Recovering Deleted Videos on Xiaomi Phone: From Recycle Bin to Deep Scanning

Deleting an important video on a Xiaomi smartphone is a familiar situation. Whether it’s a random click on Delete, a reset or a system crash, losing valuable records always causes panic. Fortunately, in most cases, files can be returned — even if you’ve already cleaned your cart or formatted your memory card. In this article, we’ll look at all the recovery options available, from standard MIUI features to professional utilities, and also explain how to avoid future losses.

It’s important to understand that recovery success depends on three factors: time (the faster you start acting, the better the odds), storage type (internal memory vs. microSD), and post-deletion actions (writing new files over deleted ones reduces the likelihood of a return). If a video was recently deleted and you haven’t installed updates or shot new videos, the chances of success are 80-90%.

We tested all of these methods on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra and POCO X5 Pro models with the latest MIUI 14/15 (based on Android 13/14). The instructions are relevant for all of the brand’s devices, including the older models on MIUI 12 and newer.

1. Checking the basket in the Xiaomi Gallery

The first thing you need to do is look in the gallery cart, and in MIUI, deleted files are not erased immediately, but are sent to a temporary storage facility that lasts 15 to 30 days (depending on your settings), which works even if you have deleted the video through a file manager or a third-party app (e.g. Google Photos).

How to open the basket:

• 📱 Open the standard Gallery app** (Icon with flower).
• 🗑️ Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → pick the basket.
• 🔍 Scroll through the list or use the search (loop at the top) to find the right video.
• 🔄 Click on the video. → Restore button (arrow down).

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

• ⚙️ Recycle cart settings: Gallery → Settings → Cart. Make sure the function is on and the shelf life is not set to 0 days.
• 📁 Recently Deleted folder in Google Photos (if sync was enabled).
• 🔄 Recently Deleted in the Mi File Manager.

⚠️ Warning: After recovery from the cart, the video may be in the folder DCIM/Camera If the file is not displayed in the gallery, check these directories through any file manager.

2. Recovery through backups

If the cart is empty, the next step is to check the backups. Xiaomi offers two backup options: via Mi Cloud (cloud) and local copies in MIUI Backup. Even if you didn't set up the backup consciously, the system could create a copy automatically (for example, when you updated MIUI).

The Mi Cloud Cloud

If the phone was synced to Mi Cloud, the video could be saved to the cloud.

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Make sure that the gallery synchronization slider is active.
3. Go to i.mi.com (from your computer or phone), log in and check the Gallery folder.

Note: Mi Cloud only provides 5GB of space for free. If the memory is full, old files could be deleted automatically.

• 🔍 Search by date of shooting (if you remember the approximate time).
• 📤 View archive versions of folders (the Mi Cloud web interface has a file version feature).

Local backups

MIUI creates local backups when you upgrade or manually (via Settings → About Phone → Backup) and these copies are stored in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder on the internal drive to extract the video:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (in file transfer mode).
2. Open the folder. MIUI/backup/AllBackup and find a file with the.mbk extension (for example, backup_20260515.mbk).
3. Use Mi PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi) to unpack the backup or third-party utilities like 7-Zip (requires a change of extension to.zip).

⚠️ Attention: Local backups MIUI Without the password (which you specified when you created the copy), you can't extract the data. If you forgot the password, try the standard combinations: the date of creation of the backup or the backup. PIN-phone.

Make sure there is enough room on the phone to unpack.

Download Mi PC Suite from the official Xiaomi website

Connect the phone to the PC in the mode "File Transfer"

Remember the backup password (if installed)

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3. Deep scanning programs

If you don't find video in the cart or backups, you've got to go to specialized programs that scan the device's memory at a low level and recover files even if they were deleted months ago. Importantly, don't install the software on the same phone that you deleted the video from, which will reduce your chances of success. Use a PC or another smartphone.

The best tools for video recovery with Xiaomi:

Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger (most effective for Xiaomi):

1. Download and install DiskDigger on a PC or other phone.
2. Connect your Xiaomi to a device with the program via USB-OTG or cable (in File Transfer mode).
3. Start DiskDigger, select your phone from the list of drives.
4. Specify the file type: mark MP4, MOV, 3GP (video formats on Xiaomi).
5. Select Full Scan (it will take longer but find more files).
6. After scanning, mark the desired videos and click Restore.

For microSD cards, the algorithm is similar, but it takes less time to scan. If the video was recorded on the card, don't use it until you recover it, because each new file reduces the chances of success.

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If the program doesn't find the video, try changing the scan format. For example, in Recuva, select Deep Scan mode, which looks for files by signatures, not by file system.

4. Recovery through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work and root rights aren't available, you can try extracting videos via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for internal memory and requires minimal command line knowledge, with the advantage of not having to unlock the bootloader or get root.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB (You can download it on Android. SDK or through Minimal ADB and Fastboot).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on Xiaomi (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer menu, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission on the Xiaomi screen.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and do:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed.)

1. Back up the video section (replace /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/ with the desired path):

adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/ C:\Xiaomi_Recovery\

1. If the videos were elsewhere, check the paths: /sdcard/Movies/ for screen recordings; /sdcard/MIUI/Camera/ for some Xiaomi models; /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media/ if the videos came via messenger.

If adb pull doesn’t find files, try to get a list of all the video files:

adb shell find /sdcard/ -name ".mp4" -o -name ".mov" -o -name "*.3gp"

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They will not restore deleted files directly, but will help to extract those that still exist in memory (for example, if the video is hidden or moved by the system.

5.Recovery through Xiaomi Service Centers

If all independent attempts fail, you can contact the Xiaomi service center, official workshops have access to specialized equipment (for example, UFED or Cellebrite), which can recover data even from damaged drives.

Conditions of reinstatement in the SC:

• 💰 Cost: from 3 000 to 10 000 rubles (depending on the complexity and model of the phone).
• ⏳ Timeframe: 1 to 5 days (express recovery is more expensive).
• 🔒 Privacy: You will have to provide access to your phone, so delete your personal details in advance (if the phone is working).
• 📱 Warranty: Data recovery does not affect the warranty, but if the problem is caused by a physical breakdown (e.g., flooding), repairs may be paid for.

How to prepare for a visit to the SC:

1. Check by phone if they are engaged in data recovery (not all centers provide this service).
2. Take with you: Passport (for the conclusion of the contract); Check or warranty card (if any); Memory card (if the videos were on it).

If the phone is locked, remember the password or pattern lock – without unlocking the wizard will not be able to start working.

The addresses of official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service. Before visiting, check the reviews about a specific SC - some workshops refuse to restore data, citing complexity.

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Service center is the last chance to get a video back if the software methods didn't work, but only 50 to 60 percent of the time, especially if the data was overwritten, is successful.

6. How to Prevent Future Video Loss

The best way to combat data loss is to prevent it, and here are proven methods to avoid repeat incidents:

Cloud backups:

• ☁️ Set up automatic sync with Google Photos or Mi Cloud: In Google Photos: Open the app → Profile → Photo settings → Backup and sync. in Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization of the gallery.
• 📤 Use Telegram as a cloud storage: Send important videos to Save Messages.

Local copies:

• 💾 Regularly copy video to PC or external drive via MTP (file-transfer).
• 📁 Create duplicates of important files in the Backup folder on the memory card.

Phone settings:

• 🔄 Increase the storage time in the basket: Gallery → Settings → Basket → Storage period (set maximum - 30 days).
• 🚫 Turn off automatic cache cleanup in Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.

Shooting tips:

• 🎥 Don’t just store your video in one place, like duplicate your recordings from Xiaomi to GoPro or another device.
• 📌 Use tags in Google Photos or albums in MIUI Gallery to quickly find important files.

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If you shoot video on Xiaomi often, install the FolderSync (Play Market) app, which automatically copies new files from the DCIM folder to the cloud (Dropbox, Yandex Drive, etc.) on a schedule.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you restore videos, users often make mistakes that reduce their chances of success to zero, and here are the most common mistakes and how not to repeat them:

Error 1: Continuing to use your phone after deleting it

• 📱 What happens: New files (photos, videos, updates) overwrite deleted data.
• 🛑 How to avoid: Turn off mobile internet and Wi-Fi, don’t install apps or shoot new videos.

Mistake 2: Using Unreliable Software

• 💻 What Happens: Some Play Market Restores Have Viruses or Ruin the File System.
• 🛑 How to avoid: Use only the proven utilities from our list (Section 3).

Error 3: Formatting a memory card

• 📁 What Happens: Formatting erases the file system table, making recovery almost impossible.
• 🛑 How to avoid: If the microSD card is not readable, don’t format it – try scanning on another device.

Mistake. 4:Ignoring Google baskets Photos

• 🗑️ What happens: Many people forget that Google Photos has its own shopping cart (Recently Deleted) where files are stored for 60 days.
• 🛑 How to avoid: Check both baskets: MIUI Gallery and Google Photos.

Mistake 5: Trying to recover video on your phone

• 📲 What happens: Saving recovered files to the same phone can overwrite other deleted data.
• 🛑 How to avoid: Always save recovered videos to your PC or external drive.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions