How to completely delete messages from Xiaomi: 7 working ways

Deleting messages on Xiaomi smartphones only seems like a simple task, and in practice, users face unexpected nuances, from the lack of a “Delete Everything” button in the standard Message app to the inability to erase correspondence in some messengers without a trace. In this article, we will analyze all current methods - from basic to advanced, including removal through the MIUI Security, cache dumping and even working with ADB-technically-savvy.

We'll focus on the differences between the models: for example, on Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5, the deletion algorithm in Google Messages is different from the standard Mi Messages app. We'll also uncover the myths of "irrevocable deletion" -- where the backups of messages are actually stored and how to clean them. If you're looking for a way to erase correspondence so that it can't be restored even through the Mi Cloud, here's the answer.

1. Standard deletion through the "Messages" app

The basic method is suitable for most Xiaomi models (from Redmi 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra) and does not require additional tools. Importantly, this method removes messages only from the application interface, but they can remain in backups of the Mi Cloud or cache.

To delete a separate message:

• 📱 Open the Messages app (Icon with envelope).
• 🔍 Find the right dialogue and hold your finger on the message for 2 seconds.
• 🗑️ Click on the basket icon in the top menu (or select “Delete” in the context menu).
• ✅ Confirm the action if a request appears.

For mass removal:

1. Click the first message in the list, then tick the rest.
2. Click "Delete Everything" (on some MIUI 14+ firmware, the button is called "Clean").
3. If you do not have an option, use the filter by date: ⋮ → Settings → Clear old messages.

💡

On smartphones with MIUI 13 and below, mass removal may not work for SMS from banks (e.g. Sberbank or Tinkoff), in this case, use the method through Settings. → Annexes (section 3).

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Does not delete messages from Mi Cloud (should be cleaned separately).
• ❌ In some models (for example, POCO X5 Pro) does not work for MMS invest.
• ❌ Recover deleted messages through programs like Dr.Fone within 30 days.

2. Removal via MIUI Security (hidden function)

MIUI 12-14 firmware has a hidden deep-cleaning tool that not all users notice, which allows data to be erased so that it cannot be recovered by standard methods (but does not guarantee protection from professional software).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Messages (or Google Messages if you use it).
3. Go to the Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Select Clear all data (this will remove and app settings!).

For deeper cleaning:

• 🔒 Go to Settings. → Memory. → Cleanup.
• 🔍 Select the Deep Cleanup tab.
• 📤 Scroll to the "Messages" section and click Clear.
• 🔄 Confirm the action (reboot may be required).

Important: This method resets all Messages settings, including:

• List of favorite contacts.
• Notification settings (sound, vibration).
• Spam filters (they will have to be reconfigured).

3. Deletion of messages in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

Standard SMS and messengers store data differently. On WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber, deleting correspondence does not clean up media files and backups. Let's take a look at the nuances for each.

WhatsApp:

• 🗑️ To delete correspondence: open a chat → ⋮ → More. → Delete the chat.
• 🔄 For complete removal: Settings → chat → Backup → Delete the backup copy of Google Drive.
• 📁 Media files remain in the folder /WhatsApp/Media/ — They need to be manually removed.

Telegram:

• 🧹 Removal for yourself: swipe left via chat → Delete.
• 💥 Delete for All: Hold the Message → Delete → Delete for everyone (works for 48 hours).
• 🗃️ The cache is stored in /Telegram/Telegram Images/ and /Telegram/Telegram Video/.

Viber:

• 🚫 Deleting Chat: Hold the Dialogue → Delete.
• 🔍 Clearing History: Settings → Account. → Synchronization → Clear history.
• ⚠️ Viber does not have a deletion function for everyone – messages remain with the interlocutor.

Critical information: In Telegram, even after deleting a message for everyone, they can remain in Saved Messages or forwarded copies. To guarantee that data is erased, use the Clear cache function in the storage settings (Settings → Data and memory → Storage → Clear cache).

4. Delete via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., messages aren’t deleted due to a database error), you can use ADB, an Android debugging tool that is suitable for models with Bootloader unlocked or USB debugging enabled.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
4. Delete the cache and data of the Messages app: adb shell pm clear com.android.mms For Google Messages use: adb shell pm clear com.google.android.apps.messaging

To delete the SMS database completely (carefully, this is irreversible!):

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/*




exit




exit

Make sure the debugging is done USB included|Make a backup copy of important data|Connect the original USB-cable|Check that the drivers ADB PC-mounted-->

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB Su rights require root access. On most Xiaomi smartphones, after upgrading to MIUI 14 Getting Root Blocks Mi Pay, Widevine L1 (no HD Netflix and some banking apps, only use this method if you're prepared for the consequences.

5. Cleanup of backups in Mi Cloud

Even after deleting messages from your smartphone, copies of them can be stored in Mi Cloud, and if you have previously synced data, they must be cleaned separately, otherwise the next time you log in, the messages will be restored.

How to delete backup copies:

1. Open your Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud
2. Select Messages (or SMS in older versions of MIUI).
3. Click Delete Data from the Cloud (in some firmwares, the option is called Clean).
4. Confirm the action with a password from Mi Account.

If there is no option:

• 🌐 Go to i.mi.com from PC.
• 🔍 Go to the Devices. → [Your smartphone] → Backup copies.
• 🗑️ Find the last copy and click Delete.

What to do if Mi Cloud is not synced:

6. Recovery of accidentally deleted messages

If you delete important messages, you can try to restore them for a limited time, and success depends on whether the memory of the smartphone was overwritten after deletion.

Recovery methods:

• 🔄 Through Mi Cloud: If sync was enabled, check Settings → Mi Cloud → Communications → Restore.
• 📱 Using applications: SMS Backup & Restore, Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver (required root for deep scanning).
• 💻 PC: Connect your smartphone to your computer and use Recuva or DiskDigger (only works if messages are stored on your computer). SD-map).

⚠️ Warning: When recovering through third-party programs, never save recovered files to the same smartphone - this will overwrite the remaining data and make further recovery impossible.

Restrictions of recovery:

• ⏳ Messages deleted more than 30 days ago are almost impossible to recover.
• 🔒 If you update your firmware or reset your settings after deleting, the chances are zero.
• 📵 In messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) recovery is possible only if there is a backup in Google Drive or locally.

💡

The most reliable way to avoid message loss is to back up regularly via Mi Cloud or SMS Backup & Restore. Set up automatic sync to Settings → System → Backup.

7 How to permanently delete messages without the possibility of recovery

If you need to erase your correspondence (for example, before selling your smartphone), standard methods are not enough.

Step 1: Turn off synchronization

• 🔄 Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization → Messages (turn off).
• 🔄 For Google Messages: Settings → Backup and reset → Backup of data (disable).

Step 2: Clear the application data

• 🧹 For standard SMS: Settings → Annexes → Communications → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 🧹 For instant messengers: remove the app and clean its folders manually (/Android/data/com.whatsapp/ etc.).

Step 3: Rewrite down the memory

• 📱 Fill your smartphone storage with large files (like videos), then delete them. Repeat 2-3 times.
• 🔧 Or perform a reset to factory settings: Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings.

Step 4: Check through ADB (optional)

Use the command to check the remaining data:

adb shell ls /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/

If the folder is not empty, repeat the cleaning.

FAQ: Frequent questions