Where is the Spam folder in Xiaomi phone: search, clean and restore messages

You suddenly found that important SMS Or did the email disappear from the main list of messages on Xiaomi? It probably got into the Spam folder, a hidden partition where the system automatically sends suspicious notifications. MIUI, If it's not on the home screen of Messages, why do spam messages sometimes disappear without a trace?

In this article, we will discuss in detail how to find a folder with spam on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi models, POCO And Black Shark, how to set up a filter for unwanted messages, and what to do if an important email accidentally gets spammy. MIUI 14/15 The folder can "hide" deeper than before.

Why are messages getting spam on Xiaomi?

The MIUI system uses a built-in message filtering algorithm that analyzes:

• 📱 Sending: numbers with non-standard prefixes (e.g, +79xxxx instead +7(9xx)xxx-xx-xx), bulk mailings from banks or services.
• 📧 Content: Keywords such as “winning”, “promo code”, “pay urgently”, and links to suspicious domains (e.g, bit.ly/... or tinyurl.com).
• 🔄 Sending frequency: If more than 3 messages are sent from one number per day, they are automatically labeled as spam.
• 🛡️ Database MIUI: Xiaomi is working with telecom operators (such as MTS, Beeline) and services like Kaspersky to update lists of fraudulent numbers.

The algorithm is not perfect, however: sometimes legitimate messages, such as confirmation codes from Telegram or notifications from Sberbank, are spammed, because MIUI analyzes not only text but also metadata (sending time, sender geolocation).

Fun fact: On some Xiaomi models (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+), a spam folder can automatically clear after 30 days if you haven’t logged in, which is designed to save memory, but often results in the loss of important data.

Where to look for the Spam folder in the standard Messages app

Most Xiaomi smartphones have a folder with spam hidden, but it's easy to find if you know the way. Open the Messages app (the envelope icon) and follow these steps:

1. Press three points (⋮) top-right.
2. Select Spam or Unwanted (in English firmware - Spam).
3. If there is no item, tap on Settings → General settings → Spam filter.

On some versions of MIUI (e.g., MIUI 13 for Xiaomi 12T), the folder may be called the Recycle Bin or Archive. If you can't see it at all, check:

• 🔍 Have you upgraded the Messages app to the latest version on Google Play.
• 📱 Are you using a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) that can hide system folders.
• 🛠️ Have spam filtering been turned off in the security settings (Settings) → Annexes → Communications → Permits).

If the folder never appeared, you may have a global version of MIUI installed on your device (for example, for the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite), where the spam filtering function is disabled by default, in which case you will have to turn it on manually, we will talk about this in the next section.

How to enable spam filtering if the folder is missing

If there's no spam section in the Messages app, it's likely that the filter function is disabled to activate it:

1. Open the phone settings.
2. Go to the Apps → Application management.
3. Find the Messages and tap him.
4. Select Permissions → SMS.
5. Make sure SMS Reading and Spam Filtering options are enabled.

If you don’t have an option, try an alternative method:

1. Open the application Security (MIUI Security).
2. Go to Privacy Protection → Spam filter.
3. Activate the Message Filter switch.

After that, the Spam folder should appear in the Messages app. If not, check if the phone has custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) installed, where the filtering function may work differently.

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On some Xiaomi models (e.g. POCO F5), the spam folder only appears after the first unwanted message is received. Send yourself a test SMS with the text "Promocode" - this can initiate the creation of the folder.

How to recover messages from spam if they are gone

If an important message has disappeared from the Spam folder, try the following recovery methods:

If the messages are missing after the update MIUI, check the folder MIUI/Backup/AllBackup Sometimes it's a temporary file manager. SMS In.db format (e.g. mmsms.db). SQL-editor or specialized software, such as DB Browser for SQLite.

⚠️ Note: Do not use recovery software SMS Some utilities (like Dr.Fone) can overwrite the remaining data, making recovery impossible.

How to turn off spam filtering if it interferes

If the MIUI algorithm sends messages to spam too aggressively (for example, blocking codes from VKontakte or Tinkoff), filtering can be turned off:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Messages → Permissions.
2. Turn off the spam filtering option.
3. In the Messages app, go to Settings → General Settings and deactivate Spam Blocking.

After that, all messages will be sent to the main drawer, but be prepared for an increase in the number of unwanted mailings.

1. Open the Spam folder in the Messages app.
2. Tap on the desired message and choose Add to Contacts or Allow.
3. Or manually add the number to the contacts marked "Favorites".

Some firmware (e.g. MIUI for POCO X5 Pro) have a separate Exception setting where you can specify numbers or keywords that will never get spammy to find it:

Settings → Applications → Messages → Spam filter → Exceptions

What to do if spam messages come despite filtering

If the MIUI filter can’t handle spam blocking, try these methods:

• 📵 Manually Blocking Numbers: Open a Spam Message → Details. → Lock down.
• 🔍 Third-party apps: Truecaller, Hiya or Kaspersky Who Calls better detect fraudulent numbers.
• 📡 Operator settings: some operators (e.g. Television)2) They offer a free service called Antispam. Activate it through USSD-team *111*321#.
• 🛡️ "Do Not Disturb" mode: in Settings → Notifications → Do not disturb you can block all messages from unknown senders.

If spam comes from short numbers (e.g. 1234 or 5555), these may be service notifications from banks or government services. To avoid blocking them, add numbers to the exceptions as described in the previous section.

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters often disguise themselves as official messages from Sberbank or State Services using numbers such as +7(900)123-45-67. Never follow links from such a place. SMS, Even if they look legitimate!

Differences in different versions of MIUI and Xiaomi models

The location of the Spam folder and its functionality depend on the MIUI version and the phone model.

On devices with MIUI for Russia (e.g. Redmi 10C), the spam folder may not be available due to localization, in which case use third-party filtering apps or set up a lock via the operator.

FAQ: Frequent questions about spam on Xiaomi

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On Xiaomi smartphones, the Spam folder may be called differently (Unwanted, Recycle Bin, Archive) or not at all – it all depends on the version of MIUI and regional firmware. If standard methods do not help, use third-party applications like Truecaller or contact the carrier.