How to recover deleted photos on Xiaomi phone: all the ways of 2026

Delete important photos from Xiaomi and don’t know how to get them back? Don’t panic – in most cases, recovery is possible even if you cleaned the cart or formatted the memory card. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to return deleted images on Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones, including hidden MIUI features, cloud services and professional utilities.

The rule is, the faster you start, the better the chances of success. When you delete files don't disappear instantly - they're just labeled as "free space" and can be overwritten with new data. So don't save new photos/videos or install applications until you've finished recovering.

We have tested all methods on the latest versions. MIUI 14/15 (including HyperOS and only working solutions, choose the right option depending on where the photos were stored (internal memory, SD-map or cloud and how long it has been since the deletion.

1.Check the basket at Xiaomi Gallery

Modern Xiaomi smartphones automatically send deleted photos to the cart, where they are stored for 30 days (on some models – up to 60 days), this is the first and easiest way to return pictures without additional programs.

How to open the basket:

• 📱 Open the standard Gallery app (icon with colored squares).
• 🗑️ Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → pick the basket.
• 🔍 Scroll through the list or search by date.
• ✅ Select the right photos → Click Restore (Icon with an arrow up).

If the basket is empty, check:

• 🔄 You may have already cleaned the basket manually (in Gallery Settings) → Basket).
• 📅 Photos were deleted more than a month ago and automatically deleted.
• 💾 The pictures were stored on SD-The card has a separate basket (see section 2).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI The basket is disabled by default. To turn it on, go to Gallery Settings. → Basket → Turn on the basket.

Reconstruction of c SD-cards (if the photo was on it)

If the photos were stored on a memory card, they can be returned even after formatting, provided you haven't written new files to the map, and you'll need a computer and a special program to do that.

The best free SD recovery tools are:

• 🖥️ Recuva (simple interface, supports Russian language).
• 🖥️ PhotoRec (works without installation, restores even badly damaged files).
• 🖥️ DiskDigger (there is a mobile version for Android, but with limitations).

Step-by-step instructions for Recuva:

1. Connect. SD-card to PC via card reader (do not use your phone as a card card) USB-accumulator!).
2. Install and run Recuva, select the type of Image files.
3. Specify the letter of your disk. SD-maps and press Analysis.
4. After scanning, tick the desired photos (green circle - high chances of recovery).
5. Click Restore and save files to another drive (not the same one) SD-map!).

⚠️ Attention: If SD-The card is physically damaged (not determined by the computer), do not attempt to recover the data yourself. contact the service center - attempts to format or use programs can aggravate the problem.

Remove the card from the phone and insert it into the card reader.

Do not save new files to the map

Download the recovery program (Recuva/PhotoRec)

Prepare another disk to save recovered files

Disable the antivirus while scanning (can block programs)-->

3. Use backups in Mi Cloud

If your Xiaomi had Mi Cloud sync enabled, deleted photos could be saved to the cloud, which works even if you reset your phone to factory settings.

How to check backup copies:

• 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
• 📁 In the Gallery section, check the Deleted folder (analogue of the basket, stores files for 30 days).
• 🔄 If the photos are not in the deleted ones, check out the main gallery – they may just not synced when deleted.
• 💾 In the Backup section, check the latest backups (if done manually).

How to recover photos from Mi Cloud to your phone:

1. Open your Settings → Mi → Mi Cloud account.
2. Choose the Gallery → Remotely.
3. Tap in the photo → Restore.
4. If you need to return a lot of files, use the web version (i.mi.com) and download the archive.

The limitations of Mi Cloud:

• 📌 Free is provided only 5 GB (on some accounts - 10 GB when linking mail).
• 📌 High-resolution photos may not sync automatically (check gallery settings).
• 📌 If you deleted photos more than 30 days ago, they will disappear from the cloud bin.

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Before you recover, check if there is enough space on your phone. If not, download the photos to your PC via the web version of Mi Cloud, and then transfer them back.

4. Restore via Google Photos (if backup was enabled)

Many Xiaomi users don’t even know that their photos are automatically uploaded to Google Photos. If you’ve ever set up a backup, the chances of returning pictures are very high.

How to check the photo in Google Photos:

• 📱 Open the Google Photos app (if removed, install from Play Market).
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter a date or keyword (e.g., “beach 2023").
• 🗑️ Go to the Recycle Bin (photos are stored there for 60 days).
• 📥 If you have a photo, click on it. → Restore.

If Google Photos are not configured:

• 🔄 Try logging in to the web version under the same Google account that was used on your phone.
• 📧 Check out emails from Google – you may have been sent backup notifications.
• 📅 Check the date of deletion: if less than 2 years have passed, the photos may have been saved in the archive.

⚠️ Attention: Google Photos compresses photos for free storage (Quality High). To save the originals, you had to choose the option Original quality (paid after 15 GB).

5. Professional programs for deep scanning

If previous methods failed, it left the phone with a deep scan of internal memory, which requires root rights or a PC connection, but allows you to return the photo even after you reset.

The best programs for deep recovery:

• 🖥️ Dr.Fone (Wondershare) – supports Xiaomi without root, but paid.
• 🖥️ Tenorshare UltData – Recovers data after a reset, there is a free trial version.
• 📱 GT Recovery (Android) – works on the phone but requires root.

Instructions for Dr.Fone:

1. Install the program on your PC and connect your phone via USB (enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version → 7 times tap on version).
2. Select the Android Data Recovery mode.
3. Specify the file type of the Gallery and Video.
4. Follow the instructions of the program (you may need to install drivers).
5. After scanning, select a photo and click Restore.

Important nuances:

• 🔐 Without root rights, programs only see a portion of files (those that have not been overwritten).
• 💰 Free versions usually show files, but don’t allow them to be saved.
• ⏱️ Deep scanning can take several hours.

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If the phone is not defined by the program, try another one. USB-cable or port. Sometimes it helps to enable file transfer mode (MTP) notice-curtain.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If the photos are critical (for example, these are the only pictures from an important event) and self-recovery did not help, you can contact the official service center Xiaomi.

What you need to know before your visit:

• 📋 Bring your passport and check (guarantee card) on the phone.
• 💳 Service paid - the cost depends on the complexity (from 1,500 to 10 000) ₽).
• ⏳ Recovery period – from 1 to 5 working days.
• 🔒 In some cases, it may be necessary to unlock the bootloader (this will reset all data!).

Addresses of service centers:

• 📍 Official list: mi.com/ru/service
• 📍 In Moscow: 10 Letnikovsky St. (the largest SCC).
• 📍 In St. Petersburg: Marshal Govorov str., 35.

⚠️ Please note: Do not contact informal workshops with suggestions to "recover data in 5 minutes" and there is a high risk of losing photos forever due to unqualified actions.

7. How to prevent future photo loss

To avoid the problem of deleted photos, set up automatic backup on your Xiaomi.

Backup settings:

• 🔄 Mi Cloud: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → gallery → Autosynchronization.
• 🔄 Google Photos: Open the app → squat → Photo settings → Backup and synchronization.
• 💾 Local Copy: Regularly transfer the photo to your PC or external drive through Explorer → This computer → [Name of the telephone].

Additional security measures:

• 📁 Use a separate folder for important photos (such as Important) and do not delete its contents.
• 🔐 Set a password for the gallery: Gallery settings → Protection of confidentiality → Password protection.
• 📱 Regularly check the Recycle Bin for accidentally deleted files.

Useful backup applications:

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Set up Google Photos to upload mobile if you want photos to be saved to the cloud even without Wi-Fi. But watch for traffic — it can be fast-paced.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photo recovery on Xiaomi