Recovering Deleted WhatsApp Messages on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Backups and Local Files

You're not alone: Statistically, one in three users of the messenger has lost data at least once due to accidental clicking or resetting. Fortunately, there are several ways to recover deleted SMS on Redmi, POCO or Mi devices, from standard backups to little-known tricks with local files.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven methods, including Google Drive recovery, manually extracting data from the WhatsApp/Databases folder, and even ways to return messages without a backup (if you act quickly). Importantly, the effectiveness of each method depends on when the messages were deleted and what settings were activated on your Xiaomi.

1. Recovery via Google Drive (the most reliable way)

If your Xiaomi has automatic backup enabled on Google Drive, you can return deleted messages in minutes, which works even after you completely reset your phone or reinstall WhatsApp – the main thing is that the copy was created before you delete the SMS.

How to check if there is a backup copy:

1. Open WhatsApp. → ⋮ (three-point) → Settings → chat → Backup copy.
2. Look at the date of the last save. If it's newer than when you delete the messages, the copy contains the data you want.

• ✅ Pros: No root rights, works on all Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11).
• ⚠️ Cons: If the copy is old, restore the data only before the date of creation of the copy.
• 🔄 Important: When you restore all messages received after you create a copy will be deleted.

Step-by-step:

1. Remove WhatsApp from your smartphone (required!).
2. Install the messenger again from Google Play.
3. When you first start, enter the same phone number as before.
4. When the request “Restore from Google Drive?” appears, click “Restore”.
5. Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes depending on the size of the copy).

⚠️ Warning: If no messages appear after recovery, check that you are using the same Google account that the backup is tied to!

2. Local recovery from the WhatsApp/Databases folder

If Google Drive didn't help or the copy is too old, try recovering messages from a local backup that WhatsApp creates automatically every day at 4:00 (default) These files are stored in the phone's memory and may contain data that isn't in the cloud.

Where to look:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer or use a File Manager (e.g., Mi File Explorer).
2. Go to /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases (if there is no folder, check /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Databases).
3. Look for files such as msgstore.db.crypt14 (up-to-date copy) or msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14 (archives).

How to restore:

1. Copy the file you want (e.g., msgstore-2026-05-15.1.db.crypt14) to your computer.
2. Rename it to msgstore.db.crypt14.
3. Remove WhatsApp from your smartphone.
4. Return the renamed file back to the Databases folder.
5. Install WhatsApp again and confirm the recovery on the first run.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ Access to the WhatsApp folder may be restricted. If files are not displayed, turn on the hidden folder in the Mi File Explorer settings. → Show hidden files).

Make a copy of the WhatsApp folder on your PC|Make sure there is enough room on the phone|Disable the automatic WhatsApp update|Check out the Crypt version (should be 12 or 14)-->

3. Use of third-party programs (for experienced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can try specialized data recovery tools that scan Xiaomi’s memory at the file system level and can even find deleted messages that didn’t make it to backups. However, this method requires caution: some programs can damage data or contain malicious code.

Top.-3 test-driven:

• 🛠️ Dr.Fone - WhatsApp Recovery (paid but with a free trial) MIUI And it works without root rights.
• 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver (free for scanning, recovery fee) finds archive copies well.
• 📱 GT Recovery: The most powerful tool, but risky for beginners.

How to use Dr.Fone (Step-by-step):

1. Install the program on your PC and connect Xiaomi via USB (enable Debugging by USB in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version → 7 times click on the version).
2. Select the "Restore WhatsApp" mode.
3. Follow the program instructions (access confirmation on your phone may be required).
4. After scanning, select the recovery messages and save them in.html or.txt format.

⚠️ Attention: Programs like GT Recovery requires root rights, which can lead to the loss of warranty on Xiaomi, and after receiving root, some banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online) will cease to work.

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Before using third-party software, create a full phone backup via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset on Xiaomi.This will protect your data if something goes wrong.

4. Recovery via mail or notifications (if new messages)

If the messages were recently deleted (within 1-2 days), you can try to find them in notifications or email archives, which rarely works, but does not require any technical skills.

Where to look:

• 📧 Email: If WhatsApp settings enable the option “Send copies of messages to email” (Settings) → chat → Chat history → Export chat), check the inbox or WhatsApp folder in your mailbox.
• 🔔 Notification log: On Xiaomi go to Settings → Notifications → Notification log: Message text can be saved here (if the function is enabled).
• 📁 Chat export: If you have ever exported chat (Open chat) → ⋮ → Export, look for the.txt file in the Downloads folder or WhatsApp/Exported.

How to enable future notifications:

1. Open Settings → Notifications → Additional.
2. Activate the option "Notifications log".
3. Return to Notification Settings → WhatsApp and allow notifications to be displayed.

5. Recovery without backup (emergency method)

If there are no backups and messages were deleted less than 7 days ago, there is a chance to return them via WhatsApp cache or temporary files.This method does not guarantee a 100% result, but sometimes helps to return the last dialogues.

What to do:

1. Install DiskDigger on Xiaomi (available on Google Play).
2. Run a deep scan (requires root permissions for maximum efficiency).
3. In the results, look for files with the.db extension or containing the word "whatsapp".
4. Export the files you find and try to open them through DB Browser for SQLite (a free PC program).

Alternative method (without root):

• 🔄 Reinstall WhatsApp, but don’t confirm recovery from copy.
• 📂 Immediately after installation, check the folder WhatsApp/Databases — Sometimes there are temporary files with the latest messages.
• 📧 Send yourself a chat export (Open chat) → ⋮ → Exports – sometimes deleted messages are displayed in the exported file.

⚠️ Note: Methods without backup only work if Xiaomi has not rebooted after deleting messages. Each reboot reduces the chances of success as the system clears the cache.

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If the messages have been deleted for a long time (more than a week) and there are no backups, the chances of recovery are close to zero, in which case you only need to ask the sender to send the messages again.

6. How to prevent future loss of messages

To avoid losing important WhatsApp SMS, set up automatic backups and use additional archiving tools. Xiaomi does this in 5 minutes:

Mandatory settings:

• ☁️ Cloud Copy: Enable daily backup to Google Drive (Whatsapp Settings) → chat → Backup copy → Select “Daily” and enter a Google account.
• 📁 Local Copies: Copy the folder regularly WhatsApp/Databases PC-based.
• 📧 Exporting important chats: For critical conversations, use the "Export Chat" function (saves messages to.txt or.zip).
• 🔄 Synchronization with MI Cloud: Xiaomi can enable backup of messages in MI Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi account → MI Cloud → Backup).

Additional measures:

• 🔒 Protection against accidental deletion: Enable Chat Archivation (Settings) → chat → Archiving all chats – this hides the dialogues, but does not delete them.
• 🛡️ Cleaning Block: Use apps like AppLock to block access to WhatsApp for children or strangers.
• 📲 Double check: Before removing important messages, export them or take a screenshot (Power button) + Reduce the volume on Xiaomi).

For users of Xiaomi with MIUI 13/14 There is an additional function - "Secure storage" (Settings) → Password and security → Secure storage. You can save your exported chats under protection. PIN-fingerprint.

FAQ: Frequent questions about restoring SMS to WhatsApp on Xiaomi