messages) are ignored.

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To check how much SMS is stored in a particular dialog, open the Messages app, type three dots in the upper right corner, and select Settings → Message Archive.

How to change the shelf life of SMS on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Unfortunately, Xiaomi doesn't provide a direct interface for setting SMS storage limits. However, there are workarounds, from hidden menus to third-party apps. Let's look at all the working ways.

Method 1: through the engineering menu (for advanced users only)

This method requires care, as incorrect actions can lead to malfunctions in the SMS module.

Disable two-factor authentication in your Mi Account

Backup SMS via Mi Cloud or a third-party app

Charge your phone at least 50%

Make sure that SIM-card-->

1. Open the dial and enter the code: ##4636##.
2. Go to Phone Information → Battery settings (on some models, the path may be different).
3. Find the SMS Limit or Message Storage and set the value you want (e.g. Unlimited or 2000).
4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

⚠️ Attention: on new versions MIUI 14 engineering menu can be blocked. ADB:

adb shell settings put global sms_outgoing_check_max_count 2000

Method 2: Using SMS Backup & Restore

If the engineering menu is not available, install the SMS Backup & Restore app from Google Play.

• 🔄 Automatically archive SMS Google Drive or locally.
• 🗃️ Set up storage rules (e.g. leave messages older than 1 year).
• 🔍 Restore the remote SMS (if a backup copy has been made).

The downside is that the app doesn’t change Xiaomi’s system limits, it only duplicates messages in its storage, so in a standard app, SMS messages will still be deleted according to MIUI rules.

Method 3: Turning off automatic cleaning (root method)

For users with unlocked bootloader and root-rights available radical way — editing the system file /system/etc/telephony.db. However, this method is risky: if you make an error, you can lose the ability to send SMS.

Table: comparison of SMS storage on different Xiaomi models

We tested several popular Xiaomi devices on current firmware versions, and the results are presented below:

Note that on Android Go devices (such as the Redmi A-series), the limits are tighter due to the optimization of the system for weak iron. SIM-map.

What to do if the SMS disappeared early: recovery

If the messages disappeared before the expiration of the declared retention period, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🧹 Manual cleaning: You or an app (e.g. Clean Master) have been removed SMS manually.
• 🔄 Settings reset: After resetting to factory settings, messages are erased if there was no backup.
• 📵 Database failure: the file mmssms.db could be damaged due to a sudden power outage.
• 📱 Update of firmware: when switching to a new version MIUI Sometimes storage settings are reset.

Recovering remote SMS can be done in several ways:

Method 1: Using Mi Cloud

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select Backup → Messages.
3. Click Restore and select the desired backup date.

⚠️ Warning: Recovery will rewrite current messages! pre-export them manually.

Method 2: Dr.Fone or Tenorshare UltData

These programs scan the phone's internal memory and recover deleted SMS even if there's no backup.

• 💰 Paid versions cost from 500 to 1500 rubles.
• 🔌 You need to connect your phone to the PC USB.
• ⚠️ No guarantee of 100% recovery of messages (especially if more than 30 days have passed).

Method 3: Contact the Communications Operator

Some operators (such as Tele2 or Iota) store copies of SMS on their servers for up to 7 days to request a history of:

1. Call in support of the operator (the number is usually listed on the official website).
2. Please provide your phone number and approximate date of missing messages.
3. Proof of identity (passport or code word may be required).

The disadvantage of the method: operators provide only incoming SMS, outgoing SMS cannot be restored.

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If SMS is missing after the MIUI update, try to roll back to the previous firmware version via Fastboot. Instructions are available on the 4PDA forum in your model's themes.

How to Prevent the Loss of Important SMS: Preventive Measures

To avoid losing critical messages (such as codes from banks or order data), follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Automatic Backup: Set up weekly backups to Mi Cloud or via Google Drive (app) SMS Backup & Restore).
• 📤 Export to file: once a month export SMS.xml or.csv format via the same application SMS Backup & Restore.
• 📧 Email forwarding: set up automatic forwarding SMS from banks to the post office (for example, through IFTTT Tasker).
• 🛡️ Turn off the "smart cleaning": in Settings → Annexes → Communications → Memory Disable the Auto Cleanup option.

For business users or those who frequently use SMS, it makes sense to consider alternative cloud-based messaging apps, such as:

• WhatsApp Business (with automatic response to SMS)
• Telegram with a bot for sending SMS.
• Slack or Notion to archive important information.

⚠️ Note: If you are using a double SIM-map, storage settings SMS It can be different for each slot. Check the limits separately for each slot. SIM!

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about SMS storage on Xiaomi