Deleted important photos from vacation, accidentally erased work documents or lost videos after resetting your settings on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro? Don't panic: 80% of the time, files can be returned even if they are not displayed in the gallery.
A MIUI-based smartphone stores deleted data in memory until new files overwrite it. So the sooner you start recovering, the better the chances of success. In this article, we’ll look at the proven methods for the Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia model) running on all firmware versions (including MIUI 14 and Android 12), and we’ll take a look at the root-free (beginners) and root-based (advanced users), and we’ll also explain how to avoid future data loss.
1. Check the Recycle Bin in MIUI: The First Step to Save Files
What many people don't know is that MIUI saves deleted photos and videos in the Recycle Bin for 30 days by default, which is hidden from the main interface, but is accessible through the standard Gallery app.
To find the basket:
- 📱 Open the Gallery app on the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
- 🔍 Slip on three horizontal lines (menu) in the upper right corner.
- 🗑️ Select the Recycle Bin (or Recently Deleted in New Versions) MIUI).
- 🔄 Click on the file and select Restore.
⚠️ Note: If you were manually cleaning the cart or using third-party cleaners (such as Clean Master), the files may have been permanently deleted.
In MIUI 12/13/14, the recycle bin works for documents that have been deleted through File Manager, but system files (such as browser downloads) don’t get there, and you’ll have to recover them in other ways.
2.Restore through MIUI and Google backups
If you have synced with Mi Cloud or Google Drive on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the chances of returning files dramatically increase. Even if you don't remember creating backups, check for them - sometimes they are automatically created.
Method 1: Mi Cloud (for photos, contacts, notes)
- 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in to the same Mi Account as you do on your phone.
- 📁 Open the Gallery or Files section – backups for the last 30 to 90 days can be stored here.
- 📥 Click on the desired file and select Download, then transfer it back to the phone.
Method 2: Google Photos (for media files)
- 📲 Install Google Photos from Play Market if it is removed.
- ☁️ In the app menu, select the Recycle Bin - here files are stored for 60 days.
- 🔄 To restore, tap on the file and click Restore.
| Service | File types | Storage period | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Cloud | Photos, videos, contacts, notes, SMS | 30–90 days (depending on settings) | Requires authorization in the Xiaomi account |
| Google Photo | Photos, videos, screenshots | 60 days in the basket | Free up to 15GB, then paid storage |
| Google Drive | Documents, archives, APK | 30 days in the basket | May contain application backups |
⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone to the factory settings (Hard Reset), backups in the Mi Cloud may not be saved if the sync was disabled.
3. rootless recovery programs: DiskDigger, EaseUS MobiSaver
If the files are not found in the basket and backups, it is time to connect specialized utilities. Redmi Note 8 Pro suitable programs that work without root rights, but with restrictions: they see only those files that are not overwritten with new data.
Top-3 recovery:
- 🔧 DiskDigger scans internal memory and microSD card, finds photos and videos even after formatting.
- 📱 EaseUS MobiSaver – Restore Contacts, SMS There's a PC version (Windows/Mac). Official website.
- 🖼️ Dumpster is the equivalent of a basket for all file types, works as a background service and saves deleted data.
Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger:
- Install the app on the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
- Start a full scan (can take 10 to 30 minutes).
- Check the boxes for the files that need to be returned.
- Click Restore and select the folder to save (preferably on the memory card).
Disable Wi-Fi and mobile data (to prevent new files from being downloaded)
Charge your phone at least 50%
Free 1-2 GB of memory for temporary files
Do not install new applications until the scan is completed-->
Critical: If the phone gives an error "Not enough permissions to scan", it means that the files were deleted by the system process (for example, after a reset), in this case, only the root-rights method or contacting the service center will help.
Restoration with root rights: maximum opportunities
If your Redmi Note 8 Pro has root rights installed (e.g., through Magisk), you can use powerful tools like TWRP or Undeleter, which allow you to scan system partitions and recover files even after Hard Reset.
Method 1: Undeleter (for experienced users)
- 🛠️ Install Undeleter Recover Files & Data from Play Market.
- 🔍 Select the Deep Scan Mode (requires root).
- 📂 Specify the section for scanning (for example, /data/media/0 internal memory).
- ⏳ Wait until the process is completed (may take several hours).
Method 2: TWRP + ADB (for advanced)
- Install TWRP Recovery for Redmi Note 8 Pro (instruction: XDA Developers).
- Connect your phone to your PC and start the ADB.
- Run the command to create a partition image: adb pull /dev/block/mmcblk0pXX userdata.img (replace XX with the current partition number).
- Scan the image with PhotoRec or R-Studio on your PC.
⚠️ Attention: Incorrect actions in TWRP or ADB If you are not sure about your skills, contact a specialist.
What if the phone doesn’t turn on after recovery?
5. Recovery after resetting settings (Hard Reset)
If you run Wipe Data in Recovery or reset your phone through settings, the chances of returning files are reduced, but not zero.
Algorithm of action:
- Stop using your phone immediately, and the new data will be overwritten by the deleted data.
- Connect the Redmi Note 8 Pro to your PC in MTP mode and scan the internal memory with Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.
- If the PC can’t see the phone, use it. ADB To create a memory dump: adb backup -f backup.ab -all Then analyze backup.ab with abe utility (Android Backup Extractor).
Important: Once you reset, you can only recover files that were not encrypted. If the MIUI has enabled disk encryption, it is almost impossible to return the data.
6. Contacting a service center: when nothing helps
If the independent attempts have not been successful, the last option is to contact the Xiaomi service center or a specialized data recovery laboratory.
- 💾 Physical memory damage (fall, water, overheating).
- 🔐 Encryption of the section /data (For example, after resetting with File-Based Encryption enabled).
- 🛠️ Failure to manipulate the firmware or TWRP.
The cost of the service varies from 3 000 to 15 000 rubles depending on the complexity. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, you can contact:
- Xiaomi Service Center (official partners)
- Hetman Recovery Laboratory (specializes in data recovery from Android).
- Iceberg repair center (working with physically damaged storage devices).
⚠️ Warning: Before visiting the service: Don't say you tried to recover the data yourself, this may void the warranty. Check if they provide a report of the files found before payment. If the phone is warranty, data recovery may be considered a non-warranty case.
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Before visiting the service, make a full backup of the current status of the phone via ADB or TWRP. This will help avoid losing new data added after the reset.
7. How to prevent future data loss
To avoid the problem of deleted files, configure Redmi Note 8 Pro according to these rules:
Mandatory settings:
- ☁️ Enable automatic sync with Mi Cloud or Google Drive: Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization.
- 📁 Use a memory card (up to 512 GB) to store media files.
- 🔄 Regularly (once a month) create local backups through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
- 🚫 Turn off auto cleaning at Security → Cleaning so that files are not deleted without confirmation.
Recommended backup applications:
- Swift Backup (requires root) is a backup of applications and data.
- Titanium Backup (an outdated but reliable solution)
- Resilio Sync – Synchronize files between devices without a cloud.
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Even if you don't plan on recovering files, regular backups save time and nerves.For example, backing up in Mi Cloud takes 5 minutes to set up, but can save years of memories.