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

Photo loss on Xiaomi Redmi is a situation that almost every user faces.Snapshots can disappear after accidental deletion, resetting, memory card damage, or even a system failure. Fortunately, most Redmi models (from Redmi Note 4X to Redmi 13C) have built-in data protection mechanisms, as well as third-party tools to help recover lost files.

It is important to understand that the chances of a successful recovery depend on three factors: time (the faster you start acting, the better), storage method (internal memory vs. internal memory. SD-map and type of deletion (regular deletion, formatting or physical damage to the drive).In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from basic (check basket and cloud reserve) to advanced (use of the drive). ADB and professional utilities).

If you’ve deleted photos recently (within 30 days), start with the first three methods — they don’t require root rights and work on any version of MIUI. For complex cases (like resetting to factory settings), the DiskDigger and Recuva sections will come in handy, but you’ll need a computer and a little patience.

1. Checking the "Basket" folder in the Xiaomi Gallery

The standard Gallery app** on Xiaomi Redmi automatically saves deleted photos and videos to a special Recycle Bin folder for up to 30 days (on some models, 15 days), which is the fastest way to return pictures if you haven’t manually cleaned the Recycle Bin.

To recover files:

• 📱 Open the Gallery app** (Color Squares icon).
• 🗑️ In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) → pick the basket.
• 🔍 Scroll down the list and tick the necessary photos.
• 🔄 Click Restore (Icon with a down arrow).

If there is no basket button, it means:

• ❌ Files deleted more than a month ago (automatic cleanup).
• ❌ You manually cleaned the cart through Settings → Warehouse → Basket.
• ❌ Use a third-party gallery (for example, Google Photos), which has its own storage mechanism.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi with MIUI 12 and older, the cart can be disabled by default. To activate it, go to Gallery Settings → Basket → Turn on.

2. Recovery via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

If your Redmi has been enabled to sync with Mi Cloud, the chances of returning photos are very high. Xiaomi cloud automatically backs up pictures (provided that the function is activated in the settings).

Instructions for remediation:

1. 🌐 Go to i.mi.com from any device and log in with the same Mi Account as you do on your smartphone.
2. 📁 In the Gallery section, find the Deleted folder (if photos were deleted through the cloud) or check the main albums.
3. 🔙 Select the files you need and click Restore (they will return to the phone gallery the next time you sync).

If there are no photos in the cloud:

• 🚫 Synchronization has been disabled (Settings) → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → gallery → Off.).
• 🚫 End of cloud space (only 5GB is free).
• 🚫 Photos were removed directly from the device, not through the cloud.

⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone to factory settings and don’t remember the Mi Account password, cloud recovery won’t be possible).

3. Use of Google Photos (if backed up)

Many Xiaomi Redmi users prefer Google Photos over the standard Mi Cloud.If you had automatic backup enabled, the photos could be saved to Google's cloud even after being deleted from your phone.

How to check:

• 📲 Install Google Photos app (if removed) or open it.
• 🔍 Go to the Library section → Recycle bin (files are stored there for 60 days).
• 🖼️ If the photos aren’t in the cart, check out the main albums – they may just be hidden from the main view.

To restore:

1. Mark the desired pictures with a long tap.
2. Click Restore (the icon with the arrow down).
3. Photos will be returned to the phone gallery in the Google Photos folder.

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If Google Photos has photo compression enabled (High quality), the restored images may have reduced resolution. To maintain original quality, use the Original Quality setting (but it takes up space in the cloud).

4. PC connection and scanning by Recuva

If the photos aren’t in the cart or cloud, the next step is to connect Redmi to your computer and scan your internal memory (or the computer’s internal memory). SD-This method works even after formatting, but with one condition: the phone must not write new files (they can overwrite deleted data).

Step-by-step:

1. 🖥️ Download and install Recuva from the official website (free version will do).
2. 📱 Connect Redmi to the PC via USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode (MTP) notice-curtain).
3. 🔍 Run Recuva, select the type of Image files, and specify the phone drive (usually Internal Storage or SD Card).
4. 🔄 Start the scan (deep analysis will take 1-2 hours).
5. 💾 After completion, mark the photos found and click Restore by selecting a folder on PC.

Nuances for Xiaomi Redmi:

• 🔒 On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi) K30) need to be unlocked OEM Unlock in Settings → For developers.

Do not write new files to your phone|Use the original USB-cable|Disable battery optimization for Recuva|Scan in "Deep Analysis" mode"-->

5. Recovery through DiskDigger (no root rights)

DiskDigger is one of the few mobile apps that can recover photos directly on your phone, without a PC connection.It supports most Redmi models (including Redmi 10, Redmi Note 11 and later) and works in two modes:

• Without root rights – scans cache and thumbnails (not find all files, but quickly).
• With root rights – deep scan of all memory (finds more, but requires unlocking the bootloader).

Instructions for the mode without root:

1. 📱 Install DiskDigger from Google Play (or download it) APK official website).
2. 🔍 Launch the app and select Start basic photo scanning.
3. 🕒 Wait until the end (usually 5-20 minutes).
4. 🖼️ View the files found, mark the files you need and click Restore (save them to your PC or cloud).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Without root rights, there are only miniatures (permission) ~320×240 pixel).
• 🚫 If the phone was reset to factory settings, the chances of success are minimal.
• 🚫 Nana MIUI 14 and later, access to system folders may be blocked.

6. Recovery through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods didn’t help and photos are critical, you can try extracting them via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for Redmi with an unlocked bootloader or if you’ve previously enabled USB Debugging.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-Drivers and Platform Tools.
• 📱 Phone with debugging enabled (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 taps → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set).

Teams for photo extraction:

adb shell


su




cd /storage/emulated/0/DCIM




LS -la # check for files




pull /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera/ C:\Redmi_Photos\ # copy to PC

If the DCIM folder is empty, try scanning the cache:

adb pull /data/media/0/.thumbnails/ C:\Redmi_Thumbs\

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB If you are not sure about the commands, you should consult a specialist or use programs like Dr.Fone (paid, but with a graphical interface).

7. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If the photos are of high value (for example, they are the only pictures from an important event), and independent attempts to restore were unsuccessful, the last option is to contact an authorized Xiaomi service center. The specialists can extract the data using professional equipment (for example, Chip-Off or the scaling of the data). JTAG), It is expensive and does not guarantee 100% results.

What you need to know before your visit:

• 💰 The cost of restoration starts at 5,000 ₽ (Depends on the model and complexity).
• ⏳ The process can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks.
• 📄 Passport and phone check (if warranty) will be required).
• 🔒 If the phone has been encrypted (for example, through File-Based Encryption) MIUI 12+), rebound.

Addresses of Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the official website: mi.com/ru/service.

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The faster you access the service after data loss, the better the chances of success, and every day you use your phone after you delete photos, you're 10 to 15 percent less likely to recover them.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)