How to remove photos from Xiaomi phone: from gallery to hidden folders

Why simple removal from the gallery doesn't work

You clicked Delete in the Gallery app on your Xiaomi, but are you sure that the photos are gone forever? In fact, standard deletion only moves files to the bin where they are stored for another 30 days, and even after cleaning the cart, the data remains in the device's memory, and can be restored by special programs like DiskDigger or Recuva.

The problem is compounded by the fact that MIUI automatically creates hidden backups in folders like DCIM/.thumbnails or Pictures/.nomedia. And if you sync photos with Google Photos or Mi Cloud, they can "resurrect" after reinstalling the system, and in this article, we'll look at how to delete snapshots without recovery, from manual methods to software "eras" at the binary data level.

Important: the procedure is different for devices with internal memory (where the photos are stored on the built-in drive) and SD-For memory cards, formatting is enough, and for internal memory, additional steps will be required.

Method 1: Cleaning the Recycle Bin and Hidden Folders in MIUI

Before resorting to radical measures, check the standard storage spaces for “garbage” in MIUI firmware. Even after removal from the gallery, files can remain in:

• 🗑️ Gallery Recycle Bin - Stores files for 30 days (Gallery Settings) → Basket).
• 📁 Hidden folders — DCIM/.thumbnails (thumbnail), Pictures/.nomedia (copy-copy).
• ☁️ Cloud services – Mi Cloud or Google Photos (if sync is enabled).
• 🔄 App cache – for example, WhatsApp or Telegram cache, if you sent photos through messengers.

To clear the basket:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → Basket.
3. Click Clear or select files manually and delete.

To remove hidden folders:

1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager).
2. Enable the display of hidden files: in Mi File Manager tap on ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files.
3. Go to DCIM and Pictures folders, delete the contents of the dot-in-the-begin folders (e.g.,.thumbnails).

Delete files from the gallery cart | Clear hidden folders (.thumbnails,.nomedia) | Disable sync with Mi Cloud/Google Photo | Check the messenger cache (WhatsApp, Telegram)

-->

⚠️ Note: If you used the Duplicate function in the gallery MIUI, The system could create copies of the photo in the folder Pictures/Duplicates. Remove them separately!

Method 2: Formatting SD-cards (for external memory)

If the photos are stored on SD-The most reliable way to remove them is through full formatting, and unlike internal memory, microSD cards are formatted without a trace (when set up correctly).

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → SD-map.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) → Storage settings → Format.
3. Choose full formatting (not fast!) This will take longer, but the data will be overwritten.

For maximum reliability:

• 🔧 Use a PC: paste the card into the card reader, open Disk Utility (Mac) or Windows Disk Management (Windows), select formatting in the card reader. FAT32 exFAT.
• 🔄 After formatting, write a large file (such as a movie) to rewrite the old data.

⚠️ Attention: If SD-The card was used as internal memory (Adoptable Storage in Android), it can't be formatted with standard means!

Method 3: Resetting the phone to factory settings

If the photos were stored in internal memory, not in the SD-Hard reset will delete all data, including system files, but does not guarantee 100% protection from recovery (specialized programs can find fragments of files).

How to reset:

1. Back up important data (contacts, messages, etc.).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose Delete all data and confirm.
4. After the reboot, the phone will look like new.

To increase efficiency:

• 🔄 After reset, fill the memory with unnecessary files (for example, download several movies.
• 🔒 Disable Mi Account before reset to avoid automatic cloud sync.

Cons of the method:

• ❌ All data, including applications and settings, is deleted.
• ❌ Some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro) retain some system files even after a reset.
• ❌ If photos are synced with Mi Cloud, they will return after logging in to your account.

Method 4: Using software for safe removal

To guarantee that you delete it without resetting your phone, use specialized utilities that overwrite files with random data, making recovery impossible. Let's take two options: for PC and for Android.

Option A: Utilities for PC (most reliable)

Connect your phone to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode and use:

• 🖥️ CCleaner – Drive Wiper (rewriting free space).
• 🖥️ Eraser – supports DoD algorithms 5220.22-M (7 re-recording passes).
• 🖥️ DBAN — for complete cleaning (requires an unlocked bootloader).

Instructions for Eraser:

1. Install the program on the PC.
2. Connect Xiaomi and select internal memory as a drive.
3. Select the folders with the photo (for example, DCIM) → right button → Erase.
4. Choose the Gutmann method (35 passes) for maximum security.

Option B: Apps for Android

If you do not have access to the PC, use:

• 📱 Secure Delete – Overwrites files before deleting them.
• 📱 Shreddit supports DoD algorithms and NATO.
• 📱 iShredder – certified for military standards.

Example of Secure Delete:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give permission to access the storage.
3. Select files or folders (e.g. DCIM/Camera).
4. Press Secure Delete and select the 7-pass DoD method.

Standard removal from the gallery|Cleaning the basket|Formatting SD-map|Phone reset|I use software for safe removal.

-->

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 14+ Some applications for secure removal may not work due to Scoped Storage limitations.In this case, use a PC or roll back on the site. MIUI 12.

Method 5: Phone firmware (for advanced users)

If you're selling or transferring a phone and want to erase all your data at the firmware level, use the fastboot firmware through the Mi Flash Tool, which completely overwrites the userdata section where the photos are stored.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 Firmware for your model (download from the official Xiaomi website).
• 🔧 Unlocked bootloader (if not unlocked, follow the instructions below).

Step-by-step:

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers.
2. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Refresh → Flash.
5. Select the Clean All option (complete cleaning).
6. Wait for completion (5-10 minutes).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Deletes all data, including system files.
• ✅ Recovery of photos becomes impossible.
• ✅ Phone gets 'clean' firmware without trash.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires unlocking the bootloader (resets all data!).
• ❌ The risk of “bricking” with incorrect firmware.
• ❌ Not suitable for beginners.

Additional measures: how to avoid leakage of photos in the future

To avoid having to delete the photo, follow the simple rules:

• 🔐 Turn off automatic synchronization: Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization of the gallery (turn off).Google Photos → Settings → Backup and synchronization (turn off).
• 📁 Keep confidential photos in protected folders: Use Private Folder in your home MIUI (Settings → Confidentiality → Private Folder, or apps like KeepSafe or GalleryVault.
• 🚫 Do not transfer photos through messengers without encryption (in Telegram use Secret chats).
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly: Settings → Warehouse → Cache data. → Clean up

💡

If you often take photos of documents or personal data, use the Confidential Album mode in the standard MIUI gallery. Photos from it do not appear in the main tape and are not synced with the cloud.

For maximum safety:

• 🔒 Set a password for the gallery (Gallery settings) → Password).
• 📵 Turn off preview in messenger notifications (for example, WhatsApp).
• 🔍 Check application permissions (Settings) periodically → Annexes → Permits → Warehouse).

Frequent Questions (FAQ)