What folder are SMS on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones

Device owners MIUI HyperOS and others often face the need to find a specific message or save important correspondence, wondering which folder SMS in Xiaomi is stored by default. The standard file manager, which is available to every user out of the box, doesn't display system directories where the message databases are, which gives the illusion of their absence or secrecy. SMS-messages are part of the system database and are not presented as ordinary text files that can be simply opened and read through the Explorer without special permissions.

Understanding the structure of the Android file system is essential for those who plan to make a full backup of data or are trying to recover lost information after a reset. Unlike photos or downloaded documents, text messages are integrated into a SQLite database that is restricted by superuser rights, and this is done by Google and Xiaomi developers for security reasons so that malware cannot read your confirmation codes and personal correspondence uncontrollably.

Next, we will discuss in detail where the message files are physically located, how to access them with and without root rights, and also consider effective backup methods that guarantee the safety of data even with a complete flashing of the device.

System Structure of Message Storage in Android

The Android operating system, which runs MIUI and HyperOS shells, uses a single centralized database to store all incoming and outgoing messages, and is located in a secure partition of memory that is accessible only to system processes. The path to this storage always begins with the root directory /data/data/, which automatically makes it hidden for ordinary applications and file managers running in standard mode.

Specifically, SMS processing is handled by a system application that can be called differently depending on the firmware version and the preinstalled software set. In stock versions, it is often com.android.messaging, and in custom builds Xiaomi can use its own implementation from the manufacturer. It is inside the folder of this application that the mmssms.db file is located, which is the same database containing the entire archive of your correspondence.

It is important to remember that you can simply copy this file through USB-If you plug your phone into your computer as a storage device, you can't do it. /data For external connections, these files require either root rights or the use of specialized backup tools that can bypass these restrictions through debugging. USB cloud-based.

⚠️ Attention: Direct editing of the mmsms.db database file without proper knowledge of the SQLite structure can lead to complete inoperability of the Messages application and loss of the entire correspondence history. Any manipulation of system files is carried out only after you have created a full backup copy.

The exact path to SMS files and access to them

If you have obtained superuser rights or use a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or MT Manager), you can go the full path to the message store. The standard path is: /data/data/com.android.mms/databases/mmssms.db. However, depending on the Android version and the type of MIUI shell installed, the application packet name may vary.

Modern versions of Xiaomi firmware often use an alternative path associated with Google services or its own replacement applications. In such cases, the file may be located at /data/data/com.google.android.apps.messaging/databases/bugle.db. Finding the desired file requires care, since erroneous deletion or movement of the system database can cause a cyclical reboot of the smartphone or the disappearance of the message icon.

To navigate through these directories, it is recommended to use proven tools that correctly display hidden system folders. The usual “Conductor” from the settings menu is powerless here, since it shows only user space /sdcard/. Access to the root of the file system / opens up opportunities not only for viewing, but also for deep cleaning or data transfer, which is especially true when internal memory is lacking.

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The physical message file (mmssms.db) is located in the /data/data/ system partition and is not available for viewing without root rights or special backup tools.

Using root rights to access the database

Getting root permissions (for example, via Magisk or Su) is the most direct, but also the riskiest way to access the SMS folder in Xiaomi. Once the root access is activated, any file manager with the appropriate permissions will be able to open the /data/data/ directory and allow you to copy the mmsms.db file to an external drive for later analysis on the computer.

However, unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights on Xiaomi devices has its own peculiarities: the procedure requires waiting 7 or 168 hours after the account is attached, and completely erases all data from the device during the unlock process.

If you do, make sure you have a current backup of all the important data. The process of obtaining superuser rights to HyperOS has become more difficult due to enhanced security measures, and inexperienced users are better off refraining from tampering with system partitions without extreme necessity.

• 📂 Root Explorer is a classic file manager with full access to system folders and the ability to edit database files.
• 🔧 MT Manager is a powerful tool for advanced users, allowing not only copy, but also edit APK system resources.
• 📱 Termux is a terminal emulator through which you can execute Linux commands to copy databases if BusyBox is installed.
• 💻 ADB (Android Debug Bridge – a debugging tool that allows you to pull files from your phone to your computer even without full root, but with limitations.

Backup of SMS without root rights

For most users who don’t want to risk the guarantee or stability of a smartphone, the best solution is to use specialized backup applications, which use legitimate Android APIs to upload the contents of an SMS database to a readable format, most often XML.

One of the most popular and reliable solutions is the application. SMS Backup & Restore: It allows you to create full copies of all messages (including: MMS service SMS) And save them in a format that's easy to restore on any other Android smartphone, and it doesn't require superuser rights, and it works on all current versions. MIUI.

Also worth mentioning is the built-in MIUI backup feature, which allows you to save data, including messages, to Google Drive or to the Xiaomi cloud. However, recovery from such a copy often only occurs when you initially set up the phone after a reset, making this method less flexible for quick saving of individual correspondence.

Recovery of messages from backup

The process of recovering SMS on Xiaomi depends on how the backup was created. If you used a third-party application, you will need to install it again, specify the path to the backup file (for example, backup-20231025-120000.xml) and start the recovery procedure.

When you restore from the Google or MIUI Cloud cloud, the process is automatically done during the initial setup of the device, and you'll be asked to choose a backup to restore, and the system will pull up all the messages itself. It's important to note that when you restore messages, they may not appear instantly, but in the background for a few minutes or even hours, especially if the archive is large.

In case you manually copied the file mmssms.db with root rights, you need to place it back on the original path. /data/data/com.android.mms/databases/, Rename the original (in case of error) and set the correct access rights (usually rw-rw)---- or 660) An error in access rights will cause the message application to simply “not see” the file.

Cleaning garbage and optimizing SMS storage

Over time, the messaging database can grow to a significant size, especially if you actively exchange multimedia messages (MMS). Although text SMS takes up negligible space, attached pictures, audio and video are stored in the same logical structure, increasing the total weight of backups and occupying memory.

You don't have to go into system folders to clean up your garbage. Xiaomi's built-in Security app has a cleaning feature that analyzes bulk attachments in messages. You can also use the Clean All feature in the Messages app settings, but this will delete all correspondence without the possibility of recovery if there is no backup.

If you decide to manually delete old messages through the file manager (having root), be extremely careful. deleting the file mmssms.db will result in the loss of all messages. SQL-editors to remove specific entries within the database, but this requires deep technical knowledge.

⚠️ Warning: Before any cleaning of system files or database, be sure to make a full backup to an external medium. /data/ It may require re-flashing of the device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Tip: Regularly export important confirmation and correspondence codes to XML-It'll take a few minutes, but it'll save you when your phone suddenly stops turning on.