Recovery photo after resetting settings on Xiaomi: the full guide

Why do photos disappear after resetting settings on Xiaomi and can they be returned?

Hard Reset on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO is a radical way to get the device back on track, but it has a side effect: all user data, including photos, videos and documents, is removed from internal memory, and many owners face this problem unexpectedly, especially if they haven’t made a backup in advance.

The main reason for file loss is the reset function, when Wipe Data is activated in Recovery mode or through system settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting) operating system MIUI formatting /data, But there's a nuance: if the photos were saved to the media. SD-map or synced to the cloud, the chances of recovery are much higher.

It's important to understand the difference between "deleted" and "irreversibly erased" data, because once you reset, files don't physically disappear from the drive immediately, they're marked as free, and under certain conditions, they can be restored with specialized tools, but the longer you use your phone after a reset, the less likely you are to succeed: new data overwrites old ones.

Method 1: Recovery via Mi Cloud – if synchronization has been enabled

The easiest and most reliable method is to check the Mi Cloud cloud storage. Even if you don’t remember whether sync was activated, it’s worth checking: Auto Sync is enabled on many Xiaomi models (for example, the Mi 11, Redmi Note 10 Pro).

To recover photos from the cloud:

📱 Open the Gallery app on your Xiaomi.
🔄 Go to the Cloud section (cloud icon at the bottom of the screen).
🔍 Check Camera folders, Screenshots and Downloads – backups may be stored here.
⬇️ Click on the photo, select Save to your device (unless files are automatically downloaded).

If you don’t have access to your Mi Account, use the web version:

Go to i.mi.com from a PC or other device.
Sign in with the same account that was linked to the phone.
In the Gallery section, find the necessary photos and download them.

⚠️ Note: If you don't remember the Mi Account password, don't try to restore access through third-party services.This may result in your account being blocked.

📊 Have you ever lost data after resetting your settings?

Yes, photos and contacts.

Yeah, but he did it through the cloud.

No, I always do backup.

I remember.

Method 2: Search for a photo SD-card

If you used a microSD to store your photos, chances are that the files are intact. Resetting on Xiaomi only affects internal memory without affecting external drives.

📁 Extract. SD-card and connect it to the computer through the card reader.
🔍 Open the folders. DCIM, Camera or Pictures – usually stored here.
🖥️ Copy files on your PC to avoid repeated loss.

If you don’t have a memory card, but you’ve connected your phone to your computer before, check:

💻 This computer folder → [Name of your Xiaomi] → Internal Storage → DCIM PC-only (Windows/macOS).
📂 Recycle Bin – sometimes files stay there after synchronization.

💡

On Xiaomi models with a hybrid slot (for example, Redmi) 9A) SD-The card can be used as an extension of internal memory, in which case the reset will affect her. → Memory.

Method 3: Programs for recovering data from internal memory

If the photos were stored only in internal memory and were not synchronized, you will still have the option of using specialized software.

🖥️ Computer (Windows/macOS/Linux).
🔌 USB-cable (preferably original from Xiaomi).
🛠️ Recovery software (e.g. DiskDigger, Recuva, EaseUS MobiSaver).

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

Install the program on your PC and connect your phone in File Transfer (not Charge!) mode.
Run DiskDigger and select your device from the list of drives.
Specify the types of files to search: tick JPG, PNG, HEIC (for photos from iPhone, if they were transferred).
Press Scan and wait until the process is complete (may take up to an hour).
View the files found and save them to the PC.

Programme	Xiaomi support	Free version	Scan depth
DiskDigger	Yes (root required)	Limited.	Deep.
Recuva	Partially.	Yes.	Average.
EaseUS MobiSaver	Yes.	No (30-day trial)	Deep.
Dr.Fone	Yeah (requires USB debugging)	No.	Maximum.

⚠️ Note: For deep scanning of internal memory Xiaomi most programs require root rights, obtaining them will void the warranty and can lead to unstable operation of the device.

Disable Wi-Fi and Mobile Data|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Use the original USB-cable|Do not connect other devices to the PC during the process-->

Method 4: Restore through MIUI backup (if created)

Local backup function in the MIUI allows you to store copies of data, including photos, to internal memory or SD-If you've been building a backup before the reset, it can be rebuilt:

Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
Select Local Backup.
Find the backup file (usually with the.mbk extension) and click Restore.
Confirm the data recovery, wait for the process to be completed.

Critical: MIUI backups don’t always include media files by default. Before you create a backup, check the settings in the Select Data for Backup section – there should be a Gallery item marked.

If you don’t have a local backup, but you’ve used Google Photos, check out:

🌐 Google Photos – Photos may have been synced automatically.
📱 Google Photos folder in the phone gallery (sometimes files are saved separately there).

What if the backup is damaged?

If the backup file (.mbk) is not restored, try: 1. Rename the file to.zip and try to open the file with the archiver (sometimes unencrypted data is stored inside). 2. Use the MIUI Backup Extractor utility (requires a PC). 3. Contact Xiaomi with error logs (via Settings → About Phone → Review).

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center – When Nothing Helps

If all of these methods fail and the photos are critical (such as family archives or work documents), you can contact Xiaomi’s authorized service center.

📡 JTAG — Connecting to test contacts of the board to access raw data.

The cost of such services varies from 5 000 to 20 000 rubles depending on the complexity.

📋 Phone model (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T pro POCO X5 Pro).

⚠️ Attention: Not all service centers are data recovery, many are only dedicated to iron repair. Check by phone before you visit if they provide such services. Avoid garage workshops: unqualified actions can lead to complete data loss.

How to avoid losing photos in the future: 5 rules for owners of Xiaomi

To avoid the problem again, follow the simple recommendations:

Automatic Sync: Activate Mi Cloud and Google Photos in the gallery settings. Even if you don't pay for extended storage, the free 5GB in the Mi Cloud will suffice for the most important photos.

Xiaomi offers built-in backup tools, but they’re not always intuitive. For example, in MIUI 14, the autoback feature is hidden in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device. Take 10 minutes to set up – this will save hours on data recovery later.

💡

The most reliable way to protect photos is a combination of cloud storage (Mi). Cloud/Google Photo Photo) + Even if one source fails, the other one will save your data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photo recovery on Xiaomi

Can I recover the photo if 2 weeks have passed after the reset?

Theoretically, yes, but the odds are minimal. Every day you use your phone after a reset reduces your chances of success. 10-15%, If you haven't installed apps or taken new photos, try DiskDigger with deep scanning.

Why doesn’t Mi Cloud show all my photos?

Probable reasons: Sync was disabled in the gallery settings (Settings → Sync with Mi Cloud). Photos were saved to folders excluded from reservation (e.g. Telegram Images). There was not enough space in the cloud — check in Mi Cloud → Storage. Photos were removed from the cloud manually or automatically (if Storage Optimization is enabled). Solution: Check the Recycle Bin in Mi Cloud (files are stored there for 30 days).

Will the recovery work if the phone is not turned on?

If Xiaomi doesn't respond to the power button or is stuck on the logo, standard photo recovery methods won't work. In this case: Try loading the phone in Fastboot mode (keep Power + Volume down 10 seconds) and plugging it into a PC to scan with programs like Dr.Fone. If the screen is completely black, but the phone is defined by the computer as a device, use ADB (requires command line skills). If a physical breakdown (for example, after a fall), contact the service - self-acting can make things worse.

Can I recover a photo from a phone that was stolen?

If the device is stolen, the chances of recovery are minimal. However, you can: Try remotely locking the phone via i.mi.com (Find the device function); check if the photos were uploaded to Mi Cloud or Google Photos before the the theft; contact the police with the phone's IMEI (you can find it through a box or check); when you find the device, the data can be extracted; Important: do not try to track the phone yourself, it is dangerous and may be illegal.

Why do recovery programs find photos, but they open with artifacts?

This is a typical problem when recovering partially overwritten files. Artifacts (blurred, colored bars) appear if: The file has been fragmented (broken into pieces) and not all fragments have been restored. New data has overwritten part of the original file. The program did not collect metadata correctly (for example, for formats). HEIC or RAW). Solutions: Try another program (e.g. PhotoRec instead of Recuva) and use Deep Scan, which will take longer but increase the chances of a holistic recovery. GIMP — Sometimes they can be partially restored by the tool.