How to return deleted videos from Xiaomi phone: from the cart to deep scanning

Why do videos disappear from your phone and can they be recovered?

Deleting video from a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that almost every user faces, and the reasons for loss are different: accidentally clicking Delete, resetting, file system damage, or even a virus attack, but most importantly, 80 percent of files can be recovered if you act quickly and correctly.

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi series) use a F2FS or ext4 file system that doesn’t erase files immediately from memory when you delete them. Instead, the system marks the disk area as “free,” and the video stays physically on the device until it’s overwritten with new data, which means you have a window of opportunity from hours to days to recover what’s lost.

It's important to understand that the more you use your phone after you've uninstalled (installing apps, shooting new videos, updating software), the lower your chances of recovery, so the first rule is to immediately stop writing new data and start looking for solutions.

Method 1: Checking the basket in the MIUI Gallery

Many users don’t know that MIUI firmware (since version 12) has a built-in recycle bin that temporarily includes deleted files, similar to the Recycle Bin on a computer, and videos can be stored there for up to 30 days (depending on settings).

To check the basket:

1. Open the Gallery app (an icon with a floral logo).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (menu) in the lower right corner.
3. Select the option “Basket” (or “Remote” in some versions).
4. Find the right video, click on it and select “Restore”.

If the cart is empty or the video is not there, move on to the next way. Note: the files in the cart take up space in the phone's memory, so MIUI can automatically clean it when there is a lack of space.

Method 2: Recovery through MI Cloud backups

If your Xiaomi has MI Cloud sync enabled, the chances of returning videos are much higher. Cloud storage automatically saves copies of media files (if this option is activated in the settings).

How to check backup copies:

• 📥 Click on the file and select "Restore." The video will return to the folder «DCIM» or download».

Important: MI Cloud provides 5GB for free, but if you don't pay for extended storage, old files can be automatically deleted when you exceed the limit.

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If the videos are not displayed in MI Cloud, try to access the web version of the cloud via a browser (cloud.xiaomi.com) – sometimes more files are visible there than in a mobile app.

Method 3: Data recovery programs (without root)

If the cart is empty and there are no backups, you will have to use third-party utilities. Xiaomi is suitable for programs that work without root rights (although with root chances higher).

Instructions for DiskDigger (the most effective option):

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Start and select Basic Scan (without root).
3. Mark the file types: Video (MP4, MOV, AVI).
4. Click "Scan." The process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour.
5. After completion, select the desired files and click “Restore”.

⚠️ Warning: Don't save restored videos back to your phone! Use the cloud (Google Drive, Yandex Disk) or PC to avoid overwriting.

Turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data on your phone |

Connect your phone to your PC via the original cable|

Enable File Transfer Mode (MTP) |

Install the program (Recuva, EaseUS) on your computer |

Do not run other applications during scanning-->

Method 4: Deep Scanning with Root Rights

If the videos were deleted long ago or after resetting, the usual programs may not help, which requires root rights and the use of specialized tools like Undeleter or GT Recovery.

The benefits of root scanning:

• 🔍 Search all parts of memory, including system.
• 📹 Recovery of fragmented videos (if the file has been broken up).
• 🗑️ The ability to find files deleted months ago.

How to get root on Xiaomi:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Fastboot (instructions on the official website).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
3. Sweep through Magisk to get root.

⚠️ Note: Getting root voids Xiaomi’s warranty and can cause the phone to malfunction, and increases the risk of installing malware. Use this method only if other methods have failed.

After receiving root:

1. Install Undeleter from Google Play.
2. Select "Deep Scanning".
3. Mark the /data section (where user files are stored).
4. Wait until it is completed (may take a few hours).
5. Save the video found on PC.

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If all independent attempts failed, the last option is to contact the official Xiaomi service center.

• 💥 Physical memory damage (fall, water, overheating).
• 🔄 Reset to factory settings without backup.
• 🛠️ Memory controller malfunction (phone does not turn on or detect drive).

What you need to know before your visit:

• 📋 Xiaomi service centers do not guarantee 100% recovery, but use professional equipment (for example, the service centers of Xiaomi do not guarantee 100% recovery, PC-3000 memory-chip).
• 💰 The cost of the service starts from 3 000 rubles and depends on the complexity of the service.
• ⏳ Recovery period - from 2 days to 2 weeks.

How to find the nearest service:

1. Go to the Xiaomi support website.
2. Enter your city or address.
3. Select a center marked “Official Partner”.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid "handicraft" workshops promising recovery for 500 rubles. Unqualified intervention can permanently destroy data or damage the phone.

How to Prevent Video Loss in the Future

90% of video loss could be avoided if users enabled automatic sync to the cloud or backed up regularly.

• ☁️ Automatic loading in MI Cloud: Go to “Settings» → «Xiaomi account» → «MI Cloud» → «Gallery" and enable the option "Suppression».

Also useful:

• 📵 Do not use Cleaners like Clean Master – they often delete “unnecessary” files, including videos.

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Even if the video is permanently deleted, regular backups will reduce the risk to zero. Set up automatic sync to at least one cloud (MI Cloud or Google Photos) - this will take 5 minutes, but save years of memories.

FAQ: Frequent questions about video recovery on Xiaomi