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

Remove the video from Xiaomi Redmi 9 by mistake or after resetting? Don't panic - the chances of returning lost files are higher than you think. In this article, we will discuss all the available recovery methods, from standard MIUI functions to professional utilities, taking into account the features of this particular model. It is important to act quickly: the less time has passed since deleting, the greater the likelihood of success.

Redmi 9 (codenamed lancelot) runs on a Mediatek Helio G80 processor and uses a F2FS or ext4 file system depending on the firmware version. This affects how data is stored and deleted. For example, when you "soft" delete (via the gallery) video first enters the MIUI basket, where it lies for 30 days, but when you format the memory card or reset to factory settings, files are erased irrevocably - but you can try to restore them with special programs.

Before you start, check:

• 🔍 Gallery Recycle Bin - The first 30 days of video are stored there automatically.
• ☁️ Cloud backups – sync with Mi Cloud, Google Photos or other services.
• 📁 Hidden folders – sometimes videos are saved to.thumbnails or DCIM/.cache.
• 🛠️ Root access – if available, chances of recovery are higher.

1. Checking the basket in the standard MIUI gallery

The easiest way is to use the built-in Recycle Bin feature in the Gallery app, which is activated by default on Redmi 9 and stores deleted files for exactly 30 days (if not manually cleared), after which time the data is deleted irrevocably.

How to check:

1. Open the Gallery app (a icon with multi-colored squares).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines in the lower right corner (menu).
3. Select "Baskbasket"
4. Find the desired video, click on it and select "Restore".

If the cart is empty or the video is not there:

• 🔄 Check the filters (only photos may be displayed).
• 🗑️ Make sure the cart is not manually cleaned through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 📅 Please note that files older than 30 days are automatically deleted.

⚠️ Warning: If you've already cleaned your basket or dropped your phone to factory settings, this method won't work.

2.Recovery via Mi Cloud and Google Photos backups

If Redmi 9 was enabled to sync with cloud services, videos could be saved there automatically. Xiaomi's Mi Cloud offers 5GB of free storage, and Google Photos (until June 2021) allowed you to download videos in original quality without restrictions.

How to check out Mi Cloud:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Make sure that the "Gallery Synchronization" function is enabled.
3. Go to Mi Cloud → Gallery and search for the video in the section "Deleted" (stored for 60 days).

How to check out Google Photos:

1. Open the Google Photos app (if not installed, download from the Play Market).
2. Tap on the profile avatar. → "Basket".
3. The video is stored there for 60 days (if not cleared).
4. To recover, click on the video → “Restore”.

⚠️ Note: If you manually deleted the video from the cloud or disabled sync before deleting, the files are not recoverable. Also check if the storage limit is exceeded - in this case, new files are not downloaded.

💡

To avoid future data loss, enable automatic uploading of videos to Google Photos over the mobile network. Go to Settings → Data Transfer → Use mobile traffic (traffic consumption will be higher, but files will be saved even without Wi-Fi).

3. Search for videos in hidden folders and cache

Sometimes videos are not deleted completely, but remain in the system's service folders. On Redmi 9, check the following directories (use any file manager, such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer):

• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails — Miniatures and sometimes original videos.
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.cache — cached.
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots — If the video was recorded as a screencast.
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Download — web-loaded.

How to find:

1. Open Files (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Turn on the display of hidden files: click on three dots → “Settings” → “Show hidden files”.
3. Enter the.mp4,.mov or.3gp extension.

If the video is found but not reproduced:

• 🔧 Try renaming the file (for example, with a vid_1234.tmp on video.mp4).
• 📥 Copy it to your computer and open it through VLC Player (it reads corrupted files).

4. PC Recovery: DiskDigger and EaseUS

If you can't find the video on your phone, connect Redmi 9 to your computer and use specialized deep scanning software that works even without root rights, but with better efficiency.

The best recovery programs:

Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger:

1. Download and install DiskDigger on your PC (official website: diskdigger.org).
2. Connect Redmi 9 to USB in File Transfer mode (when you request a phone, select File Manager (MTP)).
3. Run the program and select your phone’s drive (usually Internal Storage).
4. Press Full Scan and wait until it is completed (may take several hours).
5. Filter the results by expanding.mp4,.mov.
6. Select the files you need and click "Recover".

Enable debugging on USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times)|Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Use the original USB-cable|Disable screen locking during scanning-->

⚠️ Note: Do not save recovered videos back to Redmi 9 - this can overwrite the remaining data. Use an external drive or cloud. Also avoid writing new files to your phone until the recovery is complete.

5. Recovery from a microSD card

If the video was stored on a memory card, the chances of recovery are higher - flash drives are less likely to overwrite data.

Method 1: Through an adapter on a PC

1. Remove the memory card from Redmi 9.
2. Insert it into the adapter and connect it to the computer.
3. Use Recuva or PhotoRec (free) programs to scan.
4. Select the "Deep Scan" mode and wait for the results.

Method 2: Using a phone (without a PC)

• 📱 Install the Dumpster app (similar to a memory card basket).
• 🔍 Start scanning – the program will show deleted files.
• 💾 Restore the video directly to the map (if there is a place).

Features of working with memory cards on Redmi 9:

• 🔄 If the card is formatted as internal memory (in Settings) → Storage, data recovery is more difficult – root is required.
• 📛 SanDisk and Samsung Maps EVO It is better to recover than no-name.
• 🚫 Avoid using the card after deleting – new files will overwrite old ones.

💡

If the videos were recorded to a memory card formatted as portable storage (not internal memory), the chances of recovery are 40-60% higher. → Warehouse → Map. SD.

6 Radical methods: root access and ADB

If the standard methods didn't work, there are still advanced methods -- but they require unlocking the bootloader and getting root rights. It's risky: you lose the warranty and you can damage the system. Use only if the videos are critical.

Steps to Recovery through ADB:

1. Unlock the bootloader on Redmi 9 (instructions at en.miui.com/unlock).
2. Install TWRP Recovery and get root through Magisk.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line.
4. Enter the command to search for deleted files: adb shell su cd /data/media/0/DCIM ls -la | grep ".mp4"
5. Use the Undelete utility for Linux (requires command knowledge).

The alternative is the GT Recovery program (requires root):

• 📱 Install the application from APK (Not available in the Play Market).
• 🔍 Select a section /data or /sdcard scan.
• 💾 Save the recovered files on PC.

⚠️ Note: After rooting, some banking applications (such as SberBank Online) may stop working, and the risk of virus attacks increases. TWRP.

7.If nothing has worked: Professional services

When all methods are exhausted and the videos are critical (for example, they are the only recordings from an important event), go to specialized laboratories, they use analyzer chips and recover data at the physical level.

Criteria for choosing the service:

• 🔬 Experience with Xiaomi and Mediatek chips.
• 💰 Cost (from 5 000 to 30 000 rubles depending on the complexity).
• 📄 Guarantee of confidentiality (sign the contract).
• ⏱️ Timeframes (from 1 day to 2 weeks).

Top.-3 Service in Russia (according to reviews) 2026 year-end):

Before appeal:

• 📞 Check if they work with Redmi 9 (model) M2003J15SS).
• 📦 Don’t try to recover data yourself – it can be difficult for specialists to work.
• 💳 Check reviews on Yandex.Maps or 2GIS.

FAQ: Frequent questions about video recovery on Redmi 9