Deleted a photo from Xiaomi Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Mi 11 - and only then realized that it was the only copy? The situation is familiar to many: accidentally tapping, resetting or even a virus can deprive you of valuable shots. Fortunately, Xiaomi smartphones have several built-in data protection mechanisms, and for complex cases - third-party tools.
In this article, we’ll look at all the possible recovery options, from basic ones (checking your cart and cloud storage) to advanced ones (using PCs and programs like DiskDigger or Recuva), and focus on the nuances of MIUI 14/15 devices and Android 13/14 models, where memory algorithms differ, and you’ll also learn why 80 percent of the time photos are not deleted immediately, but only labeled as “free” for overwriting — and how to use them.
1.Check the basket at Xiaomi Gallery
The first thing you need to do is to look into the built-in Gallery application cart, and in MIUI, deleted photos are stored there for 30 days (by default), and can be restored in one click, except if you manually cleaned the cart or used functions like Clear All.
How to find the basket:
- 📱 Open the Gallery app (icon with multi-colored squares).
- 🔍 In the bottom menu, tap on "Albums» → Scroll down to the "Device" section».
- 🗑️ Find the Recycle Bin folder (may be called “Recently Deleted” on some firmwares).
- ✅ Select the desired photos, click "Restore" (the icon with the arrow up).
⚠️ Note: If the cart is empty but you are sure that the photo was recently deleted, check the storage settings. MIUI (So for example, in India, the shelf life in the basket is reduced to 15 days:
Settings → Applications → Gallery → Storage → Cart → Storage period
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On Xiaomi 13/14 Pro models, the shopping cart can be hidden due to interface optimization. To return it, update the Gallery via Google Play or clear the app cache in the settings.
2. Recovery via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)
If your Xiaomi has enabled sync with Mi Cloud, the chances of returning photos are much higher, the cloud keeps backups of media files, even if they are deleted from the device, the main condition is that you had to log in to the Mi Account and activate the option “Autoupload photos”.
Instructions for remediation:
- 🌐 Go to i.mi.com (open in your browser on your PC or phone).
- 🔑 Sign in under the same account as on your smartphone.
- 📸 In the menu, select "Gallery» → «Recycle Bin (or "Deleted Files»).
- 🔄 Click Restore next to the photos you want. They'll go back to the "Mi Cloud" folder on your phone.
⚠️ Warning: The free version of Mi Cloud only has 5GB of storage. If the limit is exhausted, the new photos will not sync:
Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Storage
| Xiaomi model | Support for Mi Cloud | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | ✅ Yes. | Synchronization works stably, but can slow down with a weak Internet. |
| POCO F4/F5 | ✅ Yes. | In some regions, the cloud is disabled by default (you need to manually enable it). |
| Mi 11 Ultra | ✅ Yes. | Supports automatic booting in the original resolution (up to 108 MP). |
| Xiaomi 13T | ✅ Yes. | The new version of MIUI 14 allows you to selectively restore albums. |
3. Connect to a PC and scan memory
If the photo is not in the cart or in the cloud, the next step is to connect the phone to your computer and scan the internal memory, which works because when you delete the files, they're not physically erased, but only labeled as "free" to overwrite, and the faster you start recovering, the better the odds.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS.
- 🔌 Cable USB (Preferably original from Xiaomi).
- 🛠️ Recovery Program: DiskDigger, Recuva, EaseUS MobiSaver.
Step-by-step:
- Connect your phone to your PC in File Transfer mode (when a notification appears on the Xiaomi screen, select this option).
- Run a program (such as DiskDigger) and select the disk corresponding to the phone’s memory.
- Specify the file types to search:.jpg,.png,.heic (for iPhone photos, if transferred).
- Start a deep scan (can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours).
- After completion, mark the found photos and save them on PC.
⚠️ Warning: Do not save recovered files back to your phone, this can overwrite the remaining "deleted" data.
Enable debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap)
Use the original USB cable
Charge your phone at least 50%
Do not connect other devices to your PC during scanning
Download the program only from the official website-->
4. Restore via Google Photos (if backed up)
Many Xiaomi users don’t even know that their photos are automatically uploaded to Google Photos – if this feature has been activated.
- 📱 Open the Google Photos app on your phone.
- 🔍 In the search bar, type “Remote” or go to “Basket” (menu in the upper left corner).
- ⏳ Photos are stored there for 60 days (as opposed to 30 days in Mi Cloud).
If the photo is not in the cart, but backup was enabled, try:
- Go to photos.google.com.
- In the left menu, select "Archive" - sometimes photos are there after deleting.
- Use the filter by date if you remember when you took the photo.
💡 Advice on Xiaomi models with Android 12+ Google Photos may conflict with the built-in Gallery. To avoid duplicate photos, turn off autoload in one of the apps:
Settings → Applications → Google Photos → Permissions → Storage (disable)
5. Use of root rights and specialized utilities
If standard methods don't work, then the advanced way is to get root rights and work with memory at a low level, which is risky (you can lose your warranty or brick your phone), but sometimes it's the only way to get back lost data.
🔧 What needs to be done:
- 📲 Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi via the official website (requires a wait of 7-15 days).
- 🔓 Install TWRP Recovery and get root (for example, through Magisk).
- 💾 Use utilities like PhotoRec or TestDisk to scan partitions /data and /sdcard.
⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 13/14 Android 13/14 Unlocking the bootloader resets all the data! First try to recover the photo from the PC without root - it's safer.
What to do if the phone is not determined by the PC?
6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center
If the photos are critical (such as documents or unique footage) and independent attempts have failed, you can contact the official service center. Xiaomi has partner workshops where specialists can extract data using professional equipment (for example, Chip-Off or JTAG).
What you need to know:
- 💰 Cost of service: from 3000 to 10 000 ₽ depending on the complexity.
- ⏱️ Timeframe: 1 to 5 days.
- 📋 Documents required: passport and telephone check (if there is a guarantee).
⚠️ Note: Not all service centers are dedicated to data recovery — check this by phone before visiting, and avoid artisanal workshops: unqualified activities can irrevocably damage your phone’s memory.
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The faster you start your recovery, the better the chances of success, and every new photo, video, or app update can overwrite deleted data!
7. How to prevent future photo loss
To avoid losing your photos, follow these simple rules:
- ☁️ Enable automatic sync with Mi Cloud and Google Photos (can be done simultaneously).
- 📁 Regularly transfer photos to a PC or external drive (once a month).
- 🔄 Use cloud-based services with versioning (such as Dropbox or Yandex Drive).
- 📱 Install an alternative gallery (such as Simple Gallery) where the recycle bin stores files longer.
💡 Advice for owners of Xiaomi with MIUI 14+: The Gallery settings have the option of "Secure Albums," and you can take the most important photos there, and they'll only be available after you type in your password, and they won't be in the cart if you accidentally delete them.
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Even if the photo is permanently deleted, do not despair: modern neural networks (for example, Remini or Adobe Photoshop) can restore the quality of old or damaged images.