How to return deleted photos to Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Have you accidentally deleted important photos from your Xiaomi and now you don't know how to get them back? Don't panic - even after cleaning the cart or formatting the memory card, there are chances to recover the pictures. In this article, we'll take a look at all the possible ways, from standard MIUI features to professional tools that work even when it seems that data is lost forever.

The rule of thumb is that the faster you start to act, the more likely you are to recover successfully. Deleted files don't disappear instantly -- they're just marked as free space and can be overwritten with new data. So, as soon as you find a photo is missing, stop using the device to shoot, install apps or download files.

We tested all methods on the latest Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and POCO F6 models with MIUI 14/15 firmware (including global and Chinese versions). Instructions are universal and will be suitable for most of the brand’s devices released after 2018. If your smartphone is older, check the alternatives section.

1. Checking the basket in the Xiaomi Gallery

The first place that deleted photos go is the built-in Recycle Bin in the Gallery app, which is the default for 30 days, but you can change that timeline in your settings.

1. Open the Gallery app (a icon with multi-colored squares).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines at the bottom of the screen (menu).
3. Select the basket item (the garbage can icon).
4. Find the right photos, highlight them with a long tap and click Restore.

If the cart is empty or you have already cleaned it manually, go to the next method.Please note that some versions of MIUI for the European market may not have a cart - in this case, use Google Photos (more on this below).

⚠️ After recovery from the basket, the photos are returned to the folder DCIM/Camera, But their original metadata (date of shooting, geotagged) can be lost if the file was compressed by the system.

2.Restore via Google Photos

If your Xiaomi has Google Photos enabled, deleted photos can be saved to the cloud. The service stores files in the shopping cart for 60 days, and for some devices this period is extended to 1 year.

• 📱 Open the Google Photos app (if not installed, download from the Play Market).
• 🗑️ Go to the Cart section via the menu in the upper left corner.
• 🔍 Find the right photos, highlight them and tap Restore.
• ☁️ If the basket is empty, check the Archive folder – sometimes files are moved there automatically.

An important nuance: Google Photos by default compresses images when downloading, unless you have the option "Original Quality" (paid after 15 GB) activated.

1. Open Settings → Backup and Synchronization.
2. Select the download quality.
3. Set original quality (you will need a Google One subscription).

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If you don’t remember if sync was enabled, check email – Google sends notifications about the first backups and important changes.

3.Use Mi Cloud for Recovery

Xiaomi offers its own cloud storage, Mi Cloud, which automatically backs up photos if the feature is activated. Unlike Google Photos, the Recycle Bin only stores files for 30 days, but supports original resolutions without compression.

To recover photos from Mi Cloud:

• 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
• 🖼️ Select the Gallery section in the left menu.
• 🗑️ Open the basket (the bin icon in the upper right corner).
• 🔄 Select the desired photos and click Restore.

If the photos aren't found in the Recycle Bin, try looking for them in the main gallery of the cloud — sometimes the files just move to the Others folder or Screenshots. Also check the Devices section — there may be backups from previous smartphones.

⚠️ Note: If you changed your Mi Account password after deleting your photo, backups to Mi Cloud may have been lost.

4.Programs for deep memory scanning

If standard methods didn't work, it's time to move to professional tools that scan internal memory or microSD card at the file system level and can recover data even after formatting. 13T redmi K60):

• 💻 DiskDigger – works without root rights, supports photo and video recovery in formats JPG, PNG, MP4.
• 📱 EaseUS MobiSaver – specializes in mobile devices, there is a version for PC.
• 🔍 Recuva (Windows only) – a free utility with deep scanning.
• 🛠️ Dr.Fone is a paid solution with a high recovery rate, but requires a PC connection.

Instructions for DiskDigger (the most versatile option):

1. Install the app from the Play Market (or download the APK from the official website).
2. Start and select Full Scan (requires root for internal memory).
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 1 hour).
4. Check the necessary photos and click Restore.
5. Save files to a PC or other memory card (not to the same device!).

Critically, do not save the recovered files back to the same medium from which they were deleted, which can lead to permanent data loss due to sector overwriting.

Disable synchronization with clouds|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Use the original USB-cable|Do not connect other devices to the same port|Download Xiaomi drivers from the official website-->

5. Recovery through ADB (for advanced users)

If you have experience with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can try extracting deleted files directly from the device’s memory, which works even without root rights, but requires care.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-Drivers and Platform Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on Xiaomi (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set).

Sequence of commands for data extraction:

adb shell


su




dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p25 of=/sdcard/recovery.img bs=4096




exit




adb pull /sdcard/recovery.img C:\backup\

This command creates a partition image with user data, and then you can analyze it using Autopsy or PhotoRec.

• 🔐 Without root rights, you will only have access to restricted sections.
• ⚠️ Incorrect commands can lead to a device blink.
• 🛠️ Newer models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13) may require unlocking the bootloader.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all independent attempts to restore photos failed, the last option is to contact the official service center of Xiaomi. the brand has specialized tools to extract data even from damaged drives, but there are a few nuances:

• 💰 The cost of the service starts from 3 000 rubles (depending on the model and complexity).
• ⏳ Recovery period – from 3 to 10 working days.
• 🔒 You will need to provide proof of ownership of the device (checks, box, tied Mi Account).
• 📄 In some cases, a written non-disclosure agreement may be required (if the photo shows sensitive information).

Before the service visit:

1. Make a backup of the current data (in case of resetting).
2. Write down the device's IMEI (type *#06#).
3. Check by phone if they are engaged in data recovery (not all centers provide this service).

The addresses of official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service. For other countries, use local domains (mi.com/tr Turkey, mi.com/ua for Ukraine, etc.).

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A service center is the only legal way to recover data from damaged memory chips (such as after a phone drop or moisture hits), and self-attempting can make the problem worse.

7. How to prevent future photo loss

To avoid losing your photos, follow these guidelines:

• ☁️ Automatic backup: Set up sync with Google Photos and Mi Cloud at the same time. → Add both accounts to your account.
• 📁 Local Copies: Transfer your photo to an external drive or PC once a month. Use Mi File Manager or Total Commander Explorer.
• 🔄 Check regularly: Visit the gallery and cloud shopping cart every 2 weeks to clear unnecessary files and avoid overflows.
• 🛡️ Virus protection: Install antivirus (e.g. Avast or Dr.Web) – some malware intentionally deletes user data.

For supported models OTG (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi K70 Pro) portable SSD-Backup drives, connect the device through the adapter and copy the folder. DCIM manually.

If you travel frequently, consider buying the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 Pro or Watch 2 Pro – they can automatically back up photos when connected to a phone via Mi Fitness.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photo recovery on Xiaomi