How to recover deleted video on Xiaomi: from the cart to deep scanning

Deleting videos on Xiaomi smartphones is a problem that one in five users face, according to statistics from the brand’s service centers. Unlike photos, video files take up much more space, so they are more often cleaned manually or through automatic utilities like Cleaner. But what if something important is deleted? The methods of recovery depend on how files are lost: through standard deletion, formatting a memory card or resetting settings.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods - from basic (checking the cart and cloud backups) to advanced (using a PC and specialized utilities).+ The basket works differently than on POCO X5, How to get around restrictions MIUI. We also find out in which cases recovery is absolutely impossible - even with the help of paid programs.

1.A check of the basket at MIUI Gallery

The first thing you need to do is look in the gallery basket. MIUI Deleted files are not erased immediately, but are sent to a temporary storage facility, where they are stored for 7 to 30 days (depending on the model and firmware version:

1. Open the Gallery app (or Photos on newer versions of MIUI).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → select the basket.
3. Find the right video, click on it and select Restore.

If the cart is empty or not on the menu, it means:

• 📅 The video was deleted over a month ago (automatic cleaning).
• 🗑️ Files were erased through Explorer or third-party apps (such as Files by Google) that bypass the shopping cart. MIUI.
• 🔧 On the smartphone disabled the function of the cart in the settings of the gallery (Settings) → Basket → Store deleted files).

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On some models (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the cart is hidden by default. To enable it, go to Gallery Settings. → Additionally. → Show the basket.

Important: after recovery, the video may not be in the original folder, but in the Unsorted section or on the internal drive in the folder DCIM/.thumbnails. Check these directories through the Explorer.

2. Recovery through cloud services

If you're syncing with Mi Cloud, Google Photos, or another cloud on your smartphone, the chances of a video coming back are higher.

Mi Cloud (Official Xiaomi Cloud)

In Mi Cloud, backup photos and videos are automatically created if:

• 📱 In account settings (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup) Gallery option enabled.
• 📶 The device has been connected to Wi-Fi in the last 30 days (autosync only works wirelessly).
• 💾 There is plenty of space on the cloud (free 5GB, but video fills it up quickly).

To check for a backup copy:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the Gallery section → Recycle Bin (if the video has been deleted recently) or All files.
3. Use a date filter to narrow down your search.

2.2 Google Photo.

Google Photos saves the video in its original quality if you have:

• 📸 Backup and synchronization option is enabled in the application settings.
• 💾 Google One subscription (free only 15 GB per account).
• 🔄 Videos are not removed from Google Photos Recycle Bin (60 days of files).

To restore:

1. Open Google Photos on your smartphone or go to photos.google.com.
2. Put it on the avatar. → Basket.
3. Select the video, press Restore.

⚠️ Note: If the video was removed from Google Photos more than 60 days ago or the shopping cart was manually cleaned, it is not possible to restore files through this service. → Transfer of data → Saving traffic).

3. Search video through Explorer and hidden folders

Sometimes the video is not deleted completely, but moved to service directories. MIUI. This is especially true for screen recordings or instant messenger videos:

To see hidden folders (such as.thumbnails):

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (file transfer mode).
2. Enable the display of hidden files in Windows Explorer (View → Hidden Items).
3. Use search by extensions: type in the search bar.mp4 or mov.

If the video is found but not played, try:

• 🔧 Rename the file (for example, add an extension.mp4).
• 📥 Download the codec MX Player Codec for Playback.
• 💻 Transfer the video to the PC and open through VLC Player (it supports corrupted files).

4. Recovery through PC: programs and nuances

If the video is not found in the cart or the cloud, you can still scan the memory deep with specialized utilities, and this method works even if:

• 🗃️ The folder was formatted.
• 🔄 There was a reset (Factory Reset).
• 📱 The video was removed through the conductor or ES File Explorer.

The best recovery software with Xiaomi support:

Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger (recommended for beginners):

Connect Xiaomi to your PC in File Transfer Mode (MTP)

Install and run DiskDigger (select Basic scan mode)

Select a smartphone drive (usually an “Internal Storage”)

Check the formats.mp4,.mov,.3gp and press "Next"

Wait until the scan is finished (may take up to 1 hour)

View the files found, select the files you need and click "Recover"-->

Important nuances:

• 🔌 If the smartphone is not determined by the PC, turn on Debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version number → Come back to the extra. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🛡️ For deep scanning of internal memory will require root-rights (on new models Xiaomi they are difficult to get because of the blocked bootloader).
• 💾 Don’t save recovered files back to your smartphone – use a PC or external drive to avoid overwriting.

⚠️ Note: If new files (photos, apps, updates) are recorded on a smartphone after deleting the video, the chances of recovery drop sharply. F2FS, This is the file that Xiaomi uses on most models, and every new file can overwrite sectors with deleted data.

5. specifics of recovery for different Xiaomi models

Algorithms for working with memory and backups differ depending on the line and version MIUI. Here are the key features:

5.1. Flagship models (Xiaomi) 13/14, Mix series)

On these devices:

• 📁 The shopping cart in the gallery stores files for up to 30 days (vs. 7-15 on budget models).
• 🔒 Internal memory is encrypted by default (starting with MIUI 13), which makes it difficult to recover from a PC without root.
• 🖥️ Supported MIUI+ — If the video is synced with a Windows PC, check the folder. C:\Users\[Your user]\MiPhone\Backup.

Budget series (Redmi, POCO)

There are more frequent problems here:

• 🗑️ The cart can be disabled by default (includes in the Gallery Settings). → Basket).
• 📱 On some models (e.g. Redmi) 10A) No video backup in Mi Cloud – only photos.
• 💾 Memory cards are formatted in exFAT, which increases the risk of data loss when retrieved without safely shutting down.

Devices with MIUI for Pad (tablets)

On Xiaomi Pad 6 and other tablets:

• 🎥 Videos from the camera are saved by default in /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera/Pad.
• 🔄 Automatic Cloud Sync Disabled for Files Size >500MB.
• 🛠️ Recovery via PC may require a Mi Pad driver USB Driver (download on the official website).

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On models with a MediaTek chipset (for example, Redmi Note 12) 5G) PC recovery often requires additional drivers. If the program can't see the device, install MediaTek USB VCOM drivers.

6. when restoration is not possible

There are situations in which the video will not be returned by any of the methods:

• 🔥 Physical memory damage: If the smartphone falls, overheats or is flooded, the data can be lost irretrievably, in this case only a professional laboratory (cost from 10 000 USD) will help. ₽).
• 🔄 Complete resetting of encryption settings: on devices with MIUI 12+ Factory Reset encrypts internal memory again, making recovery impossible.
• 🗃️ Use of the "Storage Cleanup" function in Settings → Memory: It deletes files without recovery, unlike standard deletion.
• ⏳ It took more than 6 months: even if the video was on the memory card, over time, fragments of the file are overwritten with new data.

If you are in one of these situations, all that remains is:

• Check other devices (possibly the video was sent via Telegram, WhatsApp or saved on another gadget).
• Contact Xiaomi Service Center – sometimes engineers can extract data through service protocols (but this is not guaranteed).

7. How to avoid video loss in the future

In order not to look for ways to restore, it is enough to follow simple rules:

Enable automatic sync with Google Photos or Mi Cloud

Regularly transfer important videos to a PC or external drive

Use class memory cards A2 (They're less likely to get damaged)

Do not clear gallery cache through Clearer – this can delete thumbnails of videos

Before resetting the settings, remove the memory card-->

Additional advice:

• 📁 Create a folder on internal memory Video_Backup Copy important files manually.
• 🔧 Turn off automatic cart cleaning: Gallery settings → Basket → Auto-cleaning → Never.
• 📱 On models with support OTG (for example, Xiaomi 13T) Use flash drives for backup.

If you often shoot videos in 4K or HDR10+, Pay attention to the camera settings:

• 🎞️ In camera settings → Select the video format for High Quality (HEVC) — The files will weigh less at the same resolution.
• 📎 Turn on the option to save to a memory card if you have a microSD installed.

FAQ: Frequent questions about video recovery