How to recover deleted files on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: from the basket to deep scanning

Why do files disappear with Redmi 5 Plus and can they be returned?

Deleting important files on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is a familiar situation. Vacation photos, work documents or videos from memorable events can disappear in an instant: accidental pressing, system failure, a virus attack or even a banal memory shortage, when the smartphone automatically clears the cache. But don't panic: 80 percent of the time deleted data can be recovered if you act quickly and correctly.

The main feature of Redmi 5 Plus (codename vince) is the use of the F2FS file system (on new firmware) or ext4 (on older versions of MIUI), which affects how data is stored and deleted. When you click Delete, the file is not physically erased, just frees up space in the file placement table (analogous to the table of contents of the book).

But there are nuances:

• 📸 Photos and videos from the gallery often remain in the.thumbnails folder (miniatures) or app cache.
• 📄 Documents (PDF, Word) can be saved in the Mi Cloud if synchronization is enabled.
• 🔄 System files (e.g. from /data/data/) It is almost impossible to restore root rights without root rights.

In this article, we'll look at 5 proven ways to recover deleted data, from standard MIUI tools to professional utilities, and at the end, we'll give you a checklist on how to avoid future losses.

Method 1: Checking the cart in MIUI (works for photos and videos)

Many Redmi 5 Plus users don't know that the standard MIUI gallery has a built-in bin where files are stored 30 days after being deleted.This is the first step worth checking out.

How to recover files from the Recycle Bin:

1. Open the Gallery app (an icon with a floral logo).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → select the basket.
3. Check the files you want (you can use Select All).
4. Click Restore at the bottom of the screen.

⚠️ Note: If you manually cleaned the Recycle Bin or used features like Security Optimization, files could be permanently deleted, and the Recycle Bin does not work for files deleted through Explorer or third-party applications (for example, ES File Explorer).

If the bin is empty, move on to the next way, but first check the hidden folders - sometimes the files "hide" in:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails — photo-picture.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots — screenshot.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Download/.temp — download-file.

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Use MIUI Explorer with the option “Show hidden files” enabled (three points → Settings → Show hidden files).

Method 2: Recovery via Mi Cloud (if synchronized)

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus supports automatic synchronization of photos, contacts and notes with the Mi Cloud. If the function was activated, the chances of returning data are high.

How to check backup copies:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Sign in with the same account you used on your phone.
3. Select Gallery, Contacts or Notes.
4. Check for backups (Basket tab or Archive).

⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone to factory settings and didn’t untie your Mi Cloud account in advance, the data could be deleted from the cloud automatically, in which case it can only be restored within 14 days through Xiaomi Support (confirmation of ownership of the device is required).

If the synchronization has not been configured, try the following method – computer recovery.

Method 3: Using PCs and programs for deep scanning

When standard methods fail, professional data recovery tools come to the rescue. Redmi 5 Plus is suitable for:

• 🖥️ DiskDigger - Supports F2FS and ext4, It works without root rights (but with them more efficiently).
• 🖥️ Recuva – The free version scans only internal memory (not the free version). SD-map).
• 🖥️ EaseUS MobiSaver – specializes in mobile devices, restores even corrupted files.

Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger (recommended for Redmi 5 Plus):

1. Download and install DiskDigger on PC.
2. Connect Redmi 5 Plus to USB in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Run the program, select your device and click Scan.
4. After scanning, mark the files you want and click Restore (save them to your PC, not your phone!).

Disable Wi-Fi and mobile data on your phone|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Use the original USB-cable|Do not connect your phone to other devices during scanning|Save recovered files on PC, not phone-->

A critical nuance for the Redmi 5 Plus: if the phone was stitched or reset via Fastboot, the data on the internal memory (partition /data) cannot be recovered – they are wiped with low-level formatting.

If the program does not find the files, try:

• 🔌 Connect the phone in mode PTP (photo/video).
• 🔧 Turn on Debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → return to → For developers).
• 📱 Install TWRP Recovery and make a backup section /data for further analysis.

Method 4: Recovery with TWRP and ADB (for advanced users)

If you are ready for more complex manipulations, you can try to recover data through the custom TWRP recap.

• 🔓 The bootloader was unlocked on the phone.
• 📱 Installed TWRP Recovery (Redmi version) 5 Plus — twrp-3.6.2_vince.img).
• 💾 There's a backup of the section. /data (old).

Instructions:

1. Load the phone to TWRP (Plug Power + Volume Up).
2. Go to Mount and mark System, Data, Cache.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and use ADB to copy /data: adb pull /dev/block/mmcblk0pXX data.img (where XX is the partition number, you can find out through adb shell ls /dev/block/platform/soc/*/by-name).
4. Scan the image with Autopsy or PhotoRec.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect actions in TWRP If you are not sure about your skills, you should consult a specialist. The cost of data recovery at the service center for the Redmi 5 Plus is ~1500–3000 rubles (depending on the complexity).

Method 5: Contact a service center (when nothing helps)

If all of these methods fail, the last option is to go to a service center.

• 💔 Data is critical (e.g. legal documents).
• 🔧 Phone physically damaged (drowned, broken memory board).
• 🔒 The data was encrypted (for example, through a Secure Folder in the MIUI).

What the service does:

1. Chip-off method: Removes the memory chip (eMMC) and reads the data directly through the programmer.
2. JTAG-Connection: Connect to test contacts on the board for low-level access.
3. Recovery after formatting: Use professional tools such as UFS Explorer or R-Studio.

Average prices for services (in Moscow, 2026):

Before the service visit:

• 📋 Make a list of lost files (names, dates, formats).
• 🔌 Do not turn your phone on and do not connect to charging (risk of overwriting data).
• 💰 Check the cost of the diagnosis (sometimes it is free for further repairs).

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The service center is the last chance to get back the data, but there is no guarantee. If the files are of high value (for example, the only photos from the event), it is worth trying. Otherwise, it is cheaper and easier to use cloud backups.

How to Avoid Data Loss in the Future: 7 Rules for Redmi 5 Plus Owners

The best protection against file loss is prevention, and follow these tips to minimize the risks:

1. Enable automatic sync with Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Sync. Select Gallery, Contacts, Notes.
2. Use Google Photos to back up your media files. The app automatically uploads photos/videos to the cloud (up to 15GB free).
3. Regularly copy important files to your PC or external drive. Redmi 5 Plus is fine. OTG-flash drive (supported up to 256 GB).
4. Install a file manager with a basket, such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer, which save deleted files in a separate folder.
5. Avoid cleaners like Clean Master or Security Optimization MIUI – they often delete the files they need.
6. Back up your data with TWRP if you have a bootloader unlocked. /data partition backup will save the data even after the reset.
7. Check it out. SD-map for errors. For this, go to Settings → Memory. → SD-map → Settings → Check for errors.

⚠️ Note: If you use encrypted storage (Secure Folder) MIUI), Export your data regularly, and if you drop your phone or damage your system, you'll lose access to the encrypted files!

For convenience, keep this checklist:

Check sync with Mi Cloud|Clean the Recycle Bin in the Gallery (if there are no important files in the Gallery)|Copy new photos/videos on PC|Check the vacant space for SD-map|Update the backup copy in TWRP (if established)-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about file recovery on Redmi 5 Plus