Have you deleted important photos, videos or documents from Xiaomi Redmi and don’t know how to get them back? Don't panic: even if files disappear from the gallery or file manager, they often remain in the device's memory until they are overwritten by new data. In this article we will look at 7 proven recovery methods - from simple (checking the recycle bin and cloud copies) to advanced (using a PC and ROOT access).

Features of smartphones Xiaomi i Redmi — built-in backup tools and cloud storage Mi Cloudthat can save data even after accidental deletion. However, if the files were erased a long time ago or the device was reset, specialized utilities will be required. We will describe each method in detail, indicate its effectiveness and risks, and also give recommendations for preventing data loss in the future.

Important: the sooner you take action after deletion, the higher the chances of success. Each new photo, installed application or system update reduces the likelihood of recovery.

1. Checking the cart in standard applications

Many users do not know that Xiaomi Redmi has a built-in recycle bin, where files are stored for up to 30 days after deletion. This applies to:

  • 📷 Gallery (Google Photos or standard application Mi Gallery)
  • 📄 File manager (Mi File Manager or Files by Google)
  • 🎵 Music player (if files were deleted through it)

To check the cart in Mi Gallery:

  1. Open the application Gallery.
  2. Tap on the three horizontal lines (menu) in the upper left corner.
  3. Select item Trash.
  4. Find the files you need, select them and click Restore.

In Mi File Manager the other way: open the application → Categories → Trash. Here you can recover documents, archives and other types of files. Please note: the recycle bin is emptied automatically after 30 days or when manually emptied via Settings → Storage → Cleanup.

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If the recycle bin is empty, but you are sure that the files were recently deleted, try restarting your phone - sometimes this helps to show hidden items.

2. Recovery via Mi Cloud (Xiaomi cloud)

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomithat automatically backs up photos, contacts, notes and even some documents if the function is enabled. To check for deleted files:

  1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
  2. Log in if you are not logged in.
  3. Select section Gallery or Backups.
  4. Check folders Deleted or Archive (depending on the software version).

If the files are found, they can be downloaded back to the device. Please note that Mi Cloud only provides 5 GB for free - if backups were not created due to lack of space, this method will not work.

What to do if Mi Cloud did not sync?

If settings Mi Cloud automatic synchronization is disabled, check:

- Section Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Data synchronization.

- Turn on the switches for Gallery, Notes and others desired categories.

- Connect to Wi-Fi - synchronization may not work via mobile data.

If you don’t remember whether synchronization was enabled, try restoring data via the web version Mi Cloud:

  1. Go to the site i.mi.com from your computer or phone.
  2. Log into your account Xiaomi.
  3. Select a section Gallery or Files.
  4. Find the folder Deleted (if it exists) or check the change history.
📊 Do you use Mi Cloud for backup?
Yes, regularly
Yes, but selectively
No, I don’t trust
I don’t know what it is
I tried it, but it didn’t work

3. Using Google Photos and Drive

If your Redmi application is installed Google Photos, check its recycle bin and archive. Unlike the standard gallery, Google Photos retains deleted files for up to 60 days:

  1. Open Google Photos.
  2. Tap on your profile avatar in the upper right corner.
  3. Select Trash.
  4. Find the files you need and click Recover.

Also check section Archive — sometimes files end up there instead of the trash can. If you use Google Drive, go to the web version (drive.google.com) and check the folder Trash —the files are stored there for up to 30 days.

Sign in to your Google account on your phone|Open Google Photos → Trash|Check Google Drive → Trash|View archives in Google Photos|Make sure synchronization is enabled in settings-->

If files have been deleted from the Trash Google Photos, but a backup was created earlier, try restoring them via file versions:

  1. Open the file in Google Drive.
  2. Click on the three dots → Version management.
  3. Select the desired version and click Restore.
⚠️ Attention: If you deleted files from Google Photos and emptied the Recycle Bin, it is impossible to restore them using standard means. In this case, only specialized software will help (see sections 5–7).

4. Searching for files through the file manager (hidden folders)

Sometimes files are not completely deleted, but are moved to hidden system folders. For example, photos from instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) can be stored in:

  • 📁 /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Media/
  • 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Telegram/Telegram Images/
  • 📁 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails/ (thumbnails)

To find hidden files:

  1. Open Mi File Manager or any other file manager (for example, Solid Explorer).
  2. Turn on showing hidden files: Settings → Show hidden files.
  3. Go to folders DCIM, Pictures, Downloads and look for files with extensions .nomedia (they are not displayed in the gallery).
  4. Use search by file name (if you remember at least part names).

If you are looking for photos taken with the camera, check the folders:

  • DCIM/Camera/ — main pictures;
  • DCIM/Screenshots/ — screenshots;
  • DCIM/MIUI/Camera/ — backup copies (on some models Redmi).
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Files with extension .nomedia are not visible in the gallery, but physically remain on the device. Rename them (delete .nomedia) so that they are displayed again.

5. Recovery using a PC and apps (without ROOT)

If the files are not found in the recycle bin or cloud, connect to your computer and use specialized apps for recovery. The best free utilities: app (official) Redmi to your computer and use specialized recovery apps. The best free utilities:

app Supported files Cons Link (official)
Recuva Photos, videos, documents, archives No support for new RAW formats ccleaner.com/recuva
DiskDigger Photos, videos, audio Paid version for recovery of all file types diskdigger.org
EaseUS MobiSaver All file types, including WhatsApp Limitation on the recovery volume in the free version easeus.com
PhotoRec Any files (works at a low level) Complex interface, no preview cgsecurity.org

Instructions for Recuva (for example Windows):

  1. Download and install the app from the official website.
  2. Connect Redmi to the PC in File transfer (MTP) mode.
  3. Run Recuva and select the file type (for example, Images).
  4. Specify the path to the phone's internal memory (usually this is This device → [Redmi model]).
  5. Press Analysis and wait until scanning is completed.
  6. Mark the required files and click Recover (save them on your PC, not on your phone!).
⚠️ Attention: Do not save the recovered files back to Redmi —this may overwrite the remaining data and make further recovery impossible. Use an external drive or cloud.

If the phone is not detected in the MTPmode, try:

  • 🔌 Use a different USB cable (original from Xiaomi).
  • 🔄 Restart the phone and PC.
  • 🛠️ Install drivers Mi PC Suite from the official website Xiaomi.
  • 📱 Enable USB debugging v Settings → About phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times) → Advanced → For developers.

6. Deep scanning with ROOT access

If standard methods do not help, and the files are critical, you can try deep scan using root access. This gives access to system partitions where fragments of deleted data may remain. On smartphones Xiaomi Redmi with Qualcomm processors (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi 9) the chances of recovery are higher than on devices with MediaTek.

For this you will need:

  1. Unlock the bootloader (Bootloader) via Mi Unlock Tool (official utility Xiaomi).
  2. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
  3. Get root access via Magisk.
  4. Use apps like Undeleter or GT Recovery (require ROOT).

Step-by-step guide for Undeleter:

  1. Install the application from Google Play (required ROOT).
  2. Select scan type: Deep scan.
  3. Specify the memory partition (usually /data or /sdcard).
  4. Wait for completion (may take several hours).
  5. Save the found files to an external drive.
⚠️ Attention: Obtaining root access will void the warranty Xiaomi and may lead to unstable operation of the system. On some models Redmi (for example, with MIUI 14), unlocking the bootloader is required. linking the account to the device for 72 hours.

If you are not confident in your skills, it is better to contact specialists. In service centers Xiaomi data recovery is not provided, but there are private laboratories that work with memory chips directly (method Chip-Off). The cost of such a service starts from 5,000 rubles.

7. Contacting the service center (hardware methods)

If the files are of high value (for example, the only photos from an important event), and software methods do not work, consider hardware recovery:

  • 🔧 Chip-Off - removing the memory chip and reading the data directly.
  • 🔌 JTAG — connecting to the test contacts on the board to access the memory.
  • 💾 ISP — connecting to the flash memory contacts via a programmer.

Advantages of hardware methods:

  • ✅ Work even after resetting to factory settings.
  • ✅ Recover data from damaged devices (not turning on, with a broken screen).
  • ✅ High success rate (up to 90% for photos and videos).

Disadvantages:

  • ❌ High cost (from 5,000 to 30,000 rubles).
  • ❌ Risk of damage to the board due to unqualified intervention.
  • ❌ Long term (from 3 days to 2 weeks).

Before contacting the service:

  1. Check whether they work specifically with your model Redmi (for example, Redmi Note 12 has a different memory architecture than Redmi 7).
  2. Ask about a guarantee on the result (some laboratories take payment only if successful).
  3. Do not turn on or charge the phone - this may reduce the chances of recovery.
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Hardware methods are the only way to recover data after a complete format or physical damage to the memory, however, they will not help if the memory chip is damaged (for example, after falling into water).

How. prevent data loss in the future

To avoid facing the problem of deleted files again, follow these simple rules:

  • ☁️ Automatic backup:
    • Enable synchronization with Mi Cloud (Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Data synchronization).
    • Set Google Photos to automatically download (Settings → Backup and synchronization).
  • 📱 Local backup copies:
    • Use the application Mi Mover to create backups to an external drive.
    • Regularly copy important files to a PC or external SSD.
  • 🚫 Safe deletion:
    • Before deleting check the files in the trash.
    • Do not use functions like Clear all in the gallery without checking.

For additional protection:

  • Install the application Dumpster —it creates a separate recycle bin for all deleted files.
  • Use FolderSync to automatically synchronize folders with clouds (Yandex Disk, Dropbox).
  • Set up Prohibit changes for important folders via Mi File Manager (long press → Protection).

If you often work with important data, consider purchasing Xiaomi Mi Smart Band with a low battery alert function - this will help avoid the phone suddenly turning off during time of file transfer.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about recovering files on Xiaomi Redmi

Is it possible to recover files after resetting to factory settings?

After a full reset (Hard Reset) the chances are minimal, but there are two options:

  1. If the reset was without formatting: try apps like DiskDigger with deep scanning.
  2. If the reset was with formatting: only hardware recovery (Chip-Off or JTAG) will help.

Important: do not install new applications and do not copy files to the phone after the reset - this will overwrite the old data.

How to recover deleted messages in WhatsApp?

Messages WhatsApp are restored via backup copy:

  1. Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
  2. When you first launch the application, it will offer to restore chats from Google Drive (if there is a copy).
  3. If there is no copy, try finding the file msgstore.db.crypt14 in folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/ using a file manager.

To restore without a backup, you will need root access and specialized utilities (for example, WhatsApp Viewer).

Why don’t recovery apps find my files?

Possible reasons:

  • The files have been overwritten with new data (photos, videos, updates).
  • The phone's memory is encrypted (starting from Android 6.0 i MIUI 12+).
  • You are scanning the wrong partition (for example, an external SD card instead of internal memory).
  • The files were deleted a long time ago, and their fragments have already been erased.

Solution: try other software (for example, PhotoRec instead of Recuva) or contact the service center.

Is it possible to recover files from damaged Redmi (does not turn on, broken screen)?

Yes, but the method depends on the type of damage:

  • The screen is broken, but the phone works: connect to the PC in mode MTP and use recovery apps.
  • The phone does not turn on, but is detected by the computer: try ADB commands to extract data.
  • Complete failure (not charging, not detected): hardware recovery only (Chip-Off).

If the phone falls into water, don't turn it on this can cause a short circuit and irretrievable loss of data. Take the device to a service center for drying and diagnostics.

How to recover deleted contacts on Xiaomi Redmi?

Contacts are restored through:

  1. Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Contacts → Recover.
  2. Google Account: go to contacts.google.com, select Cancel changes.
  3. Local copy: if the contacts were exported to a file .vcf, find it in the folder Downloads or on the SD card.

If the contacts are linked to a SIM card, insert it into another phone and export the data.