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

Deleted an important video from Xiaomi Redmi and you don't know how to get it back? The situation is familiar to many: accidentally clicking "Delete", resetting settings, a virus or even childish pranks with a phone - and valuable records disappear. Fortunately, owners of Redmi smartphones (whether it's the Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 10C or older models) have several ways to recover deleted videos - from simple to technically complex.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven methods, including MIUI Recycle Bin Recovery, Cloud Backups (Mi Cloud, Google Photos), specialized applications (DiskDigger, Recuva), and even manual memory scanning via PC. Separately, we will focus on typical errors that reduce the chances of success to zero, and give a checklist of actions for maximum efficiency. If the video was removed recently, the probability of its return is up to 90% (provided that the right actions in the first hours).

Important: the recovery algorithm depends on how the files were deleted, for example, after formatting the memory card or resetting to the factory settings, you will need different tools than with a normal removal through the gallery, and we will look at all scenarios, from the simplest to emergency measures.

1.Basket check MIUI: The first step to saving a video

Many Xiaomi Redmi users don't know that MIUI firmware (starting with version 12) has a built-in recycle bin where files go after being deleted, the equivalent of the Recycle Bin on a PC, but with a limited shelf life — usually 30 days. If the video was recently deleted, the chances of finding it here are maximum.

How to check:

• 📁 Open the Files app (File icon on the desktop).
• 🗑️ In the lower menu, tap on the Recycle Bin section (may be called Recently Deleted on some versions). MIUI).
• 🔍 Scroll through the list or search (magnifying glass in the top right corner). Video files usually have an extension.mp4,.mov or.3gp.
• 🔄 Select the files you need with a long tap and press Restore (up arrow icon).

⚠️ Note: If the bin is empty, it does not mean that the video is permanently deleted. Files may have been deleted bypassing the basket (for example, through third-party file managers) or their storage period has expired.

On some Redmi models (such as the Redmi 9A or Note 8 Pro), the cart can be disabled by default to activate it:

1. Open the Settings → Memory → Recycle Bin.
2. Switch the slider to the position on..
3. Set a storage period (we recommend a maximum of 30 days).

2. Recovery through cloud services: Mi Cloud and Google Photos

If your Xiaomi Redmi had cloud sync enabled, the videos could be saved to Mi Cloud or Google Photos, which is one of the most reliable ways, since the files are stored on remote servers and are independent of the memory status of the phone.

Search for Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud is a proprietary cloud from Xiaomi that automatically backs up photos and videos if the feature is activated.

• 🌐 Visit i.mi.com from your PC or phone.
• 🔑 Sign in with the same Mi Account that is linked to your phone.
• 📂 Go to the Gallery section → Video or backup copies.
• 🔍 Use the filter by date if you remember the approximate time of shooting.

If you find a video, you can download it back to your phone or PC. Note: Mi Cloud only provides 5GB for free. If you didn't back up because of space constraints, this method won't work.

2.2. Google Photos Verification

Google Photos is another reliable source, especially if you use Google services.

• 📱 Open the Google Photos app on your phone or go to photos.google.com.
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter a video or specify the date of shooting.
• 🗃️ Check the basket folder in the menu (video is stored there for 60 days).
• ☁️ If the video was uploaded to the cloud but removed from the device, it can be returned via Restore.

⚠️ Note: If the video was captured in Incognito mode (some Redmi models have this option in the camera), it does not sync with the clouds. Also check if automatic backup has been disabled in the Google Photo settings (Settings) → Backup and synchronization).

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If a video has been removed from Google Photos but you remember its name, try finding it through Google Takeout, a data export service that may store archives from the past few years, even if the files are removed from the main gallery.

3. Use of specialized applications (without ROOT)

If you don't find video in the cart or the cloud, the next step is to use data recovery software. Both mobile apps and desktop utilities are suitable for Xiaomi Redmi.

Mobile applications: DiskDigger, Dumpster

These programs scan the phone's internal memory for deleted files, plus no connection to a PC, minus the scanning depth is limited (especially without ROOT rights).

Instructions for DiskDigger (the most popular solution):

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Start and select Start a simple scan (no ROOT).
3. Specify the file type: Video.
4. Wait until the scan is completed (it can take up to 30 minutes).
5. View the files you find and save them to a safe place (such as a memory card).

Important: Don't save the recovered videos back to the phone's internal memory, which can overwrite other deleted files. Use a memory card or cloud.

Desktop software: Recuva, EaseUS MobiSaver

If mobile apps don't work, connect Redmi to your PC and use professional utilities, which work deeper and find more files that mobile programs miss.

Best options:

• 💻 Recuva (free, supportive) FAT32/exFAT — Xiaomi memory card formats).
• 💻 EaseUS MobiSaver (paid, but there is a trial version).
• 💻 Wondershare Dr.Fone (supports recovery from damaged media).

Step-by-step instructions for Recuva:

1. Download the program from the official CCleaner website.
2. Connect Redmi to the PC via USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode in the Notification Curtain).
3. In Recuva, select the file type: Video.
4. Specify the scan location: if the video was on the memory card, select it, if in internal memory, mark the corresponding disk.
5. Start a deep scan (a 1 to 3 hour class).
6. After completion, mark the desired files and click Restore.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is defined as a media device (MTP), And not as a removable disk, Recuva can't scan its internal memory, and that's where it's going to help. ROOT or remediation through ADB (let's take it down).

Disable Wi-Fi and mobile data on your phone|Use the original USB-cable|Do not connect your phone to charge during scanning|Save recovered files on PC, not phone|Check found videos before saving (may be damaged)-->

4.Recovery through ADB: for advanced users

If the standard methods do not work, ROOT-You don’t have the right to try to recover the video. ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method requires command line skills, but sometimes saves in desperate situations.

The bottom line is that through ADB, we're going to access raw internal memory (/data) data and try to extract deleted files, and it works because when you delete the videos, they're actually left on the disk until they're overwritten by the new data.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times to become a developer) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB (incl.)
2. Download ADB Tools on PC and unpack it into the C:\adb folder.
3. Connect Redmi to your PC and open the command prompt in the folder with ADB (Shift + right mouse button → Open the PowerShell window here).
4. Follow the commands in order: adb devices adb shell su (if there is ROOT) cd /data ls -la | grep ".mp4" (search for video files)
5. If files with extension are found.mp4 or.3gp, Copy them on PC: Adb pull /data/fileway C:\restored_videos

This is a complicated method that doesn't guarantee 100% results, but in some cases, it can return videos that other programs can't see. If you're not sure about yourself, you should consult a specialist.

5.Recovery from a damaged memory card

If the video was stored on a microSD card and it was no longer detected by the phone (for example, after being retrieved during recording or formatting), do not rush to throw it away. In 70% of cases, data can be returned even from a damaged media.

Algorithm of action:

• 🛑 Stop using the card immediately – do not save new files or format it.
• 💻 Connect the card to the PC via card reader (not via phone!).
• 🔧 Use programs to recover from damaged media: TestDisk (free, works with damaged partitions), PhotoRec (part of the TestDisk package, specializes in multimedia), R-Studio (paid, but supports) RAW recovery).
• 🔄 If the card is not defined at all, try scanning it in mode. RAW (file-search).

Example of commands for PhotoRec (works through the command line):

photorec /d D:\recovered /c /fileopt.mp4,mpg,3gp /search

Where:

• /d D:\recovered is a folder to save recovered files.
• /fileopt.mp4,mpg,3gp is a filter for video extensions.
• /search is a complete scan.

⚠️ Note: If the memory card is physically damaged (for example, a contact or chip is broken), software methods will not help, ACE lab HDD The cost of the service is from 5 000 rubles, but the chances of returning the video are high.

6.If nothing has worked: extreme measures

If all of these methods have not worked, there are two options:

1. Contact Xiaomi Service Center, but note that the official SCs are not engaged in data recovery, but they can check the integrity of the phone’s memory (for example, if the problem is a damaged eMMC chip).
2. Use paid labs like Kroll Ontrack or DriveSavers, which work with physically damaged media and can retrieve data even after formatting, starting at 10,000 rubles, but there's no guarantee.

Before you spend money, consider the value of lost videos, if they're home records, it might be easier to accept the loss, and if they're important data, like a registrar's video for insurance, the lab is a reasonable move.

Also check:

• 📧 Email – maybe the video was sent to someone via email or messenger.

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The faster you start recovering, the better the chances of success, and every new file saved to your phone after you delete a video reduces the likelihood of a video being returned by 10 to 15 percent.

7. How to avoid video loss in the future: prevention

The best way to avoid losing videos is to take care of backups in advance. Here is the minimum set of actions for Xiaomi Redmi owners:

Additional advice:

• 📌 Turn off automatic cleaning in MIUI: Settings → Memory. → Autocleaning → Shut down.
• 🔄 Check the cart regularly – sometimes videos lie there for months, taking up space.
• 📱 Install a file manager with a basket, such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer.
• 🔋 Watch for memory health: If the phone overheats or brakes frequently, it could be a sign of memory chip wear (check through the phone). AIDA64).

If you shoot videos frequently, consider buying an external drive (e.g. Xiaomi WiFi). HDD) or NAS-The price of the question is from 3,000 rubles, but you will be protected from data loss.

FAQ: Frequent questions about video recovery on Xiaomi Redmi