Recovery of deleted photos on Xiaomi: what to do if the basket is empty?

Deleted important photos from Xiaomi, cleaned the cart in the gallery — and only then realized that these images are necessary? The situation is familiar to many. Fortunately, even after cleaning the basket, the chances of returning files remain, but you need to act quickly. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to restore photos on Redmi, POCO and other Xiaomi models, from standard tools to professional utilities.

The rule is, the less you use your phone after you delete it, the more likely you are to succeed. Every new photo, app installed, or system update can overwrite deleted data. So start restoring it right away -- and don't panic if the first method didn't work. We'll look at both the computer-free and PC-connected options, and explain why some of the methods only work on unencrypted devices.

If you're using MIUI 14 or later, consider that the default system encrypts user data, which makes recovery difficult, but doesn't make it impossible. Next, detailed instructions for different scenarios, including when the phone doesn't turn on or photos were deleted months ago.

Why can I recover photos even after cleaning the cart?

When you delete a photo in the Xiaomi gallery, it first enters a cart that lasts 30 days (MIUI 12 days and older, 15 days). Once you clean the cart, the file doesn't physically disappear - the system simply marks it as a "free place" that can be rewritten. Until new data is written to that place, the photo can be returned.

The recovery process depends on:

• 📱 Smartphone models and versions MIUI (On new devices with encryption, data recovery is more difficult).
• 🗄️ Type of memory: internal memory or microSD card (it is easier to recover from a card).
• ⏳ Time after removal: if more than a month has passed, the chances fall.
• 🔒 Backups in Mi Cloud or Google Photos.

Critical information: on devices with encryption enabled (by default in MIUI 14+), standard recovery programs do not work.

Method 1: Check backups in Mi Cloud and Google Photos

Before you start to make complex manipulations, check if photos are saved in the cloud services. Xiaomi automatically backs up photos in Mi Cloud if the feature is enabled. Similarly, Google Photos works - even if you did not manually configure it, the service could sync the pictures.

How to check:

1. Open the Gallery app → tap on three dots in the upper right corner → Mi Cloud.
2. Check the Device or Recycle Bin folder in the cloud (photos are stored there for up to 60 days).
3. For Google Photos: Open the application → Library → Recycle Bin (Storage up to 60 days) or Archive.

If you find the photos, recover them directly from the cloud. If you don't, move on to the next way.

💡

In Mi Cloud, you can enable automatic photo sync: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery. This will save data in future deletions.

Method 2: Recovery through the Recycle Bin app (if not completely cleaned)

In MIUI, the gallery cart doesn't work like it does on other smartphones, and even after you click "Clear the cart," some files can stay hidden in a folder to find them:

1. Open the standard File Manager application.
2. Go to the Indoor Storage → MIUI → Gallery → Cloud → Trush.
3. Check the folder for files with the.nomedia extension (you can rename them by removing this extension).

If the folder is empty, try an alternative path:

Internal storage → DCIM →.thumbnails

Sometimes there are miniatures of deleted photos (size) ~300×300 pixel).

💡

Folders with a dot at the beginning (such as.thumbnails) are hidden by default. To see them, in File Manager, enable the display of hidden files in the settings menu.

Method 3: Root-free recovery programs (for unencrypted devices)

If clouds and hidden folders didn't work, use specialized tools that scan the phone's memory at the file system level and look for traces of deleted data.

Instructions for DiskDigger (the most effective option without root):

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Choose Basic scan (if there is no root) or Full scan (if there is root).
3. Wait until the scan is finished (it can take up to an hour).
4. Tag the photos you found and press Recover.

Disconnect mobile internet and Wi-Fi|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Not installing new applications|Do not take new photos/videos-->

Important: If the phone requests root access but it doesn't, don't agree. It can cause a reset.

Method 4: Recovery with PC (for power users)

If the phone is encrypted, or the software on the smartphone did not find the photo, connect the device to the computer.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Recuva or PhotoRec.

Step-by-step instructions for Recuva:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Run Recuva and select the type of Image files.
3. Specify the path to the phone’s internal memory (usually This Computer → [Xiaomi Model]).
4. Start scanning. Once you're done, mark the photos and click Restore.

For PhotoRec (works with encrypted partitions, but more complicated):

1. Download TestDisk (PhotoRec comes with the package).


2. In the command line, go to the folder with the program:




cd C:\testdisk-7.1




Launch:




photorec_win.exe




4. Select the phone drive and follow the instructions.

Limitation: On MIUI 14+ with FBE (File-Based Encryption) encryption, these methods only work if the phone is unlocked and connected in MTP mode with USB debugging enabled.

Method 5: Restoration with root rights (advanced method)

If the previous methods didn't work, and the photos are critical, the last option is root rights and low-level memory scanning, which is a risky method: you lose your warranty, and if you make a mistake, your phone can turn into a brick.

What will be required:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 📱 Established custom recovery (TWRP).
• 🛠️ Autopsy or Scalpel for deep scanning.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (you need a Xiaomi account tied to the phone).
2. Install TWRP for your model (see instructions on XDA Developers).
3. Make a full backup of /data partition via TWRP.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and scan the backup with Autopsy.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader erases all data on the phone, and if you didn't backup in advance, this method isn't good for recovering current photos -- just analyzing old backup.

What to do if nothing helps: alternatives

If all methods are exhausted, but the photos are not restored, extreme measures remain:

1. Contact Xiaomi Service Center: Official services do not deal with data recovery, but can provide access to the memory chip (for a fee), this is true if the phone does not turn on.
2. Laboratory recovery: Specialized companies (e.g. Hetman Recovery or ACE Data) works with physically damaged storage devices, starting at 5,000 ₽.
3. Checking other devices. Sometimes photos are sent via messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) or stored in the app cache. Check folders: Internal storage → Android → data → [name of messenger] → cache

⚠️ Warning: If your phone falls into water or is physically damaged, don't turn it on or charge it. This can irrevocably damage the memory chip.

How to Prevent Loss of Photos in the Future: 5 Rules

To avoid the problem of deleted photos, follow the following simple recommendations:

• ☁️ Turn on automatic sync with Mi Cloud or Google Photos. Even if the phone breaks, the images will remain in the cloud.
• 📁 Regularly copy photos to your PC or external drive. Use Xiaomi PC Suite for easy transfer.
• 🔄 Set up backup in Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 🚫 Do not manually clean the cart – wait for automatic removal in 30 days.
• 🔧 Turn off encryption (unless you use sensitive data): Settings → Lockdown and protection → Encryption.

Preventive advice: If you have really important photos on your phone (wedding, documents, baby pictures), double backup to the cloud and physical media. Cloud services can block your account and flash drives break, so the combination is more reliable.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photo recovery on Xiaomi