Losing photos on a Xiaomi smartphone is a familiar situation. A single careless tap, system failure, or even a banal memory shortage can lead to the disappearance of valuable images. Fortunately, owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi devices have several ways to recover lost files, from standard MIUI functions to specialized utilities.
In this article, we will discuss 7 proven recovery methods, taking into account the features of Xiaomi firmware: from checking the Recycle Bin and cloud storage Mi Cloud to using PCs and programs like DiskDigger or Recuva. We will pay special attention to nuances that are often missed in general instructions, for example, how to circumvent encryption restrictions. MIUI What to do if the phone is not detected by the computer.
Important: recovery effectiveness depends on how long it has been since you deleted it and whether your phone has been used to take new photos/video, and the faster you take action, the better the chances of success.
1. Checking the basket in the Xiaomi Gallery
Modern versions of MIUI (starting with MIUI 12) automatically send deleted photos to the Recycle Bin, where they are stored for 30 days before being erased, the first and easiest way to return the photos.
How to check:
- 📱 Open the standard Gallery app (icon with colored squares).
- 🗑️ In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) → pick the basket.
- 🔍 View the list of files: deleted photos will be marked with the date of deletion.
- ✅ Select the desired pictures (long press) → press Restore.
If the basket is empty or not on the menu, it means:
- 🚫 The photo was deleted a long time ago (more than 30 days ago).
- 🔧 In the settings of the gallery disabled the function of the basket (see the next paragraph).
- 📲 You have an outdated version. MIUI (before MIUI 12).
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Xiaomi with custom firmware (like Pixel Experience) may not have a basket, in which case skip this step and go to the cloud or PC.
⚠️ Warning: If you have manually cleaned the Recycle Bin or used features such as Memory Optimization in Settings → Memory, photos could be deleted irretrievably.
2. Recovery via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)
The Mi Cloud cloud storage automatically syncs photos if the feature was activated, and even if you deleted the pictures from your phone, they could be saved to the cloud.
How to check:
- 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in to the same Xiaomi account as you do on your phone.
- 🖼️ In the Gallery section, check folders All photos and Recycle Bin (in the cloud it stores files up to 60 days).
- 📥 Select the right photos → Click Download or Restore on the device.
If the photo is not in the cloud:
- ☁️ Synchronization has been disabled in settings (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery).
- 📵 Deleting occurred before the cloud was turned on (for example, on a new phone).
- 💾 Cloud memory is full – old photos could be deleted automatically.
| Conditions | Chance of recovery | Action. |
|---|---|---|
| Sync enabled, photos deleted <60 days ago | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (90%) | Restore from the Recycle Bin to Mi Cloud |
| Sync enabled, photos deleted >60 days ago | ⭐ (10%) | Try a deep scan (Section 5) |
| Synced off | ⭐⭐ (30%) | Use a PC or program (sections 3–4) |
3. Connect to a PC and search for hidden files
If the photo is not in the Recycle Bin or in the cloud, the next step is to connect the phone to your computer and check hidden folders. MIUI sometimes saves thumbnails or backups in non-obvious directories.
Instructions for Windows/macOS:
- 🔌 Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB-Cable (use the original cable for stability).
- 📂 On the phone, select File Transfer mode (notification will appear in the curtain).
- 🖥️ On PC, open This Computer (Xiaomi will appear as a removable disk).
- 🔍 Go to folders: Internal Storage/DCIM/.thumbnails Internal Storage/Pictures/Screenshots Internal Storage/MIUI/Backup/AllBackup
- 🔎 Enable the display of hidden files: In Windows: View → Hidden elements in macOS: Finder → Key combination Cmd+Shift+.
What to look for:
- 📷 Files with the.thumb extension are thumbnails that can be converted into full-fledged photos.
- 🗃️ Date folders (e.g, 2023-10-15) — sometimes MIUI Create backup copies when updating.
- 🔄.nomedia files – can be deleted so that hidden photos can be displayed in the gallery.
Disable screen lock (PIN/pattern lock)
Enable debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press)
Use a cable that supports data transfer (not just charging)
Check that the PC installed drivers Xiaomi-->
⚠️ Note: If the phone requests permission to access files when connecting to a PC but does not appear on this computer, try: Reboot both devices. Connect via another USB-port (preferably) USB Install Mi PC Suite.
4.Use of recovery programs (without root)
If the previous methods did not work, it is time to turn to specialized programs.
- 🖥️ DiskDigger (there is a version for Android and PC).
- 🔧 Recuva (PC-only, requires connecting your phone as a storage device).
- 📱 Dumpster (Android app, works as an extended shopping cart).
Instructions for DiskDigger (Android):
- 📥 Install DiskDigger from Google Play.
- 🔍 Run the scan (select Full Scan for deep search).
- 🖼️ View the photos found: files with green checkmark can be restored for free.
- 📤 Save recovered photos to a memory card or cloud (not internal memory!).
Instructions for Recuva (PC):
- 💻 Install Recuva from the official Piriform website.
- 🔌 Connect Xiaomi to PC in File Transfer mode.
- 🔍 In Recuva, select the type of Image files and specify your phone’s drive.
- 🛠️ Run a deep scan (minitate longer, but more efficient).
Why don't programs find all the photos?
Limitations of methods without root:
- 🚫 It is impossible to recover photos deleted more than 6 months ago.
- 🔒 In some models (POCO F5, Redmi Note 12) MIUI Blocks access to system partitions.
- 📉 The quality of the restored photos may be lower than the original (artifacts, croppings).
5. Deep scanning with root rights
If the photos are critical and the standard methods didn't work, then the last chance is deep root scanning.
- 🔓 Root strips of warranties and can disrupt work MIUI.
- 🛡️ Some banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) will stop working.
- 🔄 Error in getting root can lead to a brick (breakdown) of the phone.
If you are prepared for risk, follow the instructions:
- 📱 Unlock Bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires Xiaomi account and wait 7-15 days).
- 🔧 Install a custom Recovery TWRP For your model (see instructions for the XDA Developers).
- 🛠️ Use Magisk to get root rights.
- 🔍 Use DiskDigger with the option to Scan as root or PhotoRec (for Linux).
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Deep root scanning increases the chances of recovery by 60-70%, but is only suitable for advanced users.
⚠️ Note: On dynamic partition devices (Xiaomi 13, Redmi) K60) Even root doesn't guarantee access to all partitions of memory, and only chip-off recovery can help).
6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center
If all independent attempts failed, it remains to turn to professionals. Xiaomi has official service centers where you can recover data using specialized equipment (for example, UFi Box or Medusa Pro).
What you need to know before your visit:
- 💰 Cost of recovery: 3,000 to 10,000 ₽ (depending).
- ⏳ Timeframe: 1 to 5 days (in some cases longer).
- 📋 Documents required: passport and telephone check (if available).
- 🔒 Warranty: Data recovery will not void warranty unless disassembly of the phone is required.
Addresses of service centers:
- 🌍 Official website: mi.com/global/service.
- 📍 In Russia: check on Xiaomi.ru.
The alternative is private data recovery labs like HddSurgery or Data Recovery, which take on complex cases like damaged memory, chips that burn, but the prices are higher, from 15,000. ₽.
7.Prevention: How to avoid loss of photos in the future
To avoid the problem again, set up automatic backups:
- ☁️ Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery → Autosynchronization.
- 🖥️ Google Photos: Install the app and enable Backup and Sync.
- 💾 Local Copying: Transfer your photo to a PC or external disk once a month.
- 📱 Backup apps: Swift Backup (requires root) or Sync for Reddit (for individual folders).
Additional advice:
- 🚫 Do not use Garbage Cleanup features in the Security App – they can delete temporary gallery files.
- 🔋 Watch the battery: if the phone turns off while transferring photos to the PC, the data may be damaged.
- 🔄 Before resetting your phone to factory settings, check that the photos are copied (reset erases the device). DCIM irrevocably!).
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Create a hidden folder for the most important photos: in the gallery, highlight the photos → More → Hide. They will disappear from the main album, but remain in the gallery settings → Hidden albums.