Deleting an important video from a Xiaomi smartphone is a familiar situation. Whether it's a random click on Delete, a reset or a system crash, losing valuable frames always causes panic. Fortunately, in most cases, files can be returned - even if they were erased days or weeks ago, the main thing is to act quickly and correctly so as not to overwrite the data.
In this article, we will look at all possible ways to recover from standard MIUI functions to professional utilities and access the service, learn how the shopping cart in the gallery, backup copies of the Mi Cloud, and why even a simple connection to a PC sometimes helps, and also what actions are strictly forbidden after removal, so as not to make it worse.
1. Checking the basket in the Xiaomi Gallery
The first thing you need to do is to look into the built-in Gallery application basket, where in MIUI, deleted files are not erased immediately, but are sent to a temporary storage facility where they are stored for 7 to 30 days (depending on the model and firmware version), which is the easiest way to return videos without third-party software.
How to find the basket:
- 📱 Open the Gallery app on your Xiaomi.
- 🗑️ Slip three points in the top right corner (or swipe right to left in some versions).
- 🔍 Select the Recycle Bin (or Recently Deleted).
- 🔄 Find the right video, click on it and select Restore.
If the cart is empty or the video is not there, move on to the next method. Note: the files in the cart take up space in the memory of the phone. If memory is critically low, the system can automatically clear the cart ahead of schedule.
2. Recovery via Mi Cloud (cloud storage)
If your Xiaomi has enabled sync with Mi Cloud, the chances of returning videos are much higher.The cloud automatically saves copies of photos and video files (provided the function is activated in the settings).
How to recover video from Mi Cloud:
- ☁️ Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
- 📁 Select Gallery or Backups section.
- 🔍 Find the right video in the list of synchronized files.
- ⬇️ Click on three dots next to the file and select Download.
Important: Mi Cloud only provides 5GB of storage for free. If the space is out, new files are not synced. Also check if automatic backup has been disabled in the Gallery app settings (Settings → Sync with Mi Cloud).
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If the video doesn’t show up in Mi Cloud, try logging in via the web version at i.mi.com – sometimes older backups are available there.
3. Use of PCs and recovery software
If the video is not in the cart or in the cloud, it's time to connect professional tools, and this will require a computer and one of the specialized programs that scan the phone's memory at the binary data level.
| Programme | Xiaomi support | Free version | Scan depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| DiskDigger | Yeah (root requires) | Limited. | Deep. |
| Recuva | Yes (through memory card) | Yes. | Average. |
| EaseUS MobiSaver | Yeah (no root) | Trial. | High. |
| Dr.Fone | Yeah (all models) | No. | Maximum. |
Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger (one of the most effective tools):
- 📥 Download and install the program on your PC from diskdigger.org.
- 🔌 Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB (Turn on the debugging. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers).
- 🔍 Run a deep scan (requires root rights).
- 📹 Once completed, find the video in the results and save it to PC.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install recovery software on the smartphone itself, this can overwrite deleted data!
Disable Wi-Fi and Mobile Data on Xiaomi|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Use the original USB-cable|Do not connect your phone to other devices during scanning-->
4.Recovery from memory card (if the video was on SD)
If the video was stored on a memory card, the recovery process is simplified, microSD can be removed from the phone and connected to the computer through a card reader, which reduces the risk of overwriting the data, the same programs for scanning as for internal memory, but with some nuances:
Features of working with SD-card:
- 📷 Do not use the card after deleting – even viewing other files can erase the video.
- 🔄 Formatting a card destroys data irrevocably (if there was no backup copy).
- 🛠️ For maximum results, select Full Scan mode (full scan).
Example of command to scan through ADB (if the card is not determined):
adb shell
su
dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk1 of=/sdcard/recovery.imgThis command creates a memory card image that can then be analyzed on a PC.
What if the program does not see the memory card?
5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center
If all previous methods have failed, professional help remains, Xiaomi service centers have special equipment to recover data from damaged drives, including cases:
- 💥 Physical memory damage (fall, water, overheating).
- 🔄 Failure of firmware or reset to factory settings.
- 📛 Loss of phone access (forgotten pattern lock).
How to prepare for a visit to the service:
- 📋 Write down the phone model (Settings) → The phone. → Model and version MIUI.
- 🔐 Don’t try to unlock your phone or reflash it yourself – this can make recovery difficult.
- 💰 Clarify the cost of the service in advance (on average - from 3 000 to 15 000 rubles depending on the complexity of the service).
⚠️ Note: Official Xiaomi services may be denied data recovery if the phone has been rooted or stitched with custom firmware. In such cases, contact specialized laboratories (for example, Data Recovery or other specialized laboratories). HDD Recovery).
6.Prevention: How to Avoid Losing Video in the Future
To avoid the problem of deleted files, follow the following simple rules:
Automatic backups:
- ☁️ Set up autosynchronization with Mi Cloud or Google Photos (Settings) → Accounts. → Backup).
- 💾 Regularly copy important videos to your PC or external drive.
Safe disposal:
- 🗑️ Before cleaning the gallery, check the contents of the basket.
- 🔄 Use Archive instead of Delete for valuable files.
Hardware reliability:
- 📱 Avoid overheating your phone (do not leave it in the sun, do not play heavy games when charging).
- 🔋 Watch for charge level – a sharp shutdown can damage the file system.
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The most reliable way to protect data is a combination of cloud reserve (Mi Cloud or Google Photos) + Even if one source fails, the video will remain in another.