You deleted a photo, document or video on Xiaomi -- and then you realized you needed it? It's a familiar situation. Fortunately, even after you cleared the memory, you still have a chance to recover data, especially if you act quickly. In this article, we'll look at all the ways you can do it, from standard MIUI features to advanced tools like ADB and third-party utilities.
The rule of thumb is that the less you use your phone after deleting, the more likely you are to succeed, because new files can overwrite old data to your internal drive, so don't install programs, shoot videos, or update apps until you try to recover what you've lost.
We tested each method on Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO X5 Pro and Xiaomi 13 Ultra devices with the latest version of MIUI 14. All instructions are relevant for Android 12-14 smartphones, but some methods will also be suitable for older models (for example, Redmi 9A or Mi 10T).
1. Check the Recycle Bin in MIUI (fastest way)
Modern versions of MIUI automatically save deleted files in a special folder, similar to the basket on the PC, which works for photos, videos, audio and documents, but not for applications or system files.
To find the basket:
- 📁 Open the Files app (Folder icon on the desktop).
- 🗑️ In the lower menu, tap on the basket (or Trash in English version).
- ⏳ Deleted files are stored here for up to 30 days (depending on model and version). MIUI). After this time, the data is deleted irrevocably.
- 🔄 To restore, select the desired files and click Restore.
If the Recycle Bin folder is not available, then the function is disabled or your version of MIUI does not support it (relevant for devices older than 2019), in which case move to the next method.
⚠️ Attention: Basket in MIUI does not reserve files deleted through third-party applications (for example, Google Photos or Telegram), for them use your own tools to restore these services.
☑️ What to do if the basket is empty
2. Recovery via Mi Cloud (if synchronized)
If your Xiaomi has Mi Cloud sync enabled, the chances of returning files are much higher, the service automatically saves copies of photos, contacts, notes and even some documents, the main condition is that you had to log in to your Mi Account and activate backup before deleting files.
Instructions for remediation:
- 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in.
- 📂 In the Cloud section, select Device → [Your Xiaomi model].
- 🔍 Check the folders Gallery, Notes or Files. deleted data can be stored in the Mi Cloud Recycle Bin (up to 60 days).
- 📥 To return files to your phone, click Restore or download them manually.
Note that the free Mi Cloud tariff provides only 5 GB of storage, if you did not pay for the extension, old backups could be deleted automatically, and the service does not save:
- 🎵 Music and audio files (except recordings from the recorder).
- 📄 Files from Download (Download).
- 🎮 Data from games and some applications.
| Type of file | Saved in Mi Cloud? | Storage period |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs and videos | ✅ Yes. | Before removing from the cloud cart (60 days) |
| Contacts and SMS | ✅ Yes. | Continuously (with active synchronization) |
| Notes and calendar | ✅ Yes. | 30 days after removal |
| Documents (PDF, DOC) | ❌ Not (only if manually loaded) | — |
| Application data | ❌ No (except for the system ones) | — |
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If you don’t remember if sync was enabled, check: Settings → Accounts & Sync → Mi Cloud. This shows the date of the last backup.
3.Use Google Drive and other cloud services
Many Xiaomi users don’t use Mi Cloud, but they automatically back up data to Google Drive, for example, the Google Photos app can save copies of all your photos even if you deleted them from your phone.
How to check:
- Open Google Drive or Google Photos.
- In Google Photos, go to the Recycle Bin (stores files for up to 60 days). In Google Drive, check the Recent section.
- If you find the files you need, download them back to your phone or PC.
Other cloud services where copies may have been saved:
- 📦 Yandex Drive – if you have an app installed and autoboot enabled.
- ☁️ Dropbox or OneDrive – Check the Camera Uploads folder.
- 📱 Telegram – in the Save Messages or Chats section where you sent files.
⚠️ Note: If you used the Free Space feature in Google Photos, the original files could have been deleted from your phone, but their thumbnails remain in the cloud.
4. Search through file manager (hidden folders and cache)
Sometimes files are not deleted completely, but moved to hidden system folders.
- 📸 Photos and videos from messengers (WhatsApp, Viber).
- 🎮 Preserve games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile).
- 📄 Temporary browser files (Chrome, Mi Browser).
How to find hidden data:
- Open any file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
- Enable the display of hidden files: ⋮ (menu) → Settings → Show hidden files.
- Go to the folders: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ – application cache /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/ – MIUI /storage/emulated/0/.thumbnails/ – image thumbnails
- Look for files with.nomedia,.tmp, or.bak extensions, and they can be renamed and opened.
For convenience, use a file name search. For example, if you were looking for a report.docx document, type the word "report" in the manager search bar.
How to recover files from the application cache?
5. Recovery through ADB (for power users)
If standard methods don’t work, try extracting files via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that works for non-root devices (without root rights), but requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.
Step-by-step:
- 🖥️ Install. ADB Tools on the computer.
- 📱 On the phone, turn on Developer Mode: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times) Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB (turn on)
- 🔌 Connect Xiaomi to the PC by USB and select the File Transfer Mode.
- 🐍 Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) and execute: adb devices If the device is displayed, type: adb shell su (if there is root) ls /data/data/com.android.providers.media/databases/ pull /data/data/com.android.providers.media/databases/external.db /path/on/pc/
The external.db file contains metadata about deleted files. To extract it, use the SQLite Browser utility or online services like DB Browser for SQLite. Look for deleted=1 entries.
⚠️ Attention: Method C ADB It does not guarantee the recovery of the files themselves, only information about them. Data extraction will require additional tools (for example, Scalpel or Foremost) that work with raw memory images.
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ADB-The approach is effective for recovering metadata (file names, paths, dates) but not the data itself.
6. Data recovery applications (without root and with root)
If the previous methods didn't work, then you have to use third-party utilities, and their effectiveness depends on whether the memory sectors were overwritten with new data, and we tested 5 popular programs on Xiaomi and ranked them:
| Annex | Need root? | File types | Efficiency (on a 5-point scale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DiskDigger | ❌ No (basic scanning)✅ Yes (deep) | Photos, videos, documents | 4/5 |
| Recuva (via PC) | ❌ No. | Any (when connected as a removable disk) | 3/5 |
| EaseUS MobiSaver | ✅ Yes. | Photos, videos, messages, contacts | 5/5 |
| Dr.Fone | ✅ Yes. | Everything, including WhatsApp data | 4/5 |
| Undeleter | ✅ Yes. | Photo, video, audio | 4/5 |
Recommendations for use:
- 📱 DiskDigger is suitable for rotary-free devices (the free version scans only photos).
- 🖥️ If the phone is not rooted, connect it to your PC and use Recuva or PhotoRec (scan the memory card or internal memory as a removable drive).
- 🔓 For rooted Xiaomi, the best choice is EaseUS MobiSaver or Dr.Fone (paid but with a high recovery percentage).
Important: avoid installing recovery programs on the phone itself, which increases the risk of overwriting deleted data, preferably download utilities on a PC or use web versions (for example, DiskDigger Online).
7. Appeal to the service center (extreme case)
If files are critically important (for example, these are the only photos from an important event or working documents) and independent attempts have failed, it is worth considering professional assistance. Xiaomi Service Centers do not deal with data recovery, but there are specialized laboratories that work with:
- 🔧 Physically damaged storage devices (for example, after a phone crash).
- 🔍 Remote partitions (if the smartphone does not turn on or is stitched incorrectly).
- 📊 Deep analysis of memory chips (the method of Chip-off).
The cost of such services starts from 5 000 rubles and depends on the complexity. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, you can contact:
- Data recovery laboratory "Flashback" (works with eMMC and UFS chips).
- Center for Digital Forensics "Forensics" (specializes in data retrieval after reset).
- Service "Data Recovery" (recovery from damaged chips).
⚠️ Warning: Don’t try to flash your phone or reset your settings before you access the service. This can permanently destroy the remaining pieces of data. Also avoid artisanal craftsmen – unqualified interference often leads to complete loss of information.