Recovering Deleted Photos on Xiaomi: From Recycle Bin to Deep Scanning

Why are photos disappearing from your phone and can you get them back?

Deleting photos on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most common problems users face. The reasons for losing photos can range from accidentally clicking “Delete” to crashing firmware or formatting a memory card. Fortunately, in most cases, files do not disappear permanently immediately after deleting. MIUI (even in the latest versions based on Android 14) leaves a trace of deleted data in the device’s memory until new files are overwritten.

It’s important to understand that the chances of recovery depend on three factors: time (the earlier you start, the better), storage type (internal memory or microSD) and method of deletion (regular deletion, formatting, resetting). For example, if you delete a photo through the Xiaomi gallery, it will first get into the cart and stay there for 30 days (by default), but after the “hard” deletion through the file manager or reset of the phone to factory settings, more sophisticated tools will be required.

In this article, we will look at all the current recovery methods, from standard MIUI functions to professional utilities that work even after formatting. We will also focus on the nuances for different models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11, etc.) and memory types. If you deleted photos recently, start with the first section - they may still be in the cart!

Method 1: Checking the basket in the Xiaomi gallery

The easiest and fastest way to do this is to use the built-in shopping cart in the standard Gallery app, which is available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 10 and up (including HyperOS), which stores deleted files for 30 days, after which they are automatically cleared, and if less than a month has passed, the chances of recovery are close to 100%.

To check the basket:

1. Open the Gallery app (a icon with multi-colored squares).
2. Slip along three horizontal lines (menu) in the lower right corner.
3. Select Recycle Bin (or recently deleted in some versions of MIUI).
4. Find the right photos, highlight them with a long tap and click Restore.

If the cart is empty or there are no photos, it can mean:

• 🗑️ Files deleted more than 30 days ago (automatic cleanup).
• 📁 Deletion was done through Files or Explorer, not a gallery.
• 🔄 On the phone was performed reset settings or flashing.
• 💾 The photos were stored on a microSD that was formatted.

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In the gallery settings (Gallery → Settings → Recycle Bin), you can extend the storage life of deleted files to 60 days, which will help to avoid data loss in the future.

Method 2: Recovery via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

If your Xiaomi has Mi Cloud sync enabled, the deleted photos could be saved to the cloud, which works even if you reset your phone to factory settings or lost access to the device, and the main condition is that you have a backup created before deleting the files.

How to check and recover photos from Mi Cloud:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to the same Xiaomi account you used on your phone.
2. In the Gallery or Photos section, find the Remote folder (if any).
3. Select the pictures you want and click Restore (they will return to the main gallery on your phone the next time you sync).
4. If you don’t have a Deleted folder, check the main gallery – it’s possible that the photos just didn’t sync due to the lack of internet.

Pay attention to the nuances:

• ☁️ The Mi Cloud only provides 5GB of storage for free. If the space is over, new photos won't sync.
• 🔄 Synchronization only works when you connect to Wi-Fi (by default). Check the settings in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery.
• 📱 If you change your Xiaomi account after deleting your photos, you can’t restore them through the cloud.

⚠️ Note: If you delete photos from the Mi Cloud manually (not through your phone), they will be permanently lost. Unlike the Recycle Bin on your device, the cloud does not store deleted files for longer than 10 days.

Method 3: Connecting to a computer and scanning memory

If the photos aren't found in the trash and the cloud, the next step is to connect the phone to your PC and scan the memory with specialized software, which is suitable for recovering files deleted through the file manager, as well as after formatting the memory card.

The scanning will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 📱 USB-Type C Cable (or Micro-USB for older models).
• 🛠️ Recovery software (recommended by DiskDigger, Recuva or EaseUS MobiSaver).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer and select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification on your phone.
2. Install and run a recovery program (e.g., DiskDigger).
3. Select the drive that matches the phone’s memory (usually Internal Storage or Xiaomi’s model name).
4. Run a deep scan – it will take from 30 minutes to several hours.
5. After the scan is completed, mark the photos you want (usually they are displayed with a preview) and save them to your computer.

If the photos were stored on a microSD, remove the card from your phone and connect it to your computer through a card reader. Scanning a removable drive often gives better results than working with internal memory.

⚠️ Warning: Do not save recovered files back to the phone or memory card from which the scan is being conducted! This can overwrite the remaining deleted data and make it impossible to further restore.

Method 4: Recovery through Backup

If you regularly back up your photos via Settings → Additional → Backup, the chances of returning your photos are greatly increased. MIUI allows you to save copies both to internal memory and to Mi Cloud.

How to recover a photo from a backup:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Click Local Backups (if a copy is saved on your phone) or Restore from Mi Cloud.
3. Choose the most recent copy created before the photos are deleted.
4. Check the Gallery or Multimedia item and start the recovery.

Limitations of the method:

• 📅 Backups are created manually or on schedule, and if you haven't done a backup in a long time, there won't be any actual data in it.
• 📱 Restore from the local copy will overwrite the current data on the phone, and if you add new pictures after deleting the photo, they may disappear.
• ☁️ Cloud copies in Mi Cloud take up space in your storage.If the limit (5GB) is exhausted, old backups are deleted.

Method 5: Use of root rights and advanced utilities

If standard methods didn't work, and photos are critical, you can try root recovery, which is a good way for advanced users, because it requires unlocking the bootloader and obtaining superuser rights, but it allows you to scan the memory at a low level and find files even after formatting.

What tools will be needed:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader on Xiaomi.
• 📱 Established custom recovery (TWRP).
• 🛠️ Software: Autopsy, Scalpel or Foremost (for Linux).

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (the procedure takes up to 7 days).
2. Install TWRP and create a full /data partition backup.
3. Connect your phone to your PC in ADB mode or remove the memory card.
4. Use Autopsy to scan the memory image for file signatures (e.g..jpg,.png).

⚠️ Attention: Getting root rights will void the warranty on Xiaomi and may lead to unstable system operation.In addition, improper actions when unlocking the bootloader can turn the phone into a brick.

An alternative for users without root is GT Recovery (requires a phone to connect to a PC), which can scan Xiaomi memory without superuser rights, but the efficiency is lower than that of tools with root.

Method 6: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If the photos are of high value (for example, these are the only pictures from an important event), and independent attempts to restore were unsuccessful, you can contact the official Xiaomi service center. Specialists have access to professional hardware for recovering data from flash memory, including eMMC chips and UFS.

What you need to know before visiting the service:

• 💰 The cost of data recovery starts from 3 000-5 000 rubles and depends on the complexity of the work.
• ⏳ The process can take from 1 to 5 days (depending on the load of the service).
• 📄 You will need a passport and a check (guarantee card) for the phone.
• 🔒 Not all service centers are engaged in data recovery – check this by phone before your visit.

The addresses of official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service. Before appeal is recommended:

1. Do not perform any actions with the phone (do not install programs, do not format memory).
2. Provide the specialist with the most accurate information: when and how the photos were deleted, whether the memory card was used.
3. Check whether the service provides a guarantee for the recovered data.

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Service center – the last chance to return data if the photos were stored in damaged memory sectors or after physical exposure (fall, moisture).

Method 7: Preventing future loss of photos

To avoid losing important images again, just follow a few simple rules: Xiaomi offers built-in backup tools, but they are often ignored by users, while automatic backups in Mi Cloud or Google Photos could save data 90% of the time.

The minimum set of actions to protect photos:

• ☁️ Enable automatic sync with Mi Cloud or Google Photos (sets in Gallery) → Settings → Cloud).
• 📅 Set up weekly local backups (Settings) → Additionally. → Backup).
• 💾 Use microSD cards in the class no lower A1 (They're less likely to fail).
• 🔄 Periodically copy important photos to your computer or external hard drive.

Additional advice:

• 📌 V MIUI 14 and HyperOS, you have a Secure Folder feature (in the gallery) and you can move your most valuable photos there, they won't be deleted when you clear the memory.
• 🔍 Before selling or resetting your phone, check your cart and cloud for important files.
• 🛡️ Set a password for folders with photos (via Files) → Personal vault).

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Google Photos has an Archive feature that automatically gets screenshots and duplicates, so check this folder before you clean the gallery, and sometimes you still have the right pictures.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photo recovery on Xiaomi