Where Xiaomi stores deleted files: disassembling the Mi Cloud and recovering data

Have you accidentally deleted important photos, contacts or documents from a Xiaomi smartphone and now you don’t know where to look for them? or just wondering how backup works in the Mi Cloud ecosystem? In this article, we will examine in detail what happens to deleted files in the Xiaomi cloud, how they are stored, can they be restored and what pitfalls await users.

Many people mistakenly think that when files are deleted, they disappear forever, but they don't. Xiaomi uses a cart mechanism in the cloud, similar to services like Google Drive or iCloud. However, this mechanism has its own features: limited storage life, limits on volume and nuances of synchronization between devices. We will tell you how to avoid data loss, what settings should be checked in advance and what to do if files are lost from the basket.

It is important to understand: the Mi Cloud is not just a storage, but part of the Xiaomi ecosystem, closely integrated with firmware. MIUI. This means that certain features (such as automatic backup) may work differently on devices with a different set of devices. MIUI Global, MIUI China or HyperOS. We'll take these differences into account and give you relevant recommendations for modern models.

What is Mi Cloud and how does it work with deleted files?

Mi Cloud is a cloud service from Xiaomi that offers users 5GB of free storage (with the option to expand for a fee).

• 📱 Synchronization of data between devices (contacts, notes, calendar, SMS).
• 📁 Backup of system settings, applications and multimedia.
• 🗑️ Recycle Bin for Temporary Storage of Deleted Files.
• 🔒 Data protection through two-factor authentication and encryption.

When you delete a file (such as a photo) from a Xiaomi device, it doesn’t disappear immediately.

1. The file is moved to the Mi Cloud Recycle Bin (if synchronization is enabled).
2. It is stored in the cart for 30 days (for free accounts) or 90 days (for paid rates).
3. After the expiration of the term, the file is deleted irrevocably.

Important: the Recycle Bin in Mi Cloud is not the same as the Recycle Bin in the Gallery or the File Manager on the smartphone itself. The local Recycle Bin only stores files for 15 days and does not sync with the cloud. If you delete a file before it can be downloaded to Mi Cloud, you can't restore it through the cloud.

Where to store deleted files in the Xiaomi cloud

From a technical point of view, the data in Mi Cloud is distributed across Xiaomi servers in different regions, for users from Russia and the CIS, the main data centers are located:

• 🇨🇳 China (main servers for global accounts).
• 🇷🇺 Russia (partner servers for local backups).
• 🇸🇬 Singapore 🇮🇳 India (for the Asian region).

Deleted files are not erased from the servers immediately, they are marked as "inactive" and moved to a separate part of the storage. Physically, data can remain on the disk for some time (up to 60 days), but access to them is blocked.

• 🔄 Recovery opportunities in case of user error.
• 🛡️ Protection against accidental removal during synchronization.
• 📊 Optimize server loading (data is deleted by packets).

Xiaomi uses deduplication – if the same file (for example, a standard wallpaper) MIUI) It's loaded with millions of users, and it's stored on a single server, and it saves space, but it makes it harder to recover unique data.

1. whether synchronization for this file type was enabled (Settings) → Mi Cloud → Synchronization).

2. whether there is enough space in the cloud (free tariff - 5 GB).

3. Is the limit on the number of files exceeded (maximum 10,000 files in the basket).-->

How to recover deleted files from Mi Cloud: step-by-step instructions

If the file is still in the Mi Cloud Recycle Bin, you can recover it in a few steps, and it is important to act quickly, after cleaning the Recycle Bin or expiring the storage period, the data will be lost.

Step 1. Open the Mi Cloud basket

• On your smartphone: go to Settings → Mi Cloud → Basket.
• On PC: Go to i.mi.com, log in and select the Recycle Bin section.

Step 2. Find the right file.

Use filters by type (Photos, Videos, Documents) or sort by date of deletion. Please note: files are displayed in packets (e.g., "Deleted 15.05.2026"), open the package to view the content.

Step 3. Restore the file

Select the files you want and click Restore. They will go back to the original folder (e.g. photos to the Gallery, contacts to the Phone Book). If the original folder is deleted, the files will appear in the Mi Cloud section. → My files.

Wi-Fi or mobile internet enabled (files downloaded again)

Is there enough space on the device?

Recovery limit is exceeded (maximum 500 files at a time)

Does the Mi Account match the one from which the files were deleted?-->

Step 4. Check the synchronization

After recovery, wait until sync is complete (the cloud icon in the status bar should stop blinking). If files do not appear, try:

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 📱 Manually update data in Settings → Mi Cloud → Synchronize.
• 💻 Check files on the web version of Mi Cloud.

Limitations and pitfalls of Mi Cloud

Despite the convenience, Mi Cloud has a number of limitations that many users are unaware of, and here are key points that can affect data recovery:

Critical nuances:

• ⚠️ Remote contacts are only stored in the shopping cart for 15 days (instead of 30), even for paid accounts.
• ⚠️ Files from Notes and Calendar don’t get into the bin – they’re deleted immediately.
• ⚠️ If you reset your phone to factory settings without detaching your Mi Account, backups in the cloud can be overwritten.

💡

The most common mistake users make is to manually clean the Mi Cloud Recycle Bin, and then file recovery becomes impossible, even through support.

Another important point: Xiaomi can automatically clean the cart if:

• You have exceeded the storage limit and have not vacated space for 7 days.
• Your account has been blocked for violating the rules (for example, downloading pirated content).
• You have not used the cloud for more than 6 months (the data can be archived).

What to do if files are missing from the Mi Cloud Recycle Bin

If the shelf life has expired or the basket has been cleared, the chances of recovery drop dramatically, but there are several ways that can help:

1. Check local backups

Xiaomi creates local backups when updating MIUI Or reset. They're stored in a folder. /MIUI/backup/AllBackup I'm using the internal drive to find them:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and turn on File Transfer mode.
2. Use a conductor or ADB-Command: Adb pull /sdcard/MIUI/backup/AllBackup
3. Backup copies are.mbk format – you need to extract data MIUI Backup Extractor (available on the XDA Developers).

2.Use third-party tools

To recover deleted files (if they were not overwritten), you can try:

• 📱 DiskDigger (for photos and videos).
• 💻 Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery (if you connect your phone to your PC in Mass Storage mode).
• 🔍 GT Recovery (for messages and contacts).

3. Contact us for Xiaomi support

In rare cases, technical support can recover data if:

• The files were deleted less than 48 hours ago.
• You have a check for payment of a premium account (for priority processing).
• You can provide accurate file details (name, size, date of deletion).

For reference:

1. Go to the support page.
2. Choose Mi Cloud. → Data Recovery.
3. Fill out the form in English (the answer will come within 3-5 days).

💡

If you delete files from a microSD, don’t use it until you recover! Each new record reduces the chances of a successful recovery.

How to Configure Mi Cloud to Avoid Data Loss

The best way to avoid losing data is to set up Mi Cloud in advance.

1. Enable automatic synchronization

Go to Settings. → Mi Cloud → Synchronize and activate options for:

• 📇 Contacts (most critical data).
• 📝 Notes and Calendar.
• 📷 Galleries (photos and videos).
• 📁 Downloads and Documents.

2. Set up backups

B Settings → The phone. → Backup:

• Select Backup in Mi Cloud.
• Specify frequency (recommended daily or when connecting to Wi-Fi).
• Add critical apps (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) to your reservation list.

3.Control the seat occupied

To avoid automatic deletion of files:

• Regularly clean up unnecessary data in the Mi Cloud → Storage management.
• Use Storage Optimization to compress photos.
• Consider buying an extra seat (from 100 GB per seat). ~300 rubles/year).

Is contact and gallery synchronization enabled?

Is a backup created before the update? MIUI

Is there enough space in the cloud (at least 1 GB free)

Is the phone connected to charging during the backup?

Checked autosynchronization settings over Wi-Fi-->

4.Use alternative clouds

For additional reliability, set up automatic upload of photos in:

• 📁 Google Photos (free up to 15 GB).
• ☁️ Yandex Drive (autoboot with Xiaomi supported via the app).
• 🍎 iCloud (if you have an Apple device).

💡

Even if you use Mi Cloud, make local backups on your PC regularly (every 1-2 months) and cloud services don’t guarantee 100% data security.

Frequent User Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Analysis of Xiaomi support calls shows that most lost data problems can be avoided.-5 Errors and ways to prevent them:

1. Delete the Mi Account without backup

Many users delete their Mi Account when selling a phone without realizing that it leads to:

• ❌ Delete all data from the Mi Cloud (including the Recycle Bin).
• ❌ Loss of attached devices (such as Mi Band or Roborock).
• ❌ Lock your phone if you have Mi Account Lock enabled.

Solution: Before deleting the account:

1. Download all data from Mi Cloud to your PC.
2. Untie the devices in Settings → Mi Cloud → Devices.
3. Reset your phone to factory settings before deleting your account.

2. Ignoring space shortage notifications

When the Mi Cloud runs out of space, the system sends a notification saying, "Storage is almost full. Make room or update the tariff." Many users ignore it, which leads to:

• ⚠️ Automatic synchronization stop.
• ⚠️ Delete the oldest files from the cart.
• ⚠️ Loss of new backup copies.

3. Use of informal firmware

Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience often breaks the Mi Cloud because:

• There are no original Xiaomi services.
• The synchronization with the cloud is broken.
• Backup copies are created in an incompatible format.

Solution: If you like custom firmware, use alternative clouds (Google Drive, Nextcloud) and create backups through the Internet. TWRP.

4. Untested cleaning applications

Applications like Clean Master or CCleaner often delete the Mi Cloud cache, which results in:

• 🔄 Loss of unsynchronized data.
• 📱 Failures in cloud synchronization.
• 🚫 Blocking Automatic Backups.

5.Resetting your phone without detachment of your account

When resetting to factory settings without leaving the Mi Account:

• New data can overwrite old backups.
• The new device will not be able to recover data from the old backup.
• You may have problems activating your phone (requires a password from your old account).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Mi Cloud