How to return deleted photos on Xiaomi Redmi smartphone: from the basket to deep scanning

Delete valuable photos from Xiaomi Redmi by mistake? Don't panic - the chances of recovery are much higher than you think. Modern Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10, Redmi 9 and others) save deleted files in a hidden basket, sync them with the Mi Cloud, and sometimes allow you to restore data even after a complete cleanup. In this article, we will examine all possible ways, from standard features to professional tools that will return your pictures.

It's important to act quickly: the less time has passed since deleting, the more likely it is to succeed. MIUI (even in the latest versions) doesn't erase files immediately, it just labels them as "free space." That means that, with the right approach, you can recover photos even after a few days. But there are nuances: for example, overwriting data (installing apps, taking new photos) can permanently destroy old files. So the first thing to do is stop using your phone for new operations.

We tested all the methods on current Redmi models (2022-2026) and identified those that work consistently. If you are a Redmi 8 or older model, some features (such as the Recycle Bin in the gallery) may not be available, for which we have prepared alternative solutions.

1. Checking the basket in the standard MIUI gallery

The easiest way is to use the built-in Recycle Bin in the Gallery app. Xiaomi defaults to save deleted photos in it for 30 days (some versions of MIUI - 15 days), This method works on all Redmi models with MIUI 12 and later, including Redmi Note 11, Redmi 10A, etc.

To find the basket:

1. Open the Gallery app (image with camera).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (menu) in the lower right corner.
3. Select the Recycle Bin (or Remote in some firmware).
4. Find the right photos, click on them and select Restore.

If the cart is empty or not on the menu, it means:

• 🔹 Photos were deleted more than a month ago (automatic cleaning).
• 🔹 You have used the function Clean the basket manually.
• 🔹 You have an outdated version. MIUI (12th), where the basket is not available.

⚠️ Note: If you have cleaned the cart through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup, photos could have been permanently deleted, in which case you can proceed to the following methods.

2. Recovery via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud) Mi Cloud automatically backs up photos if sync is enabled, which is suitable even if you deleted photos from your phone a few months ago - in the cloud they can be stored for years. How to recover photos from Mi Cloud: Open Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud. Make sure you log in to the same account you used to delete the photo. Go to Gallery or Photos. Find Remote or Recycle Bin folder (in the Mi Cloud web version it may be called Trash). If the photo is not in the cloud basket, try it: 🔍 Search by date: in Mi Cloud you can filter photos by time of shooting. 📁 Folder check: Sometimes photos are saved in automatically created albums (Screenshots, Downloads). 🌐 Web version: go to i.mi.com from PC – there is easier to search. ⚠️ Note: If you have disabled sync or changed your Xiaomi account after deleting a photo, this method will not work, and check if the storage limit in Mi Cloud is exceeded (only 5 GB is free). Check authorization in your Xiaomi account Make sure that gallery sync is enabled Connect to Wi-Fi (the cloud may not load via mobile Internet) Use the web version for easy search-->

3. Use of Google Photos (if synchronization was enabled)

Many Redmi users set up automatic uploads to Google Photos. If you logged in to a Google account on your phone and didn't turn off your backup, chances are high. Unlike Mi Cloud, Google Photos stores deleted photos for 60 days in a shopping cart.

Instructions:

1. Open the Google Photos app (if not, install it from the Play Market).
2. Sign in with the same Google account that was linked to your phone.
3. Slip on the avatar in the upper right corner → basket.
4. Select the desired photos and click Restore.

If the basket is empty:

• 🔄 Check the Archive folder - sometimes photos move there.
• 📅 Use the filter by date: it is possible that the pictures were not deleted, but simply “lost” among thousands of files.
• 💾 Check the Settings. → Backup: If copying was disabled, photos in the cloud were not saved.

Critical detail: Google Photos can compress a photo when you upload it if you have High Quality (not Original Quality) mode on. Recovered images can be smaller or have worse resolution.

4. Connect to a PC and search for hidden files

If the photos are not in sync with the clouds, but they haven't been overwritten yet, you can find them through a computer. USB-cable and access to the phone's internal memory.The method works on all Redmi models, including the Redmi. 9C, Redmi Note 10 Pro and Others.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi to your PC via USB (use the original cable for a stable connection).
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (or MTP) mode.
3. Open this computer on your PC and find the Redmi device.
4. Go to DCIM → Camera (there are photos taken on the main camera).
5. Enable the display of hidden files: In Windows: View → Hidden Items. In macOS: Finder → Settings → Show hidden files.

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What to do if there are no files:

• 🔍 Check out Pictures folders, Download, MIUI.
• 📁 Use the search by extension: type in the search bar *.jpg.
• 💽 Try another cable or port. USB — sometimes the connection is interrupted.

⚠️ Warning: Do not copy new files to your phone while searching, this can overwrite deleted data. If you need to make room, save the recovered photos immediately to your PC.

5. Deep scanning programs (if standard methods do not help)

If you don't find a photo through a cart, cloud, or PC, you have a last chance, a dedicated data recovery utility that scans the phone's internal memory at a low level and can find files even after formatting. Importantly, this method requires root rights on some Redmi models (like the Redmi Note 8 Pro), but many programs work without them.

The best programs for Xiaomi Redmi:

• 📱 DiskDigger (there is an Android version, does not require root to scan the memory card).
• 💻 Recuva (for PC, connect your phone as an external drive).
• 🔧 EaseUS MobiSaver (paid but with free trial period).
• 📲 Dumpster (cart application, must be installed before photo is deleted).

Instructions for DiskDigger (the most versatile option):

1. Install DiskDigger from Play Market.
2. Launch the app and select Start basic scanning (without root).
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take 10–30 minutes).
4. Mark the photos found and click Restore.
5. Save files to your PC or cloud (not your phone!).

Limitations of methods:

• 🚫 Without root rights, programs only see a portion of files.
• 🔄 The longer it has been since the removal, the less chance.
• 💰 Free versions often limit the number of files that can be recovered.

6. How to prevent future photo loss

To avoid having to deal with deleted photos, set up automatic backups and follow simple rules, and even if you have already recovered files, these tips will help you avoid repeated losses.

Methods of protection:

• ☁️ Enable autosynchronization with Mi Cloud or Google Photos: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery → Synchronize
• 📁 Copy your photo regularly on PC (for example, once a month).
• 🔄 Use a memory card (on models with support for microSD): photos on it are easier to recover.
• 📱 Install a shopping cart application (such as Dumpster) in advance.

MIUI settings that should be changed:

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If you delete a photo often, create an archive folder in the gallery and move unnecessary pictures instead of deleting them, so they will not get into the cart and will not be deleted automatically.

7. Frequent errors in photo recovery

Many Redmi users make critical mistakes that reduce the chances of recovery to zero.

• 📸 Taking new photos/video – this overwrites deleted data.
• 📱 Install or update applications – they take up disk space.
• 🔄 Resetting to factory settings will destroy all unsaved data.
• 💾 Format a memory card without pre-scanning.

Also avoid:

• 🔌 Connecting your phone to the charger during recovery can interrupt the process.
• 📡 Use of memory cleaners (e.g. Clean Master): They remove junk, including potentially recoverable files.
• 🔍 Trusting the first programs you see – some utilities contain viruses or spoil data.

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If your phone gives a memory-damaged error when you connect to your PC, don’t format it right away. Try to recover data using PhotoRec (which works even with damaged partitions).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions