How to recover deleted photos on Xiaomi Redmi 7: from the cart to deep scanning

Deleting photos on a smartphone is one of the most frustrating situations for users, especially when it comes to valuable footage, whether it's family photos, documents or unique moments. Xiaomi Redmi 7, despite its reliability, is not immune to accidental file erasure. Fortunately, the chances of returning lost images remain high if you act quickly and correctly.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to recover photos on Redmi 7, from standard MIUI features to professional tools, and it’s important to understand that success depends on several factors: time after deletion, memory type (internal or microSD card), and whether data was overwritten after an incident, and the earlier you start acting, the more likely you are to return the images in their original quality.

We're not going to be limited to general tips, each method is accompanied by step-by-step instructions tailored to the features of Redmi 7 and MIUI. You'll also find a table comparing recovery software, warnings about typical errors and answers to frequent questions. If you've tried any of the following without success, don't stop: a combination of several approaches often yields results.

1.A check of the basket at MIUI Gallery

The first thing you need to do is check the built-in Recycle Bin in the Gallery app, and in MIUI, deleted photos are not erased immediately, but sent to a temporary storage facility where they stay up to 30 days (by default), which works on Redmi 7, unless you manually disabled it.

To find the basket:

• 📱 Open the Gallery app (Icon with Camera).
• 🗑️ In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and pick the basket.
• 🔍 View the list of deleted files. Photos that can be recovered will be ticked.
• 🔄 Select the desired pictures and click Restore at the bottom of the screen.

If the cart is empty or there are no photos, it means:

• ⏳ More than 30 days have passed since the deletion (files are automatically cleared).
• 🧹 You manually cleaned the cart through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 🗃️ Photos were deleted from the microSD card - the basket does not work for it.

⚠️ Note: If you deleted the photo through a file manager (e.g., Explorer or File Manager) ES Conductor, they don't make it to the Gallery basket, in which case move on to the next method.

2. Restore via Google Photos (if synchronized)

If your Redmi 7 has been enabled to sync with Google Photos, the chances of returning images are significantly increased. the service automatically reserves photos in the cloud, even if they are removed from the device.

Open the Google Photos app (if not, install it from the Play Market (☰ In the top left corner, select Recycle Bin, where you store deleted files for 60 days, to recover:

• 📸 Select the desired photos with a long press.
• 🔙 Click Restore (Icon with an arrow up).
• ☁️ Photos will be returned to the main gallery and device (if there is space).

If the Google Photos Recycle Bin is empty, check:

• 🔄 Was autosynchronization enabled: Settings → Backup and reset → Backup of data.
• 📅 More than 60 days have passed since the removal.
• 📥 Photos may be archived: Go to the Library on Google Photos → Archives.

Important nuance: If you delete photos before syncing is enabled, they will not be included in Google Photos, and the service does not reserve images from the microSD card by default - this option must be included separately in the application settings.

3.Search for backups in Mi Cloud

Xiaomi offers its own cloud storage, the Mi Cloud, which can back up your photos to check:

1. 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in to the same Mi Account as you do on your phone.
2. 📁 In the Gallery or Backups section, look for folders with dates corresponding to the period before deletion.
3. 💾 If you find the right photos, download them to your PC and then transfer them back to Redmi 7.

Mi Cloud stores backups of the gallery only if:

• ☁️ The function has been activated in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
• 📶 The device had access to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 📅 No more than 90 days have passed since the last synchronization (the copies may be deleted after that).

⚠️ Warning: Mi Cloud's free fare provides just 5GB of space.If the gallery backup weighs more, it might not have saved completely. → Mi Cloud → Warehouse.

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If Mi Cloud doesn’t have the right photos, but you remember that sync was enabled, try restoring an older version of the backup. In the cloud web version, select Settings → Version History (if the feature is available for your account).

4. Use of PCs and recovery software

If the previous methods didn't work, it's time to connect Redmi 7 to your computer and use specialized tools that scan the device's memory at a low level, finding traces of deleted files.

Step-by-step instructions for Recuva (the easiest option):

1. 🖥️ Install Recuva on PC.
2. 📱 Connect Redmi 7 to USB file transfer (MTP).
3. 🔍 In Recuva, select the type of Image files and specify your phone’s drive.
4. ⚙️ Start a deep scan (it will take 10–30 minutes).
5. 📤 After completion, mark the found photos and click Restore.

The critical point is that if you restore photos to the same Redmi 7, save them to a PC or other memory card, and write them to the original device can overwrite the remaining data and make it impossible to recover any more.

Connect your phone in MTP (not Charging)

Install Xiaomi drivers (if the PC does not recognize the device)

Disable Battery Optimization for File Manager

Do not connect your phone to charge during scanning (may interrupt the process)

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5. Recovery from a microSD card

If the photos were stored on a microSD card, the recovery process is simplified, and you can retrieve them and connect them to your PC via a card reader, which increases your chances of success, because:

• 🔌 There is no risk of access being blocked due to MIUI.
• 🛠️ You can use any software, including those that require root rights.
• ⚡ Scanning speed is higher than the speed USB.

The best programs to work with microSD:

• 💾 TestDisk – a free utility with support FAT32/exFAT (formats used on Xiaomi maps).
• 🔧 R-Studio – paid, but with high efficiency for damaged media.
• 📷 Wondershare Recoverit – Simple interface, supports preview.

Instructions for TestDisk (for experienced users):

1. Connect the card to the PC through the card reader.


2. Launch TestDisk (download from the official website).




3. Select the card drive (usually defined as \Device\Harddisk1 or the like).




4Specify the type of section table: [Intel] for FAT/exFAT.




5. Select [Analyse] → [Quick Search].




6. After searching, click [P] to view the files.




7. Copy the photo found on a PC hard drive.

⚠️ Warning: If a microSD card is defined as "unformatted" or requests formatting, don't agree. This will lead to irretrievable data loss. DMDE PhotoRec, which works with raw partitions.

6. Root access and deep scanning

If standard methods don't work, the last option is to get root rights and use powerful tools like DiskDigger or Undelete, which is risky, because:

• 🔓 Root voids warranty (if it is still valid).
• 🛡️ Increased vulnerability to viruses.
• 🔄 Incorrect actions can lead to a “brick” of the device.

If you are prepared for risk, follow the instructions:

1. 🔧 Unlock Redmi 7 bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (official utility from Xiaomi).
2. 📲 Install custom Recovery (TWRP) and use Magisk to get root.
3. 🔍 Run DiskDigger with superuser rights and select the full scan.
4. 💾 Save the files found on your PC or cloud.

DiskDigger in root mode finds:

• 📸 Deleted photos in formats JPG, PNG, HEIC.
• 🎥 Videos and thumbnails.
• 📄 Even fragmented files (with partial recovery).

7. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all independent attempts were unsuccessful, and the photos are critically important (for example, they are the only copies of documents or family photos), you should consider contacting the service center. Xiaomi does not provide official data recovery services, but some authorized partners can help.

What you need to know before your visit:

• 💰 The cost of restoration starts from 3 000-5 000 rubles (depending on the complexity of the recovery).
• ⏳ The process can take from 2 days to a week.
• 📄 Passport and phone check (if any) will be required).
• 🔒 In some cases, data is recovered directly from the memory chip, which guarantees maximum results.

The addresses of official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service. Check by phone before visiting whether they are engaged in data recovery – not all centers provide this service.

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If the photos were deleted more than a year ago or the phone is physically damaged (for example, after falling into the water), the chances of recovery are minimal, in such cases, a service center is the only option, but it does not guarantee success.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photo recovery on Redmi 7