Where to look for deleted photos on Xiaomi Redmi Note: from the recycle bin to deep scanning

Have you accidentally deleted photos on your Xiaomi Redmi Note and now you don’t know how to get them back? Don't panic - even after cleaning the gallery, there is still a chance of recovery. Xiaomi smartphones store deleted pictures in several places: from standard MIUI carts to hidden system folders. In this article, we will look at all the possible methods - from simple (return from the cloud) to complex (use a PC and specialized software). If you continued to take photos or install apps, new files may have taken the place of old ones, making recovery difficult. Let's start with the fastest methods and gradually move on to advanced ones.

It is important to understand: success depends on how much time passed after deletion And was the data overwritten on the phone. If you continued to take photos or install apps, new files may have taken the place of old ones, making recovery difficult. Let's start with the fastest methods and gradually move on to advanced ones.

1. Check the trash in the MIUI gallery

By default Xiaomi Redmi Note (starting from MIUI 10) saves deleted photos in the trash on 30 days. This period can be changed in the settings, but most users leave the default value. To check your cart:

1. Open the standard application "Gallery" (icon with a flower).
2. Tap on the three horizontal lines (menu) in the lower right corner.
3. Select item "Cart".
4. Find the photos you need, select them and click "Restore".

If the recycle bin is empty or you emptied it manually, proceed to the next method. Please note: the recycle bin MIUI works only for photos deleted through the gallery itself. If you erased files through "Explorer" or third-party applications (for example, Google Photos), they may not have ended up in the MIUI Recycle Bin.

2. Recovery via cloud services

If your Redmi Note synchronization with the cloud was enabled, the chances of getting the photo back are much higher. Xiaomi offers two main cloud services:

• 📁 Mi Cloud — Xiaomi proprietary cloud (15 GB free). Synchronizes photos, contacts and notes.
• ☁️ Google Photos —if you used a Google account, photos could be automatically uploaded there.

To check Mi Cloud:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Tap on «Mi Cloud» and log into your account (if you are not logged in automatically).
3. Select "Gallery" and check the folder "Deleted" (stores files for up to 60 days).

For Google Photos:

1. Install the application Google Photo (if deleted).
2. Open the side menu and select "Trash" (photos are stored for 60 days).
3. Or check the folder "Archive" —photos sometimes go there when cleaning the device.

3. Search in hidden folders and cache

The system MIUI creates temporary copies of photos in hidden folders, especially if you used an image editor or sent pictures via instant messengers. Where to look:

• 📂 Folder .thumbnails — stores photo thumbnails (path: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails). The files here are low resolution, but sometimes it's better than nothing.
• 🔍 Folder Pictures/Screenshots — sometimes screenshots are duplicated here even after being deleted from the gallery.
• 📱 Messenger folders: WhatsApp/Media, Telegram/Telegram Images. These applications often save copies of sent photos.

To see hidden folders, use root-enabled explorer (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) and turn on show hidden files in settings. An alternative is to connect your phone to your PC and use root-enabled File Explorer. Do not rename or move files in folders. This may disrupt the operation of system applications. Total Commander.

⚠️ Attention: Do not rename or move files in folders .thumbnails or Android/data. This may interfere with system applications.

4. Using recovery applications

If the previous methods did not work, it’s time to turn to specialized utilities. They scan the phone's memory at the file system level and look for traces of deleted data. Best options for Xiaomi Redmi Note:

Application	ROOT required?	Free version	Features
DiskDigger	No (basic scanning)	Yes (with limitations)	Searches photos and videos, supports preview
Recuva (for PC)	No	Yes	Works by connecting the phone to a computer
EaseUS MobiSaver	No	Partially	Recovers photos, messages, contacts
Dr.Fone	For deep scanning - yes	No	The most powerful tool, but paid

Instructions for DiskDigger (the simplest option):

1. Install the application from Google Play.
2. Select "Start basic scan" (without root).
3. Wait for the process to complete (may take 10-30 minutes).
4. View the found photos and save them to your device or to the cloud.

Turn off mobile data and Wi-Fi

Charge your phone to at least 50%

Do not install new applications

Do not take new photos/videos-->

⚠️ Attention: Applications without root (for example, DiskDigger) will only find photos that have not yet been overwritten with new data. If you installed many apps after uninstallation, the chances are reduced.

5. Recovery via PC (for experienced users)

If the phone does not have root access, but you are ready to connect it to the computer, you can use apps like Recuva or PhotoRec. They scan internal memory like a removable disk. Step-by-step guide for Recuva:

1. Connect Redmi Note to a PC via USB (select mode "File Transfer").
2. Install and run Recuva on the computer.
3. In the menu, select the file type - "Images".
4. Indicate the drive of your phone (usually "Removable" drive (E:)" or similar).
5. Run a deep scan and wait for the results.

The advantage of this method is a deeper analysis than that of mobile applications. However, there are also risks:

• 🔌 If the phone turns off during scanning, the process will have to start again.
• 📉 apps can find thousands of fragments - you will have to manually search for the necessary photos.

What to do if the PC does not see the phone?

If the computer does not recognizes Redmi Note as a removable disk, check:

1. USB cable (try another, original one).

2. Connection mode on the phone (should be “File Transfer”, not “Charging”).

3. MIUI drivers (install Mi PC Suite from the official Xiaomi website).

4. USB port on PC (try another connector, preferably USB 3.0).

6. Restoring using root access

If you have root-accessthe chances of getting the photo back are maximum. Root allows apps to scan system partitions that cannot be accessed without access rights. Popular tools:

• 🛠️ Root Explorer —for manual search in folders /data and /system.
• 🔍 Undelete for Root Users —a specialized recovery utility.
• 💾 Nandroid Backup —if you have a backup made via TWRP.

Critical: after getting root, you CANNOT update MIUI through the standard menu - this will lead to loss of rights and possible “bricking” of the phone. If you are a beginner, it is better to contact a specialist or use methods without root.

Instructions for Undelete for Root Users:

1. Install the application and provide root access.
2. Select the partition to scan (usually /data).
3. Mark file types - «JPG», «PNG», «HEIC».
4. Start scanning and save the found files to the SD card.

7. Contacting Xiaomi service center

If photos are critical (for example, these are the only copies of documents or memorable photographs), and independent attempts are unsuccessful, you can contact Xiaomi authorized service centerThey have professional equipment for retrieving data even from damaged drives.

What you need to know before your visit:

• 💰 The cost of the service starts from 3-5 thousand rubles (depending on the complexity).
• ⏳ Recovery time - from several hours to 2-3 days.
• 📄 Take your passport and receipt for your phone (if there is a guarantee).

⚠️ Attention: Not all service centers provide restoration data - some specialize only in repairs. Before your visit, check by phone whether they provide such a service.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about photo recovery on Xiaomi

Is it possible to return photos deleted more than a year ago?

The chances are extremely low. After 30 days from the MIUI recycle bin and 60 days from the cloud (Mi Cloud or Google Photos), photos are usually deleted permanently. The exception is if you made backups to an external drive or another phone.

Will resetting the phone to factory settings help?

No, it will only worsen the situation. When you reset, all data on the phone is erased, and it will be almost impossible to restore it. Resetting it should only be done if you are sure that the photos are synchronized with the cloud.

Is it possible to restore photos after flashing the phone?

After full firmware (especially via Fastboot), data is almost always lost forever if the firmware was flashed via Recovery and you did not format the partition data, there are chances - try apps like DiskDigger with root access.

How to avoid losing photos in the future?

Set up automatic synchronization with Google Photos or Mi Cloudregularly copy photos to a computer or external drive, use backup applications (for example, Sync for Reddit for instant messengers). It is also useful to enable the function "Backup" in Settings → Advanced → Backup and reset.

What to do if the phone does not turn on, but there are important photos on it?

Do not try to turn it on repeatedly - this may damage the memory. Take the device to a service center, where, using JTAG or chip-off method, specialists will extract data directly from the memory chip.