How to return a remote game on a Xiaomi smartphone: from simple to advanced methods

Remove your favorite game on Xiaomi by mistake or after resetting? Don't panic — in most cases it can be restored. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways from basic (reinstall via Google Play) to advanced (restore from MIUI Cloud backups or file manager). It is important to understand that success depends on how the game was removed: simple deletion through the app menu, resetting the phone to factory settings or manual formatting memory.

If the game was bought or linked to an account, the chances of recovery are close to 100 (APK-file) without profile binding, you have to look for alternative methods, and we'll also show you how to block accidental deletion of games in the future using settings. MIUI We'll start with the simplest way and gradually move on to more complex ones.

1. reinstall the game via Google Play (for free and purchased games)

The most obvious and quick way is to re-install through the Google Play Store, which works if:

• 🎮 The game was installed from the official store (even if it was later deleted).
• 🔑 You are logged into the same Google account you downloaded it from.
• 📱 Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).

Instructions:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner → App and device management.
3. Go to the Installed tab → Not installed.
4. Find the game in the list and click Install.

If the game is not in Uninstalled, try searching for it. The games you buy are always in your library, you can download them again without paying. Use the Game filter to speed up the process.

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If the game does not appear in the list, check if it is hidden. To do this, in the Google Play settings, go to General → Remove inactive applications from the library and turn off this option.

Recovery from MIUI Cloud (for backups)

Xiaomi smartphones automatically back up data if MIUI Cloud is enabled, which allows you to recover not only games, but also their saves (provided that the backup was activated before deleting).

How to check and restore:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account → MIUI Cloud.
2. Make sure that backup is enabled and there is fresh data.
3. Select Restore from backup and specify the date when the game was still installed.
4. Confirm the recovery and wait for the process to be completed.

Note that this method will restore all data from the backup, not just the game. If you add new applications or files after you delete the game, they may be lost.

3. Search. APK-game-file

If the game was installed not through Google Play, but through the APK-You can try to find it in the device's memory, and even after you delete the application, the installation file itself can remain in the Download folders, APK or MIUI.

How to find:

• 🔍 Use the built-in File Manager (or a third-party, such as Solid Explorer).
• 📁 Check folders: Internal memory → Download Internal Memory → MIUI → Backup → AllBackup SD-card (if any) → APK
• 🔎 Enter the game name in the file manager search bar (e.g. *.apk) + keyword).

If a file is found, just click on it to install. If the system blocks the installation from unknown sources, allow it to Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Install unknown applications.

4. Recovery through browser download history

If you downloaded it. APK-A game file via a browser (e.g., Chrome or Mi Browser) can be tried in download history, and this method works even if the file was deleted from the phone's memory, but not from the browser's history.

Instructions for Chrome:

1. Open Chrome and click on the three dots in the top right corner.
2. Select Downloads (or enter in the address bar chrome://downloads).
3. Find it on the list. APK-game file and click on it.
4. If the file is deleted but appears in history, try downloading it again at the same link.

For Mi Browser:

1. Open your browser and go to Downloads (the arrow icon down).
2. Find the game file and click on it. If it's deleted, check the Download folder in the file manager.

Make sure the file is not corrupted (check the size and extension)

Download APK only from trusted sources (e.g. APKMirror)

Disable the antivirus for installation time (it can block unknown files)

After installation, update the game via Google Play (if possible)-->

5. Use of third-party utilities for data recovery

If none of the above methods worked, you can try specialized data recovery programs such as DiskDigger, EaseUS MobiSaver or Dr.Fone, which scan the device’s memory and can find deleted files, including APKs and game savers.

Importantly, these programs require root rights for deep scanning, and without them, the chances of recovery are plummeting.

• ⚠️ Recovery does not guarantee 100% success – the more time has passed since removal, the lower the chances.
• ⚠️ Do not install programs on the same memory partition where the game was stored (this can overwrite deleted data).
• ⚠️ Avoid questionable utilities – they may contain malicious code.

Step-by-step instructions for DiskDigger:

1. Install the program from Google Play.
2. Run the scan (select Full Scan to search for APK).
3. Once completed, find the game file in the results and restore it.
4. Install the restored APK manually.

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Third-party utilities are the last chance to get the game back, but they require caution: Always check reviews about the program and do not give root access to unknown applications.

6.Restore game saves (if the game itself is already installed)

Sometimes the problem isn't the game itself, but the lost saves. If you reinstall the game but the progress has reset, try to recover the data through:

If the game uses its own account (such as Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile), log in to it – progress should be automatically picked up. For offline games (such as Minecraft), check the folder with worlds in games/com.mojang/.

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To avoid losing your saves in the future, export them manually (e.g., through Game Settings → Export/Import) or use cloud services like Google Drive.

7 How to Prevent Accidental Deletions of Games in the Future

To avoid losing games, set up protection:

• 🔒 Enable Delete Lock for important apps: Press the game icon on the home screen. Select Application Information → Delete → Cancel (in some versions) MIUI There is an option to block the removal).

backup

Settings → Google → Backup

📂 Export game saves to the cloud or PC regularly.

AppLock

MIUI

It's also useful to create a separate folder for important games on the home screen and add it to Favorites, which will reduce the risk of accidental deletion when cleaning the memory.

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Even if the game is free, losing it can mean losing progress, purchases or an account. Always link the games to a Google Play or Mi Account and set up a backup.

FAQ: Frequent questions about restoring games on Xiaomi