Recovery of photos on Xiaomi Mi 9: from the cart to deep scanning

Losing photos on Xiaomi Mi 9 is a familiar situation. Whether you accidentally clicked “Delete”, formatted a memory card or experienced a system failure, the chances of returning pictures remain. In this article, 7 proven recovery methods adapted to the features of MIUI firmware and Mi 9 hardware (codenamed cepheus), we will analyze both standard tools (basket, cloud) and advanced techniques using PC, ADB and specialized software.

Important: the effectiveness of the method depends on the time elapsed after deletion and the type of storage (internal memory vs microSD). For example, files deleted from a memory card can be restored even after a month if new data was not written to it. But photos from the internal memory of the Mi 9 (especially after resetting to factory settings) are more difficult to return - only a backup or deep scan via fastboot will help.

Before you start, the key question is, where were the photos stored? In the MIUI gallery, on a memory card, in Google Photos or another cloud? It's the choice of method. If you're not sure, start with the simplest (Baskbasket section) and gradually move on to the complex.

1.A check of the basket at MIUI Gallery

The standard Gallery app on Xiaomi Mi 9 (as well as other devices with MIUI 10+) has a built-in cart where photos are stored for up to 30 days after being deleted, the first and fastest way to return pictures without third-party tools.

How to restore:

• 📱 Open the Gallery app (icon with multicolored squares).
• 🗑️ Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → select "Baskbasket».
• 🔍 Find the right photo (you can sort by date of deletion).
• ↩️ Select the pictures. → Click "Restore" (the icon with the arrow up).

⚠️ Warning: If the cart is empty but you are sure that the photo was recently deleted, check the storage settings. MIUI Recycled basket is disabled by default. To activate it: Gallery settings → Basket → Turn on.

If the photos were deleted more than a month ago or the cart was manually cleaned, go to the following method.

• 🧹 File manager (MI File Manager),
• 🔄 Reset to factory settings,
• 💾 Formatting a memory card.

2. Recovery via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

If your Mi 9 has been enabled to sync with Mi Cloud, chances are high. Xiaomi's cloud automatically backs up pictures (provided the option is activated in the settings). Even after deleting, files can stay in the cloud for up to 60 days.

Instructions:

1. 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in to the same Mi Account as you do on your phone.
2. 📁 Select the section "Gallery» → «Recycle Bin (if photos have been deleted recently) or check the main folder.
3. 💾 Click on the photo → «Restore (files will return to the device the next time you sync).

If the photo is not in the cloud basket, try:

• 🔍 Use date search (possibly pictures in another folder).
• 📥 Check archive backups (Devices section» → Choose Mi 9 → «Backup copies»).

⚠️ Attention: Mi Cloud only provides 5GB for free. If the space is over, new photos won't sync. Check storage settings: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Warehouse.

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If Mi Cloud doesn’t find a photo, try logging in via another browser (e.g. Chrome in incognito mode) – sometimes it helps to bypass cache errors.

Recovery from a memory card (microSD)

If you have your photos stored on a microSD card, you can return them with a PC and specialized software, and the main rule is that you don't write new files to the card after you delete them, which reduces your chances of recovery.

The best programs for Windows/macOS:

Step-by-step instructions for Recuva (the easiest option):

1. 🖥️ Connect the memory card to the PC via the card reader (do not use the phone as a card reader). USB-accumulator!).
2. 📥 Download and install Recuva.
3. 🔍 Run the program. → Choose "Photos» → specify the letter of the memory card disk.
4. ⚡ Select “Deep Scan” (it will take longer, but find more files).
5. 📤 After scanning, mark the desired photos → Click Restore and save them to another drive (not on the map!).

⚠️ Note: If the memory card was formatted in Mi 9, It will be harder to recover the photo, in which case use PhotoRec with signature search settings (option) --fileopt for JPG/PNG).

4.Recovery from internal memory via ADB

If the photos were stored in internal memory of the Mi 9 and were not synced to the cloud, you can try to retrieve them via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires on-debugging over USB and only works until the data is overwritten (for example, after installing updates or new applications).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 9 with enabled debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer settings, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (better-than-original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the Mi 9 to your PC and confirm the debugging permission on your phone.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the commands in order: adb shell su cd /data/media/0/DCIM/Camera ls -la (if the folder is empty, try cd /storage/emulated/0/Pictures).
4. Copy files on PC: Adb pull /data/media/0/DCIM/Camera/ C:\Mi9_Photos\ (switch the path).

If the commands return the error Permission denied, it means:

• 🔓 There are no root rights on the phone (you need to unlock the bootloader and install Magisk).
• 🗃️ Files are already overwritten (in this case, only deep scanning through fastboot will help).

Debugging is on. USB|Installed ADB Tools on PC|The phone is connected by the original cable|The phone is allowed access to files (MTP)|Checked free space on the PC for copying-->

5. Use of Google Photos (if synchronized)

If the Mi 9 had Google Photos installed and autosynchronization enabled, all images could be saved to the Google cloud, and even after deleting, they can be restored within 60 days.

How to check:

1. 🌐 Go to photos.google.com and log in.
2. 🗑️ In the menu on the left, select "Basket».
3. 🔍 Find the right photos. → press "Restore».

If the basket is empty:

• 🔎 Search by date/place (for example, photo May 2023).
• 📂 Check the archive (section "Library» → «Archives»).
• 📊 Tap the avatar. → «Storage management» → «Backups to see all synchronized devices.

⚠️ Attention: Google Photos compresses photos with "High Quality" (free). If you need original resolution, check your backup settings: Settings → Backup and synchronization → Quality of loading.

6. Deep scanning of internal memory (advanced method)

If standard methods didn’t work, and photos are critical, you can try byte scanning internal memory via fastboot, which requires an unlocked bootloader and doesn’t work on all versions of MIUI.

What you need:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader on Mi 9 (instruction: official Xiaomi website).
• 🖥️ PC with Fastboot Tools and Xiaomi drivers installed.
• 💾 Free disk space (the size of internal memory Mi) 9 — 64/128 GB).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone → Press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode.
2. Connect Mi 9 to PC and check the connection: fastboot devices
3. Create an internal memory image: fastboot oem dumpimage /dev/block/mmcblk0 userdata.img (the process will take 10–30 minutes).
4. Scan the image with PhotoRec or R-Studio for JPG/PNG files.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not working. MIUI 12+ coded FBE (File-Based Encryption).
• 🔧 Requires technical skills (errors can cause loss of all data).
• ⏳ The scanning process can take several hours.

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Deep scanning via fastboot is the last chance to get your photos back, but it's only for power users. If you're not sure about your abilities, contact the service center.

7. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods have failed and photos are of high value (such as family photos), you should contact the official service center Xiaomi. they have specialized equipment to recover data from internal memory, including the UFS 2.1 chips used in the Mi 9.

What you need to know before your visit:

• 📍 Addresses of the centers: official website.
• 💰 Cost: 3,000 to 10,000 ₽ (depending).
• ⏱️ Timeframe: 3-7 days (in some cases longer).
• 📄 Documents: passport and telephone check (if any).

What to expect:

• ✅ High chance of recovery (up to 80% for internal memory).
• ❌ The risk of loss of warranty (if the phone is on warranty, check this point in advance).
• 🔒 Privacy: data is not shared with third parties (as per Xiaomi policy).

⚠️ Warning: Don't go to informal services with "recovery in 5 minutes" offers. Often these "masters" use the same software as you, but charge for it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photo recovery on Xiaomi Mi 9