Recovery of data on Xiaomi: from built-in tools to professional utilities

Data loss on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that almost every user faces: deleted photos, disappeared contacts, randomly formatted memory — the reasons may be different, but the result is the same: valuable information is lost in seconds. Fortunately, it's possible to return it even if you haven't made backups. In this article, we'll discuss all the current ways to restore data on Redmi devices, POCO and Mi, from standard functions MIUI Tools like Dr.Fone or Recuva.

It is important to understand that the success of recovery depends on three factors: the type of storage (internal memory or memory). SD-The time you delete it (the earlier you start, the better the chances) and the time you take to lose your data, for example, if you keep using your phone, new files can overwrite deleted files, reducing your chances of success to zero. So first, turn off mobile internet and Wi-Fi to prevent automatic synchronization and downloading of new data.

We tested all the methods described on current models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro).+, POCO F6) The instructions are universal, but for devices older than 2018, additional steps may be required (for example, unlocking the bootloader).If your model is not on this list, do not worry: the recovery algorithm is the same for all smartphones on the market. MIUI.

1. Recovery through the basket MIUI (internal memory)

Standard function MIUI — The Recycle Bin saves you from accidentally deleting files. It works like a PC Recycle Bin: deleted items are stored there for 30 days, then permanently erased. Importantly, the Recycle Bin is only available for files deleted through Files or Gallery, but not for these applications (contacts, messages, notes).

To recover files:

• 📁 Open the Files app (Folder icon on the desktop).
• 🗑️ Go to the Cart section (in the bottom menu or through three dots in the top right corner).
• 🔍 Select the desired files with a long tap, then click Restore.
• 📲 Files will return to the original folder (for example, photos – to the Gallery, documents – to Downloads).

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It does not work for files deleted through ES Conductor or other third-party managers.
• ❌ Does not restore data from SD-Cards (you need separate utilities for them).
• ❌ If the cart is cleaned manually or 30 days have passed, the files are deleted irretrievably.

⚠️ Note: If you don't see the Recycle Bin section in the Files app, update it via Google Play or check the storage settings. On some firmware, the feature is disabled by default.

2. Recovery through MI Cloud (Cloud Storage Xiaomi)

MI Cloud is a cloud service from Xiaomi that automatically syncs contacts, messages, notes, photos and even call recordings, and if the feature was activated before data was lost, you can return information in a few minutes. The phone must be linked to the Mi Account and synchronization is enabled.

How to check and restore data:

1. 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in to your account.
2. 📱 In the menu, select the Devices section. → Find your smartphone.
3. 🔄 Check if synchronization is enabled for the desired data types (e.g. Contacts, Gallery).
4. 📥 If the data is synchronized, click Restore next to the desired category.

What can be restored through MI Cloud:

If you don’t have the data you need in the cloud, but sync has been enabled before, try restoring your old backup version:

• 🔙 On the website MI Cloud Go to Backups.
• 📅 Select the date when the files were still on the phone.
• 📲 Click Restore on the device (confirmation on your smartphone will be required).

⚠️ Note: When restoring backup through MI Cloud, all current data on your phone will be overwritten. Pre-copy important information on a PC or other media.

💡

If you don't remember if it was turned on MI Cloud, check settings: Settings → Mi Account → MI Cloud → Synchronization of data. This is the status of the last synchronization.

3. Use of Google Account (contacts, calendar, photo)

If you use Google services (such as Contacts, Google Photos or Calendar), some of the data could be synced automatically. MI Cloud has not been configured or files have been deleted for a long time.

How to recover data via Google:

• 📱 On your phone, go to Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Google.
• 🔄 Make sure synchronization is enabled for the right services (e.g. Contacts, Calendar).
• 🌐 Open on PC: contacts.google.com for contacts, photos.google.com for photos and videos, calendar.google.com for calendar events.
• 🗑️ Each service has a Recycle Bin section (e.g. Google Photos stores files for 60 days).

To restore a backup of the entire device:

1. 📱 Go to Settings → System → Backup.
2. 🔙 Select Recover Data and log in to Google Account.
3. 📅 Please specify the date of the backup copy (if any).

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Does not restore files from internal memory (only Google app data).
• ❌ If the synchronization was disabled, the data may not be saved.
• ❌ Photos in Google Photos are restored in compressed quality (if there was no paid storage).

Disconnect mobile Internet on the phone|Check if sync is enabled in Google Account|Make sure there is enough room on your phone to recover|Download the latest version of Google Photos (if you need media files)-->

4. Data recovery programs (without root rights)

If standard methods didn’t work, it’s time to turn to third-party utilities. Xiaomi will be suitable for programs that work without superuser rights (root), but with restrictions: they scan only unencrypted memory parts and do not restore data from system folders.

Best recovery software (tested on Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Redmi Note 12):

Step-by-step instructions for Dr.Fone (the most reliable option):

1. 💻 Install the program on PC (official website).
2. 📱 Connect your phone to your computer through USB (Select the File Transfer Mode).
3. 🔍 In the program, select Data Recovery Android → Specify the file type (e.g. Gallery or Contacts).
4. 🔄 Scanning will begin (may take 10 to 30 minutes).
5. 📤 Once completed, mark the files you want and click Restore (save them to your PC, not your phone!).

Important nuances:

• 🔌 Use the original. USB-Xiaomi cable: Cheap cables can interrupt the connection.
• 🔋 The charge level of the phone should be at least 50% to avoid turning off during the scan.
• 🚫 Do not install the program on disk C: if it is not enough space, the scan creates temporary files up to 5-10 GB.

⚠️ Note: If the phone requests permission to debug USB (USB Debugging, include it in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Click 7 times on the line with the version, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).

5. Restoration with root rights (advanced method)

If the standard methods don't work, then the last chance is root rights, which gives you full access to the system parts of the phone, but there are risks: loss of warranty, possible brick, and security issues, and we recommend this method only for advanced users.

What can be restored from root:

• 📱 Application data (messages in WhatsApp, Telegram, games).
• 📂 System files and settings.
• 🔐 Encrypted sections (if you know the password).

Step-by-step:

1. 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (you will need a tied Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. 📱 Install custom recovery (TWRP) For your model (see instructions for the XDA Developers).
3. 🛠️ Use Magisk to get root rights.
4. 🔍 Use programs like Root Explorer or Undeleter Recover Files & Data to scan system partitions.

Popular tools for root recovery:

• 📂 Undeleter – scans deep memory sections.
• 🔧 DiskDigger (root) – Recovers even overwritten files.
• 📱 GT Recovery – specializes in messages and contacts.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12+ Xiaomi is blocking some system commands, which can cause a recovery failure. TWRP!

💡

Root rights give you the best chance of recovery, but they require technical skills, and if you're not sure what you're doing, you'd better go to the service center, because the wrong manipulations can completely erase the data.

Data recovery from SD-map

If files were stored on a microSD card, they are easier to recover than from internal memory. FAT32 Or exFAT, which is easier to scan, and the rule is, don't write new data to a map after you lose files.

The best programs for recovery from SD-map:

• 💾 Recuva (free, simple).
• 💾 PhotoRec (works without installation, restores even damaged files).
• 💾 EaseUS Data Recovery (paid but with high success rate).

Instructions for Recuva:

1. 💻 Connect. SD-card to PC via card reader (not via phone!).
2. 📥 Install and run Recuva.
3. 🔍 Select the file type (such as Images or Videos).
4. 📁 Show the way to SD-map (usually a disk D:, E: etc.).
5. 🔄 Start a deep scan (may take several hours).
6. 📤 Save the recovered files to the hard drive of the PC.

If the map is not determined:

• 🔌 Try another card reader or USB-port.
• 🛠️ Check the map for errors through chkdsk (in the Windows command line, type chkdsk D: /f, where D: is the letter of the disk).
• 🔄 If the card is physically damaged (not readable on any device), contact the data recovery lab.

💡

If the recovered photos open with artifacts or are not read, try converting them through IrfanView or online services like iLoveIMG.

7. Contacting a service center: when nothing helps

If all of these methods fail, the last option is professional recovery. Service centers use specialized equipment (e.g., professional recovery, PC-3000 DeepSpar Disk Imager, which can recover data from damaged memory chips.

When to contact the service:

• 💥 The phone is not powered on or loaded into Fastboot.
• 🔧 Internal memory damaged (reading/writing errors).
• 📱 Data was deleted more than 6 months ago.
• 🔒 File-Based Encryption is on the phone and you don’t know the password.

How to choose a reliable service:

• 🔍 Check reviews on Yandex.Maps or Google Maps (especially pay attention to comments about data recovery).
• 📋 Check if you give a guarantee for the result (true professionals only charge for successful recovery).
• 🔒 Ask how privacy is maintained (data should not be shared with third parties).

Cost of recovery:

⚠️ Warning: Don't settle for recovery on the first service you get. Fraudsters can promise 100% results and then return only a portion of the files or nothing at all.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data recovery on Xiaomi