Why are files missing from the Redmi Note 8 Pro and can they be returned?
Deleted important photos from vacation, accidentally cleared the folder with documents or after resetting, found an empty gallery? On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia model), the recovery of deleted files is possible in 80% of cases - but only if you act quickly. The reason is simple: after deleting the data is not physically erased, but marked as "free space." The system can overwrite them with new files at any time.
Redmi Note 8 Pro features that affect recovery: MIUI uses its own multimedia Recycle Bin (but not for all file types), and the F2FS file system on this device makes it difficult to scan low-level. Plus, if you used storage encryption or dynamic partitioning (Dynamic Partitions feature in MIUI 12+), standard utilities may not work. In this article, current methods for MIUI 12-14 are relevant, given the hardware limitations of the smartphone.
Method 1: Checking the “basket” in MIUI
The easiest way is to recover files from the built-in Recycle Bin. MIUI automatically sends deleted photos, videos, and audio (but not documents or APK!). 30 days of storage (configured in Settings → Storage → Recycle Bin).
How to return files:
1. Open the Gallery app (an icon with a floral logo).
2. Slip three dots in the upper right corner → select "Basket."
3. Hold your finger on the files you want → click “Restore” (down arrow icon).
- 📁 What is Recovering: Only Multimedia (JPG, PNG, MP4, MP3). Documents (PDF, DOCX) archives (ZIP, RAR) don't get in the basket.
- ⏳ Limitation: If the Recycle Bin is disabled in the settings or files are deleted more than a month ago, this method will not work.
- 🔄 Important: After recovery, check the folder DCIM/.thumbnails — Sometimes the miniatures remain even after the originals have been removed.
⚠️ Note: If you have manually cleaned the cart or used the gallery cleanup function, the files are permanently deleted (bypassing the 30-day buffer.
Method 2: Restore through Google Photos (if synced)
If the Redmi Note 8 Pro was enabled autoload in Google Photos, the chances of returning files are close to 100%. the service stores copies of all uploaded photos and videos in original quality (if there was no limit on the volume).
Instructions:
1. Open the Google Photos app (or install it from the Play Market).
2. Slip on the profile avatar → "Basket".
3. Select files → click Restore (they will return to the main gallery).
4. If the files are not in the basket, check the archive: "Library" → "Archive".
| Conditions | Chance of recovery | Action. |
|---|---|---|
| Sync enabled, files deleted less than 60 days ago | 99% | Restore from the Google Shopping Cart Photos |
| Sync enabled, files deleted more than 60 days ago | 50% | Check the archive or albums |
| Synced off | 0% | Go to method 3 |
| Files deleted from memory card (not internal memory) | 70% | Use DiskDigger (see Method 4) |
If you haven’t used Google Photos, check out other cloud services:
Mi Cloud (if you have enabled gallery sync in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud).
Yandex.Disk or Mail.ru Cloud (if you installed their applications).
Method 3: Rootless recovery programs (DiskDigger, EaseUS)
If the files are not in the cart or in the cloud, it is time to use specialized utilities. For the Redmi Note 8 Pro, programs that work without root rights are suitable (as getting root on this device blocks data encryption and can lead to loss of warranty).
Best options:
1. DiskDigger (free version scans only photos/video, full version – all types of files).
2. EaseUS MobiSaver (paid but supports recovery with F2FS).
3. Recuva (for memory cards only, does not work with internal memory Redmi Note 8 Pro).
Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger:
- Install DiskDigger from Play Market.
- Start the program and select “Start Basic Scan” (without root).
- Wait until it is completed (it can take 10–30 minutes depending on the amount of memory).
- Tick the required files → click “Restore”.
- Save files to a memory card or cloud (do not restore them to internal memory!).
Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Disable Wi-Fi and mobile data (to avoid overwriting data)|Not installing new applications|Use the original cable USB (if you connect to a PC)-->
⚠️ Note: If DiskDigger finds files with distorted names (e.g, IMG_20230515_123456.jpg.enc), This means that they have been encrypted. MIUI. It is impossible to restore them without root - you will need to unlock the loader and install a custom Recovery.
Method 4: Connect to a PC and use EaseUS Data Recovery
For deep scanning of internal memory Redmi Note 8 Pro better use PC. EaseUS Data Recovery program supports the F2FS file system and can find files even after formatting (unless they were overwritten).
What you need:
USB Type-C cable (preferably original from Xiaomi)
- A Windows/macOS computer.
EaseUS Data Recovery (free version recovers up to 2 GB of data)
Instructions:
1. Connect the Redmi Note 8 Pro to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Launch EaseUS, select the phone drive (usually displayed as Internal Storage).
3. Click Scan and wait until it is completed (may take 1-2 hours).
4. In the scan results, sort the files by type ("Graphics", "Video", "Documents").
5. Select the files you need → “Restore” (save them on PC, not on phone!).
Why does EaseUS not see the phone's internal memory?
Method 5: Recovery from a memory card (microSD)
If the files were stored on a memory card, the chances of recovery are higher – since F2FS is not used for external drives, even the free utility PhotoRec (for power users) or Recuva (for beginners) will help.
How to recover data from microSD:
1. Remove the card from your phone and connect it to your PC via a card reader (not your phone!).
2. Install PhotoRec (included in the TestDisk package).
3. Run the program in administrator mode, select a memory card.
Specify the file system (FAT32 or exFAT).
5. Select a folder to save recovered files (not to the card itself!).
6. Press "Search" and wait until it is completed.
Important: PhotoRec does not save the original file names – all recovered data will be in the form of f1234567.jpg. To identify them, use thumbnail viewing (in Windows, turn on Large icons in Explorer mode).
Method 6: Recovery via TWRP (for advanced users)
If previous methods have failed, the last option is to install a custom TWRP recap and use the ADB Pull tool.
You have a bootloader unlocked.
You are prepared for the risk of loss of warranty and possible loss of data when unlocked.
The phone is not encrypted (or you know the password to decrypt).
Instructions:
1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires Xiaomi account and wait 7 days).
2. Install TWRP for Redmi Note 8 Pro (version must match your MIUI).
3. boot into TWRP, connect the phone to the PC and execute the command:
adb pull /data/media/0/ C:\Redmi_Recovery(This will copy all the data from the internal memory to the folder on the PC.)
4. Use EaseUS or R-Studio to scan the copied data.
⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 13+ When you unlock the bootloader, your internal memory (Anti-Rollback) is erased, so this method is only applicable if you have backed up before unlocking or are willing to lose current data.
adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup.abBackup.ab file can be unpacked later with Android Backup Extractor.-->
Method 7: Contact Xiaomi Service Center
If the files are critical (for example, these are the only photos from an important event), and independent attempts were unsuccessful, you can contact the authorized service center Xiaomi.
What you need to know:
Cost of the service: from 5 000 to 15 000 rubles (depending on the amount of data and complexity).
Recovery time: 3-7 days.
Not all services are taken up for this work - check in advance.
If the phone was encrypted, you'll need a password to decrypt it.
How to find the official service:
1. Go to the site. https://www.mi.com/ru/service/center/.
2 Enter your city in the search field.
3. Select a center marked "Authorized" (avoid unofficial workshops).
💡
Chip-off recovery is the only way to get data back after a full formatting or file system corruption, but it requires disassembling the phone and risks voiding the warranty.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many Redmi Note 8 Pro users make critical errors that reduce the chances of recovery to zero.
- 🔋 Continue to use your phone after deleting files. Every new photo, message or application installed can overwrite deleted data.
- 🔄 Format memory through Settings → Warehouse → Clear it. It will lead to a complete rewriting of the file table.
- 📱 Update MIUI New firmware versions can change the structure of the storage.
- 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC in Charging mode instead of File Transfer, which blocks access to memory.
- 🔒 Resetting your data in the hope of recovery will delete all data irrevocably.
If you have already made one of these mistakes, try chip-off recovery (method 7) or contact the specialists.