How to return a remote game to Xiaomi: from the basket to the ADB-team

Remove your favorite game on Xiaomi by mistake or after resetting? Don't panic - 80% of the time it can be restored without losing progress. On smartphones with MIUI and the new HyperOS, there are several built-in mechanisms for returning remote applications that not all users know about. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods from basic (through the cart and download history) to advanced (recovery through ADB and backups Google Drive).

It’s important to understand that success depends on three factors: 1) how long ago the app was removed, 2) whether sync with your Xiaomi or Google account was enabled, 3) whether the reset was performed to factory settings. If the game was purchased, it can always be reinstalled for free through the Play Market (even if it disappeared from your library).

We tested all methods on Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13T devices with the latest firmware versions. Instructions are valid for MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS 1.0. If your model is older (for example, Redmi 9A on MIUI 11), some menu items may differ - in this case, use the search by settings (lap in the upper right corner).

1. Check the MIUI basket - the fastest way

First, look into the system basket — it works like Windows and stores deleted files and applications for up to 30 days — which works if you manually delete the game through the app menu, not through the Play Market or Settings → Apps.

How to open the basket:

• 📱 Open the Files app** - the icon of the blue folder.

If the cart is empty or there is no game, then the application was removed in another way (for example, through Settings or Play Market).

⚠️ Attention: Basket in MIUI/HyperOS It is automatically cleaned when there is a lack of memory (less than that). 10% free space) or after manual cleaning through the Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup. If you've done this kind of cleanup recently, the data could have been deleted permanently.

2.Recovery through Play Market download history

If a game was installed through Google Play, it can be returned from download history — even if it disappeared from the list of installed applications. This method works for all games, including those deleted manually or after resetting.

Instructions:

1. Go to the Installed tab → click on the filter (three dots) → select Not Installed.

If the game doesn’t appear on this list, try:

• 🔍 Type the game name into the Play Market search bar – sometimes it appears in the results with the mark “Installed previously»**.

For paid-purchase games (even if it was free during the promotion), re-installation will not require payment – the purchase information is tied to a Google account.

3. Use Xiaomi Cloud or Google Drive backups

If your Xiaomi has synced with Xiaomi Cloud or Google Drive enabled, the chances of recovery (along with progress) are much higher. Both services automatically store the list of installed applications and their data - but only when you set up the right settings.

Recovery through Xiaomi Cloud:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Select Data Recovery** and specify the date when the game was still installed.
• 🎮 In the list, find the "Applications" section** and mark the desired game.
• 📥 Click “Restore” and wait for the process to be completed.

Recovery via Google Drive:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → System system → Backup.
• 🔙 Select “Recover Data”** and log in to your Google account.

Important: Google backups are created automatically only when connected to Wi-Fi and charging. If you've never set up a backup manually, this method may not work.

⚠️ Note: When you restore from a Google Drive backup, all data will be transferred to the device as of the copy creation date – this may affect other applications, contacts and settings.

4. Recovery through ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If standard methods don’t work, try recovering the game via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that is suitable for users who have previously backed up through adb backup or want to try recovering data from cache.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → return to additional settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Get a list of all packages (applications) on the device: adb shell pm list packages -f Find the name of the game package in the list (for example, com.supercell.clashofclans for Clash of Clans).
5. If the package is found but the game is not displayed in the menu, try reinstalling it via ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.

If the game has been completely deleted (including data) but you have a backup in.ab format, restore it by command:

adb restore path to file.ab

Critically, ADB teams require superuser (root) rights that are not available on most Xiaomi smartphones by default. Without root access, you can only reinstall the game, but not restore its data (save, progress).

5. Recovery through third-party utilities (at your own risk)

If none of the above methods worked, you can try specialized data recovery software on Android. We tested three tools that support Xiaomi devices:

• 🛠️ Dr.Fone - Restores the Remote APK-Files and cache of games, but requires root access to fully scan.
• 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver – works without root, but only finds residual files (not always solid) APK).
• 📱 DiskDigger is a free utility for finding deleted files, suitable for restoring game saves.

How to use (as an example of Dr.Fone):

1. Install the program on your PC and connect your phone via USB.
2. Select the Android Data Recovery mode**.
3. Mark the type of files "Applications" or "Documents" (for saves).

⚠️ Note: Using third-party utilities to recover data is fraught with risks: 🔴 Programs may contain malicious code (download only from official sites). 🔴 Without root access, the chances of success are minimal (less than 20%). 🔴 Incorrect recovery can damage system files. Create a backup of important data before using!

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If the game was linked to a social media account (Facebook, VK, Google), try logging in via another device – progress can be saved on the developer’s servers.

6 If nothing has worked: alternative solutions

When all methods are exhausted but the game is never restored, consider the following options:

• 🎮 Reinstall the game and start over – many modern games (e.g. Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) save progress on the server. Once logged in via Google Play Games or social network, your achievements will return.
• 💬 Contact us for support for the game – some developers (such as Supercell or Niantic) can restore an account by email or by email. ID device.
• 📱 Check other devices – if the game was installed on a tablet or second phone under the same account, it can be transferred through the Play Market → Library.
• 🔄 Restore the firmware, an extreme method that will bring the phone back out of the box, only if the game was pre-installed (e.g. Mi Game Center on older Xiaomi models).

For locally saved games (without account binding), the chances of recovery are minimal, in which case you only have to accept the loss of progress or search for the saved manually through the file manager (folders /Android/obb/ or /Android/data/).

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Before resetting your phone to factory settings, always back up via Xiaomi Cloud or Google Drive – this is the only way to guarantee that you will save game and app data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about restoring games on Xiaomi