Recovering deleted files on Xiaomi: from the Recycle Bin to deep scanning

Deleting important files on a Xiaomi smartphone is a familiar situation. Vacation photos, work documents, or saved passwords can disappear in a single click due to accidental pressing, system failure, or even a virus. Fortunately, owners of devices on MIUI have several ways to recover lost data, from built-in tools to specialized utilities.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven recovery methods, taking into account the features of different versions of firmware and Xiaomi models (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra), you will learn how the MIUI Recycle Bin, cloud storage Mi Cloud, and when to connect a PC with programs like DiskDigger or Recuva. And also – what actions can irretrievably destroy the chances of recovering files, even if you did everything correctly.

1. Checking the MIUI Recycle Bin - the first step to saving files

Most Xiaomi users don’t realize that MIUI 12 and later has a built-in shopping cart similar to that on Windows or macOS computers, which saves deleted files for 15 to 30 days (depending on the model and settings), after which it permanently erases them.

• 📁 Open the Files app (folder icon on the home screen).
• 🗑️ In the bottom menu, tap on the “Basket” section (on some models – “Recently deleted»).
• 🔍 View the file list: photos, videos and documents will be grouped by type.
• 🔄 Select the desired files with a long tap and click “Restore».

If the cart is empty or there are no files, it means one of two things: either more than 30 days have passed, or the files have been deleted by a workaround (for example, through the “clean all” in the gallery or formatting a memory card).

⚠️ Attention: Basket in MIUI Does not work for files deleted through "Settings" → Warehouse → Cleanup" or third-party file managers (e.g, ES It also does not store data from apps (e.g. Telegram chats or Mi Notes).

2.Recovery through Mi Cloud: When the Recycle Bin Didn't Help

The Mi Cloud cloud storage automatically syncs photos, contacts, notes and even SMS (if enabled), which means that even after deleting files from your phone, copies of them can remain in the cloud to check:

1. 🌐 Open "Settings» → «Mi Account and log in if you are not logged in.
2. ☁️ Go to "Mi Cloud» → «Gallery" or "Files" (depending on the type of data).
3. 🔍 Find the Remove or Archive folder – it can store files for up to 60 days.
4. 📥 Select the desired files and click “Restore to the device».

If sync is disabled, the chances of success are minimal, check if the files are saved in other cloud services, such as Google Photos (if you used it).

• 📷 Open the Google Photos app.
• 🗑️ Go to the Library» → «Basket».
• ⏳ Files are stored there for 60 days – if not more than two months, they can be returned.

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If you regularly back up your account through Mi Cloud, check the Backups section in your account settings, which may store archives of data from the past few months, including deleted files.

3. Use of PCs and programs for deep scanning

If you don't have files in the bin or the cloud, you need to connect your computer. You can use programs like DiskDigger, Recuva, or EaseUS MobiSaver to restore them, and they scan the phone's internal memory at the file system level, and they can find data even if it's been deleted long ago. Importantly, don't install programs on the same disk you're recovering files from (for example, if you scan a memory card, don't save the recovered data to the same memory card).

Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger:

1. 🖥️ Install DiskDigger on PC (Windows) or download the Android version (if root is not available, select “No Root»).
2. 📱 Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB-cable (enable File Transfer in the notification curtain).
3. 🔍 In the program, select the phone drive (usually “Internal Storage” or “Internal Storage «SD-map) and click "Scan».
4. ⏳ Wait until the process is complete (may take 10 minutes to several hours).
5. 📂 View the files found, select the necessary ones and click “Restore” by pointing the folder on the PC.

For models with unlocked bootloader and root rights, the chances of success are higher – programs will be able to scan system partitions. However, be careful: wrong actions with root can lead to a device blink.

Connect the phone in file transfer mode (MTP)

Install ADB drivers for Xiaomi (if required)

Disable battery optimization for USB-connection

Download the Recovery Program (DiskDigger, Recuva)

Prepare an external disk to save recovered files

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4.Recovery through ADB: for advanced users

If standard methods don’t work and root rights don’t, you can try recovering files via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that is suitable for tech-savvy users and requires USB debugging enabled.

Instructions:

1. 🔧 Enable Developer Mode on Xiaomi: Go to Settings» → «About the phone and 7 times tap on the "Version" MIUI».
2. 🐞 Return to "Settings» → «Additionally» → «For developers" and activate "Debugging by USB».
3. 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB Tools and execute command:

adb shell


su




cd /data/data/com.android.providers.media/databases




sqlite3 external-*.db




SELECT * FROM files WHERE data LIKE '%name file%';

This team looks for file records in the media provider's database, and if a file is found, you can try to extract it using adb pull, but it doesn't always work, especially if the phone's memory has been overwritten with new data.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They can damage the system if you enter them incorrectly. /data or /system And remember, once you reset to factory settings, the chances of recovery are zero, the data is overwritten.

5. Contacting a service center: when nothing helps

If the files are critically important (for example, they are the only copies of documents or photos), and independent attempts were unsuccessful, you should consider contacting the Xiaomi service center or data recovery laboratory, PC-3000 DeepSpar Disk Imager, which can read data from damaged memory chips.

What you need to know before your visit:

• 💰 The cost of restoration starts at 5,000 ₽ and depends on the complexity (for example, extracting data from a damaged chip will cost 15,000-30,000). ₽).
• ⏳ The process can take from 1 day to 2 weeks.
• 🔒 Not all centers guarantee 100% results, especially if your phone’s memory has been overwritten.
• 📄 You will need proof of ownership of the device (checks, box, tied Mi Account).

Before you bring your phone to the service, stop using it – each new action (install applications, take a photo) reduces the chances of recovery. If possible, remove the memory card (if the files were on it) and store it in an antistatic package.

6. How to prevent future data loss

The best way to combat file loss is to prevent it, and here are proven methods to avoid repeat incidents:

Additional advice:

• 🔄 Once a month, copy important files to an external disk or cloud.
• 🚫 Avoid using features like “Dumpster Cleanup” in the Security App – they can delete the data you need.
• 🔋 Watch for memory status: If the phone overheats or brakes frequently, it could be a sign of damage to the flash drive.

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The most reliable way to protect data is to combine cloud backup (Mi Cloud + Google Photos) with local copies on a memory card or PC. Even if one source fails, the files will remain in the other.

FAQ: Frequent questions about file recovery on Xiaomi