Recovering Deleted Files on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: from basket to deep scan

Delete important files on Xiaomi Redmi 9T — A situation that almost every user experiences: vacation photos, work documents, or saved messages can disappear in a single click: a random click, a system failure, or even a virus. Fortunately, 90 percent of the time, data can be returned — if you act quickly and correctly.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to restore deleted files on Redmi. 9T, From simple (checking basket and cloud copies) to complex (using PCs and specialized utilities). MIUI — Xiaomi’s branded shell, which often hides standard Android features, will also help you increase your chances of a successful recovery by 3 times, avoiding typical user mistakes.

Importantly, the effectiveness of the methods depends on the type of files and the time that has elapsed since deleting, and the sooner you start to act, the more likely you are to return the data intact, starting with the most obvious — but often ignored — step.

1. Check the basket and recent files in MIUI

Many Redmi users 9T they don't know what in MIUI There's a built-in trash bin, which is the equivalent of a garbage bin on a PC, and it saves deleted files for 15 days (by default), then it cleans them automatically:

• 📁 Open the Files app (the folder icon on the home screen).
• 🗑️ In the bottom menu, tap on the “Basket” tab (if it is not available, update the application via Google Play).
• 🔍 View the list of deleted files. To recover, click on the file and select Restore».
• ⏳ If the shopping cart is empty, check the recent section – sometimes files stay there until the phone restarts.

Please note: the basket in MIUI It only works for files deleted through the standard Files app, and if you erase data through a gallery, messengers, or third-party programs, this method won't work.

⚠️ WARNING: Don't manually clean the basket, even if there's a lot of "junk" there. - Xiaomi Redmi 9T Automatically deletes files older than 15 days, but manually cleansed data can erase data without recovery.

If the cart is empty, we move on to the next step, which is to check cloud backups, which is especially relevant for photos and contacts.

2. Recovery from cloud services: Google Drive, Mi Cloud and Telegram

Xiaomi Redmi 9T It syncs some of the data to the cloud by default, and even if you didn't set up the backup manually, the system could save copies automatically:

Google Photos (for photos and videos)

If you have Google Photos on your phone, deleted photos could be saved in the cloud:

1. Open the Google Photos app (or install it from the Play Market).
2. Slip on the profile avatar → “Basket”.
3. Select the files you want and click “Restore”.

The storage period in the Google Photos Recycle Bin is 60 days. If the files were deleted earlier, check the archive or albums.

Mi Cloud (for contacts, notes and certain files)

Xiaomi offers its own cloud storage, the Mi Cloud, which automatically stores:

• 📇 Contacts (if synchronization is enabled in Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Account).
• 📝 Notes from the annex “Notes».
• 📁 Some system files (if backup was configured).

To check backups:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select “Mi Cloud” and log in.
3. View the available copies. To restore, click Restore.

⚠️ Warning: Restore from Mi Cloud will overwrite current data on your phone. If you add new contacts or notes after deleting files, they will be lost.

2.3. Telegram and other messengers

If you have sent files to yourself or chat rooms, check:

• 💬 Save messages (@Saved Messages on Telegram).
• 📎 dialog attachments (on WhatsApp or Viber, click on the chat name) → «Media, links and docks»).
• 📥 Downloads in messengers (Download folder in internal memory).

These methods don't require much knowledge, and they work even if the phone has been rebooted or updated, but if the files aren't found in the cloud, you'll have to move on to more sophisticated ways.

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Before recovering from the cloud, check the free space on Redmi. 9T. If there is not enough memory, the system can interrupt the process. Free up at least 1-2 GB by removing unnecessary applications or cache.

3. Memory Card Use: How to Recover Files from MicroSD

If the files were stored on a memory card, the chances of recovery are higher - the system less often overwrites data on removable media.

• 🖥️ Computer (Windows, Mac or Linux).
• 📁 Cartridger (or adapter for MicroSD).
• 🛠️ Recovery software (free options: Recuva, PhotoRec, DiskDigger).

Step-by-step:

1. Remove the memory card from Redmi 9T And you can connect it to your PC through a card reader. Don't use your phone to connect it, it can overwrite the data.
2. Download and install Recuva (official website: www.ccleaner.com/recuva).
3. Run the program and select the file type (e.g., “Images” or “Documents”).
4. Specify the memory card as the target of the scan and click “Start”.
5. After the process is complete, mark the files you need and click Restore by selecting the folder on your PC (not on the card!).

Important nuances:

• ⚡ Deep scanning takes longer, but finds files that aren’t detected in a quick search.
• 🚫 Do not save recovered files back to the memory card – it can damage them.
• 🔄 If the card has been formatted, select the option “Recovery after formatting” in Recuva».

⚠️ Note: If the memory card is physically damaged (not detected by the PC, makes strange sounds when connected), do not try to restore the data yourself.

If the files were stored in the phone’s internal memory, the recovery process is more complicated – root access or a new source will be required. ADB. We will tell you about this in the next section.

4.Recovery from internal memory without root (through ADB)

Redmi's internal memory 9T It is protected from direct access, but some of the data can be extracted via Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — Android Debugging Tool: This method doesn't require root rights, but only works if you're using it:

• 🔧 The phone has "Debugging by" on it. USB» (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version number → Return to "Additional» → «For developers»).
• 🖥️ You have a PC with Xiaomi drivers installed and ADB.
• ⏱️ Files were deleted recently (less than 1-2 days ago).

Instructions:

1. Get Redmi on board. 9T PC-only USB and select the "File Transfer" mode».
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell


su -c "find /data/ -name '*.jpg' > /sdcard/recovered_files.txt"

This team is looking for everything. JPG-files in internal memory and saves the list to a text file on the memory card. Replace.jpg with the desired extension (for example,.pdf for documents).

Limitations of the method:

• 🔒 Without root rights, you can’t copy the files themselves, just see their paths.
• 📂 Some files may not be available due to restrictions MIUI.
• 🛑 If the phone is not rooted, this method is only suitable for confirming the presence of files.

Full recovery of internal memory requires unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights. This process is risky — it removes the warranty and can lead to a brick (breakdown) of the phone. If you are ready for this, read the next section.

Debugging is on. USB|Xiaomi drivers installed|ADB added to the environment variables|The phone is connected in file transfer mode|Backup of important data is made-->

5. Restoration with root access: risks and instructions

Root access gives you full control of the Redmi file system 9T, But it has serious consequences:

• ⚠️ Reset warranty (if the phone was purchased less than a year ago).
• 🔓 Risk of installing malware.
• 🔄 Possible disruptions MIUI (For example, contactless payments will cease to work).

If you do, follow this instruction:

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader

1. Go to en.miui.com/unlock and download the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Start the program and log in under the same Mi Account as on your phone.
3. Connect Redmi 9T in Fastboot mode (turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume down).
4. In the program, click Unlock and wait until it is completed (can take up to 72 hours due to Xiaomi restrictions).

Step 2: Install custom recovery (TWRP)

After unlocking the loader:

1. Download the current version TWRP for Redmi 9T (lime model from twrp.me.
2. Move the.img file to the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lime.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lime.img

Step 3: Getting root rights through Magisk

1. V TWRP Select “Install” and install Magisk (download the latest version from the github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk).
2. Restart your phone. Check root access with the Root Checker app.

Step 4: File Recovery

Now you can use apps like Root Browser or DiskDigger with full access:

1. Open DiskDigger and select “Full Scan”.
2. Specify the section /data (memory).
3. Wait for the scan to be completed and save the files to the PC.

⚠️ Note: After obtaining root rights Xiaomi Redmi 9T Install MagiskHide to hide root from banking applications, and update your firmware regularly.

If this method seems too complicated or risky, consider the latter option – contacting a service center.

6.Application to the service center: when it is justified

If all of these methods failed and files are critical (such as the only photos from an important event or work documents), you should consider professional help.

• 🔬 Special Memory Reading Equipment (Chip-off Method).
• 🛠️ Level software solutions UFS Explorer or R-Studio.
• 🔒 Clean rooms to work with damaged boards.

Cost of recovery in the service:

Before contacting the service:

• 📋 Make a list of lost files (types, approximate creation dates).
• 🔋 Make sure the phone doesn’t turn on after you delete it (this increases the odds).
• 💰 Check the cost of the diagnosis (sometimes it is free).

Official Xiaomi service centers in Russia:

• 📍 Moscow: Letnikowska Street, 10 (body. +7 495 123-45-67).
• 📍 St. Petersburg: Marshal Govorov str., 35.
• 📍 Regions: list on the site mi.com/ru/service/.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid "handicraft" workshops offering recovery "for 1,000 rubles" Unqualified intervention can permanently damage phone memory.

If files are not critical and the phone is stable, perhaps the best way to deal with the loss and strengthen data protection in the future.

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Professional recovery is only justified for high-importance files (such as single wedding photos or work contracts).

7. How to prevent future data loss

The best protection against file loss is regular backup. at Redmi 9T This can be done in several ways:

7.1 Automatic backup in Mi Cloud

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Enable "Automatic backup."
3. Select data to save (contacts, messages, notes, system settings).
4. Click on “Create a backup copy”.

Xiaomi Cloud provides 5 GB for free, and you can buy space (up to 200 GB if necessary).

7.2 Sync with Google Account

For photos, contacts and calendar:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Select your account and enable synchronization for the data you need.
3. For photos, set Google Photos and enable autoload.

Local backup on PC

Once a month, connect Redmi. 9T You can go to your computer and copy your important files to a separate folder:

• 🖥️ Xiaomi PC Suite (official utility for backup).
• 📁 Manual copying of folders DCIM (Photos, Downloads (downloads), Documents.

Use of third-party applications

Popular backup programs:

• 🔄 Titanium Backup (requires root).
• ☁️ Dropbox or Yandex Drive (automatic upload of photos).
• 📱 Swift Backup (Applications and Data Backup).

Additional precautions:

• 🚫 Avoid memory cleaners (such as Clean Master) – they often delete files without recovery capability.
• 🔋 Do not remove the memory card while recording data.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Kaspersky) to protect against ransomware.

Compliance with these rules will reduce the risk of data loss by 90%, and even if files are deleted, copies of them will remain in the cloud or on the PC.

FAQ: Frequent questions about file recovery on Redmi 9T