Deleting photos from a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that almost every user faces. One careless tap, reset or system failure can deprive you of valuable images. Fortunately, in most cases, files are restored - even if you have cleaned the basket or formatted the memory card.
In this article, we will look at all the current ways to recover photos on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, including models from 2020-2026. From standard MIUI tools to professional utilities for PCs, you will learn which method is suitable for your situation, and also find out why some photos can not be recovered and how to avoid their loss in the future.
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1.Check the basket at Xiaomi Gallery
The first thing you need to do is to look into the Gallery's built-in application cart, where the deleted photos are stored for 30 days in MIUI (some firmware for up to 60 days), and then automatically erased permanently, which works even if you've deleted the images from internal memory or microSD cards.
How to open the basket:
- 📱 Open the Gallery app on your Xiaomi.
- 🗑️ Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → pick the basket.
- 🔍 View the list of deleted files. To return a photo, click on it and select Restore.
- 📤 For mass recovery, use the Control button. → mark the required files → Restore.
If the bin is empty or you've manually cleaned it, move to the next way. Importantly, don't save new files to the device until you recover them, they can overwrite deleted data.
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On some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the cart is hidden. To turn it on, go to Gallery Settings → Recycle Bin → Show the cart.
2. Recovery via MI Cloud backups or Google Photos
If your Xiaomi has enabled cloud sync, chances of returning photos are maximum. MI Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud) and Google Photos automatically save copies of the images, unless you have disabled this feature.
Method 1: MI Cloud
- 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
- 📁 Open the Gallery section → Find the Remote or Recycle Bin folder.
- 🔄 Select the photos you want and click Restore. They'll be back in the main gallery on your phone.
Method 2: Google Photos
- 📱 Open the Google Photos app on your phone or go to photos.google.com.
- 🗑️ Select the Recycle Bin (Photos are stored there for 60 days).
- 🔙 Click on the photo → Restore.
If sync has been disabled, check other devices (tablet, PC) where you may have logged in to the same account.
Yes, only MI Cloud.
Yes, only Google Photos.
I use both services.
I don't use clouds.
I only keep my photos on my phone.-->
3. Connection to PC and Recovery through the Program
If the photos are deleted from a memory card or internal drive, and the basket is empty, specialized software will help (Windows/Mac) and USB-cable.
The best recovery programs:
| Programme | Xiaomi support | Deep scanning. | Free version |
|---|---|---|---|
| DiskDigger | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No, just a view) |
| Recuva | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (with limitations) |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No (30-day trial) |
| PhotoRec (for advanced) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (fully) |
Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger:
- 🖥️ Install the program on your PC and connect Xiaomi through USB (file transfer).
- 🔍 Start DiskDigger, select your phone’s drive (or memory card).
- 🔎 Press Dig Deep (Deep Scanning) → Wait until it is completed (may take hours).
- 📸 View the photos found, mark the necessary and click Recover.
Turn off recording new files on your phone
Use the original USB-cable
Charge your phone at least 50%
Do not format a memory card before scanning-->
Attention! If the phone is not defined as a drive, turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times) → Additional → For developers.
4. Recovery through ADB (for power users)
If standard methods don't work, and photos are critical, you can try extracting them through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires command-line skills and is suitable for undamaged files that haven't been overwritten yet.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
- 📱 Xiaomi with enabled debugging on USB.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
Instructions:
adb devices # Checking the connection of the device
Adb shell # Go to shell phone
Su # Getting root rights (if the phone is rooted)
cd /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/ # Go to folder with photo
ls -la # View files (including hidden files)
adb pull /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera/C:\Backup\# Copying on PCIf the phone is not rooted, instead of su, use run-as com.android.gallery3d (to access gallery data), which only works if the files are still physically present on the disk but not displayed in the interface.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center
If the photos are of extreme value (for example, single shots from an important event) and independent attempts were unsuccessful, contact an authorized Xiaomi service center.
- 🛠️ Chip-off method – direct work with a memory chip (suitable for physically damaged devices).
- 🔧 JTAG — Recovery through test contacts on the board.
- 💾 Low-level scanning for devices with a corrupted file system.
Cost: from 3 000 to 15 000 rubles depending on the complexity. Importantly, not all services are taken for data recovery - check in advance.
The phone is not turned on or physically damaged.
- You've formatted your internal memory.
- All the software methods didn't work.-->
Before the service visit:
⚠️ Note: Do not tell the master that you have tried to recover data by yourself. ADB Or programs, which can make it harder to diagnose".
6. How to prevent future photo loss
The best way to avoid losing photos is to set up a backup in advance. Here are proven methods for Xiaomi owners:
Automatic synchronization:
- ☁️ MI Cloud: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery (enable autosynchronization).
- 📷 Google Photos: Install the app → Settings → Backup and synchronization.
Local copying:
- 💾 Regularly transfer photos to PC or external disk.
- 📱 Use apps like SyncMe to automatically send pictures to another device over Wi-Fi.
Additional measures:
- 🔒 Set the password on the folder. DCIM (File Manager Pro or Solid Explorer).
- 📲 Enable Accidental Deletion Protection in Gallery Settings.
If you take pictures often, consider buying cloud storage (like 200GB on Google One for 139). ₽/month NAS-home-archiver.