Recovering deleted videos on Xiaomi: from shopping cart to deep scanning

You're not alone: 68% of users lose media files due to accidental deletion, resetting or file system errors. Fortunately, devices on MIUI have built-in protection mechanisms, and for complex cases, specialized tools. In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods for video recovery, from simple (through the Gallery Recycle Bin) to advanced (using ADB and hex editors).

It is important to understand that the chances of success depend on three factors: 1) time (the earlier you start recovery, the better), 2) type of storage (internal memory vs. SD-map), 3) post-deletion actions (write new files on top of deleted ones reduces the probability of recovery to 10%).

If the video was deleted less than a week ago and you haven’t shot any new videos, the probability of a return is 85-95%.

1. Checking the basket in the standard MIUI Gallery

The first thing you need to do is to look in the Gallery App Recycle Bin, where in MIUI 12-14, deleted files are stored for up to 30 days (the default setting) to find the Recycle Bin:

1. Open the Gallery app (a flower icon).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) lower-right.
3. Select the basket item (urn icon).
4. Find the right video, click on it and select Restore.

If the cart is empty or the video is not there, check the storage settings: Gallery → ☰ → Settings → Basket → Storage period.

In some firmware (for example, on POCO F3), this option can be disabled, then the files are deleted immediately.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI Global and MIUI China's shopping cart logic is different: on Chinese versions, files can only be stored for 7 days, and on global versions, up to 30. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

2. Recovery via Mi Cloud (cloud storage)

If your Xiaomi has Mi Cloud sync enabled, the chances of returning videos increase. the service automatically reserves media files (provided that the option is activated).

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select the Gallery and see the date of the last synchronization.
3. If there is a backup, click Backup Management and select the desired date.

Please note the limitations:

• 📱 Free tariff Mi Cloud only provides 5 GB – if the space is out, new files will not sync.
• 🔄 Recovery is only possible for files that have been deleted no more than 60 days ago.
• 📶 To download large videos (from 500 MB) requires a stable connection to Wi-Fi.

If there is no video in the cloud, but sync has been enabled, try restoring it via the web version: https://i.mi.com → Gallery → Recycle Bin.

3. Search for hidden or corrupted files

Sometimes the videos don't show up in the Gallery, but they're physically left on the device.

• 🗃️ Damage to the Gallery database (often after an update) MIUI).
• 👁️ Hiding files via.nomedia (e.g., privacy apps).
• 📁 Incorrect extension (for example,.mp4 changed to.tmp).

To find files like this:

1. Install a file manager with support for hidden folders (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/ or /storage/emulated/0/Movies/.
3. Enable the display of hidden files (option in the manager settings).
4. Look for files with.mp4,.mov,.3gp extensions, and no extensions.

If you find a video with an incorrect extension, rename it through the manager. VID_20231015_123456 on VID_20231015_123456.mp4.

4. PC Recovery: DiskDigger and Recuva

If the video is not found on your phone, connect Xiaomi to your computer and use specialized utilities.

Instructions for DiskDigger (recommended for beginners):

1. Download the program from the official website: https://diskdigger.org.
2. Connect Xiaomi to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. In DiskDigger, select your device and start Full Scan.
4. After scanning, filter the results using.mp4/.mov.
5. Select the files you need and press Recover.

⚠️ Note: When connecting through MTP The software doesn't see all the memory parts. SD-map, remove it and connect it through the card reader - this will increase the chances 30-40%.

5.Use ADB to access raw partitions

For advanced users, if the video was deleted long ago and standard methods did not help, you can try to extract raw data through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works even without ROOT, but requires technical skills.

Steps:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times to become a developer) → Additional → For developers → Debugging over USB.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and execute: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
4. Create a backup section with video (for example, /data/media/0/DCIM): adb pull /data/media/0/DCIM C:\Xiaomi_Backup\
5. Scan the backup with PhotoRec or TestDisk.

If you want to recover the video from internal memory, use the command to create an image of the entire partition:

adb shell su -c "dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0pXX of=/sdcard/mmcblk0pXX.img"

mmcblk0pXX

adb shell ls /dev/block

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If adb devices can’t see the device, install Mi USB Driver drivers from Xiaomi: https://new.c.mi.com/global/miuidownload/index. POCO may require a separate driver package.

6.Recovery through TWRP and Nandroid backup

If your Xiaomi has a custom TWRP recap installed, you can recover video from the Nandroid backup (if it was created earlier), a method that is suitable for users who regularly back up the system.

Instructions:

1. Boot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. Go to Restore and select the backup created before the video was deleted.
3. Check only the Data section (recovering the entire backup will erase the current data!).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

If there is no backup but TWRP is installed, you can try creating a partition image of /data and scan it on your PC:

adb pull /data/media/0 C:\Xiaomi_Data_Backup\

⚠️ Attention: Recovery through TWRP This can cause you to lose up-to-date data if the backup is outdated. Before the procedure, copy important files to your PC or cloud.

7. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods failed and video is critical (such as court evidence or unique footage), contact Xiaomi’s authorized service center (eMMC/UFS).

What you need to know before your visit:

• 💰 Cost of service starts from 5 000 ₽ (Depends on the model and complexity).
• ⏳ Timeline for recovery — 3-7 workday.
• 📄 Passport and phone check (if any) will be required).
• 🔒 In 80% of cases, data is partially recovered (e.g., without sound or with artifacts).

Addresses of service centers can be found on the official website: https://www.mi.com/ru/service/center/.

Before visiting, check by phone if they are engaged in data recovery – not all centers provide this service.

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If the video was recorded on SD-You don't use it until you recover it, every new record reduces your chances of success, and the best way to do that is to remove the card right away and connect it to your PC through the card reader.

FAQ: Frequent questions about video recovery on Xiaomi