Recovering deleted files on Xiaomi smartphones: from the basket to deep scanning

Deleting files from a smartphone is one of the most common problems faced by Xiaomi owners: vacation photos, important documents or videos from memorable events can disappear in one click: accidental tapping, resetting or even a virus attack. Fortunately, devices on MIUI have several layers of protection, and modern technology allows you to recover data even after a complete memory cleanup.

But not all methods are equally effective. Time is crucial: the faster you get to work, the better the chances of getting your lost files back. For example, if you deleted photos from Xiaomi Gallery, you have 30 days to recover them through the Recycle Bin. But after formatting the memory card or resetting to factory settings, you will need special utilities. In this article, we will look at 7 proven methods, from standard MIUI features to professional tools that work even on locked phones.

⚠️ Critical warning: Do not install new applications or save files to your phone after deleting data. Each new memory record reduces the chances of recovery, as the system can overwrite remote sectors.

1. Checking the Recycle Bin in MIUI: The First Step to Save Files

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI 12 and later have a built-in basket that temporarily stores deleted files, this applies not only to photos, but also to videos, documents, and recordings from the recorder. The default storage period is 30 days, but it can be changed in settings.

To recover files from the Recycle Bin:

1. Open the Gallery app (or Files if you have deleted the document).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines in the upper right corner and select the basket.
3. Mark the files you need and click Restore.

⚠️ Note: If you manually cleaned the cart or used the Clean Everything feature, the files will be deleted irrevocably (without the possibility of recovery through standard means).

• 📁 Basket in MIUI It only works for files deleted through standard applications (Gallery, Files, Records) if you deleted data through a third-party file manager (e.g., file manager, ES Explorer, they won't get into the basket.
• ⏳ Storage can be extended to 60 days in the cart settings, but this will reduce the free space on the device.
• 🔄 After recovery, the files will return to the same folder from which they were deleted.

2. Recovery via Mi Cloud: if synchronization was enabled

Xiaomi offers Mi Cloud storage, which automatically backs up photos, contacts, notes and even SMS. If your phone has been synchronized, the chances of returning deleted data are much higher.

Instructions for remediation:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Gallery (or Files) section, find the Recycle Bin folder – it stores deleted files for up to 60 days.
3. Select the data you want and press Recover. It'll come back to your phone the next time you connect to the Internet.

🔹 Important: If you delete files before you connect to Mi Cloud, they will not be available in the cloud. Also check if the storage limit is exceeded - when overflowing, old backups are automatically deleted.

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Before you restore, check if space is taken on your phone. If there is less free space than the size of the files you recover, the process may be interrupted.

3.Using Google Photos: An Alternative for Backups

Many Xiaomi users are setting up automatic uploads of photos to Google Photos, and if you've logged in to a Google account on your phone, there's a chance that deleted photos are saved to the cloud.

1. Open the Google Photos app or go to photos.google.com.
2. Select Recycle Bin from the menu – here files are stored for 60 days.
3. To restore, click on the photo → Restore.

⚠️ Note: If you used the Free up space feature in Google Photos, local copies on your phone will be deleted, but the originals will remain in the cloud (provided they have been downloaded).

• 📸 Storage quality: If High Quality is selected in the settings, photos are compressed but stored unlimited. original quality takes up space in your Google Drive (15GB free).
• 🔍 Search by date: In Google Photos you can filter photos by date of shooting – this will speed up the search for the desired files.
• 📱 Sync: Once restored, the photos will reappear in the Xiaomi Gallery, but it may take a few minutes.

Deep scanning programs: when standard methods do not help

If the files are not found in the cart or cloud, you will need specialized utilities, and Android devices are suitable for programs like DiskDigger, EaseUS MobiSaver or Recuva (for PCs), which scan the phone’s memory at a low level and recover data even if it was deleted months ago.

Critical information: Xiaomi phones with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) have a higher chance of recovery than MediaTek devices (e.g. Redmi 9A).

Instructions for DiskDigger (does not require root):

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select a full scan (may take several hours).
3. Once completed, mark the files and click Restore. Save them to a PC or other memory card.

🔹 Limitations:

• 📵 Without root rights, the program will find only low-resolution photo and video thumbnails.
• 💾 Recovered files cannot be saved to the same medium from which they were deleted!
• 🛠️ For full recovery, you may need to connect your phone to your PC through ADB.

Disable Wi-Fi and Mobile Data|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Use the original USB-cable|Do not connect your phone to other devices during the process-->

5. Recovery after reset to factory settings

If the phone is reset (Wipe Data), standard methods will not work, and only professional raw-recovery software, such as Dr.Fone or Tenorshare UltData, will help, which analyzes memory at the binary data level and can restore files even after formatting.

Algorithm of action:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB (in File Transfer mode).
2. Start the program and select Recovery after reset.
3. Follow the instructions – you may need to install Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers.

⚠️ Note: After reset, do not update the firmware or install applications. Each memory record reduces the chances of recovery. For example, on the Xiaomi Mi 11 after upgrading to the previous one. MIUI 14 data can be overwritten without possibility of return.

6.Recovery from damaged memory card

If files have been deleted from a microSD card, don't format it! Use PCs and programs like PhotoRec or R-Studio, which are file system-level utilities that can recover data even from damaged media.

Step-by-step instructions for PhotoRec:

1. Connect the memory card to the PC through the card reader.
2. Launch PhotoRec (included in TestDisk package).
3. Select the disk → specify the file system type (FAT32 or exFAT).
4. Please set a folder to save the recovered files (not to the card!).
5. Start the scan (Search).

🔹 It's important:

• 💾 PhotoRec does not save the original file names – they will be named f1234567.jpg. Use the date of creation to sort.
• 🔧 If the card is not identified, try another card reader or check it on another device.
• 🚫 Do not use the card until the recovery is complete – this may cause physical damage to the memory cells.

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If the memory card makes strange noises (clicks, squeaks) when connected, immediately stop recovery attempts and contact the service center. This is a sign of mechanical damage, and further action may exacerbate the problem.

7. Contacting a service center: when nothing helps

If the independent attempts are unsuccessful, the last option is to contact an authorized service center Xiaomi. specialists use professional equipment (for example, Chip-Off or JTAG), which reads data directly to the memory chip.

💰 The cost of the service depends on the phone model and the type of damage:

• 📱 For Xiaomi Redmi series – from 3000 to 7000 rubles.
• 📱 For flagships (Xiaomi) 13/14) — from 8 000 before 15 000 ruble.
• 💾 For recovery from a memory card - from 2 000 rubles.

⚠️ Attention:

• 🔒 The service center may require proof of ownership of the phone (checks, box, binding to the account Mi).
• ⏳ The process can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks, depending on the center’s load.
• 📄 Back up your current data before your visit – a full reset may be required when recovering.

🔹 Alternative: If you don’t have an official Xiaomi service in your city, check with a data recovery lab (like Data Recovery or Hetman) to see if they work with Android devices on your device. MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about file recovery on Xiaomi