Removed an important video from a Xiaomi phone and you don't know how to get it back? Don't panic - in most cases files can be recovered even if they were erased from the gallery. Redmi, Poco and Mi smartphones store media files using special logic, and in recent versions of MIUI there are built-in tools to protect against accidental deletion.
In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to return lost videos, from simple (check basket and cloud copies) to advanced (use of a PC and specialized software). We will analyze the nuances for different scenarios: if the video was deleted recently or long ago, if the phone was reset to factory settings, if the memory card is damaged, and you will learn how to increase the chances of successful recovery by 70%, following three key rules when working with memory of the device.
1.A check of the basket at MIUI Gallery
Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi smartphones have a "Baskbasket" feature, the equivalent of a garbage can on a PC, where deleted files are stored there for 30 days (by default), after which they are permanently erased, and this is the first and easiest way to return a video.
How to open the basket:
- 📱 Open the Gallery app** (Icon with flower).
- 🔍 In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) → pick the basket.
- 📽️ Find the right video, hold your finger on it. → press Restore.
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If the basket is empty, check the settings: go to the Gallery → ⋮ → Settings → Cart and make sure the function is enabled.
⚠️ Note: In some firmware (for example, on Poco) F3 custom-made MIUI) The shopping cart can be disabled by default. If you don't find this section, update the Gallery app via Google Play or use an alternative method.
2.Recovery through Mi Cloud backups
If your Xiaomi has Mi Cloud sync enabled, the videos could automatically be saved to the cloud, which works even after the phone is reset to factory settings.
Instructions for remediation:
- 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in to the same Mi Account as you do on your phone.
- 📁 Select the Gallery section → Find a folder with a video (usually a Camera or Video).
- 🔄 Click on the video. → Download or Restore to the Device.
| Conditions | Chance of recovery | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Video uploaded to Mi Cloud before being deleted | 95% | Free only 5 GB, for more subscriptions |
| Synchronization disabled, but was enabled earlier | 70% | Only miniatures can be stored in the cloud (preview) |
| Phone dropped but tied to the same account | 80% | A stable Internet connection is required for downloading |
⚠️ Note: If you delete video from the cloud (not just your phone), it will not be possible to restore it. Xiaomi does not provide tools to return files deleted from the Mi Cloud.
3. Use of third-party programs (without root)
If the video is not in the cart or in the cloud, there is an option with data recovery software, and Xiaomi will be suitable for utilities that work without superuser rights (root), but with restrictions.
Top.-3 tested:
- 🛠️ DiskDigger scans the internal memory and SD-map, supports formats.mp4,.mov,.3gp. Download it to Google Play.
- 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver – Restores video even after resetting (requires a PC connection).
- 📱 Dumpster is an analogue of the basket, but works independently of the MIUI. Installed as a regular application.
Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger:
1. Install the application and open it.
2. Select the partition to scan (internal memory or SD- card).
3. Click "Start basic scan" (without root).
4. After completion, mark the desired videos and click "Restore".
5. Save files to the cloud or another medium (not to the same partition of the phone!).Disable Wi-Fi and mobile data on your phone|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Use the original USB-cable|Do not connect your phone to other devices during the process
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⚠️ Warning: Do not save recovered videos back to the same memory partition from which they were deleted! this can overwrite the remaining fragments of files and make it impossible to recover other data.
4. Recovery from damage SD-map
If the video was stored on a microSD and it was no longer defined by your phone, don't throw it away. In 60 percent of cases, the data can be saved by a PC.
Algorithm of action:
- 🖥️ Connect. SD-card to the computer via card reader (not via phone!).
- 🔧 Use Recuva (free) or R-Studio (paid, but more powerful):
💾 Save the recovered files to the hard drive of the PC.
What if the memory card is not defined at all?
⚠️ Warning: Never format SD-Formatting destroys the file system table, and the chances of recovery fall to 10%.
5. Recovery after reset to factory settings
If you have made a hard reset (reset via Recovery or in settings), the video can only be returned if two conditions are met:
- The phone was enabled sync with Mi Cloud or Google Photos.
- You did not record new data to your phone after the reset (you did not install apps, you did not shoot photos / videos).
What to do:
- 🔄 Disconnect your phone from the internet (plane mode) immediately to prevent overwriting.
- 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and use EaseUS MobiSaver or Dr.Fone to scan your internal memory.
- 🔍 In the scan results, look for files with extension.mp4 or.thm (video miniatures).
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The faster you start recovering from a reset, the better the chances of getting your data back, and each new record on your phone (even installing an app) reduces the likelihood of success by 20-30%.
6.Prevention: How to Avoid Losing Video in the Future
To avoid looking for ways to recover, it is better to protect your data in advance. Here are 3 mandatory rules for Xiaomi owners:
- ☁️ Automatic Sync: Enable backup in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery. Free 5GB, but enough for hundreds of short videos.
- 📁 Duplication by SD-Map: In the camera settings (Storage) select Memory Card as the default save location.
- 🔄 Backups to PC: Once a month, connect your phone to your computer and copy your folder DCIM/Camera hard-drive.
Also install the Google Photos app – it automatically uploads videos to the cloud (15GB for free) and lets you recover them even after losing your phone.
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In the Xiaomi camera settings (Settings → Camera → Save), you can enable the Save Duplicate option to the cloud, which will double the protection of your videos.