Where to look for SMS in Xiaomi smartphones: from a standard application to hidden folders

Lost an important message on Xiaomi or just can't find where MIUI stores SMS? You're not alone: the shell interface changes often and messages can "hide" in unexpected places. In this article, we'll look at all possible ways to access SMS, from obvious to hidden.

Many users mistakenly think that messages are only stored in the standard Messages app. In fact, Xiaomi duplicates them in several places, from system folders to cloud backups. And if you use messengers like Google Messages or Truecaller, SMS can even “go” to third-party software. We have collected 5 proven methods to ensure that you find the messages you need – even if they were deleted or archived.

Note: the instructions are valid for MIUI 14/15 and all modern Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models. If you have an outdated firmware version (e.g. MIUI 12), some menu items may differ – we will warn you about this separately.

1. Standard Messages app: where to look and how to set up

The most obvious way is to open the built-in Messages app (an icon with a white bubble on a green background), but even here there are pitfalls: SMS can be hidden due to filters, archiving or synchronization errors.

To see all messages, including system and service:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select General Settings → Show all messages (turn on the slider).
4. Go back to the main menu and check the tabs: 📩 All the main stream. 🔍 Spam – messages from banks, services and unknown numbers (sometimes mistaken) are sent here). 📁 Archives – if you have manually archived SMS. 🔄 Unread – Filter for quick access.

If there are no messages here, check:

• 📱 Synchronization with SIM-map: go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [yours SIM] → Reports on SIM. Maybe, SMS saved on a card, not in the phone memory.
• 🔄 Cloud synchronization: in MIUI There is a backup function SMS Mi Cloud. Check if it's included in Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization → Communications.

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If you use two of them SIM-maps, messages can be divided into tabs depending on the sender number. To see everything together, tap on the filter icon (☰) upper right corner of the annex "Messages".

2.SMS search through system folders: where are messages physically stored

All SMS in Android (including MIUI) is stored in the database mmsms.db. Access to it can be obtained through the file manager or ADB, but there are nuances:

📂 The path to base SMS:

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

To open this folder:

1. You will need root rights or access through ADB (without root, you can only copy the database, but not edit it).
2. Use a root-enabled file manager (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
3. Copy the mmsms.db file to your computer and open it via SQLite Browser or DB Browser for SQLite.

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Attention: Do not edit the database manually unless you are sure of your actions! An error can result in the loss of all messages or the failure of the Messages application.

An alternative way is to use SMS export applications, such as:

• 📲 SMS Backup & Restore – Exporting Messages to the Internet XML/CSV.
• 📱 Super Backup & Restore – Restore SMS cloud-to-mortar.
• 🔄 Mi Mover (built-in to the MIUI) — portable SMS switching.

3. SMS on SIM-How to read and transfer the phone

Many people forget that SIM-card keeps it, too SMS — However, the number of messages is limited (usually 20 to 50 messages:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map → Reports on SIM.
3. It's all going to be here. SMS, They're saved on a map. They can be saved: 📤 Transfer to the phone (button "Copy to the phone»). 🗑️ Delete (will make room for new messages). 📋 View (but can only be answered from the standard application).

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Attention: Reports to SIM-The card is not synced to the cloud and is not backed up automatically. SIM, these SMS will be lost forever.

If the Message button on SIM is not in the settings:

• 📶 Check that SIM-The card is active and correctly inserted.
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the menu appears after the reboot.
• 📱 Very old models (MIUI 10 and below) the path may be different: Settings → Additionally. → SIM-map → Communications.

In the memory of the phone|Nana SIM-map|In the cloud (Mi) Cloud/Google)|I use messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)|I don't store it, I remove it.-->

4.Cloud Backups: How to Recover SMS from Mi Cloud and Google

Xiaomi automatically backs up SMS to Mi Cloud if sync is enabled to recover messages:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Make sure that the Slider Synchronization messages are enabled.
3. Slip on Restore and select a backup with the desired date.

🔄 Recovery through Google:

If you use Google Messages (the app from Google instead of the standard one):

1. Open Google Messages → Three Dots → Settings → Archiving and Recovery.
2. Enable Message Backup (if not already enabled).
3. To restore: reinstall the app and log in to the same Google account.

📌 Comparison of cloud services for SMS:

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If you reset your phone to factory settings, first check your backups in Mi Cloud or Google, and you can only restore it until the first new sync is done, and then the old data can be overwritten!

5 Third-party messengers: where else can your SMS be

Many users are unaware that their SMS is automatically redirected to third-party apps.

• 🤖 Google Messages – If you installed it as the default app, everything is SMS It will be here, not in the standard Xiaomi app.

🔍 How to find an app that steals yours SMS:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three points → Special access → Access to SMS.
3. This will show all programs that have read/send permissions.

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Note: Some applications (such as Truecaller or banking services) require access to SMS to work properly, and disabling rights may cause malfunctions in their functionality.

Delete the cache of the "Messages" application (Settings) → Annexes → Communications → Warehouse → Clear the cache)|Check the default settings (Settings) → Annexes → By default. → Annex for SMS)|Disable unnecessary applications in the Access section SMS|Reboot your phone after the changes-->

6 If SMS is missing: how to recover deleted messages

Have you deleted an important message? Don't panic -- there are a few ways to get it back:

1. Check the Recycle Bin (if enabled): Open the Messages app → three dots → Recycle Bin. In MIUI, messages are stored in the Recycle Bin for 30 days before final deletion.
2. Restore from backup: If backup is enabled in Mi Cloud or Google Drive, try recovering data (see Section 4). Use Backup & Restore SMS if you have done local backups.

Use the recovery software

• 🛠️ Dr.Fone (Windows/macOS) — restore SMS Even without root, but with limitations.
• 📱 GT Recovery (Android) – works with root access.

🚨 What NOT to do after removal SMS:

• 📵 Do not write new messages – they can overwrite deleted data in memory.
• 🔋 Don’t discharge your phone to zero – it can interrupt the recovery process.
• 🔄 Do not update the firmware – it will reset temporary files.

Important: If you used the Cleanup function in the Security App (the built-in antivirus Xiaomi), it will be almost impossible to restore SMS – this application deletes data irrevocably.

7. Alternative methods: export SMS to file or computer

If you need to save SMS for a long time (for example, for court, work or archive), export them in a convenient format:

• 📄 In a text file (TXT/CSV): Use it. SMS Backup & Restore → Exports → You can open the file in Excel or Google Sheets.
• 📧 In Google Messages: Open a dialogue → three-point → Chat exports → mail.
• 💻 On the computer: Connect the phone to USB, Turn on File Transfer. Copy the folder. /sdcard/SMSBackupRestore (if used SMS Backup & Restore).

🔧 For advanced users:

If you want full control of SMS, you can use ADB to export your database.

adb backup -f sms_backup.ab com.android.providers.telephony

This team will create a file. sms_backup.ab To read it, you'll need a converter (like an abe (Android Backup Extractor)).

FAQ: Frequent questions about SMS on Xiaomi