Recovery of deleted files on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: from the basket to deep scanning

Delete important photos from Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 and no backup? Don't panic. Even if files are erased from the gallery or file manager, they can be returned - provided you act quickly and correctly. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to restore data on Redmi Note 9 (including Note 9 Pro and Note 9S models) running on MIUI 12-14. From simple methods like checking the basket to advanced tools like ADB and deep memory scanning.

The rule of thumb is that the less you use your phone after deleting files, the better the chances of returning them. Every new photo, app installed, or system update can overwrite deleted data, so immediately after you find a file gone, put your smartphone in flight mode and start restoring it.

1. Checking the Recycle Bin in MIUI: Where to look for deleted files

First, check the built-in Recycle Bin — many Xiaomi users are unaware of its existence. In MIUI, deleted files from the gallery, file manager, and some applications (such as Notes) enter the Recycle Bin and are stored there for 30 days before final deletion.

How to open the basket:

• 📁 Gallery: Open the Gallery app → tap three points in the upper right corner → pick the basket.
• 📂 File Manager: Launch Files → Go to the Category tab → Scroll down to the basket section.
• 📝 Notes: In the Notes app swipe left on the home screen → pick the basket.

If files are found, select them, click Restore and select the folder to save. Important: after recovery, check the files for integrity - sometimes images can open with artifacts (especially if the basket is full).

⚠️ Attention: Basket in MIUI It has a limit on the amount of storage, so if it is filled, no new deleted files are saved. By default, the limit is 5% of internal memory (for example, the limit is limited to the maximum number of files, ~8GB on Redmi Note 9 with 128GB of storage).

2.Restore through MIUI and Google backups

If the cart is empty, check backups. Xiaomi offers two types of backups:

1. Local copies (manually created via Settings → About Phone → Backup).
2. Cloud-based copies (automatic if sync with Mi Account or Google Drive is enabled)

How to recover data from a local copy:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select the latest copy (note the date of creation).
3. Click Restore and tick the categories you want (such as Gallery or Documents).

For cloud-based copies:

• 🌐 Mi Cloud: Log to i.mi.com, log in and check the Gallery or Files section.
• 📱 Google Photos: Open the Google Photos app → Library → Recycle bin (files are stored for 60 days).

⚠️ Attention: Recovery from backup MIUI If you add new contacts or files after you create a backup, they will be lost.

3. Recovery programs without ROOT: DiskDigger, EaseUS MobiSaver

If the files are not found in the cart or backups, use specialized programs. Redmi Note 9 will work with utilities that work without superuser rights (ROOT).

• 🔍 DiskDigger (free version scans photos and videos, paid – documents).
• 📱 EaseUS MobiSaver (Restores Contacts, SMS, photo).
• 🖥️ Recuva (for scanning via PC if the phone is connected as a drive).

Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger:

1. Download DiskDigger from Google Play.
2. Launch the app and select Start a simple scan (without ROOT).
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take 10–30 minutes).
4. Tick the required files and click Restore (save them to the SD-map).

EaseUS MobiSaver requires a PC connection:

1. Install the program on the computer from the official website.
2. Connect Redmi Note 9 to USB (enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap on version → go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
3. Select the type of files to scan (such as Photos and Videos).
4. After scanning, save the files to the PC.

Enable debugging over USB

Connect your phone to the original cable

Charge your phone at least 50%

Install Xiaomi drivers (if the PC does not recognize the device)

Close all background programs on PC-->

⚠️ Note: Free versions of software often limit the amount of data to be recovered (for example, DiskDigger allows you to save only 2-3 files in free mode (~$15–$30).

4. Deep scanning with ROOT-rights: increasing the chances of success

If files are not found without ROOT, the last chance is deep scanning with superuser rights. This method allows you to scan the /data and /sdcard partitions where fragments of deleted data may remain. Redmi Note 9 can get ROOT through Magisk or TWRP, but this voids the warranty and carries risks.

How to get ROOT on Redmi Note 9:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires linking Mi Account to the phone and waiting 7-15 days).
2. Install custom TWRP receivers for your model (for example, for Redmi Note 9 Pro – official page).
3. Sweep Magisk through TWRP to get ROOT.

Once you have ROOT, use DiskDigger with Full Scan or Undeleter Recover Files & Data enabled, which will be able to scan system partitions where standard utilities are not looking.

If you are not ready to take risks, contact the Xiaomi service center - some workshops offer data recovery without ROOT using professional equipment (for example, Chip-Off or JTAG).

5. PC Recovery: ADB and Specialized Utilities

For advanced users, there is a recovery method through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable if the phone is computer-defined, but the files are not displayed in Explorer.

• 🖥️ PC fitted ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Redmi Note 9 with debugging enabled USB.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (important for stable connection).

Instructions for recovery through ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
3. Back up /data (where user files are stored): adb backup -f C:\backup.ab -apk -obb -shared -all On the phone, confirm the creation of a backup (do not set a password).
4. Unpack the backup.ab file with Android Backup Extractor and find the files you want.

An alternative way is to use ADB Pull to copy specific folders:

adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Redmi_Backup\Photos

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB Backup and ADB Pull does not guarantee the recovery of deleted files, they only copy existing data. However, if files were deleted recently and not overwritten, fragments of them can remain in memory.

1. Reinstall Xiaomi drivers via Mi PC Suite.

2. Use another USB-cable (preferably original).

3. Enable File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification curtain when connected.

4. Reboot the phone and PC.

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6 What NOT to do when recovering files

Errors at this stage can permanently destroy the chances of data being returned.

• ❌ Formatting your phone – even if the system suggests “cleaning up memory”, it will delete all data without the possibility of recovery.
• ❌ Install new applications – each new software takes up space on the drive and can overwrite deleted files.
• ❌ Using cleaners (such as Clean Master or CCleaner) – they aggressively clear cache and temporary files where snippets of data can be stored.
• ❌ Update MIUI — The firmware overwrites system partitions, which can damage the remaining fragments of files.
• ❌ Connecting to unstable power sources – if the phone runs out during recovery, it can cause data loss.

Also not worth it:

• 🔋 Use the phone in normal mode - it is better to transfer it to air mode and turn off Wi-Fi/mobile data to avoid background activity.
• 🔄 Try several programs in a row – each utility writes temporary files, reducing the chances of recovery.

💡

If you deleted files more than 2-3 weeks ago and used your phone extensively, the chances of recovery are close to zero, in which case it is better to accept the loss or contact a data recovery laboratory (for example, Hetman Recovery or ACE Lab).

7 Prevention: How to avoid future data loss

To avoid looking for ways to restore files, set up automatic backups:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Enable gallery, contacts and notes sync in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronization.
• 📁 Google Photos: Install the app and enable Backup and Sync (free up to 15GB).
• 💾 Local Copies: Once a Month Create Backups Through Settings → Backup and save it to a PC or external drive.
• 🔄 Sync with PC: Use Mi PC Suite or Syncthing to automatically copy photos to your computer.

Additional measures:

• 📱 Turn off automatic cleaning in Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning up so that the system does not delete files without your knowledge.
• 🔒 Use versioned cloud services (such as Dropbox or Yandex Drive) that save your file changes history.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Kaspersky) to avoid data loss due to viruses.

If you often work with important files, consider buying an external drive (e.g. Xiaomi). USB-C Flash Drive) or SD-high-speed card (UHS-I U3). Redmi Note 9 supports cards up to 512 GB.

FAQ: Frequent questions about file recovery on Xiaomi