Recovering Remote WhatsApp Messages on Xiaomi: All Ways

Have you deleted important WhatsApp messages on your Xiaomi smartphone and you don't know how to return them? Don't panic - even after cleaning the chat or reinstalling the messenger, there are chances to restore correspondence. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods for Redmi, POCO and Mi devices, including working with backups, hidden folders and specialized utilities.

Xiaomi’s smartphone feature is that MIUI often modifies standard Android processes, so classic data recovery instructions may not work. We’ve taken these nuances into account and adapted the solutions specifically for Xiaomi owners. Importantly, the effectiveness of the methods depends on whether automatic archiving was enabled in the messenger settings and how long ago the data loss occurred.

If you deleted messages less than 30 days ago, the chances of success are maximised. Older chats will require additional tools, which we'll look at, too. Let's start with the most reliable way: recovery from backup.

1.Restore via Google Drive backup

The most reliable way to get back a message is to use an automatic copy in Google Drive if it was set up in advance, a process that has its own peculiarities on Xiaomi due to MIUI optimizations.

To restore the chats:

• 📱 Remove WhatsApp from your smartphone via Settings → Apps → Delete.
• 🔄 Reboot the device (this is important for cache resetting MIUI).
• 📥 Install the messenger again from Google Play.
• 🔑 When you first start, enter the same phone number you used earlier.
• ☁️ On the recovery screen, select Restore from Google Drive backup.

If the copy is not found, check:

• 🔗 Connect to the same Google account that was used for archiving.
• 📡 Stable Internet connection (better via Wi-Fi).
• 📅 The date of the last copy in WhatsApp Settings → Chat → Backup.

Delete WhatsApp through Settings, not just clear data

Connect to Wi-Fi to speed up loading

Use the original phone number

Check the free space on the device (needs a minimum of 2 GB)

Shut down. VPN proxy-server-->

Important for Xiaomi: on some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3), due to MIUI optimizations, it may be necessary to disable “Battery Saving” for Google Play Services in Settings → Battery → Charge Saving. Otherwise, the recovery process will be interrupted.

2. Local recovery from the WhatsApp folder

If you don't have a backup on Google Drive or are out of date, try recovering data from the local backup WhatsApp creates every day at 2:00 local time, which on Xiaomi may be hidden in non-obvious folders.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via the USB- cable (in File Transfer mode).
2. Go to the internal memory folder → WhatsApp → Databases.
3. Find files like msgstore.db.crypt14 (the most recent one is the one with the latest date).
4. Rename it to msgstore.db and copy it to a safe location on your PC.
5. Remove WhatsApp from your smartphone, then install it again.
6. At the first start, the messenger will offer to restore data from the local copy.

On Xiaomi, the Databases folder can be hidden to see it:

• 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files in the file manager (MI File Manager → Settings → Show hidden files).
• 🔐 If the folder is protected, use the FX File Explorer Root rights or application with access to system partitions.

A critical detail for Xiaomi: if you use Mi Cloud to sync files, local WhatsApp backups can be automatically deleted after 7 days. disable this feature in Settings → Mi Cloud → Sync → WhatsApp.

3. Use of third-party utilities (without Root)

If standard methods do not work, you can use specialized programs for data recovery.

• 🛠️ Dr.Fone – WhatsApp Recovery (works without Root but requires a PC connection).
• 🔧 iMobie PhoneRescue (supports MIUI 12/13/14).
• 📱 GT Recovery (an app for Android, but on Xiaomi may require additional permissions).

The algorithm of actions (on the example of Dr.Fone):

1. Install the program on your PC and connect Xiaomi via USB (enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on the version).
2. Select WhatsApp Restore Mode.
3. Follow the instructions of the program to scan the device.
4. After analyzing, select the desired chats and export them in.html or.txt format.

Limitations:

• ⚠️ Without Root rights, programs recover only data that has not been overwritten by new files.
• ⏳ The process can take several hours on devices with 128GB+ memory.
• 💰 Most of the utilities are paid (free versions only show preview data).

Through Google Drive

From the local backup.

With third-party utilities

I haven't tried it yet.

Another way.-->

4. Recovery with Root Rights

If you have Root rights on your Xiaomi, the chances of recovery are multiplied, which allows you to access system partitions where deleted data can be stored.

Tools required:

• 📱 Root Explorer or Solid Explorer (with Root support)
• 💾 DiskDigger (see the Root version).
• 🔧 SQLite Editor for working with WhatsApp databases.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Root Explorer and go to /data/data/com.whatsapp/databases.
2. Find the msgstore.db and wa.db files, which contain your message history.
3. Copy them on your PC and open them via SQLite Editor.
4. Export the messages and chat_list tables to a convenient format.

A warning for Xiaomi:

⚠️ Devices with MIUI often have anti-rollback protections activated after receiving the Root.This can lead to boot loader locking and phone building. Before using Root, make sure that your model is supported by official unlock methods (list on Xiaomi website).

💡

Before you get Root, make a full backup of the device through TWRP Recovery or Mi Flash Tool. On Xiaomi, this is critical, since after unlocking the bootloader, all data will be erased.

5. Recovery via Mi Cloud (if enabled)

Many Xiaomi users are unaware that Mi Cloud can automatically back up apps, including WhatsApp, but this functionality does not work on all models and requires pre-configuration.

How to check and restore:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Check if the application and data synchronization is enabled.
3. If yes, go to Backup Management and find the WhatsApp backup.
4. Click Restore and confirm the action.

Limitations of the method:

If there is no backup in Mi Cloud, but you are sure it should be, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the device and re-enter the Mi Account.
• 📧 Check the Mi Cloud/Backup folder via the web version (i.mi.com).
• 📅 Make sure the backup is created after the last WhatsApp sync.

Alternative methods: appeal for support and legal nuances

If all of these things don't work, there are extreme measures that are effective depending on the situation, but in some cases they can help.

A call for support for WhatsApp:

• 📧 Write to support@whatsapp.com with the subject Urgent: Data Recovery Request.
• 📄 Attach screenshots to prove the importance of lost data (e.g., customer correspondence if you are an IP).
• 🔑 Specify IMEI devices, phone number and date of deletion of messages.

⚠️ Warning: WhatsApp rarely recovers data on such requests, but if the correspondence has legal relevance (e.g., evidence in court), the odds increase, and you may be provided with metadata logs (dates, times), but not the texts themselves.

Legal aspects for Russia and CIS:

• 📜 If correspondence is needed for court, request it through the telecom operator (MegaFon, Beeline, etc.) They are obliged to store the logs of the sent messages for 6 months (FZ №139 "On Communications").
• ⚖️ This will require a court order or a request from the investigating authorities.
• 💼 For corporate correspondence, you can contact WhatsApp Business API (if the account was linked to the business).

Xiaomi with MIUI Global firmware (especially on models for the Chinese market) may have limited access to some system logs, in which case it is better to use original firmware without modifications for a court request.

7. How to prevent future data loss

To avoid the problem of losing correspondence, set up automatic archiving and follow the simple rules:

WhatsApp settings on Xiaomi:

• ☁️ Enable daily backup in Settings → Chat → Backup → Google Drive.
• 📅 Select the frequency: Daily (recommended) or Weekly.
• 🔒 Make sure to Settings → Account → Google is tied to the correct email.

Additional measures for Xiaomi:

• 📱 Disable Battery Optimization for WhatsApp in Settings → Battery → App Selection.
• 🔄 Regularly (once a month) manually create a local backup through WhatsApp Settings → Chat → Backup → Create a copy.
• 💾 Save copies of msgstore.db.crypt14 files to a PC or external drive.

Applications for automatic backup:

• 🛡️ Swift Backup (saves app data, including WhatsApp)
• 📦 Titanium Backup (requires Root, but creates full system shots)
• ☁️ Sync for WhatsApp (synchronizes chats with Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive).

💡

On Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ firmware, enable Data Protection in Settings → Privacy. This will prevent the accidental deletion of critical files, including WhatsApp backups.

FAQ: Frequent questions about restoring correspondence