Recovery of deleted videos on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones: from the cart to deep scanning

Accidental video deletion on Xiaomi Redmi is a familiar situation to many. One careless click in the gallery and valuable footage disappears from the device's memory. But don't panic: in most cases, files can be returned if you act quickly and correctly. The main thing is to understand that once deleted, videos are not instantly erased from memory. They are marked as "free space" and remain on the disk until they are overwritten with new data. This means that the chances of recovery are higher the less you use the phone after an incident.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to return deleted videos, from standard MIUI functions to professional tools, and pay special attention to the nuances that are specific to Xiaomi Redmi smartphones: where temporary files are stored, how the basket works in different versions of the firmware, and why some methods may not work on devices with encryption.

Before you start the instructions, check two key points:

1. Have you ever recorded new files (photos, videos, apps) after deleting, and each new file reduces your chances of success.
2. Whether you've done a Factory Reset or a firmware update, these actions almost always make recovery impossible.

1.A check of the basket at MIUI Gallery

Starting with MIUI 12, the standard Gallery app introduced a Recycle Bin feature similar to that of computers, where deleted files are stored for 30 days (some firmware versions have 15 days) and then automatically cleared, which is the easiest way to return a video if it's been a while since it was deleted.

To check the basket:

1. Open the Gallery app (icon with multi-colored squares).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (menu) in the upper right corner.
3. Select the item Cart (or Trash in English version).
4. Find the desired video, hold your finger on it to highlight, then click Restore (the icon with the arrow up).

If the cart is empty or the video isn't there, it could mean:

• 🗑️ The file was deleted over a month ago and was automatically cleared.
• 📱 You use the older version MIUI (up to 12th) where there is no basket.
• 🔄 The video was deleted via the file manager (Conductor) rather than through the gallery.

⚠️ Warning: On some Redmi models (e.g., the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 13), the cart may be disabled by default. To activate it, go to Gallery Settings → Recycle Bin → Enable.

2. Recovery through backups

If your Xiaomi Redmi has automatic backup enabled, the chances of returning a video are greatly increased. MIUI offers two main backup methods: Mi Cloud and Google Photos. Let's consider both options.

Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

Mi Cloud automatically saves photos and videos if the feature is activated to check for backup:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Make sure the slider opposite the Gallery is on.
3. Go to Mi Cloud → Gallery and find the Remote or Trash folder.
4. Select the desired video and click Restore.

If the video isn’t in the cloud cart, try downloading the full backup:

• 📲 Go to Mi Cloud → Backup.
• 🔍 Select the last copy made before the video is deleted.
• 📥 Click Restore and select only Gallery (to avoid overwriting other data).

2.2 Google Photo.

If you are using Google Photos, check:

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Slip on the profile avatar. → Basket.
3. Hold the video to highlight and click Restore.

If the cart is empty, try to find the video in the archive:

• 🔎 In the search bar, type keywords (e.g., “Sea 2023”).
• 📅 Filter files by date of creation.
• 📁 Check the Video folder in the Library section.

⚠️ Warning: If you deleted a video from Google Photos more than 60 days ago, it will be permanently lost. Unlike Mi Cloud, there is no recovery feature for old backups.

Turn off the mobile internet (to avoid overwriting data)

Connect to Wi-Fi (to download backup)

Check the free space on the device (minimum 10% of the backup volume)

Close all applications except Mi. Cloud/Google Photo Photo-->

3.Use of file managers to find hidden files

Sometimes videos are not deleted completely, but simply hidden or moved to system folders, which is true if you have used third-party memory cleanup applications (such as Clean Master or Files by Google) to find such files:

Use Explorer (built into MIUI) or install Solid Explorer/FX File Manager from Google Play.

1. Open the file manager and enable the display of hidden files (in the settings).
2. Go to /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/, where the camera’s media files are stored.
3. Check subfolders:.thumbnails – thumbnails (sometimes contain reduced copies of video);.trash or.recycle – hidden baskets of some applications. Camera – the main folder with video.

.mp4

or

.mov

If the video is found but not played, try:

• 📥 Copy it to your computer and open it with VLC Player (it reads corrupted files).
• 🔧 Rename the extension (e.g., from.mp4 to.mkv).
• 🛠️ Use the FFmpeg utility to restore headers:

ffmpeg -err_detect ignore_err -i input.mp4 -c copy output.mp4

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If the video is found in the.thumbnails folder but has a low resolution, try to find the original by creation date. Sorting by date in the file manager will help match files.

4. Recovery with ADB (no root)

If the standard methods didn’t work, you can try extracting videos from Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require root rights, but is only suitable for files that have not yet been overwritten. ADB.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
2. On your phone, turn on USB Debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging.

Redmi

ADB

Run the command to search for video:

adb shell "su -c 'find /storage/emulated/0/ -name \".mp4\" -o -name \".mov\" -o -name \"*.3gp\" | grep -v \"cache\"'"

If the team returns the list of files, copy them to the computer:

adb pull /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera/video.mp4 C:\Backup\

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Does not work if the video has been deleted long ago and its blocks are overwritten.
• 🔒 Does not show files in folders that require root access (e.g., /data/).
• 📱 Some Redmi models (e.g., Redmi K50) may require additional adb root resolution.

⚠️ Warning: ADB commands are case and syntax sensitive. If you get a device unauthorized error, check if you have confirmed debugging on your phone. MIUI 14 may also need to enable USB- debugging in the developer settings.

5. Deep scanning programs (with and without root)

If previous methods didn't work, then we have to use specialized tools that scan the device's memory at a low level and can find fragments of deleted files, but the effectiveness depends on whether the blocks of data have been overwritten.

5.1. No root rights

Programs that run without root analyze only the available memory areas.

• 🛠️ DiskDigger (there is a free version with restrictions).
• 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver (supported by Xiaomi)
• 📱 Dumpster (Basket application, must be installed before removal).

Instructions for DiskDigger:

1. Install the program on your computer and connect Redmi via USB.
2. Select Basic Scan (without root) mode.
3. Specify the file types: MP4, MOV, 3GP.
4. Wait until the scan is completed and save the files found.

5.2. Root rights

If your Xiaomi Redmi has root, the chances of recovery are much higher, and programs will be able to scan all memory parts, including system ones.

• 🛡️ Dr.Fone (paid but with high success rate)
• 🔧 Recuva (through a disk-like connection).
• 📊 PhotoRec (free, running via ADB)

It is important to consider:

• 🔐 Root access voids Xiaomi's warranty.
• 📉 Risk of damage to the system if used incorrectly.
• ⚠️ On storage-encrypted devices (like the Redmi Note 11 Pro+), even root may not help.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If the video is critical (e.g., evidence for the court or unique footage) and the independent attempts have not been successful, you can contact the official service center Xiaomi.

What can be done in the service:

• 🔧 Remove the memory chip and scan it on specialized hardware.
• 📊 Restore data from backups if it was stored on Xiaomi servers.
• 🛠️ Check for files in service partitions (e.g., /data/media/).

Limitations and risks:

• 💰 The cost of the service can reach 5-10 thousand rubles.
• ⏳ The process takes from 3 to 10 days.
• 🔒 If the memory is encrypted, even the service center does not guarantee the result.
• 📱 On some models (e.g., Redmi K60), retrieving the memory chip requires disassembling the device, which may result in a loss of warranty.

Before contacting the service:

1. Check if they are engaged in data recovery (not all centers provide this service).
2. Ask about privacy guarantees (your data should not be shared with third parties).
3. Prepare evidence of the importance of files (if necessary for litigation).

⚠️ Warning: Some informal service centers offer "data recovery" at low prices, but use questionable methods (e.g., flashing).This can lead to complete file loss.

7. How to Prevent Video Loss in the Future

The best way to combat data loss is to prevent it, and here are the proven methods of protecting video on Xiaomi Redmi:

Automatic backup:

• ☁️ Set up Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery → Autosynchronization.
• 📷 Enable Google Photos: Open the app → avatar → Backup settings.
• 💾 Use local backups: connect your phone to your computer once a month and copy the DCIM folder.

Gallery settings:

• 🗑️ Turn on the basket: Gallery → Menu → Cart → Enable.
• ⏳ Increase the retention period of deleted files to a maximum of 30 days.
• 🔒 Turn off automatic cache cleanup: Settings → Memory → Cleanup → Autoclean.

Additional measures:

• 📱 Install Dumpster, which creates a backup bin for all deleted files.
• 🔄 Regularly check the DCIM folder for duplicates and corrupted files.
• 🛡️ Avoid memory cleaner applications (such as Clean Master) that aggressively delete files.

💡

Even if the video is removed from the Mi Cloud or Google Photos Recycle Bin, it can remain on the company's servers for up to 60 days.

FAQ: Frequent questions about video recovery on Xiaomi Redmi