How to recover deleted photos on Xiaomi without a Mi Account: working methods 2026

By accident, valuable photos were erased from Xiaomi, and backups in Mi Cloud? Things get complicated if you didn't link the device to your account or forgot the login details. Fortunately, even without authorization in Mi Account, there is a chance to return lost photos. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to recover photos directly from the memory of the phone - from simple (checking the basket and hidden folders) to advanced (using ADB and specialized utilities).

It's important to understand that success depends on how long it's been since you deleted it and how much you've been using it. The faster you start to recover, the better the odds. Some methods require root rights, but we'll also look at options without them. If photos were deleted long ago (more than a month ago) and your phone's memory was actively filled with new files, the probability of them returning tends to zero - new data overwrites the old ones.

Before you start, answer the key question:

Now, let's get to the practice. Start with the simplest way, and maybe your pictures are not lost forever.

1. Checking the Recycle Bin and Hidden MIUI Folders

Many Xiaomi users are unaware that the system automatically creates a temporary recycle bin for deleted files. Depending on the model and version of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 12/13/14), photos can be stored there for 7 to 30 days, and it is also worth checking hidden system folders, where sometimes backups or thumbnails fall.

To find the basket:

1. Open the standard Gallery app (Google Photos is not suitable!).
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → select "Baskbasket».
3. If the folder is empty, try updating it with a swipe down.

If the Recycle Bin is missing or empty, check hidden directories through any file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer):

• 📁 Move to the /storage/emulated/0/ (memory).
• 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
• 🖼️ Look for folders:.thumbnails – thumbnails (sometimes saved even after the originals are deleted). DCIM/.trash or DCIM/.recycle — basket. MIUI/Backup/ — backups of the system (rarely, but you get a photo).

Important: Don’t confuse MIUI with Google Photos, which requires login to your Google account and won’t help if you’re looking for a cloud-free solution.

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If you use Google Photos but don’t remember your account password, try to restore access through [Google Support Page] (https://accounts.google.com).

2. Recovery through ADB (no root)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a debugging tool that allows you to access the phone's file system through a computer, and it works without superuser rights, but it requires USB debugging and PC connectivity enabled, and if you haven't activated this option before, it won't work.

Step-by-step:

1. Put the debugging on. USB: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Tap the version number 7 times until the notice "You've become a developer" appears. → Additionally. → For developers. Activate Debugging by USB» and confirm the authorization.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and install Xiaomi drivers (you can download it on the official website](https://new.c.mi.com/global/miuidownload/index)).
3. Download ADB: Windows: [Platform Tools from Google](https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools). Mac/Linux: install via a package manager (e.g. brew install android-platform-tools).

Launch the command line

adb.exe

adb devices

If the phone appears in the list, enter:

adb shell


ls /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/

This will show the contents of the DCIM folder. Look for files with the.jpg,.png or.trash folder extension.

If photos are found, copy them to the PC command:

adb pull /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/folder c photo/C:\Users\Your name\Desktop\

Critical detail: ADB does not restore deleted files, but only allows you to view the current contents of memory. If the photo is erased from the basket, this method will not help - you need specialized utilities (see the next section).

USB | Installed drivers Xiaomi| Downloaded ADB Platform Tools| Phone connected to PC in file transfer mode-->

Recovery Programs (DiskDigger, EaseUS MobiSaver)

If the photos are permanently deleted (not in the cart and not visible through ADB), you will need programs that scan the memory at the file system level.

• 📱 DiskDigger – works without root, but with limitations (restores only thumbnails).
• 💾 EaseUS MobiSaver – Deep scanning, but requires a PC connection.
• 🔍 Recuva (for memory cards) – if the photos were stored on a microSD.

Instructions for DiskDigger (without root):

1. Download the app from [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.defianttech.diskdigger) (there is a free version).
2. Start and select “Start Simple Scanning”.
3. Check the “Photographs” box and click “Next”.
4. After scanning, select the files you want and save them to the cloud or memory card.

Limitations:

• Without root rights, only miniatures (~100 KB) are restored.
• The full version (with root) costs ~$15, but allows you to return the originals.
• It doesn’t work on phones with encrypted memory (e.g. Xiaomi 12T Pro with MIUI 14).

For PC, it is better to use EaseUS MobiSaver:

1. Connect your phone to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Start the program and select “Android Data Recovery”.
3. Follow the instructions of the wizard (you will need to enable debugging over USB).

4. Recovery via TWRP (for stitched phones)

If your Xiaomi has a custom TWRP recap, the chances of returning photos are much higher.This method is suitable for users who have previously unlocked the bootloader and stitched through alternative software.

Algorithm of action:

1. Create a backup of the current firmware through TWRP (Backup section).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and mount /data: In TWRP, go to Mount → Data. Connect the device to your computer (use an MTP-enabled cable).
3. Use PhotoRec to scan: Download [PhotoRec](https://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec) (included in TestDisk package). Run the program and select the disk corresponding to the phone memory. Specify the file format jpg, png, heic.

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

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 Works even if photos are deleted months ago (provided the sector is not overwritten).
• 📂 Restores originals, not miniatures.
• 🛡️ No need to connect to your Mi Account.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Requires an unlocked boot loader and installed TWRP.
• ⏳ The scanning process can take several hours.

5. Contact the service center (chip-off recovery)

If all of these methods fail, the last option is chip-off recovery, which is used in service centers, and it involves direct access to the phone's memory through soldering equipment.

• 💔 Photographs are critically important (e.g. documents or single photographs).
• 📱 Phone is physically damaged (not turned on, broken screen).
• 🔒 Memory is encrypted and other methods are impossible.

How the chip-off works:

1. The specialist extracts the memory chip (eMMC or UFS) from the phone board.
2. Connects it to a programmer that reads raw data.
3. Using specialized software (such as UFS Explorer) recovers files.

⚠️ Note: The cost of the service starts from 5 000 rubles and depends on the model of the phone. UFS 3.1 (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) price can reach 15 000 rubles!

Where to look for service centers:

• 🔧 Official partners of Xiaomi (list of the list) [mi.com](https://www.mi.com/global/service/)).
• 🛠️ Data recovery laboratories (e.g, HDD Recovery, Data Extractor).

Before agreeing to the procedure, ask:

1. A guarantee of results (not all centers provide it).
2. Estimate the cost before the start of work.
3. Reviews about a particular master (chip-off requires high qualification).

Comparison of recovery methods

To choose the best way, check out the table below, assess your technical skills, availability of backups and criticality of lost data.

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The most effective method without root is to check the MIUI Recycle Bin and hidden folders. If the photos are deleted long ago, the optimal balance between complexity and result is given by DiskDigger (for thumbnails) or contacting a service center (for originals).

How to avoid losing photos in the future

Recovery of deleted data is a time-consuming process and not always successful. It is much easier to take care of backups in advance. Here are 3 reliable ways to protect your photos:

1. Automatic cloud sync (even without a Mi Account):

• 🌥️ Google Photos – Free to store photos in compressed quality (up to 15 GB).
• 📦 Yandex Disk or Mail.ru Cloud – give 10–100 GB for registration.
• 🔒 Cryptomator – Encrypts files before uploading to the cloud (for sensitive data).

Local backups:

• 💾 Regularly copy photos to a PC or external drive.
• 📱 Use apps like SyncMe Wireless to automatically transfer photos over Wi-Fi.
• 🔄 V MIUI There is a built-in redundancy function: Settings → System and device → Backup.

3. Alternative galleries with basket:

• 🖼️ Simple Gallery – saves deleted photos in the cart for 30 days.
• 📁 A+ Gallery – supports cloud backups.

⚠️ Note: If you use a microSD card, disable saving photos to it in the camera settings. Memory cards often fail, and data recovery from them is more difficult than from internal memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photo recovery on Xiaomi