Losing photos on a smartphone is one of the most frustrating situations for users, especially if we are talking about the Xiaomi Redmi 5, where standard backup mechanisms are often turned off by default. Fortunately, even after deleting files do not disappear from the device’s memory instantly: they are marked as “free” and can be overwritten with new data, which means that with the right actions, the chances of recovery remain high — but only if you do not postpone the process for later.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to return deleted images on Redmi 5, from the simplest (check the Gallery basket) to advanced (use of the Remote Photos). ADB We will focus on the nuances of working with MIUI — Xiaomi’s proprietary shell, which has its own features of storing media files, and you will also learn how to avoid irretrievable data loss in the future by setting up automatic backups.
1. Checking the basket in the standard MIUI Gallery
The first thing you need to do is to look into the Gallery app shopping cart, where in MIUI, deleted photos are not erased immediately, but are placed in a temporary storage facility where they stay for up to 30 days (the default setting), which works if you delete them in the standard way (via the gallery interface or file manager).
How to check:
- 📱 Open the Gallery app on your Redmi 5.
- 🗑️ Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select Cart (or Recently Deleted in Newer Versions) MIUI).
- 🔍 View the list of files: the desired photos can be restored by clicking on them and selecting Restore.
- ⏳ Pay attention to the shelf life: if more than a month has passed since the removal, the basket could be cleaned automatically.
An important nuance: if you have used third-party applications to delete (for example, Files by Google or ES Explorer), their baskets work separately.
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If you don't have the photos in the cart, but you remember the date you deleted them, try sorting the files by time. In MIUI, this is done by swiping down in the Recycle Bin section and selecting the option "By Deletion Date".
2. Recovery via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)
If your Redmi 5 has been enabled to sync with Mi Cloud, the chances of photos being returned are greatly increased. Xiaomi's cloud automatically saves copies of media files (provided the feature is activated in the settings).
Instructions for verification:
- 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in to the same Mi Account that is linked to your phone.
- 📁 In the Gallery section, check the Camera, Screenshots and Mi Cloud folders.
- 🔄 If you have the right photos, download them back to your device or PC.
- ⚠️ Note: the free version of Mi Cloud stores a limited number of files (usually up to 5 GB.
Critical detail: if you have deleted photos from the cloud (for example, through a web interface), it will be impossible to restore them - Mi Cloud does not have a "basket" function for cloud files.
3. Connect to a PC and scan memory
If the photos are not found in the cart and cloud, the next step is to connect Redmi 5 to the computer and scan the internal memory using specialized programs.This method is effective if the files were deleted without using the recycle bin (for example, through a file manager or rm command in ADB).
For scanning, utilities are suitable:
- 🛠️ Recuva (free, easy for beginners)
- 💾 DiskDigger (there is an Android version, but it is better to use the PC version)
- 🔍 EaseUS Data Recovery (paid but with high recovery percentage)
- 📱 Dr.Fone (specializes in mobile devices)
Step-by-step instructions for Recuva:
- Download and install the program on PC.
- Connect Redmi 5 to USB in File Transfer (MTP) mode (select this mode in the phone notification curtain).
- Start Recuva, select the type of Image files and specify your smartphone drive.
- Start scanning. Once you're done, mark the photos and click Restore.
Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings
Use the original USB-cable
Disable screen locking during scanning
Do not connect other devices to the same port-->
⚠️ Warning: Never save recovered files back to Redmi 5, which can overwrite the remaining "undeleted" data.
4.Using ADB for deep scanning
If standard methods don’t work, you can try low-level scanning through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires technical skills, but allows you to find files that are not visible through conventional utilities, and is especially relevant if the photos were deleted long ago and have already been partially overwritten.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
- 📱 Included Debugging by USB Redmi 5 (path: Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Developer settings → Debugging by USB).
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
Scan commands:
adb shell
su
cd /data/media/0/DCIM/
ls -laIf the DCIM folder is empty, try searching the entire section:
find /data/media/0 -name ".jpg" -o -name ".png"⚠️ Attention: Su commands require root rights, which Redmi 5 can only be obtained through unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom Recovery.This is a risky procedure that can lead to loss of warranty or “bricking” the device. Without root, access to system partitions will be limited.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
5.Recovery through MIUI backups
MIUI has a built-in local backup feature that can save copies of photos even if you haven't used the cloud.These backups are created automatically when you update the system or manually through the Settings menu → Additional → Backup and Reset.
How to restore:
- Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backups.
- Check the backup list. Look for the date before the photo was deleted.
- Select a backup and click Restore. Note that this can overwrite current data (contacts, messages, etc.).
- After recovery, check the DCIM/Backup folder through the file manager.
Limitations of the method:
- ❌ Bekap MIUI They don’t always include media files, depending on your settings.
- ❌ Recovery is possible only in its entirety, not selectively.
- ❌ If the backup was created after the photo was deleted, it is useless.
6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center
If all of these methods did not help, and photos are critically important (for example, they are the only copies of documents or memorable pictures), you should consider contacting the official Xiaomi service center.
- 🔧 Physical memory damage (for example, after a phone drop).
- 🗃️ Delete files with subsequent overwriting.
- 🔒 Loss of access due to resetting settings or firmware.
What you need to know before your visit:
| Parameter | Details. |
|---|---|
| Cost | From 3 000 to 10 000 rubles (depending on the complexity) |
| Timeline | 1 to 5 working days |
| Guaranteeing success | 50-80% (depending on the degree of data overwriting) |
| Documents required | Passport, purchase check (if any) |
| Risks. | Complete data loss is possible if a failed recovery is |
⚠️ Note: Not all service centers work with data recovery – check this by phone before visiting. Also avoid “handicraft” workshops: unqualified actions can irrevocably damage the memory of a smartphone.
7. How to prevent future photo loss
To avoid the problem of losing photos, set up automatic backup on Redmi 5.
- ☁️ Mi Cloud: Enable Gallery Sync in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Gallery. Free available 5GB, but you can buy more space.
- 📷 Google Photos: Install the app and activate Backup and Sync. 15GB is free (common with other Google services).
- 💽 Local Copies: Regularly transfer photos to your PC or external drive via MTP or FTP-server (for example, using Solid Explorer).
- 🔄 PC Sync: Use programs like Syncthing or Resilio Sync to automatically copy photos to your computer over Wi-Fi.
Additional precautions:
- 🚫 Avoid using garbage cleanup features in third-party apps – they can delete media files.
- 🔋 Watch the battery: if the phone turns off while transferring photos, files may get damaged.
- 📵 Don't take it out. SD-card (if any) when writing or reading data.
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The most reliable option is a combination of cloud redundancy (Google Photos or Mi Cloud) + local backup on your PC, which will protect your photos even if your phone breaks or resets.