Recovery of files on Xiaomi: from the cart to deep scanning

Losing important files on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that almost every user faces. Whether you accidentally deleted a photo from a gallery, cleared a document basket or found a video lost after resetting the settings, there are almost always chances of recovery. The main thing is to act quickly and correctly so as not to overwrite deleted data with new ones.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to restore files on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from standard MIUI functions to professional utilities. We will pay special attention to the nuances for different versions of firmware (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15) and models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12 have their own features of working with memory).

1.Basket check MIUI: first step in recovery

Most Xiaomi users don’t know that MIUI has a built-in trash bin, the equivalent of a PC junk bin, that saves deleted files for 15 to 30 days (depending on the model and firmware version), and that’s the easiest way to get data back without third-party software.

To check the basket:

• 📁 Open the Files app** (Files by Google or standard) MIUI File Manager).

Important: The Recycle Bin in MIUI only works for files deleted through a standard file manager. If you cleared memory through Settings → Memory or third-party applications (such as Clean Master), the data could be deleted irrevocably.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ The default basket is disabled to save space. To activate it, go to File Manager Settings. → Basket → Turn it on.

2.Recovery through MIUI Cloud backups

If you have previously enabled sync with Mi Cloud, the chances of returning files are significantly higher.

• 📸 Photos and videos from the gallery (if Autoboot option is enabled).
• 📄 Documents from Downloads and Documents folders.
• 🔄 Contacts, notes and even SMS (activated synchronization).

Instructions for remediation:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Sign in with the same account you used before deleting your files.
3. Select a section (such as Gallery or Files) and find the data you want.
4. Click on the file → Download or Restore to the device.

Limitations:

• 🚫 The free Mi Cloud account only provides 5GB of storage. If the backup didn't fit, the data might not be saved.

Sign in with the correct Xiaomi account

Make sure mobile data or Wi-Fi is enabled

Check the free space on the device (should be ≥ the size of the recovered files)

Disable VPN (can block access to Mi Cloud)

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3.Use of third-party programs for deep scanning

If the files are not found in the cart and cloud, you will have to resort to specialized utilities.

Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger (the most popular option):

1. Download the app from Google Play (only official version!).
2. Start and select Full Scan (for deep search).
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 1-2 hours).
4. Tick the files you want to recover and click Save.
5. Save the data to another medium (for example, SD-map) so as not to overwrite deleted files.

An important nuance for Xiaomi: on devices with MIUI 13+ and F2FS file system (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50), standard programs may not see deleted files, in which case only connecting to a PC via ADB or using Recuva in internal memory scanning mode will help.

4.Recovery after reset to factory settings

If you have done Hard Reset (reset via Settings → Additional → Reset), the chances of recovering data drop dramatically, but there are. The main rule is: do not set up the phone after the reset (do not create a new account, do not install apps).

Recovery methods:

• 🔄 Recovery from backup MIUI: When you first turn on after a reset, the system will prompt you to restore data from the Mi Cloud or local copy. Select Restore from a backup and specify the date when the files were still on the device.
• 💻 PC Connection: Use programs like Dr.Fone or Tenorshare UltData that can scan internal memory even after reset. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers.

⚠️ Note: On devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon chip (e.g, POCO F4 or Redmi K60) After reset, hardware encryption is activated FBE (File-Based Encryption: Without a password from an old account, it’s almost impossible to recover data.

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If the reset was done via Fastboot, the chances of recovery are zero, in which case the data is deleted at a low level, and even professional utilities are powerless.

5. Features of recovery for different Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi devices handle file deletion in the same way, and here are the key differences:

For devices with MIUI 14+ and MediaTek chips (like the Redmi Note 12), there is another caveat: when you delete files through the gallery, they can not get into the basket, but delete immediately, in which case only deep scanning will help.

6. How to prevent future data loss

The best way to combat file loss is to prevent it. Here are the proven methods:

• ☁️ Automatic sync with Mi Cloud: Enable Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Sync. Activate autoupload of photos and videos to the Gallery → Settings → Backup.
• 📀 Local backups: Use the built-in Settings feature → The phone. → Backup. Save copies to the SD-card or PC once a month.
• 🛡️ Backup apps: Swift Backup (requires root) or Titanium Backup for full backup.Google Photos for automatic download of media files.

A critical mistake most users make is to turn off sync with Mi Cloud to save battery life, so you can't recover data when you lose your phone or reset your data, and even if you don't use the cloud all the time, turn it on at least once a week to back it up.

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On devices with MIUI 13+ There's a hidden backup before reset feature. If you're planning on doing a Hard Reset, the system will prompt you to save a copy of the data to the computer. SD-You can always accept this offer!

FAQ: Frequent questions about file recovery on Xiaomi