Recovery of deleted photos on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: the full guide

Delete important photos from Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro and don't know how to return them? Don't panic - even after cleaning the gallery, the chances of recovery remain. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods, including built-in MIUI functions, cloud services and third-party utilities. The main thing is to act quickly: the less time has passed since the removal, the higher the probability of success.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro uses a F2FS file system (on new firmware) or ext4, where deleted data is not instantly erased, but is marked as free space. This means that with the right actions, you can recover images even without a backup. However, there are nuances: for example, overwriting data (install applications, take new photos) reduces the chances of 100% return.

We tested each method on the Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 12.5-14 and highlighted the critical point: if the photos were deleted more than 30 days ago and the gallery basket was cleared, scanning internal memory via a PC becomes a priority.

1.A check of MIUI Gallery basket

The first thing you need to do is to look into the built-in Gallery application basket, where deleted files are stored for up to 30 days (by default) in MIUI, and their recovery takes only a few clicks.

How it works:

1. Open the Gallery app on the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → select the basket.
3. Find the right photos, click on them → Restore.

If the cart is empty or the option is missing, then:

• 🗑️ Files deleted more than 30 days ago (automatic cleanup).
• ⚙️ Recycle Bin disabled in gallery settings (Settings) → Basket → Store deleted files).
• 🧹 You manually cleaned the basket through the Control menu.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 Way to the Cart Has Changed - Now Hidden Behind the Album Button → If you can't see the item, update the Gallery app via Google Play.

2. Recovery via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

If your Redmi Note 8 Pro was enabled to sync with Mi Cloud, the deleted photos could be saved to the cloud, which works even after the phone is reset to factory settings.

Instructions for remediation:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select Gallery → Cart (or Recently Deleted).
3. Tag the desired photos and click Restore.

Important details:

• 📱 Minimum version MIUI For cloud basket - 12.0.3. on older firmware, the function may not be available.
• ☁️ Free tariff Mi Cloud stores deleted photos for 15 days (in paid rates - up to 60 days).
• 🔄 If the photos don’t show, try logging into the Mi Cloud web version from PC.

⚠️ Note: When you recover from Mi Cloud, the photos are saved to the Download folder of internal memory. If there is not enough space, the system will prompt you to release it or transfer the files to the Download folder of internal memory. SD-map.

3. Use of Google Photos (if backed up)

Many Redmi Note 8 Pro users set up automatic backups in Google Photos, and if you’re one of them, check the Recycle Bin for 60 days.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Tap on the profile avatar. → Basket.
3. Select the right photos → Restore.
4. After recovery, they will appear in the Photo folder on the device.

Nuances:

• 📸 If backup has been disabled, this method will not work.
• 📱 Nana MIUI Google Photos may conflict with your home gallery – check permissions in Settings → Annexes → Google Photo → Permits.
• 💾 The recovered photos take up space in the cloud. If the limit is reached, they will have to be downloaded manually.

Check your Wi-Fi connection (photos can weigh a few GB)

Free up space in your internal memory (at least 10% of your photo volume)

Update the Google Photos app to the latest version

Log in to the same Google account that was used for backup-->

4. Scanning internal memory via PC (without root)

If the photos aren't found in the carts, the next step is to connect the Redmi Note 8 Pro to your computer and scan the memory with specialized programs, which works even without root rights, but requires caution.

Recommended programs for Windows:

• 🔍 EaseUS Data Recovery (paid but with high recovery percentage).

Instructions for Recuva:

1. Enter the path to the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s internal memory (usually this device → Internal Storage).

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

For Mac users, PhotoRec (free, running through Terminal) is a good option.

brew install testdisk


photorec /d [path to folder for save] /cmd [path to internal memory phone]

5. Recovery with ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can try extracting photos via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires USB debugging and basic command line knowledge.

Preparation:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times.
2. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack it on PC.

Photo extraction commands:

adb devices # Checking the connection


adb shell # Going to the shell of the phone




su # Request root rights (if any)




cd /storage/emulated/0/DCIM # Go to folder with photo




ls -la # View content (we are looking for files with the extension.jpg,.png)




exit #Out of the shell




adb pull /storage/emulated/0/DCIM [path to PC] # Copy folder to computer

Limitations of the method:

• 🔒 Without root rights, you will only see files that have not been deleted from the file system (i.e., the basket and current photos).
• 📱 Nana MIUI Access to some folders may be blocked – use adb shell ls /storage/, to find an alternative way.
• ⚠️ Wrong teams ADB They may disrupt the system – follow the instructions accurately.

💡

If ADB doesn’t see the device, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers via Mi PC Suite or manually pointing the path to drivers in Windows Device Manager (ADB Interface section).

6. Recovery via TWRP (Requires unlocking the bootloader)

For users with an unlocked bootloader and TWRP Recovery installed, a recovery method via Nandroid backups or manual partition mounting is available.

Steps to recover:

1. Boot to TWRP (hold Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. Go to Mount and check System, Data.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and use ADB or MTP to copy files from /data/media/0/DCIM.
4. If there is a Nandroid backup, restore it through Restore.

Risks and nuances:

• 🔓 Unlocking the bootloader resets all data – this method is only suitable if you have already had a backup.
• 📱 On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 13+ You may need to disable Mi Anti-Rollback before installation TWRP.
• 🛠️ For mounting /data into TWRP Sometimes you need to enter a lock screen password (if it was set).

⚠️ Attention: Use TWRP Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 14 may cause the device to lock due to Anti-Rollback 4. Before taking action, check the firmware version in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

7. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods did not help, and photos are critical (for example, documents or unique photos), you can contact an authorized service center Xiaomi.

What you need to know:

• 💰 The cost of the service is from 3 000 to 10 000 rubles (depending on the complexity and region).
• ⏳ Recovery period – 1-5 working days.
• 📱 Redmi Note 8 Pro with a damaged file system may need to replace the memory module (in this case, the data is not restored).

How to prepare for your visit:

1. Don’t turn on your phone or try to sew it yourself – this can make the problem worse.
2. Bring a check or a box from your phone (to confirm originality).
3. Check with the manager if they provide a report on the recovered files (some centers return data on an external medium).

The service centers can be found on the official website of Xiaomi. Contact only the centers marked Authorized - this guarantees the safety of your data.

💡

The service center is the last chance to get a photo back, but it's only valid for valuable data, and 80 percent of the time, deleted images can be self-recovered using the methods described above.

Frequently asked questions