Accidental deletion of important images on a Xiaomi smartphone is a stressful situation familiar to many users. In a panic, it is easy to make a mistake that will finally destroy data, so you need to act in a cold blooded and consistent manner. Modern shells MIUI and HyperOS have built-in protection mechanisms that often allow you to return files without third-party software.
Recovery is possible only until the memory sector where the image was stored has been overwritten with new information, which is why the first rule is: immediately stop active use of the device and do not take new pictures. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of returning graphics, from simple built-in functions to complex procedures through the computer.
The effectiveness of each method depends on how long ago the photo was deleted and what sync settings were active on your gadget. We will consider both the standard Android system tools and specialized utilities for deep memory scanning.
Check the built-in basket in the Xiaomi Gallery
The fastest and most reliable way to return images is to check the system folder "Deleted". In the shells of MIUI and HyperOS, deleted files are not erased instantly, but moved to the buffer zone, where they are stored for 30 days. To access this storage, open the Gallery app and go to the tab "Albums".
Scroll down the album list, where you'll find a folder called Deleted or Recently Deleted. Inside, you can have not only photos, but also videos, screenshots. Select the files you want, click Restore, and they'll return to their original albums with the shooting date saved.
If you manually cleaned the cart or it has been more than a month since you deleted it, this method, unfortunately, will not help, but it is also worth considering that the volume of this folder is limited, and when you overflow old files can be deleted automatically, even if 30 days have not yet passed.
- 📸 Open the Gallery app on the home screen.
- 📂 Go to the "Albums" tab and scroll down the list.
- ♻️ Find the Remote folder and select the desired images.
- ⬆️ Click the Recover button to return files.
Recovery through Mi Cloud Service
Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often neglect to set up a Mi Account, and in vain.The company's cloud service has an automatic gallery sync feature that backs up images on servers. Even if a file is deleted from the phone, a copy of it can be stored in the cloud for up to 60 days after deletion.
To check, log in to your phone's settings, select your Mi Account and go to the Cloud section. Make sure gallery sync is enabled. If yes, visit the web version of the service at i.mi.com, log in and check the Gallery -> Deleted section.
⚠️ Attention: Extended Cloud may be a fee. If your storage is crowded, new photos may not be synced, so check the date of the last backup.
The Mi Cloud web interface allows you to not only view, but also massively recover files. Select the necessary pictures and use the recovery command, and then they will automatically appear in the gallery of the smartphone with an Internet connection.
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Enable the Memory Cleanup feature in the Mi Cloud settings so that the original photos are deleted from the phone after successful synchronization, freeing up space but remaining available in the cloud.
Using Google Photos to return data
Most Xiaomi smartphones use Google Photos as their default image viewing app, and this service has its own shopping cart that works independently of the MIUI system gallery. Deleted files are also stored for 30 days, and up to 60 days for Google One subscribers.
Open the Google Photos app, click on the profile avatar in the top right corner and select Recycle Bin. This shows all deleted media synced with your Google account. Select a photo, click on three dots in the corner, and select Restore.
It is important to understand the difference: if a photo was removed from Google Photos without first synchronizing (for example, when Wi-Fi is turned off), then there may be no copy of it in the cloud, in which case it is worth checking the local folder of the device through the file manager, although the chances of finding “sincere” files there are slim.
| Parameter | Mi Cloud | Google Photo | System basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage period | 30 days | 30-60 days | 30 days |
| Network dependency | Required. | Required. | Not required |
| Storage volume | 5GB (free) | 15 GB (total) | Depends on the phone's memory. |
| Album restoration | Yes. | Yes. | Partially. |
Analysis of backup folders in the file manager
Some apps, like WhatsApp, Telegram, or social media editors, create their own backups of media files, and if you delete a photo from a gallery, but it came or was sent through a messenger, a copy of it may lie in hidden system folders.
Using a built-in Explorer or a third-party file manager (such as MI File Manager), go to the root directory. You are interested in Android/media or DCIM folders. Look for directories with application names, such as com.whatsapp or com.tencent.mm (WeChat).
Inside these folders, often there are Images or Media subfolders, where all the files you receive and send are stored. Sort the files by the date of the change to find the image you want, a method that is particularly effective for returning screenshots and images from social networks.
Where to find hidden Telegram folders?
Professional Recovery through Computer (PC)
When the standard methods don't work, the software comes to the rescue for the PC (PC-version) or Tenorshare UltData are capable of deep memory scanning, most of which require on-set debugging mode. USB.
To activate debugging, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on MIUI Version to become a developer. Then, in the Advanced Settings menu, turn on Debugging on USB. Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable and start scanning in your selected program.
⚠️ Note: For deep root-free recovery, the software is limited. Full scanning often requires superuser rights, which can void the warranty.
The scanning process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of memory, and after the analysis is complete, the program will show you a list of the files found, tick the photos you want, and click the Restore button, indicating the way to save on your computer's hard drive.
☑️ Preparing for recovery via PC
Prevention of data loss and setting up autosave
The best way to combat data loss is to back it up regularly, set up automatic sync in Mi Cloud or Google Photos so that each new image instantly goes to the cloud, and this will protect you even in the event of a physical breakdown or loss of your smartphone.
It is also recommended to periodically make full copies of the system to an external hard drive or computer. MIUI has a built-in tool called Backup and Restore, which allows you to save all data, including settings and applications.
Remember to check the available space in the cloud storage. If the limit is exhausted, sync will stop, and new photos will remain only in the memory of the phone, at risk. Regular cleaning of the cloud from unnecessary video will ensure continuous protection of your photo gallery.
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Automatic synchronization to two different clouds (e.g. Mi Cloud + Google Photos) creates a reliable redundance copy, reducing the risk of data loss to zero.
Data recovery is a process that depends on how fast you react, and the fewer actions you take on your phone after you delete, the better the chances of success, and use these methods in a complex way, from the simplest to the simplest, and you can save your memories.