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

Deleting video on a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is a familiar situation, and one careless move can lose valuable footage: family holidays, important events or work materials. Fortunately, it is often possible to recover deleted videos even without special skills, the main thing is to act quickly and correctly so as not to erase data permanently.

Android

Redmi Note 10/11/12

Redmi 9/10

right-doing

70% to 95%

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to recover video, from standard MIUI features to professional tools, how to work with the Xiaomi shopping cart, Mi Cloud and Google Photos, and how to use programs like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver without the risk of damaging your phone.

1.Check out Xiaomi Cart - The First Step to Recovery

Many Redmi users don't know that MIUI has a built-in media basket, similar to the one on computers, that saves deleted files for 30 days (by default), then clears automatically, and that's the easiest way to return videos without third-party software.

To find the basket:

1. Open the Gallery app (Google Photos are not suitable!).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (menu) in the lower right corner.
3. Select Recycle Bin (or Deleted Files in some versions of MIUI).
4. Find the right video, click on it and select “Restore”.

⚠️ Warning: If you have manually cleaned the cart or used features like “Memory Optimization” in Settings → Storage, files could be permanently deleted, and the shopping cart doesn't work for videos deleted through File Manager or third-party apps.

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If the video doesn't show up in the cart, try changing the filter by date or file type. Sometimes MIUI hides large files (more than 500MB) in a separate tab.

It is worth noting that the volume of the basket is limited - usually it is 5-10% If you deleted the video long ago or the phone's memory is full, the files could have been automatically erased to free up space.

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

If your Redmi has been enabled to sync with the cloud, the chances of returning video are much higher. Xiaomi offers two main cloud services: its own Mi Cloud and integrated Google Photos. Consider both options.

Mi Cloud: backups and synchronization

Mi Cloud automatically saves copies of photos and videos if the feature is activated in the settings.

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 🔍 Check if sync is enabled for Gallery or Media Files».
• 📁 If yes, go to i.mi.com from your computer or phone, log in and find the Gallery section».

⚠️ Note: Mi Cloud only saves thumbnails of video by default (to save space). Full-size copies are downloaded only with manual backup or if you have a Mi Cloud subscription+ (5GB).

2.2 Google Photos: a reliable backup

Google Photos is a more versatile tool, as it works on all Android devices. If you've ever signed in to a Google account on Redmi, check out:

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Go to the Library → Recycle Bin (files are stored there for 60 days).
3. If the video is not in the cart, check the Archive or search by date.

Important: Google Photos compresses video to 1080p if you don’t have the Original Quality option (requires paid storage) activated, which means that the recovered video may lose in detail if it was originally in 4K.

3. Use File Manager to search for hidden files

Sometimes the video isn't deleted completely, but just moved to a hidden folder or lost the extension, which is true if you've deleted files through File Manager or third-party applications.

1. Open the standard “Conductor” (Settings → Applications → Explorer).
2. Turn on the display of hidden files: click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Show hidden files.
3. Go to the folders: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails – video thumbnails; /storage/emulated/0/Pictures – sometimes backups are copied here; /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Backup – automatic backups of the system.

⚠️ Warning: Do not rename files with the.nomedia extension, they hide folders from the gallery, video12345), Try to add it manually.mp4 or mov.

Also worth checking the /storage/emulated/0/Download folder is that sometimes videos are saved there when downloading from instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and deleted from there by mistake.

4. Deep scanning programs: DiskDigger, EaseUS MobiSaver

If standard methods didn't work, it's time to move to specialized data recovery software that scans the phone's memory at a low level and can find files even after formatting.

4.1 DiskDigger is a simple solution without root

DiskDigger is one of the few apps that doesn't have root rights (although it's more effective).

1. Download DiskDigger from Google Play (the free version supports photo and video recovery).
2. Run a full scan (may take 1-2 hours).
3. After completion, mark the desired videos and click "Restore".
4. Save files to another medium (for example, SD-card or PC, so as not to erase data on the phone.

⚠️ Warning: The free version of DiskDigger does not restore the video in its original quality - only a preview).

4.2 EaseUS MobiSaver is a powerful tool for PCs

If DiskDigger didn’t work, try EaseUS MobiSaver, a Windows/Mac program that works by connecting your phone over USB.

• 🔍 Deep scanning (including lost.dir and system folders);
• 📁 Restore the video in its original quality;
• 🛡️ Dealing with damaged memory sections.

To use EaseUS MobiSaver:

Connect your phone to your PC through the original USB-cable

Enable File Transfer Mode (MTP) in the Notification Curtain

Install ADB drivers (if the phone is not identified)

Close all programs that can block access to memory (antiviruses, iTunes, etc.)

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Once scanned, the program will show all the videos found, including the deleted ones, select the ones you want and save them to your hard drive, and don't save the files back to your phone, which can lead to overwriting.

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The faster you start recovering from deletion, the better the chances of returning the entire video, and 2-3 weeks after deletion, the probability of success drops to 20-30%.

5. Recovery through ADB (for power users)

If you're familiar with Android debugging bridge (ADB), you can try recovering video over the command line, which is suitable for cases where the phone is not rooted, but requires accuracy.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Connect Redmi to USB and enable “Debugging by USB” (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (7 times tap) → Additional → For developers).
3. Open the command prompt (cmd) and type: Adb devices Make sure the phone is identified.
4. Back up the section with the video (for example, /sdcard/DCIM): adb pull /sdcard/DCIM C:\Redmi_Backup\
5. Use PhotoRec (part of TestDisk) to scan your backup.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB Do not use commands such as adb shell rm or adb shell. factory_reset — This will result in complete loss of data.

This method is effective if the video is stored in internal memory, rather than on the computer. SD-For memory cards, it is better to use specialized programs like Recuva (through a card reader).

6.If nothing helps: contacting the service center

When all of these methods are exhausted, and video is critical (for example, it is evidence for the court or unique footage), it is worth considering professional data recovery. Xiaomi service centers are not engaged in file recovery, but there are specialized laboratories that work with memory chips on the physical layer.

What you need to know:

• 💰 Cost: from 5 000 to 20 000 rubles depending on the complexity.
• ⏳ Timeframe: 3 days to 2 weeks.
• 🔧 Methods: use of Chip-Off (memory chip extraction) or JTAG (direct-access).

⚠️ Note: Before contacting the service:

• 🛑 Don’t turn on your phone – every system start can overwrite data.
• 📴 Extract. SIM-map SD-card (if any) to avoid accidental records.
• 📋 Check if the lab works with your Redmi model (for example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro has a different type of memory than the Redmi). 9A).

In Moscow and St. Petersburg, you can contact:

• Doctor Flash Laboratory (specializes in Xiaomi/Redmi);
• Data Recovery Center (works with physically damaged drives)
• ServeYou (the official partner of Xiaomi for warranty repair, but data recovery is a paid service).

Remember, the less you use your phone after you've been removed, the better the chances of success, and ideally, turn it off and don't turn it on before handing it over to the technicians.

7. How to Prevent Video Loss in the Future

The best way to combat data loss is prevention, and here are the proven methods for Xiaomi Redmi owners:

• ☁️ Automatic Sync: Enable backup in Mi Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Gallery) and Google Photos.
• 📁 Local Copies: Regularly transfer important videos to your PC or external drive via MTP (file transfer).
• 🔄 Backup apps: Use Swift Backup (requires root) or Titanium Backup to take system shots.
• 🚫 Protection against accidental deletion: In the Xiaomi Gallery you can enable a deletion confirmation (Gallery settings) → Confirm removal).

⚠️ Note: Don’t rely on Mi Cloud alone – the service has a limit on the size of files downloaded (up to 2 GB for free accounts). 4K Use Google Drive or physical media.

Also avoid “memory optimizers” like Clean Master or Files by Google – they often delete files without warning, considering them “junk”.

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Regular backup saves nerves and money, and statistics show that 60 percent of users lose data because they don't have backups, not because their phone breaks.

FAQ: Frequent questions about video recovery on Xiaomi Redmi