How to view deleted photos on Xiaomi phone: from cart to deep scan

Removing photos from Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that almost every user faces. Most often it happens by accident: awkward clicking, resetting settings or even a virus attack. Fortunately, Redmi devices, POCO and other Xiaomi lines have several built-in data protection mechanisms, as well as third-party tools that help to return lost photos. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of recovery, from basic (checking the basket) to advanced (using ADB and specialized software).

It's important to understand that recovery success depends on two factors: the time elapsed after deleting and the intensity of your phone's use after file loss. The faster you start to act, the better the chances of returning the photo to its original quality. We'll also look at how to avoid permanent data loss in the future, from setting up automatic backup to properly formatting memory.

The article is relevant for all Xiaomi models of 2018-2026 release, including Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5/F5, Mi 11/12/13 and others. Instructions adapted to the latest versions of MIUI (14-15) and Android (12-14).

The easiest and fastest way to return deleted photos is to use the built-in Recycle Bin in the Gallery app. Xiaomi defaults to save deleted files in the Recycle Bin for 15 to 30 days (depending on the model and version of MIUI), after which they are deleted irrevocably.

To check the basket:

  • 📱 Open the Gallery app (image icon with photos).
  • 🗑️ In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and pick the basket.
  • 🔍 View the list of deleted files. Photos are sorted by date of deletion.
  • 🔄 Select the desired pictures (long press) and click Restore at the bottom of the screen.

If the cart is empty or there are no photos, move to the next method. Note: the cart is automatically cleared if there is a lack of memory or after manual cleaning through Settings → Storage.

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If you don't have the photos in the cart, but you remember the approximate date of deletion, try sorting the files by date (Sort → Deletion Date).

2. Recovery through backups

Xiaomi offers several options for photo backup: cloud storage Mi Cloud, Google Photos and local copies through Settings → About phone → Backup. If you set up sync in advance, the chances of returning a photo are very high.

2.1. Mi Cloud

The Mi Cloud service automatically saves photos if the Sync Gallery option is enabled to check:

  1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
  2. Make sure that the gallery slider is active (green).
  3. Go to Mi Cloud → Gallery and find the Remote or Archive folder.

2.2 Google Photo.

If you are using Google Photos, check:

  • 🌐 Open the Google Photos app or go to photos.google.com.
  • 🔍 Select the Recycle Bin (Photos are stored there for 60 days).
  • 📁 Check the Archive folder – sometimes photos are moved there instead of deleted.

If you don't have backups, move on to the next section, and it's important that when you recover from the cloud, the photos can re-synchronize with your phone, which will take time depending on the speed of the Internet.

📊 You use cloud storage for your photos?
Yes, Mi Cloud.
Yes, Google Photos.
No, I don't.
Other

3. Search for hidden folders and system files

Sometimes photos are not deleted, but moved to hidden system folders, which can occur due to a failure in the Gallery, an update to MIUI or actions of third-party applications.

  1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode).
  2. Open Windows/macOS Explorer and go to the phone folder.
  3. Enable the display of hidden files: 🪟 Windows: View → Hidden elements. 🍎 macOS: Command + Shift +.
  • /DCIM/.thumbnails - miniatures of photos.
  • /Pictures/Screenshots – sometimes the screenshots are duplicated here.
  • /MIUI/Gallery/cloud is a cache of a cloud gallery.

This team will list everyone. JPG/PNG-To recover files, including those that are remote, you'll need to manually copy them through adb pull. SQL and ADB This method is not recommended.

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ADB-If you're not sure what you're doing, you better see a specialist. If you're not sure what you're doing, you can see a team error, and you can lose data completely.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all independent attempts to restore failed, the last option is to contact the official service center Xiaomi.

  • 💥 Physical memory damage (fall, moisture intrusion).
  • 🔄 Reset to factory settings without backup.
  • 🛠️ Failed attempts to recover through the software.

Xiaomi service centers in Russia and CIS are equipped with specialized equipment for chip-based data recovery (chip-off).The cost of the service varies from 3 000 to 15 000 rubles depending on the complexity.

  • 📋 Make a list of lost photos (dates, events).
  • 🔋 Do not turn your phone on or connect to charging (this can overwrite data).
  • 📄 Bring a check or a warranty card (if the phone is guaranteed).

Xiaomi’s official service centers in Moscow and the regions can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service. Average recovery period – from 3 before 7 days.

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If the phone is warranty, check in advance if it is saved after data recovery. In some cases, chip recovery is considered an interference with the hardware.

7. How to prevent future photo loss

To avoid the problem of deleted photos, set up a multi-level backup system. Here are the proven ways:

Automatic synchronization

  • 🌥️ Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Gallery (enable autosynchronization).
  • 📷 Google Photos: Install the app and enable Backup and Sync.

Local copies

  • 💾 Regularly copy the photo to a PC or external drive.
  • 📱 Use applications like FolderSync to automatically copy NAS cloud.
  • 🗑️ Increase the storage time in the basket: Gallery → ⋮ → Settings → Basket → Storage period (maximum 60 days).
  • 🔒 Enable Accidental Deletion Protection: Settings → Lockdown and protection → Gallery defense.

Tip: Create a separate folder Important photos in Google Drive or Mi Cloud and manually copy the most valuable photos there. This will take 2-3 minutes, but save the data in a critical situation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I recover the photo after resetting to factory settings?
The chances are extremely low. Reset completely clears the /data partition where user files are stored. If there was no backup in the cloud or on a PC, recovery is possible only through chip soldering in the service center (expensive and does not guarantee 100% results).
Will root access help in photo recovery?
Root rights give you access to system folders and allow you to use advanced tools like Undeleter or Hex Editor, but getting root voids the warranty and increases the risk of system damage, and if you're not a power user, you better give up this method.
How much does it cost to restore a photo in the service center?
Cost depends on the model of the phone and the type of damage: Software recovery (without soldering): 2000–5,000 ₽. Chip-off recovery: 8,000–15,000 ₽. Emergency recovery (in 1 day): +30 to 50 percent of the cost. Check the prices in advance -- some centers charge only for a successful result.
Can I recover my photos by myself after the MIUI update?
No, the firmware update doesn't return deleted files. However, in rare cases, duplicate photos may appear in /DCIM/.thumbnails folder after the update.
What photo formats can be restored?
Most programs (e.g., DiskDigger or EaseUS) run on popular formats: 📷 JPG/JPEG (most likely recovery). 🖼️ PNG, WEBP (partial recovery). 🎥 HEIC/HEIF (requires special software). 📽️ RAW (recovery unlikely due to large size. - Video files (MP4, MOV) Recover less frequently due to fragmentation.

If none of these things worked, don't despair. Data recovery technologies are constantly evolving. For example, in 2026, Xiaomi announced Time Freeze in MIUI 15, which allows you to roll back changes to the gallery by 24 hours. Watch out for firmware updates - perhaps in the future there will be new tools for returning lost files.