Xiaomi Photos app: what it is, how it works and how it differs from the Gallery

Have you ever wondered why Xiaomi smartphones have two apps to view photos — Gallery and Photos**? one is installed by default, and the second often appears after updating MIUI or installing additional services, users often confuse their functions, delete the “extra” app, and then face missing pictures or broken synchronization.

In this article, we will take a closer look at what the Photos app is on Xiaomi, how it relates to the Mi Account ecosystem, and why it should not be confused with the classic Gallery. You will learn about hidden features (such as automatic backup to the cloud without connecting to Google Photos), and also get step-by-step instructions for restoring deleted photos and setting up sync. If you want to optimize your media files on your Redmi, POCO or Mi, read on.

What is the application “Photo” on Xiaomi and why it is necessary

The Photos app (Mi Photos or Xiaomi Photos) is a cloud-based media storage and management service developed by Xiaomi as an alternative to Google Photos. Unlike the standard Gallery, which simply displays files from internal memory, Photos is closely integrated with the Mi Account and offers:

• 📁 Automatic synchronization of photos and videos in the cloud Mi Cloud (up to 5 GB free).
• 🔍 Facial and object recognition (similar to Google Photos, but with less accuracy).
• 📱 Cross-platform access: photos from the phone can be viewed on a tablet or PC through the web version.
• 🔄 Recover deleted files within 30 days (even if you cleared the shopping cart).

It's important to understand that Photos is not a duplicate of the Gallery, but a separate service. If you delete it, sync with Mi Cloud will stop, but local files will remain in place. However, some users complain that after uninstallation of the application, albums or photo sources are lost, this is due to the incorrect configuration of the main storage.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with firmware MIUI Global, the Photos app can automatically replace the standard Gallery after the update. To return the classic interface, go to Settings. → Annexes → Dying by apps → gallery → Reset the settings.

Differences between Photo and Gallery on Xiaomi: Comparative Table

Many users don't see the difference between the two, but it's fundamental. Below are key differences that will help you understand which app is best for you.

If you're interested in privacy, you'd better use the Gallery -- it doesn't send data to the cloud. But if you're often losing photos when you drop your phone or want to have access to pictures from different devices, Photos** will be a more convenient solution. Please note that when you first start up, the app will request permission to access media files and geolocate, which is necessary for the auto-sorting function to work.

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The Photos app does not replace the Gallery, but complements it with cloud-based features. Do not delete either without a backup to make both apps work.

How to set up automatic photo sync in Mi Cloud

One of the main features of the Photos app is automatic backup to the Xiaomi cloud, to enable this feature:

1. Open the Photo app** and tap the avatar in the upper right corner.
2. Select Settings → Synchronize photos.
3. Activate the Auto Sync Switch and select boot quality: 📸 Initial quality (takes up more space in the cloud). 🔍 High quality (compression up to 16 MP for photos).

Camera

Screenshots

Once activated, all new photos will automatically upload to Mi Cloud. To check sync status, go to the Cloud section of the app, which shows download progress and space occupied. If sync is not working, make sure that:

Mobile Internet or Wi-Fi enabled|You are logged in to Mi Account|In the settings of the phone allowed background mode for the application “Photo” (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start)|The device has enough free space (at least 10% of the memory capacity)-->

Sync may slow down if you’re using a VPN or are in a region with limited access to Xiaomi servers (such as some EU countries), in which case try manually starting the download by clicking on the cloud icon in the upper right corner of the app.

Hidden features of the Photos app you didn't know about

In addition to the basic features, the Photos app has several hidden chips that make it easier to work with media files:

• 🎭 Creating collages and animations: highlight a few photos, click More → Collage or Animation.
• 🔒 Hidden Albums: Transfer sensitive photos to the Private folder (available after entering a password or fingerprint).
• 📅 Chronology by date: in the section Albums → Photos are automatically grouped by events (for example, “Trip to the mountains, 12.05.2026»).
• 📱 Quickly send to other devices: hold the photo, select Send to the device and scan QR-code from another Xiaomi smartphone.

Another useful feature is that you automatically create albums by face, and you activate it.

1. Go to the Albums. → People.
2. Click Settings → Enable facial recognition.
3. Wait a few minutes – the app will analyze the photos and group them by people.

If recognition is not working properly (e.g., confusing faces), you can manually combine or split albums. To do this, tap the person's avatar and select Edit.

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To speed up facial recognition, pre-sort photos by folder (for example, “family”, “friends”, “work”) – this will help the algorithm to more accurately classify the images.

How to recover deleted photos through the Photos app

If you accidentally delete a photo, do not rush to panic - the application "Photo" has two levels of protection:

1. Recycle Bin (stores files for 30 days).
2. Cloud storage (if synchronization has been enabled).

To recover files from the Recycle Bin:

1. Open the Photos app and go to the Cart section (the bin icon in the bottom menu).
2. Select the desired photos and click Restore.
3. The files will return to the original albums.

If the cart is empty or has been more than 30 days, check the cloud.

1. Enter the Cloud. → Recent removals.
2. Select a photo and click Restore.

If sync has been disabled, try to restore the photo through local storage:

• 📂 Use a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer) and check folders: DCIM/.thumbnails (thumbnail). Pictures/Screenshots (screenshot). MIUI/Gallery/cloud/backup (backup).
• 🔧 Use data recovery software (such as DiskDigger or Recuva), but note that they require root rights for deep scanning.

⚠️ Warning: If you delete photos from the cloud and clear the cart, it will be impossible to restore them - even Xiaomi support does not provide this feature!

How to Disable or Remove Photos without Losing Data

If you decide you don't need the Photos app, you can disable it or remove it, but with caution.

• 🚫 Disable (features suspended but files remain): Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Photo.Press Unplug.
• 🗑️ Removal (complete removal, but only for some models): Use ADB-Command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.gallery or use the App Inspector app to uninstall.

Before removal, it is mandatory to:

1. Check that all photos are saved locally (open the Gallery and make sure the files are displayed).
2. Turn off sync with Mi Cloud if it was active.
3. Export important albums to a PC or external drive.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), the Photos app is system-based and not removed by standard methods. Attempting to remove it through root can cause camera or gallery malfunctions.

Xiaomi Photos Compared to Google Photos: Which is Better to Choose

Many Xiaomi users are faced with a choice: whether to use the built-in Photos app or go to Google Photos.

If you want to maximize compatibility and not only use Xiaomi technology, Google Photos will be a more versatile solution. However, if you are fully immersed in the Mi ecosystem (smartphone + smartwatch + TV), the built-in Photos app will provide smoother synchronization between devices.

Another nuance: Google Photos may slow down Xiaomi’s budget models (like the Redmi 10A or POCO M4 Pro) due to background activity, in which case Xiaomi’s Photos will be less resource-intensive.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Photos app on Xiaomi