Losing photos is one of the most frustrating situations for the owner of a Xiaomi smartphone. Even if the images were synchronized with the Mi Cloud, their recovery is not always obvious: the service interface changes, and the official documentation often does not mention the nuances. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of returning photos from basic (through the cloud basket) to advanced (recovery via the web version or third-party utilities).
It is important to understand: the success of the recovery depends on three factors: 1) the time elapsed since the deletion (in the Mi Cloud Recycle Bin files are stored up to 30 days), 2) the status of the account (if the account is blocked, access to the cloud will be limited), 3) the type of synchronization (not all photos are automatically uploaded to the cloud – check the settings of the Gallery → Mi Cloud).
If you deleted a photo recently (less than a month ago), the chances of success are close to 100%. Older ones will require additional tools — we'll look at them too.
1.Recover through the Mi Cloud Recycle Bin on the phone
The fastest way to return deleted photos is to check the cloud storage bin. Unlike the local gallery cart, where files are stored for 15 days, Mi Cloud has extended that time to 30 days (but only for photos deleted through the cloud, not from your phone!).
- 📱 Open the Gallery app on Xiaomi smartphone (or Redmi/POCO).
- 🔍 Slip on three horizontal lines (menu) → pick the basket.
- ☁️ At the top of the screen, switch to the Cloud tab (if any), if there is no tab, your photos are deleted permanently or not synced.
- 🗑️ Select the desired pictures with a long tap → press Restore.
⚠️ Note: If you deleted photos from your phone instead of the cloud, they may not be in the Mi Cloud Recycle Bin. In this case, check the local cart (the Device tab is in the same menu) - there the storage period is only 15 days.
Check if sync with Mi Cloud is enabled in the gallery settings
Make sure you are logged in to the correct Xiaomi account
Try to recover photos via the cloud web version (see next section)
Check the folder "Hidden" in the gallery (sometimes photos are moved there)
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If the cart is empty, don't panic: maybe the photos are just hidden or moved to another folder.
2. Search for hidden or displaced photos
Xiaomi users often experience photos that have been lost from the gallery but have not been removed.
- Hidden albums are a feature called Mi Cloud that automatically hides some photos (such as screenshots or photos with geotags).
- Sync error – when photos are in the cloud, but not displayed on the phone due to a crash.
To find the hidden photos:
- Open Gallery → Albums → Hidden (or Private Safe on some models).
- If you don’t have a folder, check the web version of Mi Cloud (instruction below).
- To display all photos in the gallery, go to Gallery Settings → Show hidden files.
If the photos aren’t in hidden albums, but you’re sure they were in the cloud, try Forced Sync:
- Open your Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud
- Turn off and turn on the gallery sync again.
- Reboot the phone.
Yes, but I was able to restore it.|Yeah, but I couldn't get it back.|No, I never lost.|I don't use Mi Cloud.-->
3. Recovery through the web version of Mi Cloud
The Mi Cloud web interface often contains more features than the mobile app, such as recovering photos that were deleted more than a month ago (if they were archived) or finding files that are not displayed on the phone.
- Go to i.mi.com and log in.
- Select the Gallery section (or Photos in English).
- In the left menu, find the Trash – here you can store deleted photos for up to 30 days.
- To recover, select files and click Restore.
If the basket is empty, check the archive folders:
- 📁 Autouploads – photos synchronized from other devices get here.
- 📁 Screenshots – sometimes hidden by default.
- 📁 Others – here may be photos from messengers or social networks.
⚠️ Note: If you don’t see the Gallery section in the Mi Cloud web version, it means that photo sync has never been enabled on your device.In this case, it’s impossible to recover photos through the cloud – try other methods (see Section 5).
What if Mi Cloud asks for confirmation via SMS, but the number is lost?
4.Recovery through Mi Cloud backup
If the photos are missing after a phone reset or firmware update, they can be returned from a Mi Cloud backup, which only works if a backup with Gallery option enabled was created earlier.
- Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Data Recovery.
- Select the latest backup (check the date of creation!).
- In the data list for recovery, mark the Gallery and confirm the action.
| Type of backup | Is the photo stored? | Storage period |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic (weekly) | Yes, if the option is on. | 3 last copies |
| Hand-held | Yes, if selected in the settings | No restrictions. |
| Local (on the phone) | No. | Before the device is reset |
⚠️ Warning: Restore from the backup will overwrite the current data on the phone. If you take new pictures after the photo is lost, they may be lost.
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Before you restore from a backup, check the contents: in the recovery menu, click on the date of the copy → “View details.” It will indicate whether the gallery is included in the backup.
5. Alternative ways: Recovery without cloud
If the photos were not synced to the Mi Cloud or their storage period in the cart has expired, there are additional methods:
5.1. Data recovery programs
For Windows and Mac, there are utilities that scan the phone's internal memory for deleted files.
- 🖥️ DiskDigger – supports photo recovery via Xiaomi USB-debugging.
- 🖥️ Recuva – free version allows you to recover up to 1 GB of data.
- 🖥️ EaseUS MobiSaver – specializes in mobile devices.
⚠️ Note: These programs are required to operate ROOT-access USB-On new Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13/14 or Redmi Note 12) USB-debugging can be blocked by default. To enable it, go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (slip 7 Once, then go back to the settings. → Additionally. → For developers → USB-debugging.
5.2 Appeal in support of Xiaomi
If the photos are critical (such as documents or unique photos), you can try to contact Xiaomi official support for a request for data recovery.
- Please contact the support chat at mi.com/support.
- Specify the device IMEI, the date of deletion of the photo and the approximate time.
- Attach screenshots of sync confirmation with Mi Cloud (if any).
The chances of success are low (about 10-20%), but in some cases support is met, especially if we are talking about the plugin Mi Cloud+ (premium subscription).
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The faster you start recovering, the better the chances of success, and once you delete photos from the Mi Cloud Recycle Bin, they can only be returned through backups or third-party utilities — and then not always.
6. How to prevent future photo loss
To avoid missing photos, follow these rules:
- 🔄 Enable automatic synchronization: Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → gallery → Autoboot.
- 📁 Create backups once a month: Settings → Backup and reset → Backup copy of Mi Cloud.
- 💾 Duplicate important photos on Google Photos or another cloud service.
- 🔍 Check Hidden Albums Every 2-3 Months.
We also recommend:
- Use Mi Cloud+ (plugin with advanced storage and recovery features).
- Set up synchronization notifications in your account settings.
- Periodically check the status of storage in Mi Cloud → Storage management.
If you work with photos often, consider using them. NAS-A storage device (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Router) + It's more reliable than cloud services, because the files are stored physically in your home.