Losing important data is stressful, especially when it comes to photos, contacts or work documents. Xiaomi Cloud offers users 5 GB of free storage (with the possibility of expansion), but even here files can disappear for various reasons: accidental deletion, resetting the phone to factory settings or synchronization failure. Fortunately, the system provides several ways to recover deleted data – both through official tools and bypasses.
In this article, we will look at all the current recovery methods for 2026, including hidden web features of the cloud, work with technical support and alternative solutions for cases where standard methods do not work.
1. Recovery through the web version of Xiaomi Cloud
The fastest way to return deleted files is to use the browser version of the cloud on i.mi.com. This method works even if your smartphone is lost or defective, the main thing is to remember the username and password from Mi Account.
Algorithm of action:
- 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in.
- 📁 Select the Cloud section → Basket (a garbage can icon in the upper right corner).
- ⏳ You have 30 days to recover files after deletion – they are deleted permanently.
- 🔄 Tick the required files and click Restore.
An important nuance: the Recycle Bin only displays files that have been removed directly from the cloud (via an app or web version). If you deleted photos from your phone but the sync was disabled, they will not appear in the Recycle Bin, in which case the following method will help.
2.Recovery via the Mi Cloud app on your phone
If your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone is working, use the official Mi Cloud app. It is pre-installed on all devices with MIUI firmware and allows you to manage backups directly.
Step-by-step:
- Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Scroll down to the device backup block.
- Click Restore from backup and select the desired date.
- Confirm recovery – the process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data.
Make sure there is enough free space on the phone.
Connect to Wi-Fi – Recovery eats up a lot of traffic
The battery should be at least 50% charged.
Turn it off. VPN — It can block access to Xiaomi servers.-->
Limitation: This method only restores the data that was included in the backup. If you have never set up automatic backup, the partition will be empty. To avoid such situations in the future, activate the option Auto Backup in the Mi Cloud settings.
3. Features of recovery for different types of data
Not all files are restored the same way, for example, contacts and notes are synced to the cloud automatically (unless manually disabled), but photos and videos require separate configuration.
| Type of data | Autosynchronization | Max. Shelf life in the basket. | Features of recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | ✅ Yes. | 30 days | Completely restored, including call history (if included) |
| Photos/video | ⚠️ Only if the option of Synchronization of the gallery is enabled | 30 days | Restore in original quality, but take up space in the cloud |
| Notes | ✅ Yes. | 30 days | Returned with formatting and attachments saved |
| Call records. | ❌ No. | — | Not synced to the cloud, you can only recover from your phone. |
| SMS messages | ⚠️ Only with manual backup | — | Restore only the entire (you can not select individual messages) |
For photos and videos, there's an important point: if you deleted them from your phone, but synced them, the files will stay in the cloud.
- Open the gallery → Albums → Xiaomi Cloud
- Find the files you need and click Save on the device.
What if there are no photos in the cloud?
4.Recovery through Xiaomi technical support
If standard methods have not worked, you can call for official support, and this is true in the following cases:
- 🔐 You lost access to Mi Account (forgot password, attached phone number unavailable).
- 🗃️ Data was deleted more than 30 days ago, but you are sure it was in the cloud.
- 📱 The device is stolen and you want to lock it, but still save the data.
How to make a request:
- Go to the support website: mi.com/global/service/support.
- Select the Mi Cloud section and the Data Recovery theme.
- Fill out the form by specifying: 🆔 Mi Account ID (email) 📅 Date and time of deletion of files 📌 Type of lost data (photos, contacts, etc.)
Attach screenshots (if any) to confirm that files have previously been stored in the cloud.
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If you are seeking support from Russia or China, please include this in your request – these regions have separate cloud servers and may take less time to process.
Consideration time: 3 to 7 business days. In 60% of cases, support can recover data even after the 30-day deadline, but there are no guarantees. If files are critical, check the possibility of paid recovery - some regional centers provide such a service.
5. Alternative ways: if the cloud didn't help
When data is not synced with Xiaomi Cloud or deleted too long ago, workarounds remain, and their effectiveness depends on the situation:
Method 1: Local recovery from the phone
If your phone is working but your files are missing after a reset or update, try the internal memory scanners:
- 📱 DiskDigger (for photos and documents)
- 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver (supports) MIUI)
- 🛠️ Dr.Fone (paid but with high recovery rate)
Important: Do not write new data to your phone before recovery, which reduces your chances of success.
Method 2: Restore through Google Account
If the phone was linked to Google Account, some of the data could be synced to Google Drive or Google Photos:
- 📧 Contact: contacts.google.com → More. → Repeal the changes.
- 📷 Photo: photos.google.com → Basket (stored for 60 days).
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Xiaomi devices with MIUI Global firmware have synchronized contacts with Google by default, but not with Xiaomi Cloud. Check both sources!
Method 3: Contacting a Service Center
For physically damaged phones (like after a fall or water hit), only chip-off recovery will help.This is an expensive procedure (from 5,000 to the next). ₽), But it allows you to extract data directly from the memory chip:
- 🏢 Kaspersky Lab (Moscow, St. Petersburg)
- 🔧 Data Recovery (network in Russia)
- 📱 Xiaomi Service Center (official partners)
⚠️ Note: If your phone has been stolen, do not attempt to recover data through a service center, which may be considered an attempt to access someone else's information. IMEI.
6. How to avoid future data loss
To avoid looking for ways to recover, set up automatic data protection in advance.
- ☁️ Enable Auto Sync for all critical data (Settings) → Mi Account → Mi Cloud).
- 🔄 Create Local Backups Once a Month (Settings) → The phone. → Backup).
- 📲 Use Google Photos to duplicate photos (up to 15GB free).
- 🔐 Set up two-factor authentication for Mi Account to avoid hacking.
Xiaomi users with Chinese firmware (China ROM) have a unique feature called “Family Cloud” (Mi Cloud → Family Storage), which allows you to combine storage for up to 6 accounts (up to 50 GB per family) and configure access rights for each member, which is convenient for backing up family data to one account.
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If you travel frequently, turn off Wi-Fi-only Sync in the Mi Cloud settings, which will save data to the cloud even when roaming (but watch the fare!).
Remember: 100% data loss protection does not exist, but a combination of cloud storage, local backups, and third-party services (like Dropbox or Yandex Drive) minimizes the risks. Set up low charge and free space notifications – many files are lost due to a sudden phone shutdown during sync.