How to remove messages on Xiaomi: cleaning up SMS, notifications and system alerts

Messages on Xiaomi smartphones — both useful notifications from banks and annoying spam from operators — over time take up gigabytes of memory, slow down the device and create chaos in the interface. Even after switching to instant messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram, many users are faced with the fact that the standard Message application continues to store thousands of SMS messages, including ads, confirmation codes and outdated correspondence.

In this article, we will explore all possible ways to delete messages on Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark devices, from basic menu cleaning to hidden MIUI functions and third-party tools. Special attention will be paid to mass removal, spam filtering and recovery of accidentally erased data. Instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, but most methods work on older versions.

Before you start, check how much space your messages are taking up on your device: go to Settings → About → Memory → Apps and find Messages. If the volume is more than 500 MB, it’s time to act!

1. Standard removal of messages through the application

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Messages app (or Messages in global firmware), a method that is suitable for selectively removing individual SMS or small groups, but is ineffective at clearing thousands of messages.

How to delete messages one by one:

• 📱 Open the Messages app on the home screen or menu.
• 🔍 Find the right dialogue (for example, with a bank or operator).
• 🗑️ Hold your finger on the message to make the check boxes appear, or tap three dots in the upper right corner. → Delete.
• 🧹 Confirm the action by pressing OK.

For mass removal:

1. Press one message in the dialog to activate the selection mode.
2. Check boxes for all unnecessary SMS (you can tap on each or use Select everything at the top).
3. Click on the basket icon (🗑️ Delete) and confirm.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI There's a limitation, you can't delete more than 500 messages at a time. If you're trying to erase a large correspondence, break it up into pieces.

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To quickly find spam, search the Messages app for keywords like “promotion”, “offer”, “cashback” or operator numbers (for example, 900 for Beeline).

2. Automatic cleaning through MIUI settings

Xiaomi has built tools to automatically manage messages into the firmware, but many users are unaware of their existence, allowing you to customize rules to remove old SMS, spam and duplicates without manual intervention.

How to turn on automatic cleaning:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Messages → Storage.
2. Slip on Clear Data (this will delete all messages, including drafts!).
3. For selective cleaning, go back to Settings → Messages → More.
4. Activate options: 🗓️ Delete old messages (set a period, for example 30 days). 🚫 Block spam (includes filtering based on Xiaomi). 🔄 Remove duplicates (useful for the SMS confirmation-coded).

3. Delete via the "Cleaning" menu

MIUI has a built-in Cleanup tool (or Security in global versions) that analyzes the system and suggests removing unnecessary files, including SMS. This method is convenient for mass cleaning, but does not allow selectively save important messages.

Step-by-step:

• 🛠️ Open the Cleanup app (Broomstick icon) or go to Settings → Cleanup.
• 🔍 Wait for the scan to be completed (may take 1-2 minutes).
• 📊 Go to the Deep Cleanup or Large Files tab.
• 🗑️ Find the Messages section and click Clear.
• ✅ Confirm the action if required.

The advantage of this method is that it shows exactly how much space the messages take up (for example, 1.2 GB out of 128 GB). SMS recovery.

⚠️ Note: If you use Google Messages instead of the standard Xiaomi app, the Cleanup feature may not see this data.

4. Hidden MIUI features for messaging management

MIUI firmware contains hidden settings that are not displayed in the main menu, and can be activated through Developer Mode or special commands, which are suitable for advanced users who want total control over SMS.

How to enable hidden options:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the USB debugging option and turn it on.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and use ADB to execute commands: adb shell pm clear com.android.mms This command will completely reset the Messages app by deleting all data.

An alternative way is to use USSD codes to manage SMS:

• 📞 Enter the dialer: ##4636## → Go to Phone Information → Battery (you can reset statistics here, which indirectly affects the work) SMS).
• 🔢 For resetting message settings: ##667## (not working on all models).

5. Recovery of accidentally deleted messages

If you've erased important SMS, not everything is lost. Depending on the model and firmware, there are several ways to get data back -- but you need to act quickly before the memory is overwritten with new files.

Recovery methods:

• 🔄 Backup copy MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup. Select the last copy where the messages were needed. Click Restore and check Messages.

Third-party programmes:

Dr.Fone

Tenorshare UltData

EaseUS MobiSaver

root-right

Cloud services:

Google Drive

Mi Cloud

⚠️ Warning: Do not install recovery software on the same memory partition where the messages were stored - this will reduce the chances of success.

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The most reliable way to avoid losing important SMS is to back up regularly through Settings → Additional → Backup and save them to Mi Cloud or PC.

6. How to permanently disable spam messages

Spam from operators, banks and services is the main reason for clogged SMS storage. MIUI has built-in and third-party tools to block unwanted messages.

Methods of combating spam:

• 🚫 Blacklist in the app: Open messages → three-point → Settings → Block and filter. Add spammer numbers manually or activate Unknown Lock.

Third-party annexes:

Truecaller

SMS Blocker

Subscribe from mailings:

Stop.

Operator filtration:

MTS

Tele2.

Important: If you use two-factor authentication (2FA) via SMS, do not block short bank numbers (e.g. 900, 2020).

7. Alternative applications for SMS

If the standard Messages app from Xiaomi doesn’t suit you, consider third-party messengers with advanced email management features that allow you to archive, encrypt and automatically clear SMS.

Top.-3 alternatives:

To change the default application:

1. Install the selected messenger from Google Play.
2. Open it and follow the setup instructions.
3. Go to Settings → Applications → By default → Application for SMS.
4. Select a new messenger from the list.

Download a backup of current messages |

Check the compatibility of the new app with your version of Android|

Turn off automatic cleaning in the old app |

Set up notifications in the new messenger-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about posts on Xiaomi