Where to look for deleted files on Xiaomi: a complete guide to data recovery

Have you accidentally deleted important photos, documents or videos on a Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco smartphone? Don't panic - even after cleaning the cart or formatting the memory card, the chances of recovery remain. In this article, we will analyze all possible storage locations for deleted files on devices with MIUI firmware, including hidden system folders, cloud backups and specialized tools.

The specific recovery method depends on how the data was deleted: through standard deletion (getting into the cart), formatting the drive, resetting settings or physical memory damage. We will consider each scenario with consideration for the features of Xiaomi, where, for example, the basket works differently than on pure Android, and backups of the Mi Cloud have limitations on volume.

The important thing is that the faster you start to act, the better the chances of success. When you delete files, they don't erase them instantly -- the system just labels them as "free space," and until those areas have been overwritten with new data, recovery is possible. But every new shot, video uploaded, or app update reduces those chances.

1. MIUI Recycle Bin: The First Place to Find Deleted Files

Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later have a built-in shopping cart that includes files deleted through the standard Gallery, Files or Downloads apps, the first place to check is that data is stored for up to 30 days (some models have a shortened period of up to 15 days).

How to open the basket:

• 📁 Open the Files app (Folder icon on the desktop).
• 🗑️ In the lower menu, tap on the Recycle Bin tab (or Removed in older versions) MIUI).
• 🔍 Scroll through the list or search by file name.
• 🔄 To restore, select files and click Restore (the icon with the arrow up).

Please note: The MIUI Recycle Bin does not save files deleted through:

• 🚫 Third-party file managers (e.g., Total Commander or FX File Explorer).
• 🚫 Memory cleaning applications (e.g. Clean Master or built-in Cleanup) MIUI).
• 🚫 Teams through ADB or Fastboot.
• 🚫 Formatting a memory card or resetting settings.

⚠️ Note: If you manually cleaned the cart or it automatically freed up (for example, when memory is not enough), the files will be deleted irrevocably for standard means.

2. Mi Cloud backups: recovery from the cloud

If your Xiaomi has Mi Cloud sync enabled, deleted files could be saved to a cloud backup, which works even after resetting or replacing your smartphone, but there are nuances:

• 📱 Photos and videos are synced automatically if you have enabled the option to boot in Mi Cloud (check in Settings). → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery).
• 📄 Documents and APK Upload only manually or through the Files app (Mi Cloud tab).
• 🔄 Contacts, notes and SMS Restore through the settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization.

Instructions for remediation:

1. Open the Files app → go to the Mi Cloud tab.
2. Sign in with the same Xiaomi account that was linked to the device at the time of deletion.
3. Check folders: Gallery for photos and videos; Documents for PDF, XLS, DOC; Downloads for APKs and archives.

Save it to the device.

The limitations of Mi Cloud:

⚠️ Note: If you untie your Xiaomi account from your device or reset it via Fastboot, access to backups in Mi Cloud will be blocked for 7 days. FAQ.

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Before recovering from Mi Cloud, check the free space on the device. If there is not enough memory, the files will not boot, and the process will not show an error!

3. Local backups: where Xiaomi hides backups

MIUI automatically creates local backups of some data, but they are stored in hidden folders and not always visible to the user.

• 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, network parameters).
• 📞 Call logs and SMS (If the option is included in the Settings → System system → Backup).
• 🎵 Multimedia (miniature photos, video preview).

Where to look:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (in File Transfer mode).
2. Open the device’s internal memory and go to the folder: /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ Archives with the date of creation are stored here (for example, backup_20260515).
3. Copy the folder to your computer and unpack it with 7-Zip or WinRAR.

Note that these backups do not contain user files (photos, videos, documents), but only system data. Use other methods to restore media.

4. PC recovery: programs for deep scanning

If files are not found in the trash or cloud, software recovery is left to the PC, which works even after formatting the memory card or resetting the settings, but requires caution: wrong actions can irrevocably damage the data.

Recommended programs (with support from Xiaomi):

• 🛠️ DiskDigger — free version recovers photos and videos, paid — all types of files. Works without root rights.
• 🔍 Recuva – Suitable for microSD cards, but requires a card reader connection.
• 📱 Dr.Fone (Wondershare) – a paid solution with a high recovery rate, supports MIUI.
• 💾 EaseUS MobiSaver – specializes in Android, has a preview feature.

Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger:

1. Download and install DiskDigger from the official website.
2. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB by selecting File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Run the program and select your smartphone drive (usually Internal Storage).
4. Press Dig Deep (deep scan) and wait until it is completed (may take hours).
5. Mark the files found and click Recover by pointing the folder to the PC to save.

⚠️ Warning: Never save recovered files back to Xiaomi, which will cause deleted data to be overwritten.

A critical nuance for Xiaomi: if the device is enabled encryption (check in Settings → Security → Encryption), most programs will not be able to scan memory without root rights.

5. Recovery from a microSD card

If the files were stored on a memory card, the chances of recovery are higher — MIUI doesn't always properly clear the microSD when formatting.

• 🔄 Do not use the card after deleting files – each new file reduces the chances of recovery.
• 📱 Don’t format the map via smartphone – it’s better to do it on a PC using SD Formatter (but only after recovery!).
• 🛠️ To scan, connect the card through the card reader, not through a smartphone – this will speed up the process.

The best microSD recovery software:

If the memory card is not determined on the PC:

1. Try another card reader or USB-port.
2. Check the card on another device (e.g., a camera).
3. If the card is physically damaged, contact a service center – self-repair can exacerbate the problem.

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ExFAT memory cards are less recoverable than FAT32. If you store important data on a microSD, format it into FAT32 via a PC (maximum file size is 4GB).

6 Specialized services and extreme measures

If standard methods don’t work, there are still advanced methods, but they require technical skills or financial investment.

• 🔧 ADB-commands allow you to access system partitions where traces of deleted files may remain. Example of commands to search: adb shell su -c "find /data -name '*.jpg' Requires root rights and enabled debugging USB.
• 📡 Laboratory recovery – if data is critical (for example, work documents or only photos), contact specialized centers (for example, Kroll Ontrack or Stellar.
• 🔄 Fastboot firmware — rarely helps to return lost partitions, but erases all data on the device.

Warnings:

• ⚠️ Do not use fastboot erase or fastboot format commands – they permanently delete data.
• ⚠️ Do not install custom firmware (such as LineageOS) on top of MIUI — It'll re-write system sections.
• ⚠️ Don’t trust “magic” software from unverified sources – it may contain viruses or spyware.

7 Prevention: How to avoid future data loss

To avoid searching for deleted files, it is enough to follow simple rules:

• ☁️ Enable autoload to Mi Cloud for photos and videos (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery).
• 🔄 Create backups on a PC or external drive regularly (for example, using Syncthing or Resilio Sync).
• 📱 Use two memory cards: one for current files, the other for backups.
• 🚫 Don’t just store your data on your phone – even cloud services can crash.

MIUI settings that are worth checking out:

If you often work with important files, consider buying external files. SSD-supportive OTG (for example, Samsung T7 Shield.It connects to Xiaomi via USB-C It allows you to create backup copies in one click.

FAQ: Frequent questions about file recovery on Xiaomi