How to recover deleted files from Xiaomi Cloud: 5 working ways

Losing important data is stressful even for power users. Vacation photos, work documents, or email archives can disappear at a time due to accidental deletion, phone reset, or system failure. Fortunately, Xiaomi Cloud (Mi Cloud) offers recovery mechanisms, but not everyone knows how to use them correctly. In this article, the current ways to return files for 2026, including hidden features and avoiding typical errors.

It’s important to understand that recovery success depends on the time from deletion (files are stored in the cloud basket for up to 30 days) and the type of account (free tariff limits the amount of backups). We’ll look at options for different scenarios, from simple returns via the web interface to recovery with backups on new devices. If you used Mi Account for sync, the chances of returning data are high even after a full reset of your smartphone.

1. Recovery through the web version of Xiaomi Cloud

The most versatile method, which does not require access to the original device, is suitable for returning files deleted less than a month ago, if they have not been finally cleared from the cloud recycle bin.

To get started, open your browser on any device (PC, tablet, other smartphone) and go to the official website: i.mi.com. Sign in under the same Mi Account that was used for synchronization. If you do not remember the password, restore it through the attached email or phone number (the instructions for restoring access are in the FAQ).

• 📁 Files and folders: In the Cloud Drive section, check the Recycle Bin folder.This is where deleted files are stored for up to 30 days.
• 📸 Photo/Video: Go to the Gallery → Albums. → Recovery is only available for media files downloaded to the cloud manually or through autosynchronization.
• 📄 Notes and documents: In the Notes section, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select the Cart.

To recover, tick the files you want and click Restore. They go back to the original folders. If the button is inactive, check if the storage limit is exceeded (free of charge 5 GB), in which case you will have to vacate space or purchase additional volume.

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If the files are not displayed in the Recycle Bin, try changing the account region in the Xiaomi Cloud settings to "Russia" or "Global".

2 Use of the Mi Cloud mobile application

The Mi Cloud app (available for Android and iOS) offers advanced features over the web version, including notifications for new backups and the ability to selectively restore.

Download the application from the official store:

- Android: Google Play

- iOS: App Store

After installation, log in and follow the instructions:

1. Open the Warehouse section (cloud icon).
2. Select the file category: Photo, Video, Audio or Documents.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the basket.
4. Select files and click Restore. The app will prompt you to save them back to the cloud or download them to your device.

The mobile app feature is Auto Sync (in settings) if it was enabled before deleting files, the chances of recovery are higher, for example, photos from the Camera folder on Xiaomi 13 Pro automatically upload to the cloud when you connect to Wi-Fi, even if you did not do it manually.

3. Restore from a backup on a new device

If you lost access to your old smartphone (stolen, broken, reset to factory settings) but previously backed up in Xiaomi Cloud, you can transfer them to a new device.

• 📱 Contacts and communications (SMS, MMS, call-up).
• 🎵 Multimedia (photos, videos, music from standard folders).
• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sound circuits, connected Mi Home devices).
• 🎮 Application data (save games, messaging settings if they support cloud synchronization).

For recovery:

1. Turn on your new Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco device and connect to Wi-Fi.
2. At the setup stage, select Restore from backup.
3. Sign in to the same Mi Account that was used on the old phone.
4. Select the most recent copy from the list (creation dates are displayed next to each).
5. Check the data category to recover and click Start.

The process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of data and internet speed. Don't interrupt the recovery - this can cause file damage. If the copy weighs more than 2 GB, use a stable Wi-Fi connection to avoid additional mobile traffic costs.

4.Alternative methods: recovery through ADB and third-party tools

If the standard methods don't work, you can try advanced techniques that require technical skills and are suitable for advanced users.

Method 1: Retrieval of data via ADB (Android Debug Bridge)

If the phone is still on, but the files have been deleted locally (not from the cloud), you can try to extract them via ADB pull.

1. Enable USB Debugging in the Developer Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version – Press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Xiaomi_Recovery\Photos Replace paths with relevant ones for your files.

Method 2: Third-party utilities

Programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver can scan the internal memory of a smartphone for deleted files, but their effectiveness for Xiaomi is limited by the encryption of data in new versions of MIUI (starting with MIUI 12).

• ⚠️ Create a full backup of your current data (via Settings) → Additionally. → Backup).
• ⚠️ Don’t save recovered files to the same phone – use a PC or external drive.

Note: These methods do not guarantee 100% results, especially if a long time has passed since the deletion or the phone’s memory has been overwritten with new data.

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Third-party recovery programs only work with unencrypted memory partitions. Starting with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi encrypts user data by default, making it almost impossible to recover it without a backup.

5. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users lose data due to ignorance of the nuances of the Xiaomi Cloud, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

Another critical mistake is ignoring cloud space shortage notifications, where when the limit is full, new backups are not created, and old ones can be automatically deleted to avoid this:

• 🔄 Set up automatic cart cleaning once a month (in the web version of Xiaomi Cloud).
• 💾 Regularly download important files to your PC or external drive.
• 📦 Buy an additional seat (price from 100 rubles / month for 50 GB).

✅ Make sure there is enough space on your account.

✅ Check the Mi Account region (should match the backup region)

✅ Turn it off. VPN (It can block access to the cloud)

✅ Use a stable Wi-Fi connection

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6.Recovery of data after blocking Mi Account

If your Mi Account is blocked (for example, due to suspicious activity or rule violations), access to cloud data will be restricted.

1. Try unlocking your account: - Go to account.xiaomi.com and follow the recovery instructions. - If the lock is related to a suspected hack, proof of identity (passport, linked phone number) will be required.
2. Contact Xiaomi Support: - Email: support@xiaomi.com (in English) or via the feedback form on the official website. - Enter the linked email, IMEI device and the reason for blocking.
3. Use local backups: - If the phone has enabled Local Backup (Settings → Additional → Backup → Local Backup), files can be retrieved through Explorer in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder.

Blocking most often occurs when:

• 🔓 Repeatedly entering the wrong password.
• 🌍 Change the region of the account more often 1 time per month.
• 📱 Use of unofficial firmware with modified IMEI.

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If your account is blocked due to “suspicious activity,” wait for automatic unlocking (usually 24-48 hours) or contact support via Twitter (@MiSupport).

7. How to protect data in the future: 5 rules

To avoid file loss, follow these guidelines:

1. Enable automatic sync: - Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud and activate sync for Contacts, Gallery, Notes and Records. - For media files, select Autoboot over Wi-Fi.
2. Create local backups: - Make a copy to your PC once a month through Settings → Additional → Backup → Local Backup.
3. Use third-party clouds: - Set up autosynchronization with Google Photos or Yandex Drive as an optional backup.
4. Check the storage limit: - Set cloud occupancy notifications to 80% (in Mi Cloud settings).
5. Encrypt Sensitive Data: For important documents, use password archivers (such as 7-Zip) before uploading to the cloud.

On devices with MIUI 14, Private Storage (Settings → Privacy → Private Storage) is available, which allows you to hide files from prying eyes and sync them in encrypted form, activate it for photos, document scans and other sensitive information.

FAQ: Frequent questions about file recovery

If your question is not covered in the article, check the official documentation of Xiaomi or ask it in the comments – we regularly update the material in view of changes in the service.