Losing important files on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that almost every user faces. Whether it is accidentally deleted photos, vacation videos or work documents, data loss always causes panic. Fortunately, Xiaomi devices (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models) have several ways to recover lost ones, from built-in features to specialized utilities, the main thing is to act quickly and correctly so as not to overwrite deleted data with new ones.
In this article, we will discuss 5 proven recovery methods, including working with the MIUI Recycle Bin, Mi Cloud storage, PC programs like Dr.Fone, and even manual search through ADB. Separately, we will focus on critical errors that make recovery impossible, such as formatting internal memory or writing on top of deleted files. If you act in the first hours after deletion, the chances of returning data are close to 90%.
1.Check the MIUI Recycle Bin - the first step to saving files
Modern versions of MIUI 12+ have a built-in Recycle Bin, which temporarily includes deleted files (the analogue of the Recycle Bin on a PC), which is the fastest and safest way to recover, but it only works if:
- 📁 Files were deleted through the File Manager application, not third-party programs.
- ⏳ No more than 30 days have passed since the deletion (by default) or another period set in the settings.
- 🗑️ The cart was not manually cleaned through Settings → Warehouse → Basket.
To recover files from the Recycle Bin:
- Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
- In the bottom menu, tap on the basket (dumpster icon).
- Select the desired files with a long tap or tick.
- Click Restore at the bottom of the screen and select the folder to save.
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If the Recycle Bin is not in the Files app, check to enable it in Settings → Storage → Recycle Bin → Enable Recycle Bin. On some firmware, the function is disabled by default.
⚠️ Attention: Basket MIUI does not save files deleted through:
- 📸 Gallery (photos/video deleted immediately, bypassing the basket).
- 📂 Third-party file managers (e.g., Total Commander or ES Conductor).
- 🔄 Teams. ADB root-right.
2.Mi Cloud Cloud Storage: Recovery from Backup
If your Xiaomi is synced to Mi Cloud, some files could be saved to the cloud automatically.
- 📷 Photo and video (if you have enabled autoload in Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery).
- 📄 Documents and notes (synchronized via Mi Notes or WPS Office).
- 📱 Contacts, SMS and call logs (if backup of the system is enabled).
Instructions for remediation:
- Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Sign in with the same account you used before deleting your files.
- Select a section (such as Gallery or Notes).
- Find the files you need and click Download or Restore.
🔍 How to check what data is synchronized?
Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization
This is a display of all applications that automatically save data to the cloud.⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone to factory settings without first linking to Mi Cloud, it will not be possible to recover data through the cloud).
3. Recovery through Google Photos and other cloud services
Many Xiaomi users don’t just use Mi Cloud, but also other cloud services, such as Google Photos, which automatically saves all photos and videos if:
- 🔄 Autoboot enabled in the application settings.
- 📶 The device was connected to the Internet at the time of the shooting.
- 📁 Files were not manually removed from the cloud.
To recover files via Google Photos:
- Open the Google Photos app or go to photos.google.com.
- Select the Recycle Bin (files are stored there for 60 days).
- Select the necessary elements and click Restore.
📌 Other cloud services where your files may be stored:
- 📁 Yandex Disk – if used to autoload photos.
- ☁️ Dropbox or OneDrive – if you have synced.
- 📧 Mail (Gmail, Mail.ru) – sometimes files are sent by the user to email.
What to do if files are removed from the cloud?
4. PC recovery programs: deep memory scanning
If the files are not found in the Recycle Bin or the cloud, you will have to connect Xiaomi to your computer and use specialized utilities.
- 🛠️ Dr.Fone (Wondershare) – supports Xiaomi, scans internal memory and SD-map.
- 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver – Recover photos, videos, messages and contacts.
- 📱 Tenorshare UltData – works even after resetting (provided that the data is not overwritten).
📌 Step-by-step instructions for Dr.Fone:
- Install Dr.Fone on your PC (official website).
- Connect Xiaomi to USB and enable Debugging via USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap to unlock Developer Mode, then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB).
- Start the program, select Data Recovery Android.
- Follow the instructions on the screen (root access may be required).
- After scanning, select files to recover and save them to your PC.
⚠️ Note: When recovering via PC:
- 🔌 Do not turn off your phone while scanning – this can cause you to lose any remaining data.
- 📉 Don’t save recovered files back to your phone – use a PC or external drive.
- 🔐 If your phone is locked (no password is known), unlock it first via Find My Device or Mi Account.
Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Install the original USB-cable|Disable antivirus on PC|Download the program from the official website|Enable debugging on USB-->
5. Manual recovery via ADB (for advanced users)
If standard methods don’t work and you don’t have root rights on your phone, you can try extracting files via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a technique that requires technical skills, but sometimes saves you even after you reset your settings.
🛠️ What's the matter:
- 🖥️ Computer installed ADB (Download Platform Tools).
- 📱 Xiaomi phone with enabled debugging USB.
- 🔌 Original. USB-cable (important for stable connection).
📌 Commands for extracting files:
adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\DCIM
adb pull /sdcard/Download/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\DownloadThese commands will copy the contents of folders. DCIM (Photo/video) and Download (download) to disk C:\ folder Xiaomi_Backup.
⚠️ Attention: Method ADB limiting:
- 🚫 It will not restore files deleted more than a month ago (they are physically erased from memory).
- 🔒 It does not work for system partitions without root rights.
- 📂 Does not guarantee recovery of files from damaged memory sectors.
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ADB-The approach is only effective if the files are still physically present on the device but are not available through standard methods.
6 What to do if nothing helps: extreme measures
If all of the above methods fail, radical (and risky) methods remain:
| Method | When to apply | Risks. | Chances of success |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fastboot flashing through Fastboot | After resetting the settings, if the data was on internal memory | Loss of all data in case of firmware error | 10–30% |
| Contacting the service center | Physical memory damage (fall, water) | High cost (from 5,000) ₽) | 40–70% |
| Chip-off recovery | If the phone is not turned on, but the memory is intact | Requires specialized equipment | 50–80% |
| Buying donor memory | When the memory chip is damaged | Expensive and not always possible | 20–50% |
💡 Advice before radical measures: If the phone still turns on, try to create a full backup through the phone TWRP (Custom Recovery, or Mi Flash Tool, even if files are not visible in the interface, they can remain raw in memory.
⚠️ Warning: Never settle for a "memory cleanup" in unofficial services - this often leads to irretrievable data loss due to sector overwriting. Xiaomi's official service centers do not deal with file recovery, only hardware repairs.
How to Prevent Data Loss in the Future: 7 Rules
The best protection against file loss is prevention, and follow these rules to minimize the risks:
- ☁️ Enable autoboot to the cloud (Mi Cloud) + Google Photo).
- 📁 Regularly copy important files to your PC (once a month).
- 🔄 Use a two-stage basket: first remove it to the basket MIUI, And in a week, clean it.
- 📱 Don’t just store important data on your phone – duplicate it. SD-card SSD.
- 🔋 Watch for memory health: check it with brakes using ##6484## (Memory test on Xiaomi).
- 🔒 Encrypt backups to avoid leaking when losing your phone.
- 📲 Install a monitoring app (such as DiskUsage) to track the vacant space.
📌 Applications for automatic backup:
- 📱 Swift Backup (requires root) – backs up applications and data.
- ☁️ FolderSync – synchronizes folders with clouds on a schedule.
- 📂 Resilio Sync — P2P-Synchronization between devices without cloud.
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Even if you use the cloud, local backups on your PC or external drive are the most reliable way to protect yourself, and cloud services can change storage conditions or lose data due to failures.