How to return deleted files on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones: from the basket to deep scanning

Deleting important files from a smartphone is a familiar situation for many Xiaomi Redmi users. Vacation photos, work documents or videos from memorable events can disappear in an instant due to accidental pressing, a system failure or even a virus attack. Fortunately, owners of Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 or other models of the series have several ways to recover lost data. Recovery is possible, but its success depends on how quickly you take action and which method you choose.

In this article, we will look at all the available methods, from standard MIUI features to professional tools that will help even in the most difficult cases. It is important to understand that the chances of success are higher if after deleting the files you did not write new data to the device.

If you use Xiaomi Redmi with MIUI 12 and up, you already have a built-in Recycle Bin that saves deleted files for 30 days. But what if files were deleted long ago or the Recycle Bin is disabled?

1. Check the built-in MIUI basket

The easiest way to return deleted files is to use the standard Recycle Bin feature in MIUI, which works similarly to the Recycle Bin on a computer: files are not deleted immediately, but placed in temporary storage; the default storage period is 30 days, but it can be changed in settings.

To open the basket:

1. Launch the Files app (folder icon).
2. In the lower menu, select the Recycle Bin section (Dumpster icon).
3. Find the file you want, click on it and select Restore.

If the cart is empty or files are not there, this can mean:

• 🗑️ Files were deleted more than 30 days ago (or you manually cleared the shopping cart).
• 📱 Recycle Bin feature is disabled on your device (for example, on older versions) MIUI).
• 🔄 Files were deleted through third-party apps (gallery, instant messengers) that do not use the system basket.

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If the Recycle Bin is disabled, turn it on in the Files app settings: Settings → Recycle Bin → Enable Recycle Bin. Recommended shelf life is 60 days for reliability.

2.Recovery through MIUI backups

If you back up your files regularly through MIUI Backup, the chances of returning files are much higher, and this feature saves not only contacts and messages, but also multimedia, documents, and application settings. Importantly, backups should be enabled in advance, because once files are deleted, it is no longer useful to create a backup.

To recover data from backup:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select the most recent copy (note the date of creation).
3. Click Restore and tick the appropriate categories (for example, "Gallery" or "Documents").
4. Confirm the recovery and wait for the process to be completed.

If you don’t have local copies, check out Mi Cloud’s cloud storage:

• 🌐 Visit i.mi.com from your PC or phone.
• 🔑 Sign in with the same Mi Account that is linked to your phone.
• 📁 Go to the Backups section and check the available versions.

⚠️ Warning: Restore from backup will overwrite the current data on the phone. If you add new contacts or files after creating the backup, they will be lost.

3. Use of applications for data recovery

If the bin is empty and there are no backups, specialized applications will come to the rescue, they scan the device's memory at the file system level and can find files that have not been overwritten yet.

Top 3 Recovery Apps:

Instructions for recovery via DiskDigger (on the example of Redmi Note 11):

1. Download and install DiskDigger from Google Play.
2. Start the application and select the scan type: Basic (without root) or Complete (with root).
3. Select a memory partition to scan (internal memory or SD-map).
4. Wait until the process is completed (it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour).
5. Mark the files found and click Restore.

Disable Wi-Fi and mobile data (to prevent new files from being written)

Charge your phone at least 50%

Install the application only from official sources

Do not save recovered files to the same device (use cloud or PC)-->

⚠️ Attention: Recovery apps often require root rights for deep scanning. Getting root on Xiaomi Redmi will void warranty and may cause system instability. Do not use root if you are not sure of your actions or if the phone is warranty-free.

4. Connection to PC and Recovery via Computer

If files cannot be returned via your phone, try connecting Redmi to your computer and using desktop software, a method that is particularly effective for photo and video recovery, as PC software often has more powerful scanning algorithms.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Recovery software (e.g. Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery, PhotoRec).

Step-by-step instructions for Recuva:

1. Connect Xiaomi Redmi to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Install and run Recuva.
3. Select the file type (e.g., “Images” or “Video”).
4. Specify the location for scanning (your phone will appear as a removable drive).
5. Run a deep scan and wait for the results.
6. Save the recovered files to your PC, not your phone!

If your phone is not defined as a removable drive, try:

• 🔄 Switch the connection mode in the notification curtain (from Charging to File Transfer).
• 🔧 Turn on Debugging. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers).
• 💻 Use the other USB-port.

5. Recovery through Google Photos and other cloud services

If your Redmi has been enabled to sync with Google Photos, Mi Cloud or other cloud services, check them first. Many users forget that files could have been saved automatically to the cloud.

How to check out Google Photos:

1. Open the Google Photos app or go to photos.google.com.
2. Select Recycle Bin from the menu – files are stored there for 60 days.
3. Check the Archives section (old files may have been moved there).
4. Use a date or keyword search (e.g., “beach 2023”).

Other cloud services:

• 🌥️ Mi Cloud: Check the Gallery and Files section at i.mi.com.
• ☁️ Yandex Disk / Mail.ru Cloud: if you used these services, check the folder Deleted files.
• 📱 Telegram: in the chat settings, select Save Messages – there may be transferred files.

If sync has been disabled, but you remember that files were sent via messengers (WhatsApp, Viber), check the chat history. Many applications save media files in hidden folders on the phone, for example: /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Media/.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all of the above methods did not help, and the files are critical (for example, these are the only photos from an important event), you can contact the official Xiaomi service center. Data recovery service is not provided in all centers, but chances are there, especially if the problem is related to:

• 🔧 Hardware failure (memory damage, phone drop).
• 🖥️ Software failure after update MIUI.
• 📵 Loss of phone access (forgotten password, locked screen).

What you need to know before visiting the service:

• 📋 Bring a check or a warranty card (if the phone is guaranteed).
• 🔐 Be prepared to confirm your Mi Account (if your phone is tied).
• 💰 Check the cost of the service - data recovery can be paid (from 1,500 to 5 000 rubles depending on the complexity of the service).

⚠️ Note: Service centers do not guarantee 100% data recovery, especially if the phone’s memory is physically damaged.

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If files are of high value, do not try to recover them yourself through questionable programs - this can lead to permanent loss of data.

7. How to prevent future data loss

To avoid losing files, follow these simple rules:

• 📲 Enable automatic sync with Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 🗃️ Regularly back up through Settings → Backup.
• 🔄 Use cloud services to store important documents (e.g. Google Drive).
• 📁 Don’t store all files in your phone’s memory – transfer them to your phone. SD-card.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Avast or Dr.Web) to avoid data loss due to malware.

Set up automatic backup in MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Choose Local Backup or Backup in Mi Cloud.
3. Specify categories for preservation (gallery, contacts, messages, etc.).
4. Enable Automatic Backup and select frequency (e.g. once a week).

For additional protection, you can use file managers applications with the Recycle Bin function, for example:

• Files by Google (automatic cleaning and shopping cart)
• Solid Explorer (Extended Backup Functions)
• FX File Explorer (Cloud Storage Support)

FAQ: Frequent questions about file recovery on Xiaomi Redmi