Deleting a video from a Xiaomi phone is a familiar situation. One careless tap, and a video of a memorable event, a work project or proof disappears from the gallery. Fortunately, smartphone owners on MIUI have several ways to recover lost files, from standard system features to specialized utilities. The main thing is to act quickly and correctly so as not to overwrite data.
In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of video recovery on Redmi, POCO and other Xiaomi models, including the work with the basket MIUI, Cloud services, PC connectivity, and programs like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver, highlighting the nuances that are often overlooked in general instructions, such as why adb recovery might not work on new versions of Android. 13/14, How to get around scoped storage limitations in recent updates.
1.Check out the MIUI basket - the first step to recovery
Modern versions of MIUI (starting with MIUI 12) have a built-in recycle bin where files are sent after deletion, not only for photos but also for videos, with a storage period of 30 days in the recycle bin, after which files are deleted irrevocably.
To check the basket:
- 📁 Open the Gallery app (or Files) → Images).
- 🗑️ Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select the basket.
- 🔍 Find the right video, hold your finger on it and click Restore.
If the bin is empty or there is no video, move on to the next method. Importantly, the MIUI recycle bin only works for files deleted through standard applications (Gallery, Files), and videos erased through third-party file managers (such as Solid Explorer) don't get there.
⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO F5 Or Redmi Note 12, the cart can be disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings. → Warehouse → Cart and turn on the option.
2. Recovery through cloud services: Mi Cloud, Google Photos and more
If your Xiaomi has cloud sync enabled, the chances of returning videos are significantly higher.Mi Cloud (Xiaomi's built-in cloud) and Google Photos automatically reserve media files if this feature is activated.
How to check out Mi Cloud:
- ☁️ Open the Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
- 📹 Select Gallery or Backups section.
- 🔍 See the synced video list. If you want, download it back to your device.
How to recover via Google Photos:
- 📱 Open the Google Photos app.
- 🗑️ Go to the Recycle Bin (side menu) and the video is stored there for 60 days.
- 🔄 If the video is not in the cart, check the Archive section or search by date.
If sync isn’t set up in advance, this method won’t work, but even then it’s worth checking out other cloud services that could save a copy automatically (e.g. Yandex Drive or Dropbox if they were connected).
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Set up automatic video sync in Mi Cloud or Google Photos right now to avoid future losses. To do this, go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync (or similar path for Mi Cloud) and turn on the option for Gallery.
3. PC Connection: Recovery through File Managers and Programs
If the video is not found in the bin or cloud, the next step is to connect the phone to the computer and scan the internal memory with specialized programs, which is effective if the files have been deleted recently and their place on the disk has not yet been overwritten.
Tools required:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS.
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
- 🛠️ Recovery software: DiskDigger, EaseUS MobiSaver, Recuva (for Windows) or PhotoRec (cross-platform).
Step-by-step:
- Connect Xiaomi to your PC in file transfer mode (MTP). To do this, select the appropriate mode on your phone in the connection notification.
- Install and run a recovery program (e.g., DiskDigger).
- Select the drive that matches the phone’s internal memory (usually a removable drive called the Xiaomi model).
- Run a deep scan, which will take longer, but will increase the chances of finding the video.
- After scanning, filter the results by video formats (.mp4,.mov,.mkv) and restore the desired files.
If the phone is not defined as a removable drive, try enabling USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
⚠️ Attention: On Android 11 phones+ and MIUI 13+ Access to internal memory via PC is restricted due to scoped storage policy, which may require root access or use of adb commands to copy raw data.
Disable cloud sync to avoid overwriting|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Use the original USB-cable|Do not save new files to your phone until recovery-->
4. Recovery without PC: Android apps
If you don't have a computer, you can try to recover video directly from your phone using mobile apps, but the effectiveness of this method is lower due to Android's limitations on accessing system partitions.
Top.-3 recovery:
| Annex | Features | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| DiskDigger | Supports deep scanning, works without root | The free version is limited |
| Dumpster | Recycle Bin Analog, Restores Files Even After Cleaning | You need to install the ARRIAGE (will not help after removal) |
| Undeleter | Scans internal and external memory, supports video | Requires root for full-time work |
How to use DiskDigger:
- 📱 Install the app from Google Play.
- 🔍 Select Full Scan (Takes more time, but more efficiently).
- 🎥 Filter the results by video formats.
- 💾 Save the recovered files to the cloud or SD-card (not internal memory!).
When using mobile apps, remember: they don’t guarantee 100% results, especially if the video was deleted long ago or the phone was actively used after deleting (new files overwrite old data).
Why do not root applications restore all files?
5. Advanced methods: ADB and root access
If standard methods didn’t work, and video is critical, you can try low-level methods using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or root-rights, which require technical skills and can entail risks to the system.
Recovery through ADB:
- Install ADB on your PC (instructions are available on the XDA Developers website).
- Connect your phone in debugging mode (Settings → For developers → Debugging via USB).
- Run the command to create an internal memory image: adb pull /dev/block/mmcblk0 mmcblk0.img (replace mmcblk0 with the current partition found through adb shell ls /dev/block).
- Scan the image with PhotoRec or TestDisk.
Restoration with root access:
- 🔓 Get root rights (for example, through Magisk).
- 📁 Use Root Explorer or FX File Explorer to access the folder /data, where temporary files can be stored.
- 🔍 Scan memory with Undeleter with superuser mode enabled.
⚠️ Note: Getting root rights voids Xiaomi’s warranty and may cause system instability, and on newer models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 or Redmi). K60) Unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk requires additional manipulation due to anti-Rollback protection.
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The ADB and root methods are only suitable for advanced users, and if you are not sure about your actions, you should contact the service center - incorrect commands can lead to complete data loss or "bricking" of the phone.
6.If nothing has worked: Professional services
Once all self-recovery efforts have been exhausted, the last option is to go to specialized labs, which use professional hardware to extract data from memory chips, which increases the chances of success even in the most difficult cases.
When it is worth contacting professionals:
- 💔 Video is critical (e.g., evidence for trial or unique footage).
- 🔧 Phone is physically damaged (drowned, broken, not turned on).
- 🔒 All software recovery methods have not yielded results.
Average cost of services (for 2026):
| Type of recovery | Cost, ₽ | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Logical Recovery (without disassembly) | 3 000 — 8 000 | 1-3 days |
| Physical recovery (with disassembly) | 10 000 — 30 000 | 3-7 days |
| Emergency recovery (24 hours) | 15 000 — 50 000 | 1 day |
Before choosing a service, check reviews and make sure the company has experience with Xiaomi.Some labs specialize in Samsung or iPhone, and their hardware may not be suitable for Qualcomm Snapdragon or MediaTek devices that are used in Xiaomi smartphones.
7. How to Prevent Video Loss in the Future
The best way to combat data loss is to prevent it, and here are some proven methods:
- ☁️ Automatic backup: Set up video sync in Mi Cloud or Google Photos. Google Photos allows you to enable the option of Backup in original quality (paid) or High quality (free with compression).
- 📁 Manual copying: Regularly transfer important videos to a PC or external drive. PC Suite or AirDroid.
- 🔄 Cloud services: Apart from Mi Cloud, consider Yandex Drive (gives 10GB free) or Mega (20GB when registering).
- 🛡️ Recycle Bin Apps: Install Dumpster or Recycle Bin – they will intercept deleted files until they are finally erased.
The following actions should also be avoided that increase the risk of data loss:
- 🚫 Delete files through file managers that do not support the recycle bin (e.g, ES Conductor).
- 🚫 Using garbage cleanup features in optimizers (such as Clean Master), which can delete temporary files needed to recover.
- 🚫 Formatting a memory card or resetting your phone to factory settings without a backup.
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Even if you don’t plan on recovering video right now, install a shopping cart app (like Dumpster) and set up cloud backups, which will take 5 minutes, but save you hours of nerves in the future.