How to find and recover deleted photos on Xiaomi Redmi phone: all working methods

Losing photos on a smartphone is one of the most frustrating situations for the owner of Xiaomi Redmi.Snapshots with important moments, documents or work materials can disappear from the gallery after accidental deletion, resetting or system failure. Fortunately, devices based on MIUI have several built-in data protection mechanisms, as well as third-party tools to help recover lost files.

In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven ways to recover deleted photos - from simple (check basket and cloud storage) to advanced (use of PC and specialized software). 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 And other popular models, where file storage algorithms may differ, and you'll learn how to avoid permanent data loss in the future.

1.A check of the basket at MIUI Gallery

The first thing you need to do is to look into the built-in Gallery application basket, and in MIUI, deleted photos are not erased immediately, but are sent to a temporary storage facility that lasts from 15 to 30 days (depending on the model and firmware version), which is the fastest and safest way to return photos without additional software.

How to check the basket:

• 📱 Open the standard Gallery app (icon with colored squares).
• 🗑️ Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Select the Recycle Bin (or Recently Deleted in New Versions).
• 🔍 View the file list: photos are sorted by date of deletion. highlight the desired (long press) → press Restore.
• 💾 Files will return to the original folder (Camera, Screenshots, etc.).

If the cart is empty or you can't find deleted photos, check:

• ⏳ Storage: In Redmi Note 12 and later files are stored for 30 days, in older models (for example, Redmi 8) – only 15 days.
• 🧹 You may have already cleaned the cart manually through Settings. → Warehouse → Clean the basket.
• 📁 Some system files (such as screenshots or uploaded pictures) may not be included in the Recycle Bin.

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If the cart does not have the necessary photos, do not add new files to the phone’s memory – this will reduce the chances of successful recovery by other methods.

2. Recovery via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

If your Redmi has been enabled to sync with Mi Cloud, the chances of returning photos are much higher. The cloud automatically saves copies of the images (provided that the function is activated in the settings). Even if you delete the photos from your phone, they can remain in the cloud - especially if less than 60 days have passed (the standard storage period for deleted files in Mi Cloud).

Instructions for remediation:

1. 🌐 Go to i.mi.com via your browser on your PC or phone. log in to the same Xiaomi account that is linked to your Redmi.
2. 📂 In the menu on the left, select the Gallery → Recycled cart (or recently deleted).
3. 🔍 Find the photos you want, highlight them, and click Restore. Files will go back to the cloud and sync with your phone the next time you connect to the Internet.

The nuances of working with Mi Cloud:

⚠️ Note: If you don’t remember the password from your Xiaomi account or the phone was reset to factory settings without an account detachment, it will be difficult to restore access to the cloud.

3. Search for photos through the file manager (hidden folders)

Sometimes photos don't disappear without a trace, but simply move to hidden system folders, which can happen after a MIUI update, a Gallery application crash, or memory optimizers (such as Security or Cleaner) are working, and you'll need a file manager with access to root directories to find them.

How to find hidden photos:

• 📂 Install Files from Google (from Play Market) or use the built-in Explorer in the MIUI.
• 🔍 Enable the Display of Hidden Files: In Google Files, click on three dots → Settings → Show hidden files.
• 📁 Go to the folders: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/.nomedia /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/ It can store thumbnails, temporary copies or cached versions of photos.
• 🖼️ Check files with.nomedia,.tmp or no extensions – they can be renamed to.jpg/.png and open through the gallery.

Example of the path to hidden folders:

On the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, thumbnails are often saved at /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.gallery/cache/. These files usually weigh a few KB, but sometimes full-fledged photos are found among them.

4. Recovery with PC and software (Recuva, DiskDigger)

If previous methods have failed, it’s time to plug in the computer. Special data recovery programs (such as Recuva, DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver) scan the phone’s internal memory at the file system level and can find photos even after formatting. However, success depends on how long it has been since the deletion and how actively the device has been used.

Step-by-step instructions for Recuva:

1. 💻 Download and install Recuva on PC (Windows).
2. 📱 Connect Redmi to your computer via USB-On your phone, select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
3. 🔍 Launch Recuva → Select the file type of Images → specify your phone’s drive (usually a Removable Disc (D:) or similar).
4. ⚡ Start a deep scan (it will take 10 minutes to an hour).
5. 🖼️ After completion, mark the photos found (pay attention to the quality of recovery – a green circle means a high probability of successful recovery).
6. 💾 Save files on your PC, not back to your phone!

If you delete a photo and keep using your phone (install apps, shoot new videos, update MIUI), your chances of recovery drop by 30 to 50 percent with each gigabyte of new data.

📌 Comparison of recovery programs:

Disable Wi-Fi and mobile data on your phone

Charge your phone at least 50%

Use the original USB-cable

Do not connect your phone to other devices during scanning-->

5. Restoration with root rights (for advanced users)

If none of the previous methods worked, the last option is to get root rights and use low-level tools like TWRP or Undeleter, which is only suitable for advanced users, because:

• ⚠️ Violates the warranty (if the phone is warranty, it is better to contact the service center).
• 🔓 Requires unlocking the bootloader, which erases all data on the device.
• 🛠️ Root errors can lead to a phone 'brick.

If you are willing to take risks, follow the algorithm:

1. 🔗 Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (en.miui.com/unlock). It'll take till 72 hours (you need to link the account to the device).
2. 📥 Install custom recovery (TWRP) For your Redmi model (see the instructions on the forum) XDA Developers).
3. 🔧 Load the phone in mode TWRP (clamp down the Power + Volume Up when switched on).
4. 💾 Connect your phone to your PC and use it. ADB or applications like Undeleter to scan a partition /data.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with MediaTek chip (e.g. Redmi) 9A or Redmi 10C) Unlocking the bootloader may not be possible without authorization through a service account.

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Getting root rights to restore a photo only makes sense if the photos are critical (for example, single copies of documents), otherwise the risks outweigh the benefits.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all independent attempts to recover photos failed, you can contact the official service center Xiaomi, experts have access to professional equipment and programs that can extract data even from damaged memory.

• 💰 The cost of the service starts from 1,500-3,000 rubles (depending on the complexity of the service).
• ⏳ Recovery time: 1 to 5 working days.
• 📄 Passport and check (guarantee card) will be required if the phone is guaranteed.
• 🔒 In some cases, data may be partially recovered (e.g., without metadata or in low resolution).

📍 How to Find the Nearest Service Center:

1. Go to the site. mi.com/ru/service.
2. Enter your city or allow access to geolocation.
3. Select a center marked as an Authorized Xiaomi Service Partner.
4. Call in advance and check if they are recovering data (not all centers provide this service).

💡 Tip: Before visiting the service, make a backup of your current phone data (contacts, messages, apps), as the wizard may require a reset for diagnosis.

How to Avoid Losing Your Photos in the Future: 5 Rules

To avoid the problem of deleted photos, follow the following simple recommendations:

• ☁️ Enable automatic sync with Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Mi Cloud → Gallery and activate Auto Sync. Set a limit on mobile data if you're afraid of overspending.
• 💾 Regularly copy your photo to your PC or external drive: connect Redmi to your computer once a month and move the folder DCIM hard-drive.
• 📱 Use third-party clouds: Google Photos, Yandex Drive or Dropbox offer free storage and protect data more reliably.
• 🚫 Do not clean the gallery cache manually: in Settings → Annexes → gallery → Storage do not click Clear data – this can delete thumbnails and service files.
• 🔄 Check the Recycle Bin before cleaning: Before clearing your memory with Security or Cleaner, check out the recently deleted ones.

📌 Bonus: Set up backups through Google Photos:

1. Install the Google Photos app from the Play Market.
2. Open it and log in to your Google account.
3. Slip on the avatar → Photo settings → Backup and synchronization.
4. Turn on the switch and select quality (Original or High).

FAQ: Frequent questions about photo recovery on Xiaomi Redmi