Recovering deleted videos on Xiaomi Redmi 9: from the cart to deep scanning

Removed videos from Xiaomi Redmi 9 by mistake or after resetting? Don't panic: 80 percent of files can be returned even if they don't show up in the gallery. The problem is that most users start looking for solutions after they write new files, which is critically reducing the chances of success. In this article, we'll look at all the current recovery methods, from standard MIUI features to professional tools, taking into account the features of Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A/9C/9T models).

It's important to understand that the faster you start to act, the more likely you are to return the video to its original quality, especially when files that have been deleted without using the Recycle Bin (for example, through a file manager or after formatting a memory card) are not going to offer "magic programs," but we'll look at real-world methods, from simple to complex, explaining why some of them may not work on your device.

1.Basket check in MIUI: the first step to recovery

Modern versions of MIUI (starting with MIUI 12) automatically send deleted media files to the bin, where they are stored for 30 days before final deletion, the easiest way to return a video, but many Redmi 9 users are unaware of its existence.

To check the basket:

• 📱 Open the Gallery app (icon with multi-colored squares).
• 🗑️ Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → pick the basket.
• 🔍 Scroll through the list or search by deletion date.
• 🔄 Select the right videos → press Restore.

Nuances for Redmi 9:

• 🚫 If the videos were deleted through a file manager (e.g. Files by Google), they may not make it to the shopping cart. MIUI.
• ⏳ In some firmware, the storage period in the basket is reduced to 15 days - check the settings in the Gallery → Settings → Basket.
• 📁 Videos from a memory card (microSD) do not fall into the cart - they need other methods.

⚠️ Warning: If you've already cleaned the basket manually or through the "Clean Everything" option, this method won't work.

2.Recovery via backup: Google Photos and MI Cloud

If your Redmi 9 has been enabled to sync with the cloud, the chances of returning video are significantly higher. MIUI offers two main options for backing up media files:

Google Photos (the most reliable way):

• 🌐 Open the Google Photos app or go to photos.google.com.
• 🔍 In the menu on the left, select the Recycle Bin - here files are stored for 60 days.
• 📥 If the video is not in the cart, check the Archive or search by date.
• 💾 To recover, click on the video → Save it to the device.

B. MI Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud):

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → MI Cloud.
• 📁 Choose the Gallery → Check for backup copies.
• ⚠️ Please note: free fare MI Cloud only provides 5GB, so videos may not be synced.

Critical information: If you manually delete a video from Google Photos (not through the gallery cart), you can only restore it within 60 days through the web version of the service.

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Before restoring, check if the device is occupied. If the memory is less than 10%, the saved videos may not open due to caching errors.

3.Using File Managers: Finding “ghost” files

Sometimes the videos don't show up in the gallery, but they're physically left on the device, and this is because of a failure in the MIUI media scanner database.

Step 1: Scanner of hidden files

• 📂 Install a file manager with support for hidden files (for example, FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
• 📁 Go to the folders: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/ (camera-folder) /storage/emulated/0/Movies/ (video from other applications) /storage/emulated/0/.thumbnails/ (Miniatures, sometimes containing fragments)

Step 2: Manual Media Base Update

If the files are found but not displayed in the gallery:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Media Vault and Gallery → clear the cache and data.
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Don't move the found files to other folders through the file manager - this can damage their headers. Better copy them to a PC, then return them back.

Deep scanning programs: when standard methods do not help

If the video is permanently deleted (not through the cart) and there are no backups, software recovery remains. The following tools are suitable for Redmi 9:

A. DiskDigger (for rootless devices)

• 📱 Install DiskDigger from Google Play (requires Android 5.0)+).
• 🔍 Select the full scan (takes the full scan). 30-60 minute).
• 📹 Filter the results by type of video (MP4, MOV, 3GP).
• 💾 Save recovered files to your PC or cloud (not your phone!).

B. EaseUS MobiSaver (for PC)

If Redmi 9 is enabled with USB debugging:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via cable.
2. Run EaseUS MobiSaver and select Android Data Recovery.
3. Follow the instructions of the program for scanning internal memory.

B. Root access utilities (advanced level)

For maximum chances of recovery:

• 🔧 Get root rights to Redmi 9 (instruction MIUI 12/13 differ!).
• 🛠️ Use Undeleter Recover Files & Data or GT Recovery.
• ⚠️ Risk: Wrong Root Actions Can Lead to Device Brick.

⚠️ Note: After deleting the video, do not install new applications or shoot new videos / photos – this will overwrite the memory sectors where the deleted files were stored.

5.Recovery from memory card: features for Redmi 9

If the video was stored on a microSD, the algorithm of actions is different:

A. Connecting the card to the PC

• 💻 Remove the card from Redmi 9 and connect it to your computer via a card reader.
• 🛠️ Use Recuva (free) or R-Studio (paid) to scan.
• 🔍 Select the Deep Scan (Deep Scan) mode).

B. Recovery directly on the phone

If the card is not retrieved:

• 📱 Install Dumpster (file cart application).
• 🔄 It intercepts deleted files, even from external drives.
• ⚠️ It only works if Dumpster was installed before video was deleted.

B. Formatting a map as a last chance

If the map is not readable:

• 🔧 Connect it to the PC and execute the command to CMD: chkdsk E: /f (Replace E: with the letter of your disk).
• 💾 Then try to recover data via PhotoRec (included in the TestDisk package).

Critical information: ExFAT memory cards (used in Redmi 9 for >32GB cards) recover worse than FAT32. If video is critical, contact the lab (e.g. Hetman Recovery or ACE Data).

6 If nothing has worked: alternative solutions

When standard methods have failed:

A. Contacting the service centre

• 🏢 Larger cities have laboratories (like Data Recovery) that recover data from memory chips.
• 💰 Cost: From 5,000 ₽ for logical restoration, up to 20,000 ₽ for working with a damaged chip.
• ⏳ Term: 1-3 day-day.

B. Checking other devices

Sometimes the videos could be:

• 📤 Sent via instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp – check incoming files).
• 🖥️ Saved on another device (for example, if Mi Drop was used for transmission).
• 📧 Attached to a letter in Gmail or Mi Mail.

B. A warning for the future

To avoid data loss:

• 🔄 Set up automatic backup in Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 📁 Use two memory cards: one for shooting, the second for backups.
• 📱 Install FolderSync to sync folder DCIM cloudy.

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On Xiaomi Redmi 9 with MIUI 12+, the video from the cart is restored without loss of quality, but programs like DiskDigger often return files in 720p resolution instead of the original 1080p.

FAQ: Frequent questions about video recovery on Redmi 9