How to recover deleted photos on Xiaomi Redmi 5: from the cart to deep scanning

You're not alone: Statistically, one in three smartphone users has lost data at least once due to accidental deletion, resetting or system failure. Fortunately, even the budget Redmi 5 (released in 2017) has several ways to recover, from standard MIUI features to professional utilities.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods, including MIUI Recycle Bin, cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Photos), PC connection and specialized programs like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances of working with internal memory Redmi 5, where, due to the features of the F2FS file system, the chances of success depend on the speed of your actions.

Importantly, the less you use your phone after you delete your photo (don't take new pictures, don't install apps), the more likely you are to recover it.

1.Check the basket at MIUI Gallery

The standard Gallery app on Xiaomi Redmi 5 (as on other MIUI smartphones) has a built-in shopping cart where photos are stored 30 days after being deleted.

How to check:

• 📱 Open the Gallery app (icon with multi-colored squares).
• 🗑️ Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → pick the basket.
• 🔍 View the list of deleted files. Photos deleted less than a month ago will be marked with a date.
• 🔄 Select the desired pictures (long press) → press Restore.

If the cart is empty or there is no photo, go to the next method. Note: the cart is cleaned automatically if there is not enough space on the device or after manual cleaning through Settings → Storage.

2. Recovery via Mi Cloud (if synchronized)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s cloud storage that automatically backs up photos if the feature is enabled. On Redmi 5, it is activated by default when the device is first set up, but many users turn it off to save space.

How to check for backup copies:

• 🌐 Go to i.mi.com from any device and log in with the same Mi Account as you do on your phone.
• 🖼️ In the Gallery or Backups section, find the folder with the date preceding the photo deletion.
• 📥 Select the files you need. → Then click on the slate (they will be saved). ZIP-archive).

If the photo is not in the cloud, check the sync settings on your phone:

1. Open your Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud
2. Make sure that the gallery synchronization slider is active.
3. Look at the date of the last sync – if it is older than the date of the photo deletion, the method will not work.

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If Mi Cloud wasn’t used, check Google Photos (if installed), which can automatically back up even if you don’t remember it.

3. Connect to a PC and search through Windows Explorer

Sometimes deleted files remain in the phone's memory but become hidden, and can be found by connecting Redmi 5 to a computer in data transfer mode (MTP), a method that works if the photos were deleted without using the recycle bin (for example, through a file manager).

Instructions:

1. 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (original or qualitative analogue).
2. 📱 On the phone screen, select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
3. 🖥️ On the computer, open the Explorer (Win) + E) → Find the Redmi 5 device in this computer section.
4. 🔍 Go to the Internal Storage folder → DCIM → Camera (or Pictures).
5. 👁️ Enable the display of hidden files: View → Hidden Items (Tick) Look for files with the.jpg or.png extension that have a name in their name REC or THUMB.

If files are found, copy them to your computer. Don't move them back to your phone, which can lead to repeated loss.

4.Use of specialized recovery programs

If previous methods have not worked, it is time to turn to professional utilities. For Xiaomi Redmi 5, programs that support the F2FS file system (used on many Xiaomi devices) are suitable.

We recommend starting with DiskDigger, which is free and does not require root permissions to scan.

• 📱 Install DiskDigger from Google Play.
• 🔍 Run the program. → Select a full scan (may take 10 to 30 minutes).
• 🖼️ After scanning, tick the necessary photos. → press Restore.
• 💾 Save files to SD-map or cloud (not internal memory!).

⚠️ Warning: Don't install recovery software on the same memory that you deleted the photo from! This reduces your chances of success. Use SD-card.

5. Recovery through ADB (for power users)

If Redmi 5 has USB debugging enabled, you can try extracting files via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires command line skills, but sometimes saves you when other methods are powerless.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm debugging permission on the Redmi 5 screen.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the commands in order: adb devices (should display your device) adb shell su cd /sdcard/DCIM/Camera ls -la Look for files with the.jpg or.png extension, even if they are marked as deleted.
4. Copy files to your PC: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/photo.jpg C:\Restore\ (replace photo.jpg with your file name).

⚠️ Note: This method only works if the files are not overwritten with new data. If you have taken a video or installed applications after deleting the photo, the chances are minimal.

USB debugging enabled

Installed ADB-PC-driver

There's original. USB-cable

The phone is charged at least 50%

Backup of important data (in case of failure)-->

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If the photos are critically important (for example, these are the only pictures from an important event), and independent attempts were unsuccessful, you should contact an authorized Xiaomi service center.

What you need to know:

• 💰 Cost of service: from 3 000 to 10 000 rubles (depending on the complexity of the service).
• ⏳ Timeframe: 1-5 working days.
• 📄 Documents: passport and telephone check (if any).
• 🔒 Privacy: Check whether your data will be available to third parties.

The addresses of the service centers can be found on the official website of Xiaomi.

• 📞 Call and check if they are engaged in data recovery (not all centers provide this service).
• 📌 Don’t talk about self-recovery attempts – it can make it harder for professionals to work.

7.Prevention: How to avoid loss of photos in the future

The best way to combat data loss is prevention. The Xiaomi Redmi 5 has some built-in tools to help avoid repeat incidents:

• ☁️ Automatic sync: Backup in Mi Cloud or Google Photos. Even 5GB of free space is enough for the most important photos.
• 📁 Backups to PC: Once a month, connect your phone to your computer and copy your folder DCIM hard-drive.
• 🔄 Use it. SD-Map: Redmi 5 supports cards up to 256 GB. Save the photo immediately to an external drive - so they will not disappear when resetting the phone.
• 🔒 Blocking the basket: In some versions MIUI You can turn off the cart autocleaner. Go to the Gallery Settings for that. → Basket → Auto Clean and Deactivate the Function.

It is also worth installing applications for automatic backup, for example:

• 📱 Simple Gallery – has an extended basket and export function.
• 🖼️ Resilio Sync – Syncs photos between devices without cloud.

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Even if you have restored the photos, back them up to 2-3 different media (cloud, PC) immediately, SD-This will protect you from being lost again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photo recovery on Redmi 5