Deleting an important video from Xiaomi Redmi 8T is a situation familiar to many smartphone owners. Especially frustrating when the video was a single copy: an event recording, a children's video or work material. Fortunately, even after cleaning the gallery, the chances of recovery remain - thanks to the features of the Android file system and built-in MIUI tools.
In this article, we will discuss 6 proven methods adapted specifically for the Redmi 8T (M1908C3JG/M1908C3JH models with Android 9/10). From simple actions like checking the cart to advanced techniques using ADB and third-party utilities. Importantly, the effectiveness depends on how long it has been since you deleted and whether the smartphone was actively used - new data can overwrite old files.
Before we get started, we'll answer a key question: where do videos go when they're deleted from the gallery? In MIUI, files first go to the hidden.trash folder (if the shopping cart function is enabled), and then, when they're finally cleaned, they're labeled as free space in memory, and you can restore them until you overwrite them.
1.Basket check MIUI: The First Step to Returning Video
Redmi 8T with MIUI 11/12 firmware activates the Recycle Bin feature by default, which stores deleted files for 30 days, which is the fastest way to return a video if it’s been a little while since it was deleted.
How to check:
- 📁 Open the Files app** (yellow folder icon) → Go to the basket tab in the lower menu.
Nuance for Redmi 8T: If the cart is empty, check the settings of the Gallery app** (Settings → Recycle Bin).
⚠️ Note: Do not clean the Recycle Bin through system utilities like Optimization or Security – they can delete files irrevocably, bypassing the 30-day limit.
2. Search through the system application "Files": hidden folders and cache
Videos can stay in Redmi 8T memory, but not be displayed in the gallery due to indexing failure or moving to service folders.
Instructions:
- Open the Files»** → press three points (⋮) → Show hidden files.
.mp4
.mov
.3gp
Tip: If a video is found but not played, try renaming the file (e.g., with a video) VID_2023.corr on VID_2023.mp4) open through VLC Player – it supports corrupted files.
Enable hidden file display | Check DCIM/.thumbnails | Search for extensions.mp4/.mov| Gallery cache check (Android/data/com.miui.gallery) |Rename corrupted files-->
3. Recovery via Google Photos: Cloud Reserve
If Redmi 8T enabled sync with Google Photos, the videos could be saved to the cloud — even after being removed from the device.
- 🔄 Auto boot has been activated (Google Photo settings) → Backup and synchronization).
- 📅 Video removed less than 60 days ago (storage period in Google Recycle Bin).
- 📶 The device had access to the internet at the time of its deletion.
How to get it back:
- Open Google Photos (if removed, install from the Play Store).
- Go to the Library. → Basket.
- Find the video → click on it → select Restore.
- The file will return to the main gallery and to the device (if saved on the device).
Critical nuance: Google Photos compresses video when backing up, unless the "Original Quality" mode is activated (requires payment after 15GB).
4.Using DiskDigger: Restoration without root rights
For deep scanning of memory Redmi 8T suitable application DiskDigger (free version supports video recovery), the program analyzes memory sectors and finds files that have not yet overwritten new data.
Step-by-step:
- 📱 Install DiskDigger from Play Store (Developer Defiant Technologies).
- 🔍 Run the scan (Basic Scan for video is enough). Select Internal Storage (Internal memory).
- 🎥 After completion, mark the found videos (filter by file type) → press Recover.
- 📤 Save files to a memory card or cloud (not internal memory to avoid overwriting!).
Limitations:
- ❌ The free version does not restore files in their original quality (preview only).
- ❌ Efficiency decreases if a lot of new data is recorded after deletion (photos, applications).
- ✅ Plus: No root rights required, secure for the system.
⚠️ Note: Do not install DiskDigger on the same memory you are recovering files from (for example, if the video was on an internal drive rather than on an internal drive). SD-This will reduce the chances of success.
| Method of recovery | Root is required. | Time. | Chances of success | Loss of quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI basket | ❌ No. | 1-2 minutes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (if not cleaned) | ❌ No. |
| Google Photo | ❌ No. | 5-10 minutes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (if there was synchronization) | ⚠️ Possibly (in compression) |
| DiskDigger (Basic) | ❌ No. | 20–60 minutes | ⭐⭐⭐ (depends on rewriting) | ✅ No (in the Pro version) |
| ADB (see section 5) | ❌ No. | 15-30 minutes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (rapid-response) | ❌ No. |
5. Advanced Method: Recovery through ADB
If the video is permanently deleted (the cart is empty, DiskDigger didn't help), you can try extracting files via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that doesn't require root, but involves working with the command line.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
- 🔌 Cable USB (Preferably original from Xiaomi).
- 🛠️ Utilities: ADB Android Platform Tools (download from the official website).
Instructions:
- Activate Developer Mode on Redmi 8T: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
- Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute commands in the terminal: adb devices (M1908C3JG device should be displayed). adb shell su (if there is root) cd /sdcard/ ls -la | grep -i ".mp4\|.mov\|.3gp" This will show a list of video files, including deleted ones (if they are not already overwritten).
- Copy the found files on PC: adb pull /sdcard/VID_2023.mp4 C:\Backup\
Warning: The method requires caution. Incorrect ADB commands can disrupt the system. If you are not sure, use specialized programs (for example, EaseUS MobiSaver).
💡
Before using ADB, back up Redmi 8T data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will protect against accidental errors.
6. Contacting a service center: when nothing helps
If all of these methods fail, and video is critical, you can go to Xiaomi’s service center or data recovery lab, and use professional memory-reading equipment at the physical level (chip-off method).
What you need to know:
- 💰 Cost: 3,000 to 15,000 ₽ (depending).
- ⏳ Timeline: 1-5 days.
- 🔧 Conditions: The phone must not be physically damaged (for example, after a fall), the memory must not be overwritten (the fewer actions after removal, the better).
Where to find service in your city:
- 📍 Official Xiaomi Centers (list on mi.com).
- 🔧 Data recovery laboratories (e.g. Data Recovery, Hetman).
⚠️ Warning: Before you hand over your phone to the service, reset all data (Settings) → Resetting the settings if the device has sensitive information, video recovery is possible after reset, but this will complicate the process.
What if the video is restored but not played?
FAQ: Frequent questions about video recovery on Redmi 8T
Can I recover the video if 3 months have passed after deleting it?
Why does DiskDigger find videos but they don't play?
How to avoid losing videos in the future?
Does recovery work for videos deleted from memory cards?
Can I recover the video after resetting the phone to factory settings?
💡
The most reliable way to protect video on Redmi 8T is to set up automatic backups in Google Photos or MIUI Cloud, and even if the file is deleted from the device, a copy of it will remain in the cloud.