Accidentally removing important images and then cleaning the cart on Xiaomi or Redmi smartphones is a stressful situation that almost every user has faced. It would seem that irretrievable data loss occurs instantly, but in reality, the Android operating system and the shell of MIUI or HyperOS are more difficult than just “erase and forget”.
Recovery of deleted files is possible thanks to the features of file systems and cloud sync services, which are often turned on by default. Even if you cleared the shopping cart in the gallery, data can be stored in the cache of applications or in hidden memory areas until they are overwritten with new information.
In this article, we will look at proven methods for returning lost images, ranging from the standard tools of the Xiaomi ecosystem to the use of specialized software.
Verification of cloud synchronization services
The first and most likely place where a copy of your photo could have been saved is cloud storage. Xiaomi smartphones are actively suggesting using Mi Cloud to back up the gallery. If sync was enabled, the file deleted from the device could have stayed in the cloud, since the deletion process is not always synchronized instantly or can be canceled within a certain period.
To verify, you need to go to your Mi Account settings via a web interface or app. Often users forget that they have activated automatic photo uploading, and this becomes their salvation. In the web version of Mi Cloud, files can be stored longer than locally on the device.
⚠️ Note: If you delete a photo from the Mi Cloud, it moves to the cloud storage bin for 30 days, and then the final deletion process begins.
It’s also worth checking out Google Photos, which is pre-installed on most devices. Even if you deleted the image from the MIUI gallery, it could have stayed in Google’s archive or in the “Recently Deleted” folder of the Google Photos app itself, which has its own cleaning timer, independent of the system basket.
Use the following path to check your sync settings: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery. Make sure the slider is active, and check the status of the last sync.
📊 Do you use cloud synchronization photos?
Yeah, all the time.
Sometimes I turn it on.
Never used it.
I don't know what it is.
Analysis of Thumbnails folder and hidden caches
The Android operating system creates thumbnails (previews) for all images in the gallery to speed up their display when scrolling. These files are saved in the hidden system folder.thumbnails. Even if the original is deleted, a smaller copy of it may still be in the phone's memory.
These images will be less than the original, but often the only way to get back visually important information, and you'll need a file manager with hidden file rights or a PC connection to access this folder.
The path to these thumbnails is usually: Internal Memory → DCIM →.thumbnails. In some versions of MIUI, the path may be different, for example, MIUI → gallery → cloud → thumbnails.
If you find files that have names like THMxxxx.jpg, they can be opened and saved again, and it's a local cache that's cleared less often than the main gallery.
How to open hidden folders on Xiaomi?
To display hidden folders in a standard Xiaomi Explorer, click three dots in the corner of the screen and select "Show hidden files." If this option is not available, use third-party file managers, such as Total Commander or FX File Explorer.> Using specialized recovery software When standard methods do not help, third-party applications that scan the memory for "silent" links to files come to the rescue. One of the most popular tools is DiskDigger. The application can work in two modes: basic (without root rights) and full (with superuser rights). The recovery process with DiskDigger is as follows: 📲 Download the app from the Google Play Store or official APK developer-site. 🔍 Run "Basic Scan" to search for thumbnails and cache. 💾 Select the files found and click "Restore". 📂 Save the data to a new folder, preferably a memory card or a cloud, so you don't overwrite the original sector, and it's important to understand that the effectiveness of the programs depends on the time that has elapsed since the deletion. The more you use your phone after losing data, the less likely you are to succeed. ☑️ Checklist before using the restorer Charge the phone to a minimum 50%Free up space for saving filesSwitch off the Internet (so that data does not go to the cloud automatically)Close all background applications: 0 / 4 The choice of recovery method depends on your specific situation: whether the cloud was enabled, whether root rights are available and how long ago the deletion occurred. Method Efficiency Mi Cloud/Google Photo Account High (if there was synchronization) Low Thumbnails File Access Medium (miniatures only) Low DiskDigger (Basic) No Low/Medium Low DiskDigger (Root) Root Rights Account High As seen from the table, having root rights drastically changes the possibility of a deep scan. However, obtaining these rights can invalidate the warranty on the Xiaomi device. If none of the software is used to re-facing the system with the latest data loss, the chipset is used with the problem of the computer file loss, the last one is used with the data processing system. In Xiaomi smartphones, this is done very flexibly through the Settings menu. → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud: It is recommended to set up synchronization only over Wi-Fi, so as not to waste mobile traffic, it is also worth considering the use of third-party cloud storage, such as Yandex.Disk or Dropbox, which have the function of autoloading photos. ⚠️ Attention: Check regularly if autosave is working. Sometimes, after a system update or password change, sync may stop and you will be left without fresh copies. Another precaution is to periodically manually copy important archives to your computer. 3-2-1 It says: Store three copies of data on two different types of media, one of which is located elsewhere. 💡Automatic cloud sync is the only reliable way to protect against accidental deletion, as cloud services have their own baskets and version history. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can I recover a photo if the phone was reset to factory settings? Recovery after a complete reset (Wipe) Data/Factory Reset is extremely difficult, especially on modern smartphones with memory encryption. If the phone was actively used after reset, the data is likely to be overwritten and cannot be restored. Is it safe to use recovery software on Xiaomi? Using Google Play’s proven apps is safe, but programs that require root rights can pose a risk to system stability. MIUI. Always backup before you get superuser rights.Where is the cart in Xiaomi after upgrading to HyperOS? The HyperOS shell has not changed the logic of the work. Open the Gallery app, go to the Albums tab and scroll down to the Deleted section. It stores files for 30 days. USB-Recovery drive? The system itself. USB-The drive does not recover data, but it is necessary for the operation of many computer programs-reanimators, which have a more powerful search algorithm than mobile applications.