Have you accidentally deleted valuable photos from Xiaomi Redmi and now you don't know how to return them? Don't panic - even if the pictures disappeared from the gallery, they can often be restored. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of returning deleted photos on Redmi Note smartphones. 12/11/10 Pro, Redmi A2/A1, POCO X5/X4 and other firmware models MIUI 14/13. It is important to act quickly: the less time has passed since the removal, the higher the chances of success.
The recovery method depends on how the photo was removed:
- 🗑️ Removed manually through the gallery (moved to the basket)
- 🧹 Removed irrevocably (cleaned basket or used "Remove permanently")
- 🔄 Disappeared after resetting settings or updating MIUI
- 💥 Missing due to system failure or memory damage
We will look at solutions for each case, including Xiaomi’s built-in tools, cloud services, and customized programs.
Before you start, check:
- ✅ Is there a backup in Google Photos or Mi Cloud?
- ✅ Is it not enabled to sync with the cloud (sometimes the photos "disappear" temporarily)
- ✅ Are files hidden? MIUI There is a function of hiding media)
If the photos are recently deleted (less than 30 days), start with the easiest way to check the cart.
1.Recovery through the basket at Xiaomi Gallery
In the firmware MIUI There's a built-in cart that you can take back and store for 30 days after you delete it, which works if you're a user:
- 📱 Deleted photos through the standard gallery Xiaomi (Gallery) → Select → Delete)
- 🗑️ Didn't manually clean the basket.
- 🔄 Didn't perform a reset.
To get the picture back from the cart:
- Open the Gallery app on your Redmi.
- Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) top-right.
- Select "Baskbasket" (or recently deleted in new versions) MIUI).
- Find the right photos, highlight them and click "Restore".
If the shopping cart is empty or not on the menu, then the photos have been permanently deleted (for example, through the file manager or using the option “Delete forever”).
⚠️ Note: In some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) A1 With lightweight firmware, the basket may be missing, and it automatically clears when there is a lack of memory (less than 10% of free space).
☑️ What to do if the basket is empty
2. Restore via Google Photos (if synchronized)
If your Xiaomi Redmi has been enabled to sync with Google Photos, you can return deleted photos even after a few months.
- 📸 Photos uploaded to the cloud before deletion
- 🔄 Pictures that disappeared after resetting settings
- 📱 Devices with Google Photos preinstalled (most Redmi models after 2020)
Instructions for remediation:
- Open the Google Photos app (if not, download from the Play Market).
- Sign in with the same Google account that was linked to your phone during sync.
- Slip on your avatar in the upper right corner → "Basket".
- Select the photos you want, click "Restore" (they will return to the main gallery).
If the Google Photos Recycle Bin is empty, check:
- 🔍 Archive: Library → Utilities. → Archives
- 📁 Device folders: Library → Folders from the device (sometimes photos are duplicated)
| Conditions | Can we restore it? | Storage period |
|---|---|---|
| Synchronization was enabled before removal | ✅ Yes. | 60 days in the basket |
| Photos deleted before first synchronization | ❌ No. | — |
| Resetting, but Google account is the same | ✅ Yes, from the cloud) | (if not permanently cleaned) |
| Deleted from the memory card (not from internal memory) | ⚠️ Only through the PC. | Before the data is rewritten |
⚠️ Note: If you used the Free Space feature in Google Photos, local copies of the photo have been deleted forever (only compressed versions remain in the cloud.
Recovery via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)
Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that automatically backs up photos when the feature is enabled.
- Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
- See if the gallery's synchronization is on.
- If yes, go to i.mi.com from your computer or phone.
- Log in and check the "Gallery" or "Basket" section.
Features of Mi Cloud:
- 📤 Free 5 GB (this is about 1500-2000 photos in average quality).
- 🔄 Photos are stored in the cloud 30 days after deleting from your phone (unless you cleaned the cart).
- 📱 It only works with a Xiaomi account (not to be confused with Google!).
If you don’t have the right photos in Mi Cloud, but you’re sure that sync has been enabled, try:
- 🔍 Check the folder. MIUI/Backup/AllBackup In the internal memory through the file manager.
- 📅 Clarify the date of the last backup in Settings → Memory. → Backup.
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If there are no photos in the Mi Cloud but you remember they were there, try logging in via another browser or device – sometimes display errors occur due to the cache.
4. Recovery with PC software (if the basket is empty)
If the photos were deleted irrevocably (bypassing the basket), you can try to restore them using special utilities.
- 📱 Photos deleted through the file manager (Conductor, ES Explorer)
- 💾 Files from microSD memory card
- 🔄 Data after resetting settings (if there was no overwriting)
The best recovery programs with Xiaomi Redmi:
| Programme | Xiaomi support | Free version | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| DiskDigger | ✅ Yes (requires root for deep scanning) | ✅ Yes (restriction on recovery) | Searches for photo by signatures, works without root rights (but worse) |
| Recuva | ✅ Yes, only for memory cards) | ✅ Yes. | Simple interface, suitable for beginners |
| EaseUS MobiSaver | ✅ Yes, for internal memory) | ❌ No (only trial version) | High chance of recovery, but paid |
| PhotoRec | ✅ Yes (for experienced users) | ✅ Yes. | Console utility, restores even damaged files |
Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger (the most versatile option):
- Download and install DiskDigger on your phone or PC.
- Connect Redmi to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
- Start the program and select "Full Scan" (requires root permissions for internal memory).
- Wait for the analysis to be completed (it may take up to an hour).
- Mark the photos found and click "Restore".
⚠️ Note: When recovering from a PC, do not save files to the same disk from which they were deleted! Use a different drive (a flash drive, a second hard drive), otherwise you risk overwriting lost data.
What to do if the program does not find the photo?
5. Recovery after resetting settings or firmware
If the photos are missing after hard reset (reset to factory settings) or flashing MIUI, The chances of their return depend on the:
- 🔄 Backup in Mi Cloud or Google Photos.
- 📱 Reset type: soft (through menu) or hard (through Recovery).
- 💾 Is the internal memory formatted (in the MIUI When reset via Settings, the data often remains).
What can be done:
- Check cloud storage (Mi Cloud, Google Photos, Yandex.Disk) – even if the sync has been disabled, sometimes copies remain.
- Use recovery software (see the previous section), but immediately after resetting – the more you use your phone, the less likely you are.
- Check the folder. MIUI/Backup/AllBackup — Sometimes there are backup copies of media files.
- Contact the service center if the photos are critical (for example, for Redmi Note 10 Pro recovery will cost you a lot of money). ~5000 ₽).
If the reset was made via Fastboot or EDL-In the mode (when you run the firmware), the data is almost always lost irretrievably, in which case only a backup will help.
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After resetting, do not write new data to your phone (do not install apps, do not take photos) – this increases the chances of recovering old files.
6.Recovery from damaged memory card
If the photos were stored on a microSD and the card is no longer defined (the phone asks you to format it), don't rush to agree! Formatting will delete all the data without the possibility of recovery.
How to save photos from a damaged card:
- 💻 Connect the card to your computer via a card reader (not via phone!).
- 🛠️ Use TestDisk (free) to restore the partition: testdisk /dev/sdX # where sdX is your card (defined by diskpart)
- 🔧 If the card is determined but the files are not readable, try PhotoRec (included in the TestDisk package).
- 🔄 If the card is physically damaged (not detected anywhere), take it to the lab (recovery cost from 8000). ₽).
Common causes of memory card damage on Xiaomi Redmi:
- 🔋 Sharp extraction during recording (for example, when shooting a video).
- 📱 Using cheap cards without support UHS-I (Redmi Note 9 requires a class A2 higher).
- 🔄 Failures in encryption (if in the MIUI card encryption).
⚠️ Note: If the memory card is cracking, heating up or not being detected even through the card reader, do not attempt to recover the data yourself - this can lead to a complete failure, HDD Recovery or Flashback Data).
7. How to prevent future photo loss
To avoid losing photos on Xiaomi Redmi, follow these rules:
- ☁️ Enable automatic sync with Google Photos or Mi Cloud: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account → Google Photo
- 📁 Copy your photo regularly on PC (once a month).
- 🔄 Use quality memory cards (recommended for Xiaomi: SanDisk Ultra) A2, Samsung EVO Plus).
- 📱 Don’t just keep your photo on your phone – use the rule "3-2-1" (3 copy, 2 carrier, 1 cloud).
Backup settings in the MIUI:
- Go to Settings → Memory → Backup.
- Enable "Automatic backup."
- Select "Gallery" in the list of backed up data.
- Set a schedule (for example, once a week).
If you delete photos often but want to save them, set up automatic archiving in Google Photos:
- Open Google Photos → Settings → Archiving.
- Enable the "Autoarchivation" option.
- Set a storage limit (e.g., "High Quality" for free unlimited space).
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V MIUI 14: Hidden Albums -- if the photos are missing, check if they're hidden (⋮) → "Hidden albums".