Recovery of deleted photos on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: from the cart to deep scanning

Delete important photos from Xiaomi Redmi 4X and don't know how to get them back? Don't panic - even if the pictures disappeared from the gallery, they can still be stored in the device's memory. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven recovery methods, including built-in MIUI tools, third-party applications and methods for experienced root-right users.

Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) uses hybrid memory (eMMC 5.1), which does not erase files instantly, but only marks them as rewritten, meaning that with the right actions, the chances of recovery are up to 80% in the first 24 hours, the main thing is not to write new data to the device and do not reset settings.

We will look at solutions for different scenarios:

• 🗑️ Photos recently removed (in the cart) MIUI)
• 📱 The deleted photos were stored in internal memory.
• 💾 The files were on SD-map
• 🔧 Deep scanning is required (for old removals)
• 🛠️ Recovery with PC (if the phone is not turned on)

The earlier you start the process, the more likely you are to succeed, and if the photos were deleted more than 30 days ago and new files were being recorded on the phone, the odds are dramatically reduced - the data could have been overwritten.

1.Basket check in MIUI: the first step to recovery

The Xiaomi Redmi 4X on MIUI 8-12 firmware automatically sends deleted photos to the cart, where they are stored for 30 days (by default), a section that is often overlooked, although it solves the problem 60% of the time.

To check the basket:

1. Open the Gallery app (an icon with a floral logo).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) top-left.
3. Select Recycle Bin (or recently deleted in new MIUI versions).
4. Find the right photos, click on them and select Restore.

If the cart is empty or there are no photos, go to the next method. Note: in MIUI 13+, the cart may be turned off - check the settings of the gallery (Settings → Recycle cart → Enable).

⚠️ Note: In some of the firmware Redmi 4X (There is no cart, especially custom carts. If you use a third-party gallery (like Google Photos), check the cart separately.

2. Restore via Google Photos (if synchronized)

If your Redmi 4X was enabled to sync with Google Photos, the deleted images could be saved to the cloud, which works even if the photos were erased months ago — Google stores them in the Recycle Bin for up to 60 days.

Instructions:

• 🌐 Open your browser on your PC or phone and go to photos.google.com.
• 🔍 In the menu on the left, select the basket.
• 📷 Find the right photos, highlight them and click Restore.
• 📲 If you restore to your phone, wait until the sync is complete (may take up to an hour).

If the Google Photos Recycle Bin is empty, try searching by date or keyword (e.g. beach 2023). also check the Archive folder - sometimes users accidentally archive files instead of deleting them.

⚠️ Note: If you used the Free Space feature in Google Photos, local copies of the photos were deleted from your phone, but the originals remained in the cloud (if there was enough storage.

3. Programs for recovery without root: DiskDigger and analogues

If the photos are not in the cart and not in the cloud, it is time to use specialized utilities. For Xiaomi Redmi 4X without root rights suitable:

• 📱 DiskDigger (free version scans only thumbnails, full version – full-size photos).
• 🔍 Dumpster (works as an extended recycle bin, but must be installed before file deletion is done).
• 📂 EaseUS MobiSaver (paid but with free trial scan).

Let’s look at the example of DiskDigger:

1. Download the app from Google Play (or APK from the official site if the Play Market isn't available).
2. Start and select Start a simple scan (for photos, this is enough).
3. Mark the file types: JPG, PNG, HEIC (if any).
4. Wait until the scan is finished (it can take 10–40 minutes depending on the amount of memory).
5. Select the photos found and click Restore by selecting the save on SD-map.

Important: Don't save the recovered files to the phone's internal memory, which can overwrite the data that hasn't been scanned yet. SD-map.

The alternative is EaseUS MobiSaver, which supports recovery from Redmi 4X even after resetting (unless the data has been overwritten).

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If DiskDigger doesn’t find a photo, try disabling memory optimization in the MIUI settings: go to Settings → About Phone → Memory → Settings → Disabling Memory Optimization. This will temporarily suspend cache clearing.

4. Deep scanning with root rights: maximum odds

If the photos were deleted long ago or standard methods did not help, deep scanning using root rights will be required, which gives access to system partitions where fragments of files can be saved. 4X fit:

• 🛠️ Undeleter Recover Files & Data (Scanning Raw Partitions).
• 🔧 GT Recovery (specializes in media files).
• 📊 PhotoRec (console utility for PC, works through ADB).

Instructions for Undeleter:

1. Get root rights to Redmi 4X (for example, via Magisk or SuperSU).
2. Install Undeleter from Play Market.
3. Select the Deep Scan mode and specify the /data partition (where user memory is stored).
4. Wait until it is completed (may take a few hours).
5. Save the files found on SD-card.

For power users: If Redmi 4X is not enabled but fastboot is available, you can extract the memory image using ADB and scan it on your PC:

adb pull /dev/block/mmcblk0 mmcblk0.img


photorec mmcblk0.img

This method requires knowledge of working with the command line and risks damaging data if you do not act correctly.

⚠️ Attention: Deep scanning with root can lead to loss of warranty (if the device is warranty) and unstable system operation in case of errors. TWRP beforehand.

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Root rights increase the chances of recovery by up to 90%, but require technical skills, and if you are not sure, consult a specialist or use methods without root.

5. Recovery from SD-card: features and programs

If the photos are stored on SD-The card, the recovery process is easier — the card can be extracted and connected to the PC. 4X (which supports microSD up to 256 GB:

• 💻 Recuva (free, simple interface).
• 🖥️ R-Studio (paid but with free demo for scanning).
• 📁 TestDisk (for power users, works with damaged partitions).

Step-by-step instructions for Recuva:

1. Extract. SD-card from your phone and connect it to your PC via card reader.
2. Download and install Recuva from the official website (avoid pirated versions!).
3. Start the program, select the type of image files.
4. Specify the letter of your disk. SD-maps and start scanning.
5. After completion, mark the files you want and click Restore by selecting the folder on your hard drive (not SD!).

If SD-The card is not defined or gives errors, try it:

• 🔌 Connect via another card reader (sometimes a problem in contacts).
• 🔄 Format the map (only if it doesn’t have important data on it!) and repeat the scan.
• 🛠️ Use TestDisk to restore partition (instruction: testdisk) /dev/sdX, where sdX is your card).

If SD-The card was used by Redmi. 4X As internal memory (Adoptable Storage feature in Android 7.1), it is impossible to extract it without losing data. In this case, restore files directly from the phone, as described in sections 3-4.

6.If nothing has worked: professional services and extreme measures

When all independent methods are exhausted, two options remain:

1. Contact a service center (e.g. Xiaomi Authorized Service) Data recovery cost on Redmi 4X — 3,000 to 10,000. ₽, Services use professional equipment (e.g., services, PC-3000), which reads data directly from memory chips.
2. Use the data recovery laboratory (e.g, HDD Recovery or Data Recovery. It's more expensive (from 15,000) ₽), But the odds are higher, up to 99% even after formatting.

Before contacting the service:

• 📋 Make a list of lost files (dates, names, approximate size).
• 🔋 Make sure the phone is charged (if it is switched on).
• 📦 Do not try to disassemble the device yourself – this can lead to irreversible data loss.

The extreme case is chip-off recovery (removing the memory chip and reading data through a programmer), a method used when the phone is not turned on but costs from 20,000. ₽ It requires specialized equipment.

⚠️ Be careful with handicraft services that offer recovery costs between 500 and 1000 ₽. Often, these "masters" use the same software as you (like DiskDigger), but charge money in 10 minutes!

FAQ: Frequent questions about photo recovery on Redmi 4X