Removing and Recovering Deleted Files on Xiaomi: The Complete 2026 Guide

Have you accidentally deleted important photos, videos or documents from your Xiaomi and now you don’t know how to return them? or vice versa – want to permanently erase confidential data so that it does not fall into the wrong hands? from recovering lost files to permanently deleting them using built-in tools MIUI and third-party utilities.

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi series, POCO, Black Shark) working on a branded shell MIUI, Even after deletion, files can remain in the system as garbage or temporary copies, which can be restored, but this also poses risks of data leakage. MIUI 14/15 And they tested them on Xiaomi models. 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5.

It is important to understand the difference between "deletion" and "erasing": Deletion - the file disappears from the gallery / guide, but remains in memory until overwritten with new data. Erasure - the file is destroyed without the possibility of recovery (special tools are required).

Choose the script you want and follow the step-by-step instructions.

1. How to recover deleted files on Xiaomi without root

If you have deleted files recently (within 30 days), the chances of recovery are high. MIUI It has a built-in Recycle Bin, and it also supports cloud backup. Let's start with the simplest methods.

Method 1: Checking the basket in MIUI

By default, deleted files from the Gallery, Files and Records apps are sent to the Recycle Bin and stored there for 30 days.

1. Open the Files app (Folder icon).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Basket.
3. Select the desired files with a long tap → click Restore.

⚠️ Note: If the Recycle Bin is empty, check the settings: Files → Settings → Basket → Turn on the basket. On some firmware, this feature is disabled by default.

Method 2: Recovery from the Mi Cloud

If your Xiaomi enabled sync with Mi Cloud, deleted files could be saved to the cloud.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 🔍 Select Gallery or Backups section.
• 📤 Find the Removed or Archive folder (depending on version) MIUI).
• 🔄 Click Restore next to the right files.

The cloud stores deleted data for up to 60 days, but the amount of free storage is limited to 5 GB. If the space is out, files can be deleted automatically.

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If you don’t remember if sync was enabled, check backup history in Mi Cloud → Devices → [Your model] → Backups. Even if the files aren't displayed in the gallery, they could have been saved in the archive.

2. programs for recovery of deleted files (without root)

If the built-in methods didn’t work, use third-party utilities. We tested 5 popular programs and selected the two most effective for Xiaomi.

Top 2 Recovery Programs:

Instructions for DiskDigger (recommended for beginners):

1. Download DiskDigger from Google Play.
2. Start the app and select Start a simple search (for photos) or Complete Search (for all files).
3. Wait until the scan is completed (it can take up to 30 minutes).
4. Tick the required files and click Restore.
5. Select a folder to save (for example, a cloud or a cloud). SD-map).

⚠️ Warning: Do not save recovered files to the same memory they were deleted from! this may overwrite the remaining data and make it impossible to further restore them.

Enable debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap)

Connect your phone to your PC (if you use it) Recuva/EaseUS)

Charge your phone at least 50%

Free up space on the memory card (if you save it there)

Do not install new applications until the restoration is completed-->

3. How to permanently delete files from Xiaomi (without recovery option)

If you sell or transfer a phone, the usual deletion is not enough - files can be restored using special programs.

Method 1: Formatting internal memory

This will delete all data, including apps and settings, and once formatted, file recovery will be impossible without professional hardware.

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Memory. → Cleaning up memory → Format.
• 📛 Enter the password from your Mi Account (if requested).
• ⚠️ Confirm the action – the phone will restart and return to factory settings.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 14+ After formatting, you may need to re-assign your Xiaomi account to unlock.Make sure you remember your login and password!

Method 2: Recording junk data (for paranoids)

If you want to be 100% sure that files cannot be recovered even in the lab, fill the memory with junk after formatting:

1. Download large videos (at least 10GB) or use a random file generator (such as 360 Security).
2. Copy it into the phone’s internal memory.
3. Delete the file and repeat the formatting.

This method overwrites memory sectors, making it impossible to recover old data.

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Formatting through Settings → Reset does not guarantee complete deletion of data. Use the combination: formatting for reliability + junk-file + reset.

4. Delete files via PC (for power users)

If the phone doesn’t recognize files or they freeze when you delete them, connect Xiaomi to your computer, which is also useful for deep cleaning of system folders.

Method 1: Using ADB (without root)

Through ADB You can delete files that you can't see in standard Explorer, like app cache or update residues.

1. Install Platform Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on the debugging. USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → return to additional settings → For developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb devices (should display your device).
4. To delete the cache folder, do: adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/Android/data/*/cache

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf The error in the path can lead to the loss of system files!

Method 2: Deep cleaning programs

For Windows, we recommend CCleaner or Wise Care 365 – they can clean temporary files. MIUI, The standard tools don't see:

• 🖥️ Connect the phone in file transfer mode (MTP).
• 🧹 Run the program and select Disk Cleanup.
• 🔍 Tag items: Temporary files, application cache, update residues.
• 🗑️ Click Clean and wait until it is completed.

5. Features of working with memory cards (microSD) on Xiaomi

Files on SD-The card is deleted and restored differently than in the internal memory, and it is important to consider the format of the map and the settings. MIUI.

How to properly delete files from SD-map:

• 📁 Use the File Explorer built-in → choose SD-map.
• 🗑️ Delete files in the standard way (long tap) → Delete).
• 🔄 After deleting, perform Safe Extract in the notification panel.

If the card is used as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage function), it cannot be retrieved without formatting!

1. Transfer important files to another medium.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map → Formatting as a portable.
3. After formatting, remove the map.

Recovery of files from SD-map

The same programs are suitable for memory cards as for internal memory (DiskDigger, EaseUS), but the chances of success are higher, since the memory card is not the same. MIUI does not overwrite the data to SD It's so active:

⚠️ Note: Do not save the recovered files to the same SD-Use a PC or a cloud.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When working with deleted files, Xiaomi users often face typical problems, and we have collected the most common and ways to fix them.

The “Insufficient Memory” Error in Recovery

If the recovery program gives this error, but there is free space on the phone:

• 📂 Try to save files to SD-card.
• 🧹 Clear the recovery app cache (Settings) → Annexes → [Title of the programme] → Memory. → Clear the cache).
• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.

7. Alternative methods: root and custom firmware

If standard methods didn't help, and files are critical, you might consider getting root rights, which would give you full access to your phone's memory, but would take away the warranty and could disrupt your work. MIUI.

What does root give you to work with files:

• 🔍 Access to system folders (/data, /system).
• 🗑️ The ability to use Root Explorer for deep scanning.
• 🛠️ Installation TWRP Recovery to create full backups.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with Anti-Rollback (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro, Xiaomi) 12T) Incorrect root can lock your phone! Before the procedure, check the support for your model in the forum XDA Developers.

Instructions for restoring root (briefly):

1. Install Magisk to get root.
2. Download Root Explorer or FX File Explorer.
3. Move to the /data/data/com.android.providers.media — Metadata of deleted files can be stored here.
4. Use Undeleter Recover Files & Data (requires root) for deep scanning.

🔹 Important: After recovering files from root, disable Magisk in Settings → Magisk → Turn off to avoid problems with banking applications.

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Root rights are a huge opportunity, but the risks are high, from loss of warranty to phone breeze, and use this method only if other methods have failed and you are prepared for the potential consequences.

FAQ: Frequent questions about deleting and recovering files