Where Xiaomi stores deleted photos: a full search and recovery guide

You accidentally deleted important photos on your Xiaomi smartphone and don't know where to look for them? Don't panic - MIUI devices have several mechanisms for storing deleted files, and the chances of recovery are much higher than you think. In this article, we will analyze which Android folders store deleted photos, how the system basket and backups work, and what tools will help you recover lost data even without root rights.

The specific paths to folders depend on the firmware version, the smartphone model (like the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro) and the sync settings. We'll look at all possible scenarios, from the standard MIUI Gallery basket to hidden directories in the device's memory, and if photos are lost after resetting or damaging the file system, we'll tell you how to proceed in such cases.

The faster you start searching, the more likely you are to successfully recover, and do not write new files to your device or perform operations that can overwrite memory (such as installing large applications or taking new photos).

MIUI System Recycle Bin: Where to Look for Deleted Photos

MIUI firmware (starting with version 8) has a built-in multimedia basket that stores deleted files for 30 days, the first place to look, and the basket folder doesn't show up in the standard file manager, and it's only accessible through the Gallery app.

To find the deleted photos:

1. Open the Gallery app (icon with multi-colored squares).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (menu) in the lower right corner.
3. Select the Recycle Bin (on some versions – Recently deleted).
4. View the file list. Photos are sorted by date of deletion.

If the Recycle Bin folder is empty or not on the menu, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: on old firmware (up to) MIUI (7) no basket.
• ⚙️ Gallery settings: go to Settings → Recycle Bin and make sure the function is enabled.
• 🗑️ Storage period: files are automatically cleared after 30 days (some models have 15 days).

⚠️ Note: If you have deleted the photo through third-party file managers (for example, ES Conductor or Total Commander, they could bypass the basket MIUI And you'll just erase it. In this case, move on to the next section.

Hidden Android folders: where to physically store deleted files

Even if the photos are not displayed in the gallery, copies of them can remain in the Android service directories, which are usually hidden from the user, but they can be accessed through the File Manager with the hidden file display mode enabled or through ADB.

The main ways in which the "deleted" photos can be stored:

To see these folders:

1. Open Mi File Manager (or any other root access explorer).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner → Settings → turn on Show hidden files.
3. Go to one of these paths. Look for files with the extensions.jpg,.png,.nomedia.

Important: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ is only available with root rights or through ADB. Without them, you will see the message "No access".

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If you connect Xiaomi to a PC, use Windows Explorer with the hidden files display enabled (the View tab → the Hidden Items tick).

Recovery via MI Cloud and Google Photos backups

If photos have been synced with cloud services, they can be restored even after being completely removed from the device. Xiaomi offers two main solutions: MI Cloud (embedded cloud) and Google Photos (if it has been configured).

MI Cloud automatically backs up photos if the feature is enabled in the settings to check:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → MI Cloud.
2. Select the Gallery and check if synchronization is enabled.
3. If yes, go to i.mi.com from the same account and check the Remote folder (it stores files for up to 60 days).

Google Photos works similarly, but with different storage times:

• 📁 Google Recycle Bin folder Photos store files for 60 days.
• 🔍 To find: Open the application → Library → Basket.
• ☁️ If the photos were uploaded in the original quality, they do not take up space in the cloud and are stored indefinitely (subject to active subscription).

⚠️ Note: If you deleted a photo from Google Photos more than 60 days ago and it wasn’t synced with the image MI Cloud, you can't restore them through the clouds.

Programs for Recovering Deleted Photos Without Root

If the system methods didn't work, you can use third-party utilities that scan the internal memory of the device at the file system level and look for traces of deleted files.

Instructions for DiskDigger (the easiest option):

Download DiskDigger from Google Play

Launch the application and select "Start basic scanning"

Select the internal memory partition (usually /storage/emulated/0)

Mark the file types: JPG, PNG, HEIC

Wait for the scan to be completed (may take 10-30 minutes)

Select the desired photo and click "Restore"

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If the program does not find a photo, try:

• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC and scan through Recuva or PhotoRec.
• 📱 Enable Developer Mode and allow debugging by USB (In the settings About the phone tap 7 times by the assembly number).
• 🔍 Use the filter by date – photos may have been deleted earlier than you think.

What to do if the photo is deleted after resetting settings

In a hard reset, all user data is erased, including photos, but even then there is a chance of recovery if:

• 📱 The reset was done via the settings menu, not via Fastboot or Recovery.
• 💾 The device did not have the data encryption function enabled (in this case, recovery is almost impossible).
• 🔄 No new files were recorded on the phone after the reset (they overwrite old data).

Algorithm of action:

1. Disconnect your phone from the internet immediately (to avoid automatic synchronization and overwriting).
2. Connect the device to your PC and use PhotoRec or TestDisk for deep scanning.
3. If you have a backup in MI Cloud or Google Account, restore the data from there.
4. Contact Xiaomi Service Center – they have tools to extract data from damaged partitions (paid service).

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to recover data through apps like Dr.Fone or iMobie PhoneRescue immediately after a reset. They often write temporary files to your device, which can permanently destroy your photos.

How to Prevent Photo Loss in the Future

To avoid the problem of losing photos, set up automatic backups on Xiaomi and use proven storage methods.

• ☁️ Enable autosynchronization with MI Cloud and Google Photos: MI Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → MI Cloud → Gallery. Google Photos: Open the app → Settings → Backup and synchronization.
• 📁 Use external drives: Transfer important photos to a microSD (if the slot is supported by the model); connect your phone to a PC and copy the photo to your hard drive once a month.
• 🔄 Set up regular copying: Mi File Manager has a backup function (menu) → Backup: Use apps like Sync.com or pCloud to automatically upload photos to an encrypted cloud.

Also useful:

• 📌 Turn off automatic cleaning in the gallery: Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning up garbage → Disable "Delete unused files".
• 🔍 Check the cart once a week – sometimes photos get there accidentally (for example, when cleaning the cache).
• 🛡️ Set a password to the gallery to avoid accidental deletion (in Gallery settings) → Content protection).

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Even if photos are removed from the shopping cart, they can remain in the cache of applications or hidden folders for up to 6 months.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photo recovery on Xiaomi