How to recover remote games on Xiaomi phone: from cart to ADB

Remove your favorite game on Xiaomi by mistake or after resetting? Don't panic - the chances of returning it to save or even the app itself are much higher than you think. Unlike iOS, where data recovery often requires backups to iCloud, Xiaomi's Android devices (including Redmi, Poco and Black Shark) offer several alternative ways.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current recovery methods, from simple ones (checking the MIUI basket and Google Play download history) to advanced ones (using ADB and root-rights file manager). We’ll focus on the nuances for different Xiaomi models, such as why the standard method might not work on Black Shark via Mi Account, and how to get around the restrictions on devices with a locked bootloader. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, flip through the end, there’s a table comparing methods for efficiency and complexity.

1. Checking the MIUI cart: the first step for most users

If you’ve removed the game recently (in the last 30 days), first check the built-in MIUI Recycle Bin.This feature is available on all modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with MIUI 12) and works similarly to the Recycle Bin on your computer – deleted files and apps are temporarily stored there before being permanently erased.

To find the basket:

• 📱 Open the standard Files app (a folder icon with a blue background).
• 🗑️ In the bottom menu, tap on the Recycle Bin section (if not, update the app via Google Play).
• 🔍 Scroll through the list to find the name of the remote game or file with the.apk extension (if the game was manually installed).
• 🔄 Click on the game and select Restore. The app will return to the home screen and saves (if they were in the game folder) will return to the original location.

⚠️ Attention: Basket MIUI It clears automatically after 30 days or if you don't have enough memory. If you don't find a remote game, try the other methods in this article. Also note that the Recycle Bin doesn't store app data (e.g., game progress), but only the application data itself. APK-file.

On some models (like the Poco F3 or Redmi Note 11), the basket can be hidden to turn it on:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Recycle Bin.
2. Activate the Show Recycle Bin in the Files app.

2.Restore via Google Play: if the game was officially installed

If a game was downloaded from Google Play, it can be returned in seconds, even without a backup. The service stores the history of all installed apps associated with your Google account, which works on any Android device, including Xiaomi, and does not require root rights.

Instructions:

• 📲 Open the Google Play Store and tap on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
• 📋 Select Application and Device Management → Management → Established.
• 🔍 Go to the Not Installed tab and find the game you want in the list.
• ⬇️ Click on the download icon next to the title – the game will install again.

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

• 🔄 Update the page (pull down).
• 🔍 Type the game name into the Google Play search bar – sometimes apps are hidden from history due to sync errors.
• 📧 Check that you are logged in to the same Google account you used to install the game from.

💡

If a game was purchased but doesn't show up in history, check the Google Play Library section, which stores all the apps you purchased, even those that are remote.

Important: this method will restore only the application itself, but not save. If the game supports cloud sync (for example, through Google Play Games or a developer account), progress will return automatically after logging in.

3. Use of MIUI backups: for storage and data

Xiaomi offers a built-in backup system that can save not only apps, but also their data — including game progress. However, this method only works if the backup was created before the game was deleted. If you have never set up backups, skip this section.

To recover the game from the MIUI backup:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select the latest backup (note the date – it must be before the game is deleted).
3. Click Restore and select the Application and Data section.
4. Find the name of the game and confirm the recovery.

Warnings:

• 🚫 Backup recovery will overwrite the current data of other applications, and if you add new contacts or files after you create a copy, they may be lost.
• 🔒 On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) to restore you will need to enter a password from Mi Account.
• ⚠️ If the game was installed from an unknown source (not Google Play), it will be APK-The file may not be restored due to security restrictions.

If there are no local copies, check the cloud backup in Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
2. Make sure that the Application option and data are enabled.
3. Click Restore from the cloud and select the copy you want.

4. Search for game remnants in phone memory: for power users

Even after you delete a game, its files can remain in your phone’s memory — especially if you just uninstall the application without clearing the data, and you’ll need a file manager with access to system folders (such as MiXplorer or Solid Explorer) to find it.

Where to look:

• 📁 A folder with saves: /Android/data/[title game package] or /Android/obb/[For example, for Genshin Impact, it would be com.mihoyo.GenshinImpact.
• 📁 Residues APK: /data/app/[game-pack]-1 (Root rights are required).
• 📁 Cash and temporary files: /cache or /sdcard/.temp.

If you found the folder with the game data, but the application itself was removed:

1. Download the APK games again (for example, with APKPure or APKMirror).
2. Install the APK manually (allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Apps → Special Rights).
3. After installation, the data should be automatically tightened.

⚠️ Note: Not all games store saves in standard folders, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile use their own cloud servers, in which case local data recovery may not work.

Install a file manager with root access (e.g. MiXplorer)

Check the folders /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/

Find the folder with the name of the game package (you can find it on APKMirror)

Download APK games from a trusted source

Install APK and check if the saves have pulled up

-->

5. Recovery through ADB: for advanced users

If standard methods didn’t help, and the game was critical (like with unique progress), you can try to restore it via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable for users willing to work with the command line, and requires debugging over USB.

Steps:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.

ADB-driver

adb devices

Make sure your device is listed.

adb shell pm list packages -u

In the list, find the name of your game package (e.g. com.supercell.clashofclans).

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.name.packet

If the command doesn’t work, try an alternative method: extracting the APK from the system cache.

adb shell su -c "find /data/app -name 'game name' -exec cp {} /sdcard/ \;

This team will copy the remains. APK yours SD-The card (or internal memory) from which you can install it.

⚠️ Attention: Working with ADB It can cause system failures if you make a mistake in commands. Don't use this method unless you're sure of your actions. Also, some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) will require you to unlock the bootloader to access the system folders.

6. Specifics for Black Shark devices and gaming smartphones

Black Shark gaming smartphones (such as Black Shark 5 Pro or Black Shark 4) have a unique JoyUI firmware that differs from the standard MIUI.

• 🎮 Shark Space: Black Shark has a separate game mode where saves can be stored separately. To recover them, open Shark Space. Go to Settings → Backup. Select Restore game data and specify the desired copy.
• 🔧 Absence of basket MIUI: JoyUI does not have a built-in cart, so remote APK They are not restored in the standard way. Use Google Play or ADB.
• 🔒 Blocked bootloader: The bootloader is blocked by default on Black Shark, making it difficult to recover through the TWRP To unlock, you need to obtain permission from Xiaomi through the official website.