Recovering Remote Folders on Xiaomi Phone: From Recycle Bin to Deep Scanning

You deleted a key folder of photos, documents or videos on a Xiaomi smartphone — and now you don't know how to get it back? — The situation is familiar to many: one careless click, and years of memories or work files disappear into the unknown. Fortunately, owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi devices have several ways to recover lost data, from simple (check the basket) to complex (use of a PC and specialized software).

In this article, we'll look at all the current recovery methods, including built-in MIUI tools, cloud services, and third-party utilities. Importantly, success depends on how fast you start to act - every new file written to your phone after deleting reduces the chances of data returning. Don't panic: follow the instructions in order, and you can return at least some of the information.

1. Check the basket in the Files app

Modern versions of MIUI (starting with MIUI 12) have a built-in recycle bin that temporarily allows deleted files and folders to be retrieved, the first and easiest way to get data back — unless you manually cleaned the recycle bin.

To check its contents:

• 📁 Open the Files app (Folder icon on the home screen).
• 🔍 In the top menu, tap three points (⋮) and pick the basket.
• 🔄 Find the folder you want, click on it and select Restore.
• 📥 Files will return to their original location (e.g., Gallery or Downloads).

Note: files are stored in the Recycle Bin for 30 days (by default), and then automatically deleted. If you have cleared the Recycle Bin or more than a month has passed, move on to the next method.

⚠️ Attention: In some firmware POCO or older versions MIUI The basket can be disabled. To activate it, go to Settings. → Warehouse → Cart and turn on the option.

2.Recovery via Mi Cloud or Google Drive backups

If your Xiaomi has enabled cloud sync, the chances of returning folders are much higher. Mi Cloud (cloud from Xiaomi) automatically saves copies of photos, contacts and some documents, and Google Drive - reserves application and media data.

How to recover from Mi Cloud:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select the Backup section and check the date of the last copy.
3. Click Restore and select the folder you want (such as Gallery or Documents).

Recovery via Google Drive:

• 📱 Install Google Photos app (if photos/video are deleted).
• 🔄 In the app menu, select the Recycle Bin (files are stored there for 60 days).
• ☁️ For more data, go to Drive. → Recycle Bin or check the Backups section.

If you don't back up, this method won't work, so move on to the next step, which is to restore it via PC.

3. Use of PCs and programs for deep scanning

If the files are not in the recycle bin and there are no backups, the most reliable (but also the most difficult) way is to connect the phone to the computer and scan the memory with specialized utilities, which works even after full formatting, but requires caution: wrong actions can permanently erase the data.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Programs: EaseUS MobiSaver, Dr.Fone, DiskDigger (for Android).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode (in the phone notification curtain).
2. Install and run one of the programs (for example, DiskDigger).
3. Select your phone’s drive (usually displayed as Internal Storage).
4. Start a deep scan (may take several hours).
5. After completion, mark the desired files and press Recover.

Important: Don't save the recovered files back to your phone -- use a PC or an external drive -- this will prevent overwriting.

⚠️ Note: If encryption is enabled on the phone (in Settings) → Security → Encryption, recovery software may not work, and only backup will help.

Disable Wi-Fi and mobile data on your phone|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Use the original USB-cable|Do not connect your phone to other devices during scanning-->

4. Recovery through ADB (If standard methods don’t help and files are critical, you can try extracting them through Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — This is a low-level system access tool that's suitable for users with unlocked bootloader or root rights, but requires technical skills: 💻 Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot. 🔧 Included debugging by USB (In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — 7 Then, put it in the back, then add it to it. → For developers → Debugging by USB). 📄 Command line knowledge. Basic commands for data extraction: adb shell su cd /sdcard/ && find. -name "name-folder*" | grep -v "If you find a folder, copy it to your PC: adb pull /sdcard/paddy-daddy C:\Restored files Without root-rights, this method works only limited – you can view only non-system files. To access the entire storage, you will need to unlock the bootloader, which will reset all data on the phone. 💡If ADB does not recognize the device, update drivers via the Mi Flash Tool or check the connection in mode PTP (instead MTP).

5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If independent attempts were unsuccessful, and the files are of high value (for example, they are the only copies of important documents or family photos), you should consider contacting an official service center. Xiaomi specialists have access to professional equipment for recovering data from flash memory, including cases:

• 💥 Physical damage to the drive.
• 🔄 Failure after firmware or reset.
• 🔒 Delete data from the encrypted partition.

But keep in mind:

Before the service visit:

• 📋 Make a list of lost files (folder names, approximate deletion time).
• 🔋 Do not use your phone to shoot or upload new files.
• 📄 Bring a box and a check (to confirm ownership).

⚠️ Note: Not all service centers are dedicated to data recovery — check this by phone before visiting. Also avoid artisanal workshops: unqualified activities can permanently damage memory.

6. How to prevent future data loss

The best way to deal with deleted files is to prevent them, and here are proven methods to avoid repeated incidents:

Automatic backup:

• ☁️ Set up Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup (include daily copying).
• 📸 In Google Photos, activate Autoboot and Sync.
• 💾 Use external drives (flash drives or flash drives) SSD) manually copying important folders.

Data protection programmes:

• 🛡️ Dumpster – an alternative basket with flexible settings.
• 🔒 AppLock – Blocking access to critical folders.
• 📊 Files by Google – a convenient manager with the function of cleaning “garbage” without the risk of removing important.

Also useful:

• 📌 Regularly (once a month) check the contents of the cart.
• 📥 Store your valuable files in two places (e.g., on your phone and in the cloud).
• 🔄 Before the update MIUI or reset backup through Settings → System system → Backup.

💡

Even if files are permanently deleted, fragments of them can remain in the phone’s memory for months, the main thing is not to write new data on top of old data and act quickly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about folder recovery on Xiaomi