Recovery of data on Xiaomi after resetting to factory settings: the full guide

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step to fix system problems, remove viruses or prepare the device for sale. However, after this procedure, many users face an unpleasant surprise: all contacts, photos, messages and applications disappear without a trace. If you find yourself in this situation, do not panic - there are chances to return lost data, even if the backup was not created in advance.

In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to recover information on Xiaomi after a hard reset, from standard MIUI tools to specialized programs for deep memory scanning. It is important to understand that success depends on several factors: whether synchronization with Mi Account was enabled, whether third-party cloud services were used, and whether the device memory was overwritten after a reset. The faster you start to act, the higher the probability of returning important files.

We will focus on the nuances of working with different Xiaomi models (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra), as well as analyze the myths and real limitations of recovery processes. For example, why recovering data from internal memory after a complete overwrite (for example, installing a new firmware) is almost impossible without professional equipment, but photos from DCIM or documents from Downloads can sometimes be saved even after months.

1. Verification of backups in Mi Cloud

The first and most reliable way to get back data is to use the automatic backups that Xiaomi creates in the Mi Cloud storage, which syncs contacts, notes, call history, SMS, and even some system settings if the feature was activated before the reset.

To check for a backup copy:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud on your smartphone.
• 🔄 Scroll down to the "Backup" section and select Restore from backup.
• 📅 The system will show a list of available backups with dates. Choose the latest (before the reset date).
• ⚡ Click "Restore" and confirm the action. The process can take anywhere from minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data.

If you don't have backups on the list, it means that sync with Mi Cloud has been disabled, so move on to the next method. Note: Mi Cloud only provides 5GB of space for free. If you had more data, it might not have been saved due to space constraints.

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If you do not remember the password from Mi Account, restore it through the official website account.xiaomi.com using the attached email or phone number. Without access to the account, you can not recover data from Mi Cloud.

2. Recovery through Google Account (contacts, calendar, mail)

Even if Mi Cloud wasn’t used, your contacts, calendar events, and emails from Gmail could sync with your Google account, a technique that works on all Xiaomi smartphones, since they’re Android.

To recover the data:

1. 🔧 Go to Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Google.
2. 🔄 Select your account and enable sync for the desired categories (e.g., Contacts, Calendar").
3. ⏳ Wait for sync to complete. Contacts will appear in the Google Contacts app.

If contacts are not restored, check:

• 📌 Whether synchronization was enabled before reset (check at contacts.google.com).
• 🔄 Have you used another Google account on your device before.
• 🚫 Whether contacts were saved only in the local memory of the phone (in this case, this method will not help).

3. Programs for Recovery of Deleted Files

If backups are missing, the only way to do this is to use specialized tools to scan the internal memory of a smartphone, which works by looking for traces of deleted files that have not yet been overwritten by new information.

Important: Don’t install programs directly on your smartphone – this can overwrite the very data you’re trying to recover. Use your PC and connect Xiaomi in MTP mode (like a flash drive) or via ADB.

Instructions for Dr.Fone (one of the most effective tools):

1. 💻 Install the program on PC from the official website.
2. 📱 Connect Xiaomi through USB, Turn on the debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
3. 🔍 Run the scan. It'll show you the files you find, marking them in green.
4. 💾 Select the data you need and save it to the PC.

Warning: Most programs require root rights for deep scanning. Getting root on modern Xiaomi (e.g. Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13T) can block Mi Account and void warranty.

4.Recover photos and videos from DCIM folder

Photos and videos are often stored in the DCIM/Camera folder, and even after resetting, you can try to restore them manually.

• 📸 The files were not overwritten with new images.
• 🔧 The internal memory is not fully formatted (e.g. via fastboot).
• 📁 folder DCIM It wasn't manually removed.

Instructions:

1. 📱 Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB file transfer (MTP).
2. 🖥️ Open “This Computer” and find a Xiaomi device.
3. 🔍 Go to the Internal Storage folder → DCIM → Camera.
4. 📂 If the folder is empty, try enabling the display of hidden files in the Windows Explorer settings (View) → Sometimes deleted files remain as temporary copies with the.thumb extension.

If the DCIM folder is missing, use PhotoRec (free, command-line) to scan memory at a low level and restore files by signatures, even if the file system is damaged.

Make sure that no new apps are installed on the smartphone after resetting|

Connect the charger (the process can take several hours)|

Use the original. USB-stable-connection|

Do not remove the memory card (if any) until the recovery is complete.-->

5. Message recovery and call history

SMS, call history and messaging (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) are the hardest to recover, and there are three possible scenarios:

1. Sync with Mi Cloud: If backup has been created, restore it through Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Export from Google Drive: WhatsApp and some other instant messengers allow you to back up your Google Drive.Reinstall the app and follow the recovery instructions.
3. Manual database search: Message files are stored in /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/ (root required) and can be retrieved using Root Explorer or ADB, but it is a complex process.

For WhatsApp:

• 📲 Install the messenger again and log in to your account.
• 🔄 When you request, click Restore (if there is a backup in Google Drive).
• ⚠️ If the backup is not found, check if it was created on another Google account.

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Messages from Viber and Telegram sync to the cloud automatically if Cloud Storage is enabled. Reinstall the app and log in to your account, and the correspondence should be restored.

⚠️ Attention: Some programs (e.g, GT Recovery promises to be restored SMS rootless, but often contain malicious code. Use only proven utilities from official sites.

6. What should I do if nothing has worked?

If all of these methods fail, there are two options:

1. Professionals use specialized equipment (for example, UFi Box or EasyJTAG), which can recover data even from damaged memory chips. The service is paid (from 3000 to 10 000 rubles), but the chances of success are higher.
2. Accept loss: Unfortunately, if internal memory has been completely overwritten (for example, after installing a new firmware via fastboot), data recovery becomes impossible without expensive laboratory analysis.

Before you take your phone for repair:

• 🔍 Check whether the service is engaged in data recovery, and not the usual repair.
• 💰 Compare the cost of the service with the value of lost data.
• 📄 Ask for a privacy guarantee – some centers copy recovered files.

⚠️ Warning: If a smartphone is stolen or lost and then found after being reset, it will be extremely difficult to recover data. Attackers often use full formatting via fastboot erase userdata, which destroys information without the ability to recover it.

7.How to avoid data loss in the future?

To avoid facing this problem again, follow the following simple rules:

• ☁️ Enable automatic sync with Mi Cloud and Google:
• 💾 Regularly create local backups:
• 📁 Keep important files in the cloud:
• 🔄 Check before resetting:

If you do a lot of resets (for example, for firmware testing), consider buying a Xiaomi with MicroSD support (for example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

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Even if you don’t plan to reset your settings, regular backups will save data when your phone breaks down, theft or accidental deletion.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data recovery on Xiaomi