How to recover deleted data from Xiaomi phone: from photos to messages

Losing important files on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that affects one in five users. The reasons are different: accidental deletion, resetting, memory damage or even device theft. Fortunately, in 90% of cases, data can be returned - if you act quickly and correctly. In this article, we will discuss all the current recovery methods for Redmi, POCO and Mi phones (including models from 2023-2026), from standard MIUI tools to professional utilities.

It's important to understand that success depends on whether the memory was overwritten after deleting. If you continued to use the phone, new files could have been erased, so first of all, turn off the mobile Internet and Wi-Fi to stop background processes (updates, syncs, etc.).

• 📱 Data deleted recently (less than 30 days ago) → Try the basket. MIUI or the Mi Cloud cloud.
• 💻 The phone is not switched on or dropped → Connect to your PC and use Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver.
• 🔧 Memory's damaged (eMMC/UFS) → hardware recovery will be required through ISP-Programmer (only in the service center).
• 📧 Only contact/messages are required → Check backups in your Google Account.

Before you start, answer the key question:

1. Recovery through the MIUI Recycle Bin (for deleted files)

Modern Xiaomi smartphones on MIUI 12-14 are equipped with a built-in Recycle Bin, which includes deleted files (photos, videos, documents) and stored there for up to 30 days, which is the easiest way to return data without third-party programs.

How to check the basket:

1. Open the Files app (yellow folder icon).
2. In the bottom menu, tap the basket (dumpster icon).
3. Select the desired files with a long tap → click Restore.

Please note:

• 🚫 Recycle Bin does not save files deleted through third-party file managers (for example, Total Commander).
• 📂 Files deleted from SD-cards, don't get into the basket.
• ⏳ After cleaning the basket manually (clean the basket) recovery is impossible.

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If the Recycle Bin is empty but you are sure that files have been deleted recently, check the hidden folders. In Files, turn on the display of hidden items in the menu ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files.

2.Cloud Recovery: Mi Cloud and Google Account

If your Xiaomi has enabled sync with Mi Cloud or Google Account, the chances of returning data increase by up to 80%.

• 📞 Contacts (including call history on some models).
• 💬 Communications (SMS and MMS, But not messengers like WhatsApp).
• 📷 Photos and videos (if Autoboot is enabled in Mi Cloud).
• 📅 Notes and calendar.

How to recover from Mi Cloud:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, select your phone.
3. Open the Backups tab → find the latest copy by date.
4. Click Restore and select the data you need (contacts, messages, etc.).

Important nuances:

• 🔄 Recovery from the cloud will replace the current data on your phone. First, back up your current information.
• 📶 To restore you need stable Wi-Fi – the amount of data can exceed 1 GB.
• 🔒 If your phone is stolen, first lock it through the Mi Cloud (Find the device section) to prevent attackers from accessing the data.

3. PC Recovery: Windows/macOS Software

If the data is not saved in the Recycle Bin or the cloud, connect your phone to your computer and use specialized utilities. We tested 5 programs and selected the two most effective for Xiaomi:

The following is a step-by-step guide for Dr.Fone:

1. Download and install Dr.Fone from the official website.
2. Connect Xiaomi to your PC through the original USB-cable (important!).
3. Turn on your phone to debug by USB: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times) Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB
4. Run Dr.Fone, select Data Recovery → Android.
5. Follow the program instructions (root access may be required for deep scanning).

Enable debugging by USB|Use the original cable |Deactivate screen lock |Charge the phone at least 30% |Close all background applications-->

⚠️ Note: If the program offers root rights, weigh the risks.On new Xiaomi models (Redmi Note 13 Pro)+, Xiaomi 14 may cause loss of warranty and problems with the MIUI. Alternatively, use the No Root mode (scanning will be less deep).

4. Recovery after resetting or firmware

If you've done a Hard Reset or reflashed your phone, the chances of getting your data back are down to 30 to 50 percent, and only low-level memory scanning on your PC will help, and the important thing is, don't write new data to your phone after a reset, which reduces the likelihood of success.

Algorithm of action:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC and launch EaseUS MobiSaver.
2. Select the Deep Scan mode (1-3 hours)
3. After scanning, mark the files for recovery (use filters like: JPG, MP4, VCF for contacts).
4. Save your data on PC – not on your phone!

For models with damaged firmware (for example, after a failed update), restore workability first via Fastboot:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: If the phone is not detected by the PC even in Fastboot mode (black screen, no button response), memory is likely damaged eMMC/UFS. In this case, only hardware recovery will help ISP-Programming (cost in service: from 3 000 ₽).

5. Recovery of deleted messages and contacts

Messages and contacts are often stored separately from other files, so there are specialized methods to recover them.

Method 1: Through Google Account

If a Google account was linked to the phone, contacts and SMS could be synced automatically:

1. Open Google Contacts.
2. In the menu on the left, select More → Cancel the changes.
3. Please indicate the date when the contacts were still on the phone.

Method 2: From a MIUI backup

MIUI creates local backups for updates to find them.

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder.
2. Files with the.bak extension contain contacts and SMS. Use MIUI Backup Extractor to extract.

Method 3: For WhatsApp and Telegram

• 💬 WhatsApp: Restore chats from Google Drive (if backup is enabled) or via file msgstore.db.crypt14 file /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.
• 📱 Telegram: Messages are stored in the cloud – just reinstall the app and log in to your account.

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Messages from the standard SMS-applications are not restored through Google unless sync is enabled. Use specialized programs like SMS Backup & Restore (Available on Play Market).

Hardware recovery: when software methods do not help

If the phone doesn't turn on, doesn't detect the PC, or produces errors like EMMC Read Failed, the problem is physical memory damage.

• 🔧 Replacement of memory chip (if the controller is damaged).
• 🔌 Reading through ISP-programmer (for telephones with UFS 2.1/3.0).
• 🛠️ Connection soldering (for mechanical damage).

Cost of services in service centers (2026):

Before contacting the service:

• 📋 Check if they have equipment to work with Xiaomi (like EasyJTAG or Medusa Pro).
• 🔐 Do not settle for a full reset before a recovery attempt.
• 💰 Ask for a preliminary estimate – some services charge even for unsuccessful attempts.

7. How to prevent future data loss

The best protection against data loss is regular backup. Set up automatic sync on Xiaomi in 5 minutes:

1. Mi Cloud: Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud → Synchronization Include: Contacts, Messages, Gallery, Notes
2. Google Account: Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync Include: Contacts, Calendar, Chrome, Drive
3. Local Backup: Settings → System → Backup Create a Backup (save in MIUI/backup)

Additional measures:

• 📁 Use Google Photos to automatically upload photos/video (up to 15 GB free).
• 🔄 Once a month, copy important files to an external drive or PC.
• 🛡️ Install AppLock (in) MIUI by default) to protect the gallery and messages from accidental deletion.

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Xiaomi models with MIUI 14 have the feature App Clone (Settings → Applications → Apps Clone) with which you can duplicate messengers and save correspondence in two copies.

Frequently asked questions