Have you deleted important photos from Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro and you don't know how to get them back? Don't panic - even after cleaning the gallery, the chances of recovery remain. In this article, we will examine all possible ways, from standard MIUI tools to professional utilities for deep memory scanning, the main thing is to act quickly, as new files can overwrite deleted data.
The Redmi 8 Pro is a MIUI-based system with its own media storage mechanisms, like a Recycle Bin, where photos are left for 30 days after being deleted, and integration with Mi Cloud, which can automatically save copies, but what if the Recycle Bin is cleared and the cloud is off?
It's important to understand that recovery success depends on how long it's been since you deleted it and whether you've used your phone since then. Every new photo, video, or app you install reduces your chances of returning old files, so take action immediately after you find it's gone.
1. Checking the basket in the standard MIUI gallery
The first thing you need to do is to look in the Gallery App Recycle Bin, and in MIUI, deleted photos don't disappear immediately, but instead go to temporary storage for 30 days, and this method works even if you've cleared the gallery through the Delete button or swipe.
How to open the basket:
- 📱 Open the Gallery app on Redmi 8 Pro.
- 🗑️ Tap it on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select the basket.
- 🔍 View the list of deleted files. Photos marked Clean after N days can still be restored.
- 🔄 Select the desired pictures and click Restore.
On Redmi 8 Pro, the cart can be hidden if you have previously cleaned it manually or disabled it in the settings. To return access, go to Gallery Settings → Recycle Bin and turn on the option to Show Cart.
⚠️ Warning: If the cart doesn't have the right photos, don't delete any other files! This can lead to automatic storage cleanup and permanent data loss.
2. Recovery via Mi Cloud (if synchronization was enabled)
If your Redmi 8 Pro is synced to Mi Cloud, the chances of returning photos are much higher.The Xiaomi cloud automatically saves copies of media files, but only if:
- 🔄 Autosynchronization function was included in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery.
- 📶 The phone had access to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data) at the time of deletion.
- 💾 Cloud storage was not exceeded (free is 5 GB).
How to recover photos from Mi Cloud:
- Open the Gallery and go to the Cloud section (the cloud icon in the bottom menu).
- Sign in with the same Xiaomi account that was used on your phone.
- Find the Remote or Recycle Bin folder (depending on the MIUI version).
- Select the necessary photos and click Restore.
If the photo is not in the cloud cart, check the main folders (Camera, Screenshots), sometimes the files remain there even after you delete from your phone.
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To avoid future data loss, enable Automatic Gallery Backup in Mi Cloud. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup and activate Photo Sync.
3. Use of Google Photos (if connected)
Many Redmi 8 Pro users are installing Google Photos as an alternative to the standard gallery, and if you logged in to a Google account and backed up, the photos could have been saved there.
How to check:
- Install Google Photos from the Play Market if you don’t have one.
- Open the app and log in under your Google account.
- Go to the Library → Recycle Bin. Deleted files are stored there for 60 days.
- If the photo is not in the cart, check the main tape or folders by date.
An important nuance: Google Photos compresses photos by default when backing up (High Quality option) to keep the original resolution, you had to choose Original Quality in the settings.
| Recovery method | Storage period | Internet is required | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI basket | 30 days | No. | Files are deleted when cleaning the cart |
| Mi Cloud | 30–90 days (depending on settings) | Yes. | Limit 5GB on free fare |
| Google Photo | 60 days in the basket | Yes. | Compression of photo during backup |
| Local scanning (via PC) | Before the data is rewritten | No. | Root rights required for deep scanning |
4. Connecting to a computer and scanning memory
If the photos aren’t found in the clouds or in the cart, the next step is to connect the Redmi 8 Pro to your computer and scan the internal memory.
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
- 🛠️ Data recovery software (e.g. Recuva, DiskDigger, EaseUS MobiSaver).
Step-by-step:
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
- Install and run a recovery program (e.g., Recuva).
- Select the disk corresponding to the memory of Redmi 8 Pro (usually a removable drive).
- Start a deep scan (may take several hours).
- Once completed, mark the photos you found (.jpg,.png,.heic formats) and save them to your PC.
⚠️ Warning: Do not save recovered files back to your phone! This may cause the remaining deleted data to be overwritten. Use an external drive or cloud.
Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (stamp 7 times)
Use the original USB-cable
Charge your phone at least 50%
Disable antivirus on PC (can block access to memory)
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5. Restoration with root rights (for power users)
If standard methods don't work, you can try root-based deep scanning, which will allow programs like DiskDigger or Undelete to scan system partitions that regular software doesn't have access to.
How to get root on Redmi 8 Pro:
- Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (it takes 7-15 days to wait after the account is linked).
- Install Custom Recavers (TWRP) via fastboot.
- Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.
fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
fastboot boot twrp.imgAfter receiving root:
- 📱 Install DiskDigger or similar software.
- 🔍 Select the Full Scan option (full scan).
- 💾 Save the files found on SD-card.
Warning: Unlocking the bootloader and getting root resets the phone to factory settings and voids the Xiaomi warranty.In addition, improper actions can lead to a device "brick." Use this method only if other options are exhausted.
What to do if the phone is not determined by the PC?
6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center
If the photos are critical (for example, they are the only copies of documents or memories), and independent attempts to restore failed, you can contact the authorized service center Xiaomi.
What professionals can do:
- 🔧 Read your phone’s memory using professional equipment (e.g, UFI Box or Medusa Pro).
- 💾 Recover data from damaged partitions (if the phone is not turned on).
- 📊 Low-level analysis of flash memory.
The cost of such services starts from 3 000-5 000 rubles and depends on the complexity of the work. Please note that even in the service center there is no 100% guarantee of recovery, especially if after removal it took a long time or the phone was actively used.
Before the service visit:
- 📋 Make a list of lost files (dates, names, if known).
- 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 70%.
- 📱 Do not install new apps and do not reset settings.
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A service center is the last chance to get your data back, but it's not a guarantee. The less you use your phone after you delete it, the more likely you are to succeed.
7.Prevention: How to avoid loss of photos in the future
To avoid the problem of lost photos, follow these rules:
- ☁️ Turn on automatic sync with Mi Cloud or Google Photos, and even if you delete a photo from your phone, copies of it will remain in the cloud.
- 📁 Regularly transfer photos to your PC or external drive. Use Xiaomi for this. PC Suite or Windows Explorer.
- 🔄 Set up backup in Settings → System system → Backup. MIUI Allows you to save copies of media files on Mi Cloud or locally.
- 🚫 Avoid cleaners like Clean Master or CCleaner – they often delete files from the trash before the deadline.
It's also useful to know:
- 📅 The storage period in the cart can be increased to 60 days in the settings of the gallery.
- 🔒 Protect important photos with Hidden Albums (available in Gallery) MIUI post-update MIUI 12+).
- 📱 Use a microSD to store a photo, it’s easier to connect to another copying device.