Deleting an important video on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation familiar to many. Whether it’s a random click on “Delete”, a reset or a system crash, lost videos often contain valuable memories: a child’s first birthday, vacation shoots or work materials. Fortunately, Xiaomi devices (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models) have several built-in data protection mechanisms, as well as third-party tools to help you get back what you lost.
In this article, we will look at all possible recovery options, from simple ones (checking your cart and cloud storage) to complex ones (using a PC and specialized software). It is important to understand that the chances of success depend on two factors: the time elapsed after deleting and the user's actions after losing files. For example, writing new videos to the same drive can irrevocably overwrite deleted data. So start restoring as soon as possible!
1.A check of the basket at the Mi Gallery
Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones (starting with version 12) have a built-in basket where deleted files temporarily enter. By default, videos are stored there for 30 days, after which they are permanently erased. Here's how to check this section:
- Open the standard Gallery app (an icon with multi-colored squares).
- Slip on three horizontal lines (menu) in the lower right corner.
- Select the basket item (dumpster icon).
- Find the right video, hold your finger to highlight and click Restore.
If the bin is empty or the video is not there, move to the next method. Note: files from the basket can only be restored to the same device from which they were deleted.
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To increase the storage time of files in the Recycle Bin to 60 days, go to Gallery Settings → Recycle Bin → Shelf life and select the maximum value.
2.Recovery through Mi Cloud
The Mi Cloud cloud storage automatically syncs photos and videos if the feature has been activated.
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
- 🔍 Check the Gallery section – all synchronized files are displayed here.
- 📥 If there is a video, download it back to the device by clicking on the three dots next to the file.
An important nuance: Mi Cloud only saves thumbnails of video in original resolution up to 1080p by default. To back up files in 4K or high bitrate, you need to manually enable the option Original Quality in the sync settings. If you didn't, you can't restore video in full resolution through the cloud.
3. Search through the file manager
Sometimes videos are not deleted completely, but simply “hidden” in the folders of the system, which is true if you have used third-party shooting applications (such as Google Camera or Open Camera), which save files to non-standard directories.
- Open the Files app (yellow folder icon).
- Go to the Category tab → Video.
- If there is no video, tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show Hidden Files.
- Check the folders: DCIM/Camera — standard video from the camera; Movies – downloaded or downloaded videos; Pictures/Screenshots — Sometimes there's a screen recording; Android/data — files from third-party applications (such as TikTok or Instagram).
The Android/data folder can store videos that have been deleted from apps but not cleared through Cache Clearing, which can be restored by copying files to a different directory.
4.Use of Google Photos
If your Xiaomi has Google Photos installed and autoload enabled, the chances of recovery are much higher.The service saves all media files in the cloud, even if they were deleted from the device.
- 🌐 Open photos.google.com in your browser or run the Google Photos app.
- 🔍 Select the Recycle Bin - here files are stored for 60 days.
- 📤 If there is a video, click on it, then select Restore.
- 💾 To download to the phone, use the option Save to the device.
Google Photos has an advantage over Mi Cloud: it retains original video quality (unless the Traffic Saving option is enabled) but free storage is limited to 15GB per account. If the limit is exhausted, files will not sync.
What if Google Photos didn’t sync the video?
5. Connection to a computer and scanning programs
If the video isn't found on your phone, connect Xiaomi to your PC and use specialized deep scanning tools.
| Programme | Xiaomi support | Scan depth | Free version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recuva | Yes (via MTP) | Medium | Limitation on file size |
| EaseUS MobiSaver | Yeah (root requires) | Deep. | Pre-examination without preservation |
| DiskDigger | Yes (no root - only thumbnails) | Tall. | Limitation on the number of files |
| 7-Data Recovery | Yes. | Deep. | Scan without restrictions, saving - paid |
Action algorithm for Recuva (the most universal option):
- Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode (MTP) phone-on).
- Start Recuva and select the type of Video files.
- Specify your smartphone’s drive (usually a removable drive with a letter like F:).
- Press Analysis and wait for the scan to be completed (may take up to an hour).
- Tag the found videos and click Restore by selecting the folder on PC.
⚠️ Warning: Never save recovered files to the same drive from which the scan is being conducted! this may result in overwriting of lost data.
Disable Wi-Fi and Mobile Data on Xiaomi
Charge your phone at least 50%
Use the original USB-cable
Do not connect other devices to your PC during scanning
Save the recovered files to another disk-->
6. Recovery through ADB (for power users)
If standard methods fail and the phone has USB debugging enabled, you can try extracting videos via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a technique that requires technical skills and only works if the files have not been overwritten.
Instructions:
- Install ADB Tools on your PC.
- Connect Xiaomi and enter in the command line: adb devices (should display the serial number of your device).
- Obtain superuser rights (if the phone is rooted): adb shell su
- Find the video via file system search: find /sdcard/ -name ".mp4" -o -name ".mov" -o -name "*.3gp"
- Copy the found files on PC: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/VID_20231015_123456.mp4 C:\Restore\
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB without experience, it can cause phone malfunctions. Do not change system files or delete unknown directories. If you are not sure about commands, contact a specialist.
7. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center
If the videos are critical (e.g., court evidence or unique footage) and independent recovery attempts have failed, the last chance is to contact an authorized Xiaomi service center.
The service is paid, and its cost depends on the phone model and the complexity of the work:
- 📱 Xiaomi Redmi (budget models) – from 3 000 ₽;
- 📱 Xiaomi 12/13 series 5 000 ₽;
- 📱 Black Shark (Gaming Smartphones) – from 7,000 ₽.
Before the service visit:
- 🛑 Do not turn on the phone or recharge it (this may overwrite data).
- 📋 Write down the phone model, date of deletion and approximate video size.
- 🔍 Check whether the service provides a guarantee for recovery (some centers charge only for a successful result).
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A service center is the only way to recover video after a phone has been completely formatted or the file system has been damaged.
How to avoid video loss in the future
To avoid the problem of deleted videos again, follow these rules:
- ☁️ Automatic Sync: Configure backup in Mi Cloud and Google Photos (duplication increases your chances of recovery).
- 📁 Manual copying: Once a month, transfer important videos to a PC or external drive.
- 🔄 Turn off automatic cleaning: In the Warehouse settings → Cleaning deactivate the option Auto Cleaning the basket.
- 🛡️ Use Reliable Memory Cards: To Shoot Videos in 4K Choose a microSD card class UHS-I U3 or V30 (For example, SanDisk Extreme).
- 🔧 Regularly update the software: in new versions MIUI Data protection algorithms are improving.
If you’re shooting video on Xiaomi in HEVC (H.265) format, note that not all recovery programs support this codec. Use cloud services to back up such files or convert them to H.264 through the Video Converter app.