Recovering Deleted Files from the Recycle Bin on Xiaomi Smartphones: A Complete Guide

Accidentally deleted important photos, videos or documents on Xiaomi smartphone, and then cleared the cart? Don't panic - the chances of returning data still exist! Unlike computers where files disappear forever after cleaning the cart, there are several ways to restore Android devices (including Redmi, POCO and Mi). In this article, we will analyze all available methods, from standard MIUI functions to professional utilities that work even after formatting memory.

The rule is, the faster you start, the more likely you are to succeed. When you delete files, they don't physically erase them -- the system just labels them as "free space." Until the new data overwrites those sectors, recovery is possible. But every hour of delay reduces the odds by 10 to 15 percent. So start with the instructions as soon as you find the loss!

If you use Xiaomi on MIUI 12-14, you have the advantage of having a Recycle Bin feature built into the firmware that stores deleted files for 30 days (by default), but even if you cleared it or expired, not everything is lost. Next, step-by-step solutions for different scenarios, from simple returns from the basket to deep memory scanning with ADB and specialized programs.

1. How to recover files from the MIUI Recycle Bin (if it is not cleaned)

The easiest way is to return data from the built-in MIUI Recycle Bin. It works similarly to the Recycle Bin on Windows, but with a storage time limit. By default, files are stored for 30 days, but this period can be changed in the settings (more on this later).

To recover deleted files:

1. Open the Files app (a folder icon with a blue background).
2. In the bottom menu, tap on the "Basket" (dumpster icon).
3. Select the desired files with a long tap or check the boxes manually.
4. Click on “Restore” (button at the bottom of the screen).

Files will return to the original folders: photos to the Gallery, documents to Downloads or Documents. If the Restore button is inactive, then:

• 📅 The storage period has expired (by default - 30 days).
• 🗑️ The basket was hand-cleaned.
• 🔄 The files were deleted from the cart again.

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If you have thousands of files in your cart, search by name. In the upper right corner, click on the magnifying glass and type in a keyword (e.g., "passport" or "2023").

On Xiaomi with MIUI 14, the shopping cart supports selective recovery: you can only return selected files, not the entire folder.

2.Recovery after cleaning the basket: built-in MIUI tools

If the shopping cart is empty but files have been deleted recently (within 1-2 weeks), try the built-in MIUI backup feature.It automatically backs up photos, contacts and some documents to the Xiaomi Cloud cloud or to a linked Google account.

Check for backup copies:

1. Go to **Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account (or Google).
2. Select "Cloud» → «Backup copies».
3. Check the backup list. If you have a copy that was created before you delete the files, restore it.

Please note:

• 📱 Backups are created only when connected to Wi-Fi and charging (by default).
• 🔄 Backup recovery will replace the current data on the device.
• ⚠️ The function does not work on all models. POCO And Redmi with custom firmware.

Yeah, automatically to the cloud.|Yes, manually on PC.|Sometimes.|No, I'm not.|I don't know how it works.-->

If you don't have backups, go to the next method, which is to use a file manager with recovery function. MIUI 13/14 has a hidden option to scan deleted data, but it only works for files that have been deleted less than 7 days ago.

Turn off mobile internet and Wi-Fi|Charging the battery > 50%|Do not install new applications|Don't take photos/video|Save important data to another medium-->

3.Use of third-party applications for deep scanning

If the built-in methods didn't work, it's time to plug in specialized utilities that scan the device's memory at a low level and restore files even after cleaning the cart or formatting.

Top.-3 Applications for file recovery on Android:

Let’s look at the DiskDigger recovery (no root rights required):

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Start and select “Start Basic Scan” (without root).
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take 10–30 minutes).
4. Tick the required files and click "Restore".
5. Save your data to the cloud or another media (not the same Xiaomi!).

⚠️ Warning: Never save recovered files to the same device as the scanner! This can overwrite the remaining data and make it impossible to recover any further.

If DiskDigger doesn't find the files you want, try a deep scan (root access required).

1. Get root rights to Xiaomi (see instructions for your model on XDA Developers).
2. In DiskDigger, select “Full scanning” (root).
3. The scan will take 1-2 hours, but the chances of finding files will increase to 60-70%.

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Without root rights, software only restores thumbnails of low-resolution photos and videos, and requires root to fully restore (especially documents).

4. PC Recovery: Windows/macOS Software

If your smartphone doesn’t work, plug Xiaomi into your computer and use desktop utilities that are more powerful than mobile and support recovery of over 200 file formats.

The best PC programs:

• 🖥️ Recuva – Free, Simple, Supports FAT32/exFAT/NTFS.
• 🖥️ EaseUS Data Recovery – Recovers data from damaged partitions.
• 🖥️ 7-Data Recovery – specializes in multimedia (photo/video).

Instructions for Recuva:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB (select File Transfer mode).
2. Run Recuva and select the file type (such as “Images”).
3. Specify your smartphone’s drive (usually an E: or F: removable drive).
4. Click on “Analysis” and wait until it is completed (may take several hours).
5. Mark the files for recovery and save them to the hard drive of the PC.

For maximum efficiency:

• 🔌 Use the original Xiaomi cable (cheap analogues can interrupt the connection).
• 🔋 Charging the smartphone should be > 30%, otherwise it may be switched off during the scan.
• 🛑 Do not interrupt the process – it can damage the file system.

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi is not defined as a removable drive, turn on Debugging by USB» in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers).

5. Recovery through ADB: for power users

If standard methods didn’t work and root rights didn’t, try ADB. It’s an Android debugging tool that allows you to access system partitions without root.It’s suitable for Xiaomi on MIUI 12-14, but requires command line skills.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Established ADB Tools.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB Debugging on Xiaomi (see previous section).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Check the connection command: Adb devices should appear serial number of your device.
4. Get a list of memory partitions: adb shell ls /dev/block/by-name
5. Create a userdata partition image (where user files are stored): adb pull /dev/block/by-name/userdata userdata.img
6. Scan the image with PhotoRec or TestDisk (instructions on the official website).

Important: This method creates a full copy of the memory partition, which can take up to 50 to 100 GB on a PC hard drive, and don't interrupt the process, which will result in data loss.

6.If nothing has worked: Professional services

If all of these methods fail and files are critical (such as single photos from an event or work documents), contact professional data recovery labs.

When it is worth contacting specialists:

• 💾 The files were deleted more than 3 months ago.
• 🔧 Device physically damaged (not switched on, broken screen, water).
• 📂 Restore data from internal storage, not from internal storage. SD-map.

Cost of services (average prices in Russia in 2026):

Before contacting the service:

• 📞 Check the reviews about the company (for example, on IRecommend or Otzovic).
• 📋 Check whether you have a guarantee of results (many laboratories charge only for successful recovery).
• 🔒 Ask to sign a confidentiality agreement – your data should not fall into third hands.

⚠️ Avoid handicraftsmen who promise to recover data for 500-1000 ₽. There is a high risk of losing files permanently due to unqualified activities, HDD Recovery or Data Recovery work in clean rooms with professional equipment.

7. How to prevent future data loss

To avoid the problem of deleted files, set up automatic backup on Xiaomi. Here are the proven ways:

3 levels of data protection:

1. Xiaomi Cloud Cloud: 📁 Automatically saves photos, contacts, notes and SMS. 🆓 Free gives 5 GB (can be increased to 100 GB for 99) ₽/moss). 🔗 Settings: Settings → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud → Backup.
2. Local Copying on PC: 🖥️ Use the Mi. PC Suite for weekly backup. 📂 Save copies of important files to the external HDD or SSD.

Additional precautions:

• 🚫 Don’t store all files in one folder (e.g. Downloads) and divide them into categories: Work, Personal, Archive».
• 🔄 Check your cart regularly (once a month) and clean it of unnecessary files so you don’t accumulate garbage.
• 📱 Install Dumpster app is an alternative shopping cart that stores deleted files indefinitely (until manual cleaning).

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Configure backup notifications. In Xiaomi Cloud, you can turn on alerts if the backup has not been created for more than 7 days: Settings → Notifications → Xiaomi Cloud.

FAQ: Frequent questions about file recovery on Xiaomi