How to recover deleted photos in WhatsApp on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones: the full guide 2026

Have you deleted important photos on WhatsApp on your Xiaomi Redmi and don't know how to get them back? Don't panic - even if you cleared the chat or accidentally erased media files, there are chances of recovery. Redmi smartphones (whether Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 10C or POCO X5) store WhatsApp data on a special principle, and you have at least 5 ways to return lost photos. In this article, we will break down all working methods - from standard recovery through backup to the use of hidden folders and third-party utilities.

It’s important to understand that success depends on how the photos were deleted. If you just cleared the chat but didn’t delete the backups, the odds are close to 100%. If the files were erased from internal memory without redundancy, special tools will be needed. We’ll also explain what unique features of MIUI 14/13 affect the recovery process – for example, why Xiaomi’s standard File Manager might not show hidden WhatsApp folders, and how to get around it.

So let's start with the simplest and most reliable method, which is to restore it through a Google Drive backup.

1. Photo recovery via Google Drive backup

If your Xiaomi Redmi has WhatsApp backup enabled in Google Drive, you can return deleted photos in minutes, which works even if you reinstall the messenger or reset your phone to factory settings, and the main condition is to use the same Google account to which the copy is attached.

Here's how to do it:

• 📱 Remove WhatsApp from your smartphone (if installed). Go to Settings → Annexes → Manage applications, find WhatsApp and click “Delete».
• ☁️ Make sure the phone has the same Google account that was used for backup. → Accounts and synchronization.
• 🔄 Install WhatsApp again from Google Play and launch it. Type the same phone number as before.
• 🔍 When the messenger offers to restore data from the backup, click "Restore." The process can take from a few minutes to an hour - depending on the amount of data and Internet speed.

⚠️ Note: If after recovery, the photos in the chats are displayed as thumbnails, but do not open in full size, check the folder WhatsApp/Media through the file manager. MIUI blocking access to media files due to battery optimization. To fix this, go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → WhatsApp → Battery and select "No restrictions».

2.Search for photos in hidden WhatsApp folder on Xiaomi Redmi

Even if you deleted the photos directly in the WhatsApp chat, they could be saved in a hidden folder on the internal memory of the smartphone. WhatsApp/Media, But it doesn't always remove them when you clean the chat. On Xiaomi Redmi, this folder is often hidden from the user's eyes because of the shell. MIUI.

To find her:

1. Open any file manager (e.g., Xiaomi’s standard File Manager or Solid Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files: in File Manager, click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Show hidden files.
3. Go to /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Images/ All photos sent and received in chat rooms should be stored here.
4. If the folder is empty, check WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Images/Sent, where the photos you sent are.

💡 Useful advice: Xiaomi Redmi with MIUI 14 standard File Manager may not show the WhatsApp folder due to optimization of storage. In this case, use an alternative manager, for example, FX File Explorer or Total Commander. They bypass the restrictions MIUI and show all files without exception.

Is it possible to display hidden files in the manager?

Is the root folder /storage/emulated/0/ used?

Do both folders: Sent and incoming media files checked?

Reading rights are set for the file manager-->

3.Recovery via local WhatsApp backup

WhatsApp automatically creates local backups every day at 2:00 a.m. (if your phone is connected to charging and Wi-Fi at that time), which are stored in the WhatsApp/Databases folder and can save your photos even if you haven’t set up reservations in Google Drive. On Xiaomi Redmi, this method is especially relevant, since MIUI often blocks background activity of Google Drive, which may cause cloud copies to be not created.

Instructions for remediation:

• 📁 Remove WhatsApp from your smartphone (required!).
• 🔍 Connect Redmi to your computer via USB and enable file transfer mode (MTP). Or use a file manager on your phone.
• 📂 Go to the folder: /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Databases/ Here you'll see the file type. msgstore.db.crypt14 (current copy) and msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14 (archival).
• 🔄 Rename the file with the latest date (for example, msgstore-2026-05-15.1.db.crypt14) into msgstore.db.crypt14, replace the current file.
• 📱 Install WhatsApp again and restore data from the local copy when you first start.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi Redmi with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware, local copies may not be created due to changed access rights. Check if the Databases folder has fresh files. If they do not, try manually creating a copy: open WhatsApp → «⋮» → «Settings» → «chat» → «Backup copy» → «Make a copy».

4.Use of programs to recover deleted files

If previous methods didn't work, you'll have to use special data recovery software to scan your smartphone's internal memory and look for traces of deleted files. Xiaomi Redmi will use tools like DiskDigger, EaseUS MobiSaver or Dr.Fone. The more you use your phone after you delete your photo, the better your chances of success.

Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger (free version):

1. 📱 Install DiskDigger from Google Play. When you first start, grant the superuser (root) rights, if you have them on your Redmi. Without root, the program will scan only the cache and thumbnails.
2. 🔍 Select the type of files to search: mark «JPG» and «PNG». Click "Start scanning».
3. ⏳ Wait until the process is complete (it can take 10 to 30 minutes) and the program will show all the images found, including deleted ones.
4. 💾 Select the photos you want and click "Restore." Save them to the cloud or on the computer. SD-card (not in internal memory!).

🔹 Nuances for Xiaomi Redmi:

• On MIUI 14 and Android 13+ models, recovery programs may require additional permissions. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → DiskDigger → Permissions and enable storage access.
• If the phone with the unlocked bootloader, the chances of recovery are higher - you can use it. PC-Utility versions (e.g. Recuva) via Fastboot.
• On Redmi with UFS-storage (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) It's more difficult to recover because of the memory controller, and in this case, only professional software like this will help. UFS Explorer.

5. Computer Recovery (ADB and Manual Search)

If your Xiaomi Redmi has USB debugging enabled, you can try to find deleted photos through your computer using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that is suitable for power users and requires minimal command line knowledge, the advantage is that you access raw storage data where traces of deleted files can remain.

Instructions:

1. 🖥️ Install. ADB Tools on the computer. Turn on debugging. USB on the phone: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to unlock Developer Mode, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and include “Debugging by” USB».
2. 🔌 Connect Redmi to your PC and confirm your trusted device. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) and type: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
3. 📂 Enter the command to search for WhatsApp files: adb shell ls /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp\ Images/ If the folder exists, copy its contents to the PC: adb pull /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp\ Images/ C:\WhatsApp_Backup\

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They may differ from different versions MIUI. For example, on Redmi with Android. 12 And the newer way to the vault might look like /storage/self/primary/ instead /storage/emulated/0/. If the team is not working, check the current path through the adb shell ls. /storage/.

💡

If ADB can’t see the device, try reinstalling Xiaomi USB Drivers or using an alternative cable (sometimes MIUI blocks data transmission through cheap cables).

6.Speaking for WhatsApp: When it Makes Sense

If you deleted a photo less than 30 days ago and didn’t make backups, you can try to contact WhatsApp. Officially, the company does not restore media files, but in rare cases it can help if the deletion occurred due to a malfunction of the messenger (for example, after an update or sync error).

How to make a request:

• 📧 Open WhatsApp. → «⋮» → «Settings» → «Reference» → «Contact us».
• 📝 Describe the situation in as much detail as possible: Phone model (Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro, Redmi) 10A WhatsApp version (you can find out in Settings) → Date and time of deletion of photo. Estimated number of lost files.
• 📎 Attach a screenshot of the chat (if possible) or error log if the photos are missing after the crash.

🔹 What's important to know:

• WhatsApp does not restore photos manually deleted by the user.
• If the photos are missing after the MIUI update, specify the firmware version before and after the update.
• It can take up to 5 working days to respond, and if support fails, try repeating the request with other details.

💡

Calling for WhatsApp support only makes sense if the photos are missing because of an app malfunction, not your fault.

7 How to prevent loss of photos on WhatsApp on Xiaomi Redmi

To avoid losing important photos, set up automatic backup and follow the simple rules of working with WhatsApp on Xiaomi Redmi. MIUI has features that can interfere with the standard settings of the messenger, so you will have to make several adjustments.

List of mandatory actions:

• ☁️ Set up a backup in Google Drive: Open WhatsApp → «⋮» → «Settings» → «chat» → «Backup. Click on “Backup in Google Drive” and select frequency (recommended “Daily”). Make sure in Settings → Accounts and syncs authorized by the correct Google account.
• 📁 Turn off battery optimization for WhatsApp: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → WhatsApp → Battery. Select "No Limits" to prevent background processes (including backups) from stopping).
• 🔄 Enable auto download media files: On WhatsApp: “Settings» → «Warehouse and data» → «Automatic download of media files. Select "Photos» → «Always for mobile data and Wi-Fi.

Use alternative clouds:

• Set up an automatic upload of photos from the WhatsApp/Media folder to Google Photos, Yandex Drive or Mi Cloud.
• On Xiaomi Redmi, the Gallery app → Cloud Albums is suitable for this.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Redmi with MIUI 14 and newer WhatsApp may not create local copies due to feature MIUI Optimization. To fix this, turn off optimization:

Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → Developer Mode → Disable MIUI Optimization

Then restart your phone and check if copies are created in the /WhatsApp/Databases/ folder.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recovering photos on WhatsApp on Xiaomi