Recover deleted photos on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: from the cart to deep scanning

Deleted important photos from Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 and you don't know how to return them? This situation is familiar to many: accidentally clicking, resetting or an error when transferring files - and the pictures disappear. Fortunately, even on older Xiaomi models (and the Redmi Note 4 was released in 2017), there are several ways to restore, the main thing is to act quickly before deleted data is overwritten with new files.

In this article, we will discuss 6 We're going to use proven methods, from just checking the basket to using professional utilities, and we're going to focus on the nuances of the cart. MIUI (It's a Xiaomi shell, because the standard Android instructions don't always work here. For example, you'll learn why on the Redmi Note. 4 folder not displayed DCIM/.thumbnails How to get around restrictions MIUI 8/9 when connected to a PC.

Important: the recovery rate depends on how long it has been since you deleted it and whether you've used your phone since then, and if you've already taken new photos or installed apps, the chances of getting old ones back are lower. Let's get started!

1.A check of the basket at MIUI Gallery

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 with MIUI 8/9/10 has a built-in cart where photos are stored 30 days after being deleted, but many users don’t know where to look, especially if they use third-party galleries (like Google Photos).

To find the basket:

• 📱 Open the standard Gallery app (icon with colored rhombus).
• 🔍 Click on three dots in the upper right corner → pick the basket.
• 🗑️ Check the list of deleted files. If you have a photo, highlight it, click Restore.

Problem: some versions of MIUI have a cart hidden, and if it's not on the menu, try:

1. Install an update for the Gallery app through the Play Store.
2. Use a file manager (e.g. Mi File Explorer) and manually navigate the path: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/recyclebin/ Recurring photos can be stored here.

⚠️ Note: If you were manually cleaning the cart or using features like Memory Optimization in the Recycle Bin MIUI, The files could have been deleted permanently.

2. Recovery via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

If your Redmi Note 4 has been enabled to sync with Mi Cloud, chances are high. Xiaomi automatically backs up photos, but only if:

• 🔄 In the settings of the Mi Account, the option of Synchronization of the gallery was activated.
• 📶 The phone connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data) after the photo was deleted.
• 💾 There was enough space on the cloud (free 5GB).

How to check and restore:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select Gallery → check the list of synchronized photos.
3. If you have the right pictures, click on them → Download or Restore.

Nuance for Redmi Note 4: older versions of MIUI may have been insecure. If the photo isn't in the cloud, but you're sure the sync was on, try:

• 🌐 Go to the web version of Mi Cloud from PC – sometimes there are files that are not in the mobile application.
• 🔄 Manually update data: in Mi Cloud on your phone, pull the screen down for an update.

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If you don't remember if sync was enabled, check traffic consumption: go to Settings → Data Transfer → Traffic Use and find the Mi Cloud app. If there's activity there, chances are the photos are synced.

3. Connect to a PC and search for hidden files

If the cart and the cloud didn't work, connect the Redmi Note 4 to your computer. On Xiaomi with MIUI, there's a feature: some deleted photos can stay in hidden folders or cache. Here's how to find them:

Step 1: Configure the connection:

• 📱 Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔌 On the phone, select File Transfer Mode (MTP) (notice will appear in the curtain).
• 🖥️ On PC, open this computer. → Find the Redmi Note 4 device.

Step 2: Search for deleted photos:

Use Windows (Win + F) or manually navigate these paths:

A critical nuance: on the Redmi Note 4, the.thumbnails folder can be hidden even when the hidden files are displayed on, and to see it, manually enter the path into the address bar of the explorer.

⚠️ Warning: Do not copy new files to your phone while searching! This can overwrite the memory sectors where deleted photos are stored. Use another drive to save recovered data.

4. Deep scanning programs (without root)

If previous methods did not work, you will need specialized utilities. For Redmi Note 4, programs that do not work root (as getting root rights on this device is fraught with firmware problems) are suitable.

• 🔍 DiskDigger — scans internal memory and microSD card, restores the photo in its original quality.
• 📷 PhotoRec (for PC) – a powerful utility with support FAT32/exFAT (file system formats of Redmi Note 4). Works through ADB.
• 🖥️ EaseUS MobiSaver is a paid but free trial. Supports recovery from damaged partitions.

Instructions for DiskDigger (on the phone):

Start a simple search (without root)

Check JPG, PNG, HEIC

Click Next and wait for the scan to be completed.

Select the right photos → Restore (save to PC or cloud)

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Instructions for PhotoRec (on PC):

This program requires you to connect your phone in PTP mode (to transfer photos) and work through ADB. If you are not familiar with ADB, use DiskDigger - it is easier.

1. Download PhotoRec and unpack it on PC.
2. Connect Redmi Note 4 to your PC, enable Debugging via USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to activate Developer Mode).
3. Launch it. photorec_win.exe, Select the phone disk and file system format (FAT/exFAT).
4. Specify the folder to save the recovered files (not on the phone!).

5. Recovery from a microSD card

If the photos were stored on a microSD card, the chances of recovery are higher - the memory of the cards is overwritten less often than the internal drive. For Redmi Note 4, the same programs (DiskDigger, PhotoRec) will work, but there are specialized tools:

• 💾 Recuva – a free utility for Windows with support SD-You can download the maps on the official website.
• 📱 SD Card Recovery – a mobile application for scanning cards directly from your phone.

Important for the Redmi Note 4, this smartphone supports microSD cards up to 128 GB of FAT32. If your card is formatted in exFAT or NTFS, some programs may not see it correctly.

1. Connect the card to the PC through the card reader.
2. Use PhotoRec or TestDisk (they work with any fileymi system).
3. If the card is defined as "damaged," don't format it! try to recover data via chkdsk in the Windows command prompt: chkdsk E: /f (replace E: with the letter of your drive).

⚠️ Note: If the microSD card was used in other devices after the photo was deleted (for example, in a camera or other phone), the chances of recovery drop sharply.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all independent methods did not work, and the photos are critical (for example, these are the only pictures from an important event), you can contact the official Xiaomi service center.

• 💰 The cost of data recovery starts from 3 000-5 000 rubles (depending on the complexity of the).
• ⏳ Timeframes: 3 to 10 days.
• 🔒 The guarantee of success is not 100%. If the data has been overwritten, even the experts will not be able to return it.

What to do before visiting the service:

1. Do not use your phone to take new photos or videos.
2. Do not install MIUI updates (this can overwrite system partitions).
3. Make a list of lost files (dates, approximate content) – this will speed up the search.

The addresses of official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service. Check by phone before visiting whether they are engaged in data recovery – not all centers provide this service.

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Self-recovery is effective in the first 72 hours after deleting. The longer you wait, the higher the risk of overwriting. If the photos are valuable, start acting right away!

FAQ: Frequent questions about photo recovery on Redmi Note 4