Accidentally deleting an important video on a smartphone is an extremely unpleasant situation, but far from hopeless. Device owners Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO often experience data loss due to erroneous touches or file system failures. The main rule in such a situation is to immediately stop actively using the smartphone so that new data does not overwrite the memory sectors where the deleted file was stored.
The modern shell MIUI (and now HyperOS) has built-in protection mechanisms that many users are not even aware of. The effectiveness of recovery directly depends on how long ago the file was deleted and whether synchronization tools were previously used. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available methods for returning multimedia, from simple built-in functions to using specialized software on the computer.
Checking the built-in recycle bin in the Gallery
The very first and obvious step that needs to be taken is checking the system "Trash" folder. Starting with certain versions of MIUI, developers have introduced a clipboard for deleted items that stores files for 30 days. If you deleted the video recently, most likely it is there and waiting for your decision.
To access this section, open the standard application Gallery and go to the tab Albums. Scroll down the list to the very end - there you will find the item Deleted or Recently deleted. Inside this folder, all photos and videos manually erased by the user are displayed. You can select a specific video, press the button Restore, and it will return to its original album.
⚠️ Attention: Files in the trash take up space in the phone's memory. If the storage is full, the system may automatically prompt you to empty this folder before the 30-day period expires.
However, it is worth considering that this function can be disabled in the privacy settings or synchronization with the cloud. If the folder is empty and the video was deleted more than a month ago, it will no longer be possible to return it using the built-in gallery tools. In this case, you will have to move on to more complex methods of searching for backups.
Using the Xiaomi Cloud cloud service
Ecosystem Xiaomi offers its own cloud service, which by default synchronizes media files if you have an account Mi Account. Even if the video is deleted from the phone's gallery, a copy of it could remain on the company's servers. This is one of the most reliable methods that does not require connecting to a PC.
To check the availability of a backup copy, go to Settings your smartphone, select the section Mi Account and go to the menu Xiaomi Cloud. Make sure that the switch opposite the item Gallery was active at the time the video was shot. Next, you can go to the official website of the service through the browser of any device, log in using your login and check the section with photos.
- 📁 Go to the i.mi.com web interface from a computer or other phone.
- 🔍 Go to the "Gallery" tab and check for deleted videos.
- 💾 Select the required files and click the "Download" button to save to your device.
If the video was very large (4K or long-term recording), it might not be uploaded to the cloud due to lack of space or turning off the mobile data.
If you plan to use the cloud frequently, consider expanding your storage through a Mi Cloud+ subscription - it is inexpensive and guarantees the safety of large video archives.
Recovery via Google Photos and Google Drive
Most Android users have active synchronization with services by default. Google. The application Google Photos is often installed on smartphones Xiaomi out of the box and can automatically create backups. Even if you deleted the video from the native MIUI gallery, it may remain in your Google account.
Open the application Google Photos and check the main feed. If the video is not there, go to the menu (three bars or profile icon) and select Trash. Here, files are stored for up to 60 days if the backup function is enabled. It's also worth checking Google Drive, especially if you manually saved important projects or work notes there.
| Service | Retention period in cart | Requirements | Save quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI Gallery | 30 days | No | Original |
| Google Photos | 60 days | Google Account | Original / Economical |
| Xiaomi Cloud | 30 days | Mi Account | Original |
| Computer (Recuva) | Depends on the recording | root access (often) | Depends on the condition |
If the video has been deleted from the Google Photos recycle bin, it is almost impossible to restore it using standard means. In this case, you can only rely on third-party software for deep memory scanning, which will be discussed below. Regularly checking the synchronization settings will help avoid such situations in the future.
Using specialized software on a PC
When the built-in methods are exhausted, computer apps for data recovery come to the rescue. The leaders in this niche are considered to be utilities like Dr.Fone, DiskDigger (PC version) or Recuva. These apps are capable of scanning the internal memory of a smartphone at the file system level, finding traces of deleted files.
To work with such software, you will need a USB cable and debugging mode enabled. Connect your phone to your computer, launch the app and select scan mode Video. The process can take from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of memory. After the scan is completed, the app will show a list of found files that can be previewed.
⚠️ Attention: For a full deep scan of the internal memory, most apps require root access. Obtaining superuser rights will void the warranty on the device and can lead to system failure if done incorrectly.
Risks of obtaining root access
The rooting process violates the integrity of the bootloader. In case of an error, the phone may turn into a “brick”. In addition, banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) will stop working on a rooted device due to security violations.
The effectiveness of recovery via PC strongly depends on how actively the phone was used after deletion. If you immediately start making new videos or downloading files, the chances of success are close to zero. The old data was physically overwritten by new blocks of information.
☑️ Preparing for recovery via PC
Search for hidden copies in the file manager
Sometimes videos are not completely deleted, but are only hidden or moved to the system cache folders of instant messengers and social media networks. If the video was received via WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber, a copy of it is often saved in separate directories, even if you deleted it from the chat or main gallery.
Use the built-in explorer Explorer or download an advanced file manager, for example FX File Explorer. You need to go to the root directory of the internal memory and sequentially check the paths where application data is stored. Look for folders with the names of instant messengers.
Pay attention to the following paths where forgotten videos are often stored:
- 📂
Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Video - 📂
Android/data/org.telegram.messenger/files/Telegram/Telegram Video - 📂
MIUI/Gallery/cloud/.secretAlbum(for hidden albums)
It is also worth checking the folder .thumbnails inside the directory DCIM. Although small copies (previews) are stored there, sometimes you can find surprisingly high quality files there that can be used as a temporary solution until the original is found.
Preventing data loss and setting up a backup
The best way to combat video loss is proper prevention. Setting up automatic backup takes only a couple of minutes, but saves hours of hassle at a critical moment. Do not rely on luck: the flash memory of smartphones has a limited resource and can fail at any time.
It is recommended to configure weekly uploading of important files to an external hard drive or to an alternative cloud (for example, Yandex.Disk or Dropbox) so as not to depend on one service. Clear your phone's memory of junk regularly, but do it consciously, using tools like Cleaning in the Security app, carefully checking the list of files before deleting.
The golden rule of digital hygiene: the 3-2-1 rule. Store 3 copies of data, on 2 different media, and 1 of them should be in a different physical location (cloud or disk with relatives).
Keep an eye on system updates HyperOS and MIUI. Sometimes new versions improve algorithms for working with the file system, which reduces the risk of accidental deletions or indexing errors. However, before a major update, always make a complete backup of all data through the app Mi Mover to your computer.
Is it possible to restore video if the phone has been reset to factory settings?
The chances are extremely low, but theoretically possible only when using professional equipment in laboratories. After a Factory Reset, the encryption keys are changed and the data becomes unreadable by normal software. At home, it is almost impossible to restore information after a complete reset.
Does the video format (MP4, MKV, MOV) affect the chance of recovery?
The file format itself does not affect the possibility of recovery. What matters is the structure of the file system and how badly the file headers were damaged during deletion. However, some apps recognize standard containers like MP4better than rare formats.
Is it safe to give root access to recovery apps?
Granting root access to third-party dubious software carries high risks. You give the app full access to the entire system, including banking data and passwords. Use only trusted utilities from well-known vendors and immediately close access after completing the procedure.
What to do if the video is restored, but does not open (black screen)?
This means that the file is partially restored: the header is there, but the body of the file is overwritten or damaged. Try using video players that support stream recovery, for example VLC Player, or special utilities for repairing video files, such as Untrunc.