How to watch a story on a Xiaomi phone: browser, calls, messages and apps

Xiaomi smartphones based on firmware MIUI or new HyperOS store extensive information about user actions - from visited web pages to call logs and SMS. However, finding this data is not always intuitive: the interface often changes with the release of new versions of the software, and some features are hidden in the depth of settings, POCO, Xiaomi and Black Shark, including dual-firmware models (Global/China).

We'll look at the official ways to access history through standard apps, and alternative methods for cases where data is deleted or hidden. We'll focus on the nuances of working with Mi Browser, Google Chrome, call log and messages. If you're looking for a way to recover a deleted history or track activities through your Mi Account, here's a solution.

1. How to view the history of the browser on Xiaomi

Xiaomi smartphones use the Mi Browser browser by default, but many users install Google Chrome or other alternatives.

In Mi Browser, the story is stored locally and synced with the Mi Account (if you have an option enabled) to open it:

1. Launch the Mi Browser (Blue Globe icon).
2. Touch the icons «⋮» (three points) in lower right corner.
3. Select the "History" item.
4. This will show the sites you visited, grouped by date, and to search for a particular page, use the search bar at the top.

If you use Google Chrome, the algorithm is different.

• 🔍 Open Chrome and tap the icon «⋮» top-right.
• 📄 Choose "History" (History) → «History" (once again).
• 🔄 Here you can filter entries by date or search by keywords.
• ☁️ If you are logged in to a Google Account, history syncs between devices.

Important: MIUI 14 and HyperOS history in Mi Browser can be automatically cleared when you log out or reset your settings. To avoid this, check your sync settings in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronization.

2. Review of call history

The call log on Xiaomi stores not only numbers, but also the duration of conversations, the type of call (outgoing / incoming / missed), as well as the geolocation of the contact (if the corresponding function is enabled).

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Go to the "Recents" tab.
3. So you'll see the latest calls, and you'll tap any number to get details about the date, time and duration.

If the log is empty or not all records are displayed, check:

• 📱 Filter settings: At the top of the log screen, a filter may be active (e.g., only skipped filters).
• 🔄 Sync with Google Contacts: Settings → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
• 🗑️ Auto-cleaning: in MIUI There is a function to automatically delete old records (disables in Settings). → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Clean the journal).

Use third-party apps like Call Logs Backup & Restore (available on Google Play) to export your call history to a file.This is useful if you plan to reset your phone or upgrade to a new device.

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If your phone's call records are missing, check if Hidden Numbers are enabled in your phone's settings, and sometimes it's activated randomly through Settings. → Special facilities → Call management.

3. History of communications (SMS and MMS)

Messages on Xiaomi are stored in the standard Messages app, unlike call history, SMS not synced to the cloud by default (except for backups via Mi Cloud) to view correspondence:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Choose a dialogue with the right contact.
3. Scroll up to see old messages. Search by text using the magnifying glass icon.

If the messages are deleted, you can try to restore them:

• 🔄 Through Mi Cloud: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Data recovery (if backup was enabled).
• 📱 With the help of third-party utilities, for example SMS Backup & Restore (requires root rights for deep scanning).
• 💾 Backup on PC (if you previously created a backup through Mi) PC Suite).

HyperOS has a message-based Smart Search feature: it searches not only by text but also by attachments (photos, videos). To use it, open the Messages app and pull the screen down, the search bar will appear.

4. Notification history

MIUI HyperOS allows you to view the history of notifications that have been deleted or missed, and this feature is useful if you accidentally close an important alert:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification history.
2. Turn on the "Notification History" switch.
3. All notifications will now be saved for 7 days (the time limit can be changed in the settings).

To view the saved notifications:

• 📲 Open the Notification Curtain (swipe down from the top edge of the screen).
• 🔍 Slip on the icon "History" (watch icon) in the upper right corner.
• 🗂️ All notifications grouped by application will be displayed here.

Note that notification history is not saved for system alerts (e.g. low battery charge) and some secure applications (e.g. banking), and the feature may not work on custom firmware devices.

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Notification history takes up extra space in memory, and if you don’t need it, turn it off in the settings to save up to 50 to 100 MB of storage.

5. Application activity history (screen time)

If you want to know how much time you spent in specific applications or what programs were running in the background, use the built-in Screen Time (or Digital Wellbeing in global versions). MIUI). These statistics help to control smartphone usage and identify “gluttonous” apps.

To view the activity history:

1. Go to Settings. → Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls (Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls).
2. Select the tab "Statistics".
3. Here you will see the schedule of application use per day / week, as well as the number of unlocks of the screen.
4. Slip on any app to see detailed information (use times, notifications, background activity).

For more in-depth analysis, you can use third-party apps like ActionDash or StayFree, which provide advanced reports, including:

• 📊 Daily/weekly usage trends.
• 🔋 Impact of applications on battery charge.
• 📵 Frequency of notification verification.

In HyperOS, Screen Time is integrated with Mi Account, allowing you to synchronize statistics between devices (such as a smartphone and tablet). → Mi Account → Synchronization → Screen time.

6 How to Recover a Deleted History

If your browser history, calls, or messages have been deleted, you can try to restore it, and success depends on whether backups were enabled and how long ago the cleanup took place.

Recovery methods:

To recover via Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select "Data Recovery."
3. Specify the type of data (for example, “Browser History” or “Call log”).
4. Confirm the recovery and wait for the process to be completed.

⚠️ Warning: Recovery from Mi Cloud will overwrite current records. If you add new contacts or messages after deleting your history, they may be lost. Always create a local copy before restoring it.

If you don’t have backups, you can try specialized tools for scanning the device’s memory, such as Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver. These work even without root rights, but the effectiveness depends on whether the data has been overwritten by new files.

7 How to hide or clean up a story

If you need to remove activity traces (e.g., before transferring your phone to another person), use built-in cleaning tools. It is important to understand that some data may remain in the system even after “deleting” – especially when it comes to app cache and methodologies.

Clearing the history of the browser:

• 🌐 In Mi Browser: ⋮ → History → Delete (you can select a date range).
• 🔍 Chrome: ⋮ → History → Clear the data → Select a period.

Deletion of the call log and SMS:

• 📞 For calls: open the "Phone» → «Journal» → ⋮ → Delete everything.
• 💬 For messages: in the Messages app, hold your finger in the dialogue → «Delete».

To completely clean the system (for example, before selling the phone), reset to factory settings:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Delete all data”.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Even after a reset, some data can be recovered using specialized software. If you are selling a phone, it is recommended to encrypt the storage before resetting: Settings → Security → Encrypting the phone, making data recovery almost impossible.

Archive important files to a PC or cloud

Record logins/passwords from accounts

Unlock the device from Mi Account (Settings) → Mi Account → Delete the account)

Get out. SIM-card and memory card (if any)

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8.Alternative ways to track activity

If standard methods don't work (e.g. history cleared or device locked), third-party tools can be used, and these fall into two categories:

1. Local utilities – work directly on the phone (require installation).
2. Remote services – track activity through your account (e.g. Mi Cloud or Google Dashboard).

Popular monitoring applications:

• 📱 App Usage – Shows application usage time and launch history.
• 🔍 History Eraser – Clears cache and history, but can also save logs.
• 🛡️ Cerberus – anti-theft software with remote viewing of activity.

Google Family Link or Xiaomi Parental Controls (available in the app) MIUI through settings → Special facilities → Parental control: these tools allow:

• Limit the time of use of applications.
• View the history of the child's browser.
• Block access to certain websites or programs.

If you need to track your device remotely (for example, in case of theft), activate Find Device in Mi Cloud:

1. Go to i.mi.com.
2. Sign in to your Mi Account.
3. Select a device and view its location, travel history, and active applications.

⚠️ Warning: Remote tracking via Mi Cloud only works when the Internet is turned on and geolocation services are on the target device. If the phone is turned off or in airplane mode, the data will not be updated.

FAQ: Frequent questions