Recovery of Photos and Videos After Resetting Xiaomi to Factory Settings: A Complete Guide

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve system problems, but many users face the unpleasant consequences of losing personal data, including photos and videos. Even if you haven’t backed up, the chances of returning files are there — but they depend on several factors: time after the reset, type of memory (internal or internal). SD-map) and post-cleaning operation of the device.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven recovery methods, from simple (checking cloud copies) to complex (using ADB and specialized software), and find out why not all files are recoverable, and how to protect data in the future. If you have tried any of these, skip familiar steps and move on to alternative solutions.

⚠️ Critical warning: The more active you use your smartphone after a reset (install apps, take new photos, upload files), the lower your chances of recovery. New data overwrites old data, so start the procedure as soon as possible.

1. Check cloud services: Mi Cloud, Google Photos and others

The first thing to do is check the cloud storage, and many Xiaomi users don't even know that their device automatically syncs photos and videos to Mi Cloud or Google Photos, and even if you didn't set up the backup manually, some data might have been saved by default.

How to check:

1. Sign in to i.mi.com (for Mi Cloud) or photos.google.com (for Google Photos) from the same account that was linked to your phone.
2. In Mi Cloud, go to Gallery → Albums or Backups. In Google Photos, check the Photos folder from the device and Archive.
3. Pay attention to download dates – it is possible that the last files did not have time to sync before resetting.

✅ Pros of the method:

• 🔄 Quickly - does not require installation of software.
• 🆓 Free – Cloud services provide free storage (5–15 GB).
• 📱 It works even if the phone is broken or locked.

❌ Cons of the method:

• 🚫 Not all files could be synced (e.g., large-sized videos).
• 🔒 If the account is not linked or the password is lost, access will be difficult.

2. Recovery through Mi Account: Hidden Backups

Xiaomi automatically backs up some data (including media files) when you connect to Mi Account, which is stored on the company’s servers and can contain photos/videos, even if you didn’t manually enable sync.

Instructions for remediation:

1. On the dropped phone, log in to the same Mi Account that was tied before the reset.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Restore Data.
3. Select the latest backup (note the date of creation).
4. Check the Gallery and Multimedia points, then click Restore.

🔍 What's important to know:

• 📅 Backups are created every 7 days (if the option is enabled in the settings).
• 📸 Only files that were in standard folders are restored (DCIM, Pictures).
• 🔄 If the phone was reset long ago, the backup could be overwritten with a new one.

3. Local Recovery with DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver

If cloud-based methods don't work, it's time to move to local memory scanning.

• Computer (Windows/Mac/Linux)
• USB-cable (preferably original).
• Recovery software (recommended by DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver).

📌 Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger (free version):

1. Download and install DiskDigger on PC.
2. Connect Xiaomi to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Start the program, select your device and click Next.
4. Specify the types of files to search: JPG, PNG, MP4, MOV.
5. Select the scan method: Dig Deep (deep scan for deleted files).
6. Wait until the process is completed (may take a few hours).
7. View the files found and save them to the PC.

⚠️ Warning: Do not save recovered files back to your phone - this can overwrite the remaining data.

📊 Comparison of recovery programs:

Disable Wi-Fi and mobile data on your phone

Charge your phone at least 50%

Use the original USB-cable

Do not connect other devices to the PC during the process

Save the recovered files to an external disk-->

4. Recovery through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can try extracting data through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for users who haven’t formatted internal memory after a reset. Importantly, the method requires an unlocked bootloader and super-user rights (root), which is not always possible on new Xiaomi models.

🛠 Instructions:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot on PC.
2. Turn on the phone Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → For developers → Debugging over USB).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: Adb devices (you should display your device).
4. Back up the data section: adb backup -f C:\backup.ab -apk -obb -shared -all (replace the C:\backup.ab path with yours).
5. Unclose the backup.ab file with Android Backup Extractor.
6. View the extracted data – photos and videos can be in the media or DCIM folders.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with MIUI 12+ And if you block the bootloader, it won't work, and don't try to get root rights after the reset, it will lead to a complete overwriting of the data.

1. Update the Xiaomi USB Drivers drivers.

2. Use another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

3.Reboot phone and PC.-->

5. Contacting a service center: when nothing helps

If the independent attempts are unsuccessful, you can contact the Xiaomi service center, and specialists have access to professional equipment (for example, chip-off or JTAG), which allows you to extract data directly from the memory chip.

📍 What you need to know before your visit:

• 📄 Bring checks or a warranty card (if the device is warranty).

🔎 How to choose a reliable service:

1. Check reviews on Yandex.Maps or 2GIS (pay attention to the latest reviews).

💡

The faster you access the service after a reset, the better the chances of recovery, and every day you use your phone reduces the likelihood of success by 10 to 20 percent.

How to Prevent Data Loss in the Future: 3 Rules

The best way to combat data loss is to prevent it, and follow these rules so you never have to face file recovery problems again:

🔹 Rule 1: Automatic backup

🔹 Rule 2: Separation of data

• 📁 Keep important photos/videos on your site SD-map (it does not affect its reset).
• ☁ Regularly transfer files to the cloud (Yandex.Disk, Dropbox).

🔹 Rule 3: Pre-dumping check

• ✅ Before reset, check: Is Mi Account tied, gallery sync enabled, is there any copies on PC or external drive.

💡 Additional tip: Install the Dumpster app, which saves deleted files for 30 days, which can save data even after a reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data recovery on Xiaomi