Accidental deletion of important images is one of the most common problems faced by owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS operating system are equipped with a built-in security mechanism that prevents irretrievable data loss immediately after clicking the “Delete” button.
The recovery process usually takes less than a minute if you know where to look for saved footage. In this article, we will discuss the algorithm for the regular gallery, as well as work with the cloud service Google Photos, which often duplicates media files by default. Understanding these nuances will help you quickly fix the error and save memorable moments.
Before we get to the step-by-step instructions, it's worth noting that the success of the operation depends on the time since the deletion. The faster you catch it, the more likely it is that the image is still available for simple relocation back to the main album without using complex software.
Where is the basket in the standard gallery Xiaomi
The interface of the MIUI shell may vary depending on the firmware version, but the logic of the system applications remains the same for all models. The basket is a hidden album that does not appear in the general list of folders on the gallery's home screen. To get into it, you need to open the Gallery app and go to the Albums tab at the bottom of the screen.
Scroll down the album list, and you'll see a section called "Deleted" or "Recently Deleted," which is where all the photos and videos you've erased in the last 30 days are stored, and if you're syncing with Mi Cloud, that can be extended to 60 days, which gives you additional recovery time.
It is important to understand that files in this folder take up space on your device until they are permanently deleted or expired.The system automatically marks them as "hidden," but does not physically erase them from the drive right away.
⚠️ Note: If you manually clean the cart or the 30-day deadline expires, it will be impossible to restore the standard methods.
You can search the inside of the application for quick access to the desired section by typing in the “deleted” query, but the visual path through the album menu is more reliable and understandable to most users who are used to the structure of the file system.
Step-by-step instructions for restoring pictures
The process of returning a photo to the main album is extremely simple and does not require technical skills. Once you open the Deleted folder, you need to select a specific file or group of files. To do this, just touch the image with your finger, a tick will appear in the corner to signal the selection.
You can select one by one, swipe across the screen, or use the mass selection feature. The top corner of the screen often has a "Select All" button or a three-dot icon, where the option menu is hidden, which is handy if you want to restore the entire album at once.
☑️ Photo recovery algorithm
After you have selected the necessary frames, pay attention to the bottom toolbar, which will have a button called "Restore" (sometimes indicated by an up arrow or a return icon), clicking on it will instantly move files from the buffer to their original albums, for example, in "Camera" or "Screenshots".
If the recovery button is not active or missing, check if the cloud storage is full if sync is enabled. In local mode, this function should work smoothly. Also make sure that the phone has enough free memory, although when recovering from the basket it is usually already reserved.
Working with Google Photos on Xiaomi devices
Many Xiaomi users prefer to use Google Photos instead of the regular app, thanks to its easy search and cloud sync. The cart is similar here, but the path to it may be different. Open the Google Photos app and go to the Library tab in the lower right corner.
At the top of the screen or in the Utility block, you'll find the Recycle Bin item, which stores deleted items that have been synced to your Google account, which also lasts 30 days, but can be up to 60 days for Google One subscribers.
To return a photo, click and hold your thumbnail, then select the remaining images you want. In the bottom menu, click Recover. The photo will return to the main tape and to the Photo on the Device album if it was downloaded from your phone.
| Parameter | Xiaomi Gallery | Google Photo | Mi Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage period | 30 days | 30-60 days | 60 days |
| Network dependency | Not required | Required for synchronization | Required. |
| Storage area | Phone memory | Google Cloud | Xiaomi's Cloud |
| Formats | JPG, PNG, HEIC | All major formats | All major formats |
It is worth considering that if the photo was deleted from both Xiaomi Gallery and Google Photos, it may not be possible to find it in the shopping cart of one of the services if the synchronization worked correctly. Deleting in one place often triggers deletion in the associated account.
What if there is no photo in any cart?
Configure cloud synchronization Mi Cloud
Mi Cloud is a native solution for Xiaomi smartphone owners, which allows not only backups, but also manage deleted files. To properly work the cart in the cloud, you need to activate the synchronization of the Gallery in your account settings.
You can check your status by going to Settings → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud → Gallery. If the slider is active, your photos are automatically uploaded to the server. When you delete a picture from your phone, it enters the cloud basket, accessible through a browser on your computer or any other device.
The advantage of using Mi Cloud is that you can recover photos even after you reset your phone to factory settings, provided you log in to the same account, which creates an additional layer of security for your personal data.
⚠️ Warning: Free storage capacity of Mi Cloud is limited to 5 GB. If the space runs out, new photos will no longer sync, and the cloud basket may not display recently deleted files.
To manage deleted files via the web interface, go to i.mi.com, log in and select the Gallery section, and a folder with deleted items will also be available, from where they can be returned to any associated device.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the Deleted folder is empty or the restore button is not working.This may be due to a software failure in the Gallery app. First of all, try to clear the app cache through the phone's settings menu.
To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Gallery → Memory and click Clear Cache. Please note: do not confuse it with the Clean All button, as this can reset the settings of the app itself, although your photos will not be affected.
Another cause may be file corruption: If the photo was partially overwritten or damaged during the transfer, the system may not allow it to be restored, in which case the device restarts, which triggers the file system verification processes, helps.
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Regularly back up important documents and photos to an external hard drive or computer, the only way to guarantee 100% data security, regardless of the state of the smartphone.
If the problem is systemic and repeats after MIUI updates, it is worth checking for updates for the Gallery app itself through the GetApps store or Google Play. Developers often release patches that fix errors in working with media files.
Data loss prevention on Xiaomi
To avoid stressful situations in the future, it is recommended to set up automatic backups. Xiaomi smartphones allow you to flexibly adjust the frequency and synchronization conditions, and it is best to combine local copies and cloud services.
Use the Double Apps or Hidden Album feature for critical images. Files in the hidden album are protected by an additional password or pattern lock and are not accidentally deleted during a normal gallery cleaning.
It is also worth checking the contents of the Deleted folder periodically before automatically cleaning it. The system does not always warn that after 2 days the storage period will expire, so personal control will not be superfluous.
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Comprehensive data protection is a combination of cloud synchronization, regular copies on the PC and attentive attention to system notifications about memory filling.
Remember, the physical memory of a phone tends to wear out. Keeping a single copy of a photo on a device is a risk that can be justified at the most inopportune time. Distribution of data increases the chances of its safety.