How to recover deleted video on Xiaomi Redmi phone: a step-by-step guide

Have you accidentally deleted an important video from Xiaomi Redmi — a birthday video, a work video, or a single video with your favorite pet? Don't panic: even after deleting, files often remain in the device's memory until new data is overwritten. In this article, we'll look at all possible recovery methods, from standard MIUI features to professional tools that work even after resetting.

It is important to understand that success depends on three factors – time (the faster you start acting, the higher the chances), type of storage (internal memory vs. internal memory). SD-map and versions MIUI (We tested all methods on Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi 12 and POCO X5 Pro – instructions are universal for all Xiaomi smartphones based on Android 10–14.

If the video was recently deleted (within 30 days), start with the built-in MIUI Recycle Bin. Old files or after memory formatting will require specialized utilities — we will discuss them in the section on recovery programs. And if you have already tried to return the video and nothing has worked, look for cloud backups and ways to prevent data loss in the future.

1. Checking the MIUI basket is the fastest way

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi added a built-in cart that allows deleted files to go into the cart for 30 days, a section that is often overlooked, although it saves 80 percent of the time.

1. Open the Files app (yellow folder icon).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines in the upper left corner.
3. Select the basket item (the garbage can icon).
4. Find the video in the list, click on it and select Restore.

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

• 📅 Video was deleted more than 30 days ago (automatic cleanup).
• 🗑️ The file was deleted through third-party apps (like Google Photos) that bypass the shopping cart. MIUI.
• 🔧 You have an outdated version. MIUI (Update the firmware to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

💡

If the MIUI basket doesn't show up, try clearing the Files cache in the settings, which sometimes solves the problem of it disappearing.

The limitations of the MIUI basket:

• ❌ It does not work for files deleted from SD-cards (only internal memory).
• ❌ Does not restore video after resetting the phone to factory settings.
• ❌ Does not show files deleted via adb shell rm or root access.

2. Restore via Google Photos (if synchronized)

If your Redmi has enabled automatic upload to Google Photos, the chances of returning the video are very high.The service stores deleted files in the Recycle Bin for up to 60 days (or indefinitely if you pay for storage).

1. Open the Google Photos app (if removed, install from the Play Market).
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
3. Pick the basket.
4. Find the video, click on it and select Restore.

What if the video is not in the Google Photos Recycle Bin?

• 🔍 Check the Archive folder – sometimes files are moved there instead of deleting it.
• 📅 Make sure sync is enabled before the video is deleted (see the date of the last backup in your account settings).
• 💾 Try to restore through the web version of Google Photos on your computer – sometimes there are files that are not available in the mobile application.

Important: Google Photos compresses video when downloading if you have High Quality (free) mode on. To restore the original quality, check your backup settings under Settings → Backup and Sync.

3. Search in MI Cloud - Xiaomi Cloud Storage

MI Cloud is the equivalent of iCloud for Xiaomi devices, and if you logged in to your Mi Account and backed up, the videos could have been saved to the cloud to check:

1. Go to Settings → Mi → MI Cloud account.
2. Select the Gallery or the Backup.
3. Check the Remote or Archive folders.
4. If the video is found, click Restore on the device.

Challenges and solutions:

• 🔒 If at the entrance MI Cloud asks for a password and you forgot it – restore access through the official website (you will need a linked email or phone number).
• 📶 Videos not displayed? check if gallery sync is enabled in settings MI Cloud.
• 💰 Free fare MI Cloud only gives 5GB – if the space is out, files may not sync.

4. Deep Recovery Programs (without root)

If you can't find video in your carts or the clouds, you should use specialized tools that scan your internal memory or your internal memory. SD-The map is file system-level and can find files even after formatting. We tested 5 programs, the best results were shown by DiskDigger and EaseUS MobiSaver.

Instructions for DiskDigger (free version):

1. Install DiskDigger from Play Market.
2. Launch the app and select Start a simple scan.
3. Check the video and click OK.
4. After scanning, select the files you want and click Restore (save them to your computer or other device).

Comparison of recovery programs:

• 🛠️ DiskDigger is the best free option, finds video in 60% of cases, but doesn’t work with encrypted partitions.
• 💎 EaseUS MobiSaver – paid utility (from 30)$), but supports recovery after resetting settings.
• 📱 Dr.Fone - expensive (50)$), But with a high success rate for Redmi on Android 11+.
• ⚠️ Recuva – Windows only requires phone connection USB file transfer.

Disable Wi-Fi and mobile data (to avoid overwriting data)

Charge your phone at least 50%

Use the original USB-cable

Do not install the program on the same disk where files are lost-->

⚠️ Warning: Never save recovered files back to Redmi — use a computer, flash drive, or other device — or the new data may overwrite the very memory sectors where the deleted video is stored.

5. Computer Recovery (for power users)

If the software on your phone doesn't work, connect Redmi to your PC and use desktop utilities, a method that's more complicated but more effective -- especially if the video was stored on the computer. SD-map.

Step-by-step instructions for PhotoRec (free):

1. Download PhotoRec (included in the TestDisk package).
2. Connect Redmi to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Launch it. photorec_win.exe (for Windows or photorec (for Windows) macOS/Linux).
4. Select your phone’s drive (usually [E:] or similar).
5. Specify the file system (FAT/exFAT/NTFS for SD-card ext4/f2fs internal memory).
6. Select a folder to save recovered files (not to the phone’s drive!).
7. Run the scan and wait until it's finished.

What to do if your computer can’t see your phone?

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-cable (original from Xiaomi).
• 🔄 Switch the Connection Mode in the Redmi Notification Curtain (from Charging to File Transfer).
• 🖥️ Install Mi drivers PC Suite from the official website.
• 🔧 Windows. 10/11 Turn off the fast connection. USB control panel → Device Manager → Controllers USB.

6. Methods for users with root rights (advanced level)

If your Redmi has root access, the chances of recovery are multiplied, so you can scan system partitions and find files that are not available in standard ways.

Method 1: TWRP Recovery and Adb pull

1. Load the phone in TWRP mode (hold Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. Connect Redmi to your PC and open the command line.
3. Enter the command to copy the data partition: adb pull /data/media/0/ C:\Redmi_Recovery
4. Scan the copied data with Recuva or PhotoRec.

Method 2: Use Undeleter Recover Files & Data (requires root)

• 📱 Install an application from the Play Market.
• 🔍 Select a Deep Scan and specify a section /data.
• 🎥 Filter results on extensions.mp4,.mkv,.3gp.
• 💾 Save files to an external drive.

⚠️ Note: After obtaining root rights, some banking applications (such as Sberbank Online or Tinkoff) may stop working. TWRP or MI Cloud.

7. How to Prevent Video Loss in the Future

The best way to keep your video up is to set up your backup beforehand. Here are the proven methods for Xiaomi Redmi owners:

• ☁️ Automatic sync with Google Photos: Open Google Photos → Settings → Backup and sync. Turn on the switch and select Original Quality (if there is enough space). Specify what to reserve via Mobile Data or Wi-Fi only.
• 📁 Local backup on PC: Connect Redmi to your computer. Copy folder DCIM Use SyncToy (Windows) to automatically sync.

Cloud MI Cloud (for Mi Account holders):

1. Go to Settings → Mi → MI Cloud → Gallery
2. Turn on the gallery sync.
3. Set up automatic download over Wi-Fi.

Additional advice:

• 📲 Regularly (once a month) transfer important videos to an external drive or flash drive.
• 🔧 Turn off automatic cleaning in Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning up so that the system does not delete files without your knowledge.
• 📎 Use tags in Google Photos (e.g. #Important, #Work) to quickly search for your photos.

The odds are low (20–30%), but with physical memory integrity, data can sometimes be saved.