Recovering Deleted Hidden Files on Xiaomi: Step-by-step Methods for MIUI

Why are hidden files on Xiaomi disappearing and can they be returned?

Hidden files on Xiaomi smartphones (especially in MIUI 12-14 firmware) often contain critical data: application settings, messenger cache, system utilities configurations, or even password backups. Their accidental deletion is a common problem that occurs when you clean up memory through Settings → Storage, use a file manager with superuser rights, or after resetting to factory settings. Unlike regular files, hidden files (.nomedia,.thumbnails, folders with a point at the beginning of a name) dot render them more difficult by default.

The main difficulty lies in the storage mechanism: MIUI uses File-Based Encryption (FBE) by default, which makes it impossible to restore hidden files to standard utilities without root rights or an unlocked bootloader. However, there are workarounds - from using Xiaomi's built-in tools to specialized software. The effectiveness of the method depends on three factors: time after deletion, availability of backups and the current version of Android (starting with 11, access to data partitions is limited even for root users).

In this article, we will discuss the working methods of recovery, taking into account the features of the MIUI architecture, and also warn against common errors that can permanently destroy data. If you delete hidden files recently (within 1-2 days), the chances of success are up to 70%, but it is important to understand that the more active you use your smartphone after an incident, the lower the probability of recovery – new data overwrite remote memory sectors.

Method 1: Checking Recycle Bin and Hidden Folders in MIUI

Before you resort to third-party tools, check the built-in MIUI mechanisms. Hidden files can stay in the system basket or simply be hidden from display.

1. File Manager Recycle Bin: Open the Files app (folder icon), go to the Recycle Bin. This is where deleted files are stored for 30 days. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Restore All or tag items.
2. Hidden folders: In the same file manager, tap three strips (menu) → Settings → Turn on the option to show hidden files. Then check the folders: 📁 /storage/emulated/0/ — user data; 📁 /data/data/ — System Application Files (root rights required); 📁 /MIUI/ — firmware.

If you can't find files, try searching by name, for example, type in the file manager bar.nomedia (hiding media from the gallery) or.thumbdata (cache of thumbnails). Note: system hidden files like.android_secure It is impossible to restore without root; they are protected by access rights.

⚠️ Note: Do not use the Recycle Bin Clean feature in the file manager unless you are sure of the content. MIUI (For example, 13.0.6), the recycle bin is automatically cleared when memory is scarce, so it is better to transfer important files to another location immediately after detection.

Method 2: Recovery through MIUI backups

Xiaomi offers two types of backup: local (in memory of the device) and cloud (via Mi Cloud).If you enabled this feature before deleting files, the chances of recovery are high.

Local backup

Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backups. This shows the archives with the date of creation. Choose the one you want and click Restore. Note that the process will overwrite your current application settings and data, so make a new backup beforehand.

Cloud storage Mi Cloud

If sync with Mi Cloud has been activated (Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Sync), check the Backups section.

• 📱 Contacts and communications;
• 📁 System settings (including paths to hidden files);
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords and application data (if Backup Apps option is enabled).

To recover, select an archive and click Restore on this device. The process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data. If the backup is damaged (the error failed to recover), try downloading it to your PC via the web version of Mi Cloud (i.mi.com) and manually extracting it using the archiver.

⚠️ Warning: When recovering from Mi Cloud on a device with a different version MIUI (For example, 12 to 14) compatibility errors may occur, in which case use Selective Recovery to avoid conflicts.

Method 3: Using ADB to access hidden partitions

If the files are not found in the Recycle Bin or backups, the next step is to try to extract them via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable for users with unlocked bootloader or root rights, but some commands work without them.

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools;
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on Xiaomi (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock Developer Settings, then turn on Debugging by USB);
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute in the command line (or Terminal on macOS/Linux):

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, enter:

adb shell


ls -la /storage/emulated/0/ | grep "^\."

This command will display a list of hidden files and folders, mostly in storage, to copy them to the PC:

adb pull /storage/emulated/0/.file number C:\folder on pc

Root rights are required to access system partitions (e.g. /data/data/), in which case use:

su


ls -la /data/data/ | grep "application folder"

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If the adb device team doesn’t find your Xiaomi, try switching USB mode to File Transfer (MTP) in the notification curtain. Also check if Xiaomi drivers are installed for your model (you can download the official website in the Support section).

Please note that without root, you will not be able to read the contents of other applications (for example, /data/data/com.whatsapp/), If you find the right files, but you can't copy them, you can only get root rights or go to a service center.

Method 4: Data recovery programs (without root)

If previous methods didn't work, use specialized utilities. It's important to choose a program that is compatible with MIUI and Android 10+, as new versions of the OS block low-level access to memory. We tested several solutions:

Instructions for DiskDigger (free version):

1. Install the program on your PC and connect Xiaomi in File Transfer mode.
2. Select the scan method: Basic scan (fast, no root) or Full scan (deep, requires root).
3. Mark file types: For hidden data, select Other or enter the extension manually (e.g.,.db for databases).
4. After scanning, sort the results by deletion date and save the desired files to your PC.

For EaseUS MobiSaver, the algorithm is similar, but the program offers a preview of the files found, which is convenient for finding specific data (for example, hidden images from the.thumbnails folder).

Disable Wi-Fi and Mobile Internet on Xiaomi|Charge the device to 50% or more|Use the original USB-cable|Not installing new applications until the process is complete-->

⚠️ Warning: Do not save recovered files back to your smartphone, this may overwrite the remaining deleted data. Use an external drive or cloud storage. Also avoid programs that require unlocking. OEM In the developer settings - this will lead to a reset of the device and loss of chances of recovery.

Method 5: Recovery with TWRP (for advanced users)

If you have custom TWRP recoveries installed, the chances of recovering hidden files are much higher, and this method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader and requires technical skills.

1. Creating a section image: Download to TWRP (hold on to food + Volume up when on. Go to Advanced → File Manager and find the section /data. Select Create Image and save the image to SD-map OTG-accumulator.
2. Connect to a PC: In TWRP, select Mount → Enable MTP. Connect your smartphone to your computer and copy the image you created (file with.img extension).
3. Image analysis: Use tools like TestDisk or R-Studio to scan an image. In TestDisk, select: testdisk /path/to/your/image.img Proceed → [No Log] → [Intel] → [Analyse] → [Quick Search]

This method allows you to recover even files deleted a few months ago, if their sectors were not overwritten.

• 🔧 Unlocked bootloader (the procedure will reset all data!);
• 📥 Established TWRP For your Xiaomi model;
• 🖥️ Knowledge of working with the command line.

Once you restore files from the image, return them to your smartphone via ADB or root-access file manager. Remember that system hidden files (e.g. from /data/system/) may not work after copying due to altered access rights.

adb shell


su




chmod 644 /path/to/file




chown system:system /path/to/file

What do you do if nothing helps?

If all of these methods have failed, there are three options:

1. Contact Xiaomi Service Center: Official services have access to specialized recovery tools, but there is no guarantee - it all depends on the model and the degree of data damage.
2. Accept data loss: If files don’t have much value, the only way out is to accept and set up automatic backups in the future (e.g., through Settings → Additional → Backup).

Before visiting the service center:

• 📋 Make a list of deleted files (names, approximate deletion time);
• 🔄 Do not reset your settings – this will reduce your chances of recovery;
• 📱 Check with your Xiaomi model (some services only specialize in Samsung or iPhone).

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If the hidden files were deleted more than a month ago and the smartphone was actively used, the chances of recovery are close to zero, in which case the only reliable way is to regularly back up in the future.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recovering hidden files on Xiaomi