Deleting important files from a Xiaomi smartphone is a familiar situation. Vacation photos, work documents, or videos from memorable events can disappear in one click: a random tap, a system failure, or even a virus. Fortunately, owners of Redmi, POCO, and Mi have several ways to recover lost data, from standard MIUI features to professional utilities.
In this article, we will discuss all the current recovery methods, including working with the MIUI basket, cloud services Xiaomi Cloud and Google Photos, as well as the use of third-party programs like DiskDigger or Recuva. Special attention will be paid to the technical nuances: when recovery is possible, and when files are deleted irrevocably. If you act quickly, the chances of returning data are maximum!
⚠️ Critical warning: After deleting files, do not write new data to the device (do not install programs, do not take photos, do not download files). Each new record reduces the chances of recovery, since the system can overwrite the memory sectors where the deleted data was stored.
Before you start, check if your Xiaomi has automatic backup enabled. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup. If you have recently created a backup, you can recover files directly from the cloud without any further manipulation.
1. Recovery from the MIUI Recycle Bin (for files deleted less than 30 days ago)
The standard File Manager application in MIUI 12 and later has a built-in recycle bin that allows deleted files to go into the same bin as a PC, but with a limited shelf life of 30 days, and then the data is deleted permanently.
To recover files:
- Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
- In the bottom menu, tap on the basket (dumpster icon).
- Select the desired files with a long tap or tick.
- Click Restore at the bottom of the screen.
⚠️ Attention: Basket in MIUI It only works for files deleted through a standard file manager. → Storage or third-party applications (such as Clean Master), files do not fall into the basket.
Also, keep in mind that the Recycle Bin does not back up files from a memory card (microSD).
Make sure that no more than 30 days have passed since the removal
Check only the built-in file manager (not third-party)
Do not clean the basket manually until recovery
Search files by date of deletion (sorting in the basket)-->
2. Cloud services: Xiaomi Cloud and Google Photos
If your Xiaomi has cloud sync enabled, the chances of file returns are much higher. The two main services, Xiaomi Cloud and Google Photos, automatically save copies of photos, videos and documents.
Recovery through Xiaomi Cloud:
Recovery via Google Photos:
- 🌐 Go to the Google Photos app or photos.google.com.
⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi Cloud provides 5GB of free storage by default.If you haven't expanded it, old files can be automatically deleted when you exceed the limit. → Settings → Automatic synchronization.
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If you don't remember if sync was enabled, check the DCIM/.thumbnails folder in the file manager. Having thumbnails often means the originals could have been uploaded to the cloud.
3. PC Recovery: DiskDigger and Recuva
If the files are not found in the cart or cloud, you will have to connect Xiaomi to your computer and use specialized utilities, two of the most effective tools are DiskDigger (for Android) and Recuva (for memory cards).
Instructions for DiskDigger (without root rights):
- 📥 Download DiskDigger from the official website or Google Play.
Instructions for Recuva (for microSD):
⚠️ Critical: Programs like DiskDigger without root rights only see a limited set of files. Full scanning will require unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk, which will void the warranty.
What is a deep scan?
4. Recovery through ADB (for power users)
If standard methods don’t work, try extracting files via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that requires command line skills and is suitable for users familiar with technical nuances.
Step-by-step:
- 🔧 Enable developer mode on Xiaomi: go to Settings → About the phone and 7 times tap on the version MIUI.
- 🔗 Back to Settings → Additional settings → For developers and activate debugging by USB.
- 🖥️ Connect your smartphone to your PC, install drivers ADB (For example, through Mi. PC Suite).
- 📌 Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) and enter adb shell su cd /sdcard/ ls -la This will show you a list of files in the internal memory. To copy them to a PC, use: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Backup\
⚠️ Attention: Su commands require root rights. Without them, you can only view available user files. Misuse ADB It could cause system failures!
If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to consult a specialist or use more secure methods (for example, cloud recovery).
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ADB is a powerful tool, but it's dangerous. Team errors can lead to data loss or firmware failure, and only use it if other methods have failed.
5. Recovery after reset to factory settings
Factory reset (Settings → Phone → Settings Reset) is the last resort, after which files are deleted from the device.
- 🔄 Backups were enabled in Mi Cloud or Google Account.
- 💾 The files were stored on a memory card (it can be scanned on a PC).
- 🔧 You have a backup through TWRP (customization).
How to recover after resetting:
- Log in to the same Xiaomi/Google account as before the reset.
- Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Restore.
- Select the last backup and wait for the process to be completed.
If you don't have a backup, you only have to scan your memory through your PC (see Section 3). Note that after a reset, the system can overwrite some of the deleted data, so act as quickly as possible.
⚠️ Important: If the reset was made due to a virus or firmware failure, do not restore data to the same device without first checking for malware.
6.When recovery is not possible: signs of irretrievable loss
Unfortunately, not all files can be returned, but here are the signs that the data is lost forever:
- ⏳ It has been more than 30 days since the removal (for the cart) MIUI) 60 days (for Google Photos).
- 🔄 A large number of new files are written to the device (rewriting memory sectors).
- 🗃️ Files deleted from the encrypted partition (for example, after being reset via Fastboot).
- 💥 The device suffered physical damage (fall, water, overheating).
If none of these methods work, the last chance is to contact Xiaomi’s service center, where specialists can extract data using professional equipment (such as the chip-off method), but it is expensive and does not guarantee 100% results.
⚠️ Last tip: To avoid data loss in the future, set up automatic backups in Mi Cloud and Google Photos, and save important files periodically to an external drive or PC.
Comparison of recovery methods
| Method | Difficulty | Time. | Efficiency | PC required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI basket | ⭐ (simple) | 2-5 minutes | High (if <30 days) | No. |
| Xiaomi Cloud | ⭐⭐ | 5-15 minutes | Medium (depending on backup) | No. |
| DiskDigger (without root) | ⭐⭐⭐ | 20-60 minutes. | Low (restricted access) | Yes. |
| Recuva (for microSD) | ⭐⭐ | 30-90 minutes. | High (for memory cards) | Yes. |
| ADB | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 10-30 minutes. | Medium (only for available files) | Yes. |