Video recovery on Xiaomi: from the cart to deep scanning

Delete an important video from a Xiaomi smartphone and don't know how to get it back? Don't panic - in most cases files can be recovered even if they were erased a few days ago. Modern Redmi, POCO and Mi devices have built-in data protection mechanisms, and third-party tools allow you to "pull" video even from overwritten memory sectors, the main thing is to act quickly and correctly.

In this article, we will discuss all the available recovery methods: from the standard Gallery basket to professional utilities like DiskDigger or Recuva. You will learn how to return a video after resetting, formatting a memory card or accidental deletion, as well as how to prevent irretrievable loss of files in the future. MIUI — Xiaomi’s branded shell, which often hides recovery features in non-obvious menus.

1. Checking the basket in the standard Gallery

The first thing you need to do is to look into the built-in Recycle Bin of the Gallery application, where in MIUI, deleted files are not erased immediately, but are sent to a temporary storage facility that lasts from 15 to 30 days (depending on the model and firmware version), which works even without root rights or additional programs.

To find the basket:

• 📱 Open the Gallery app (image with multi-colored squares).
• 🗑️ Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select Cart (or Recently Deleted in Newer Versions).
• 🔍 Scroll through the list and find the video you want. Hold your finger on the file to select it, then click Restore.
• 📤 The video will return to the folder from which it was deleted (usually). DCIM/Camera Movies).

Important: if the cart is empty, it does not mean that the video is lost forever. Files may have been deleted long ago (more than 30 days ago) or through third-party apps (such as Google Photos) that bypass the MIUI shopping cart.

2. Restore via Google Photos (if synchronized)

If your Xiaomi has Google Photo autosynchronization enabled, the chances of returning a video are extremely high, and the service stores deleted files in the Google Photo Recycle Bin for up to 60 days, and even longer at a paid rate, this method works even if the video was deleted from the memory card or after resetting the phone to factory settings.

Instructions:

1. Open the Google Photos app (if not, install it from the Play Market).
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner → Cart.
3. Find the video (you can sort by deletion date) and select it and click Restore.
4. The file will return to the main library and automatically download back to the device the next time you connect to Wi-Fi.

Nuance: If a video has been manually removed from Google Photos (not through the MIUI Recycle Bin), it can only be restored within 30 days via the web version of the service (photos.google.com).

• 🌐 Go to the site from a computer or phone.
• 🗑️ In the menu on the left, select the basket.
• ⏳ Videos deleted more than 30 days ago will be marked as “Deleted Forever” – they will not be returned.

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If the video was recorded in HEVC format (extension.mov or.mp4 with codec H.265), Google Photos may not display it in the cart. Try using a filter by file type or keyword search (for example, "video from the party 2023").

3.Using backups of MIUI

Xiaomi offers two types of backups: local (save on your device or memory card) and cloud (in Mi Cloud). If you have ever created a backup, you can retrieve videos from there. Local copies are stored in the MIUI/Backup/AllBackup folder, but you will need special software to access them.

How to recover video from Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Sign in (if not authorized).
3. Select Backup of the Device → Restore.
4. Specify the date of the backup (preferably the latest) and wait for the process to be completed.

Limitations:

• ⚠️ Free account Mi Cloud provides only 5 GB – if the video is large, the copy may not be saved.
• 🔄 Recovery from the backup will replace the current data on the device (photos, contacts, messages).
• 📅 Local backups are stored for a maximum of 7 days unless ported to PC.

4.Programs for deep memory scanning

If the video is not found in the bins and backups, you can scan the memory directly with specialized utilities, which work on the principle of finding the "signatures" of files — even if the video record is erased from the file system, fragments of it can remain on the disk.

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

1. Download DiskDigger from Play Market (free version supports video recovery).
2. Launch the app and select Full Scan (takes more time but finds more files).
3. Specify the file type: mark the video (MP4, MOV, MKV, etc.).
4. Wait for the scan to be completed (it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour).
5. View the files found: videos with a green tick are restored completely, with a yellow exclamation point - partially.
6. Select the files you want and click Restore. Save them to a memory card or to the cloud (not internal memory!).

⚠️ Warning: If the video was recorded on a memory card, remove it from your phone and connect it to your PC through a card reader. Scanning directly from your phone can lead to the overwriting of deleted data with new files, making recovery impossible.

Disable Wi-Fi and Mobile Data

Charge your phone at least 50%

Free up 1-2 GB of free space

Do not install new applications until the restoration is completed

Use the original USB cable (to connect to a PC)

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5. Recovery after reset to factory settings

If the video is lost after a hard reset, the chances of recovery depend on whether data protection was enabled in MIUI. When resetting without formatting internal memory (the option to Save internal memory in the reset menu), the videos may remain in the DCIM or Movies folders, but will be hidden from the user.

What to do:

• 🔍 Connect your phone to your PC and use Recuva or PhotoRec to scan your internal memory. These programs ignore the file system and search for signature data.
• 📁 Check the folder. MIUI/Backup/AllBackup — Sometimes the reset creates an automatic backup.
• 🔄 If the reset was made via Fastboot (fastboot erase userdata command), video recovery can only be done using professional services (for example, Ontrack or Kroll), since the data is erased at a low level.

Critical: Do not write new files to your device after a reset - each new video or photo file reduces the chances of recovering old data. If the phone offers to update the firmware after a reset, refuse until the recovery is complete.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods did not help, and the video is critical (for example, evidence for the court or unique footage), you should contact the official service center Xiaomi.

• 💰 Cost: from 3 000 to 10 000 rubles depending on the complexity.
• ⏳ Timeframe: 3 to 7 working days.
• 🔒 Privacy: You get a report on the recovered files and you can choose which videos you want.
• 📱 Condition: phone must turn on (even in Fastboot mode) If the device does not respond to charging, recovery is unlikely.

How to prepare for a visit to the service:

1. Do not try to disassemble the phone or solder the fee.
2. Bring a check or confirmation of purchase (for warranty devices).
3. Check with the operator whether the data recovery center supports the data recovery (not all services provide this service).

⚠️ Note: if the video has been deleted from the encrypted partition (for example, after activating Application Protection in the MIUI), Even the service center can't recover it without a password, and then all that's left is the hope of backups.

How to Prevent Video Loss in the Future

To avoid looking for ways to restore, it is better to take care of data security in advance. Here are 5 mandatory rules for Xiaomi owners:

• ☁️ Enable autosynchronization with Google Photos or Mi Cloud. Even if the video is removed from your phone, it will remain in the cloud.
• 📁 Regularly copy the video to your PC or external drive. Use folders DCIM Movies and Movies are the easiest to reserve.
• 🔄 Create local backups in Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset. Select the option Enable Multimedia Backup.
• 🚫 Avoid memory cleaners like Clean Master or CCleaner – they often delete files without recovery.
• 🔧 Turn off automatic optimization in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization if You Notice Videos Are Disappearing After Long Phone Downtime.

Preventive tip: If you shoot videos on Xiaomi frequently, install the FolderSync or SyncMe app to automatically upload new files to Google Drive, Dropbox or on the Internet. FTP-server. These services allow you to set up sync on a schedule or when you connect to Wi-Fi.

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The most reliable way to protect video is to combine cloud redundancy (Google Photos or Mi Cloud) with local backups on your PC, and even if one source fails, the data will remain in the other.

FAQ: Frequent questions about video recovery on Xiaomi