How to delete all messages on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T at once: 5 proven ways

Why the standard message deletion on the Redmi Note 8T is uncomfortable

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T owners often face the need to clear SMS/MMS history — whether before selling a phone, for memory freeup or just for privacy. However, the standard Messages app interface in MIUI does not offer an obvious “Delete Everything” button. Instead, the user has to manually highlight each message or conversation, which takes minutes or even hours with a large amount of correspondence.

Compounding the problem, the Redmi Note 8T (M1908C3XG) defaults to not synchronizing SMS with the Mi Cloud unless it was activated in advance, meaning that if important messages are accidentally deleted, it will be extremely difficult to recover them, and many users are unaware of the hidden MIUI features that allow massively managing correspondence without third-party applications.

In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to delete all messages on the Redmi Note 8T at once – from standard tools to advanced methods using ADB and alternative messengers, and learn how to avoid losing important data and what to do if messages suddenly disappear after cleaning.

Method 1: Mass removal through the standard Messages app

The easiest method is to use the built-in features of the Messages app (an envelope icon) and does not require root rights or additional software installation, but has limitations: for example, you can not delete messages from the Spam folder or archived correspondence.

To delete all SMS/MMS at once:

1. Open the Messages app on the Redmi Note 8T.
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select "Settings».
3. Go to the section “More” → “Cleaning messages”.
4. Activate the “Delete all messages” option and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: This method deletes all messages, including service messages (from banks, operators) and unread. If you need to save some correspondence, use selective deletion (press your finger on the message). → pick out → press "Delete»).

Make a backup copy of important SMS|Check the Spam folder for the right messages.|Close the background applications to speed up the process|Make sure the battery is charged more than 30 times%-->

Method 2: Use the Cleanup function in MIUI

MIUI It has a built-in “Security” tool. → Cleaner, which allows you to delete unnecessary files, including SMS. This method is suitable if you want not only to clean messages, but also to free the memory of the phone from garbage.

Instructions:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the "Cleaning" tab.
3. Click on “Deep Cleanup” and wait for the system analysis.
4. In the "Messages" section, tick all correspondence and click "Clear".

The advantage of this method is that it can preview messages before deleting them, but it doesn’t always recognize SMS from system applications (such as notifications from Mi Pay or Mi Home).

Once a week.|Once a month|Just before the phone is sold.|Never clean.-->

Method 3: Reset to factory settings (complete cleaning)

If you not only need to delete messages, but also completely erase all data from the Redmi Note 8T (for example, before selling), use hard reset.This method removes all SMS, contacts, photos and applications, returning the phone to the “out of the box” state.

⚠️ Note: After reset, it will not be possible to restore messages unless backup is created in Mi Cloud or through the Reset. TWRP. Make sure you keep important data!

How to perform the reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Enter a pattern lock or PIN-code.
4. Confirm the action by clicking “Reset”.

It takes 5-10 minutes. After you reboot, the phone will suggest you set it up as new. If you plan to use it further, remember to disable your Mi Account prior to reset, otherwise you will need to enter your login/password when you first turn on.

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Before reset, check if your Redmi Note 8T is linked to a Google account (FRP setting). If so, delete your account in Settings → Accounts, otherwise, after the reset, the phone will require you to enter the data of the previous owner.

Method 4: Delete messages via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods fail (for example, due to a bug in the Messages app), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the phone to your computer and enabling Developer Mode.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version until the notification “You’re a Developer!” appears. Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers. Enable “Debugging on USB”.

Redmi Note 8T

ADB Tools

Win + R → cmd

adb devices

Make sure the device is identified (should appear its serial number).

adb shell content delete --uri content://sms/

To remove MMS, use:

adb shell content delete --uri content://mms-sms/

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not follow commands unless you are sure of their purpose, such as the error command adb shell rm. -rf /data Delete all user data without recovery!

Method 5: Third-Party Applications for SMS Management

If the built-in MIUI tools don’t suit you, you can use third-party apps from Google Play, which offer advanced features: automatic cleaning, archiving, keyword search, and even spam blocking.

Top.-3 mass-disposal SMS on the Redmi Note 8T:

• 📱 SMS Organizer (from Microsoft) – automatically sorts messages and offers cleaning by category (bank, social networks, spam).
• 🗑️ Clean Master – has a module to remove old SMS memory-free.
• 🔍 SMS Backup & Restore – Allows you to back up before mass deletion.

How to use SMS Organizer:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give you access to the SMS.
3. Go to the "Cleaning" tab.
4. Select “Delete All” or select specific categories (such as “Spam” or “Promo”).
5. Confirm the action.

Third-party apps have the advantage of having the flexibility to set up, for example, SMS Backup & Restore allows you to automatically delete messages older than 30 days, leaving only current ones.

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Third-party apps can request access to contacts and call history. Before installing, check reviews and rankings on Google Play to avoid data leakage.

How to Recover Accidentally Deleted Messages on Redmi Note 8T

If you delete important SMS and want to return them, there are several ways to restore them – but they only work if you meet the conditions:

• 🔄 Backup in Mi Cloud – if sync is enabled (Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization → Communications).
• 💾 Local backup – through applications like SMS Backup & Restore (if you have a copy in advance).
• 🛠️ Recovery software such as Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver (require root permissions for deep scanning).

To recover SMS from Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select “Restore from backup”.
3. Sign in to your Mi Account.
4. Choose the most recent copy containing the messages.

⚠️ Warning: Restore from the Mi Cloud backup will overwrite the current data on the phone. SMS You have received new messages, they will be lost, and it is recommended to save them manually first (for example, by taking screenshots).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you massively delete messages on the Redmi Note 8T, users often face typical problems.

• 🚫 Error: "Failed to delete messages" Reason: Messages app malfunctions or insufficient memory Solution: Restart your phone or clear the app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Communications → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🔒 Error: “No right to delete” Reason: Limitations MIUI for system applications. Solution: Use ADB or third-party applications with administrator rights.
• ⏳ Error: Deletion takes too long Cause: Large volume of messages (thousands) SMS). Solution: Break the process apart – delete messages 500–1000 at a time.

If none of these methods worked, check if there are SMS blocking apps on your phone (like Truecaller or Hiya) that can intercept commands to delete.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions