Have you deleted important photos from Xiaomi Redmi 9 and don’t know how to get them back? The situation is familiar to many: an accidental click, a reset, or a system crash - and precious pictures disappear. Fortunately, smartphone owners have several recovery methods, and some work even without root access. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods - from standard tools MIUI There are several recovery methods, and some work even without root access. In this article we will analyze all the current methods - from standard tools Xiaomi to professional utilities - and also tell you how increase the chances of success and what absolutely cannot be done.

It is important to understand: the success of recovery depends on what how much time passed after removal i was the device used after that. New data (photos, videos, installed applications) can overwrite deleted files, making them impossible to recover. Therefore, you need to act quickly - and it’s better to start with built-in tools MIUIthat do not require connection to a PC.

If you have already tried to recover photos and encountered errors (for example, the app does not see the device or the files appear broken), at the end of the article there is a section with common problems and their solutions. We have also collected answers to frequently asked questions in the FAQ block - there you will find information about restoring after a factory reset, formatting a memory card and other difficult cases.

Smartphones Xiaomi Redmi 9 based on MIUI 12 and later equipped with a built-in recycle bin where photos are stored 30 days after deletion. This is the first and easiest way to return pictures - without additional apps and risks.

To find the trash:

  • 📱 Open the standard application "Gallery"** (icon with a flower).
  • 🗑️ In the bottom menu, tap on the section "Cart" (can be called "Recently" deleted" in some firmware versions).
  • 🔍 View the list of files: deleted photos will be sorted by date.
  • ✅ Select the desired pictures with a long tap and click "Recover"** below screen.

If the cart is empty or you do not find this section, it is possible:

  • 🚫 Photos were deleted more than 30 days ago** and automatically cleared.
  • ⚙️ The cart is disabled in the gallery settings (check in Gallery settings → Trash**).
  • 🔄 You used the "Empty Trash"** function manually.
⚠️ Attention: If you deleted photos through a file manager (for example, "Explorer"**), and not the gallery, they might not have been included in the cart. In this case, proceed to the next method.
📊 How often do you empty the trash in the gallery?
Never
Once a month
Every week
After each deletion

2. Restoring via Google Photos (if there was synchronization)

If auto-synchronization with Redmi 9 auto-sync enabled Google Photos, the chances of returning deleted pictures are much higher. The service stores backup copies of photos in the cloud, and even after deletion, they can be restored within 60 days (if they were not deleted from the Google Photos recycle bin).

Instructions:

  1. 🌐 Open browser on your phone or PC and go to the website photos.google.com (or open the application Google Photos).
  2. ☁️ Log in using the same account Googlethat was used to synchronize to Redmi 9.
  3. 🗑️ In in the side menu, select "Cart" (or "Archive" if the photos were archived).
  4. 🔍 Find the photos you need, select them and click "Restore"**.

If photos are not displayed in the Google Photos recycle bin:

  • 🔄 Check if synchronization has been enabled: go to Google Photos Settings → Backup and synchronization**.
  • 📅 Make sure that the photos were deleted no more than 60 days ago** (retention period in Google Recycle Bin).
  • 📎 If synchronization was disabled, try other methods in this article.
💡

To avoid losing photos in the future, turn on Google Photos option "Automatic backup" and select quality "Original" (if you have enough space in the cloud) or "High quality"** (free with compression).

3. Use MIUI backups (Mi Cloud)

Xiaomi offers its own cloud storage - Mi Cloudwhich automatically saves photos, contacts and other data. If backup has been activated, you can restore the photo even after resetting the phone to factory settings.

How to check and restore:

  • 🔗 Open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud**.
  • ☁️ Make sure that the option "Gallery synchronization"** is enabled (if not, turn it on and wait for the synchronization to complete).
  • 📥 Go to the "Gallery" section in Mi Cloud and find the folder "Backups" or "Deleted files"**.
  • ⬇️ Select the desired photos and press "Download" or "Restore".

If there is no photo in Mi Cloud:

  • 🔄 Backup may have been disabled. Check the synchronization history in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Devices**.
  • 📦 If the cloud space runs out, old backups could be deleted automatically (only available for free 5 GB**).
⚠️ Attention: When restored from Mi Cloud, photos may return to the folder "Downloads" or «Mi Cloud» on the device, and not to the original gallery. Check these folders through the file manager.

Check your Wi-Fi connection

Make sure there is enough free space on your phone

Log in to the Mi Account that was used for backup

Disable the VPN (it can block access to Mi Cloud)-->

4. apps for recovery from internal memory (without root)

If the previous methods did not work, you will have to use third-party utilities. For Xiaomi Redmi 9 apps that scan internal memory for deleted files are suitable. Important: Do not install apps on the smartphone itself —this may overwrite deleted data. Use a PC.

Best free recovery apps:

app Support Redmi 9 Root required? Max. size of recovered files
DiskDigger ✅ Yes ❌ No (basic scanning) Unlimited
Recuva ✅ Yes (via ADB) ❌ No Up to 1 GB in the free version
EaseUS MobiSaver ✅ Yes ❌ No 50 MB in the free version
Dr.Fone ✅ Yes ✅ Partially (deep scanning) Unlimited (paid version)

Step-by-step guide for DiskDigger (the most reliable option without root):

  1. 💻 Download and install DiskDigger on PC (version for Windows).
  2. 🔌 Connect Redmi 9 to the computer via a USB cable (select mode "File transfer"** (MTP) on your phone).
  3. 🔍 Launch DiskDigger, select your device and click "Scan"**.
  4. 📸 After scanning, mark the photos you need (they will be marked as "Deleted" or "Recoverable") and click "Restore"**.
  5. 💾 Save the files on your PC, not on your phone (to avoid overwriting).
⚠️ Attention: If the app requires root access for deep scan do not agree to get root just to restore photos - this can lead to loss of warranty and unstable operation of the firmware. Use methods without root or contact a service center.
Why apps do not see deleted ones photo?

Deleted files can be overwritten by new data (photos, videos, application updates).

The scanner does not support the file system of your device (on Redmi 9 usually used F2FS or ext4).

Photos were deleted from the memory card, not from the internal storage (you need to scan the SD card separately).

The device is not connected in mode MTP or drivers are required (install Mi PC Suite for Xiaomi).

5. Recovering from a microSD memory card

If the photos were stored on memory cardthe chances of recovery are higher - cards are less likely to be overwritten than internal memory. The same apps are suitable for scanning as for the internal drive, but with some nuances.

Instructions:

  • 📱 Remove the microSD card from Redmi 9 and connect it to the PC via a card reader (do not connect your phone - this will reduce the chances of success).
  • 💻 Use PhotoRec (free utility for deep scanning):
1. Download PhotoRec from the official website (included in the TestDisk package).

2. Run photorec_win.exe (for Windows).


3. Select your memory card in the list of disks.


4. Specify the file system (usually FAT32 or exFAT for SD cards).


5. Select a folder to save the recovered files (NOT to the card!).


6. Click Search and wait until scanning is completed.

If PhotoRec found too many files:

  • 🔍 Sort the results by extension (look for .jpg, .png, .heic**).
  • 📅 Check the creation date of the files - this will help you find the photos you need.
  • 🗑️ Remove duplicates and broken files (they will have zero size or will not open).

If the memory card is not detected:

  • 🔌 Try another card reader or USB port.
  • 🛠️ Check the card on another device (for example, on another phone or camera).
  • 🚨 If the card is damaged, do not format it - contact a data recovery service.
💡

Memory cards SanDisk i Samsung are more often recoverable than no-name models due to more reliable controllers memory.

6. Restoring after resetting to factory settings

If you did hard reset (reset to factory settings) on Redmi 9, the chances of returning the photo drop sharply, but they still exist. data-i="231">(Google Photos or Mi Cloud) and whether cloud synchronization was enabled (Google Photos or Mi Cloud) and whether internal memory was used for storage.

What you can do:

  • ☁️ Check cloud storage: As described in sections 2 and 3, auto-sync could save copies photo.
  • 💻 Scan the internal memory: Use DiskDigger or Recuva immediately after resetting - the fewer actions you have performed on the phone, the higher the chances.
  • 📱 Check the folder DCIM/.thumbnails: Sometimes photo thumbnails are saved even after a reset. Use a file manager with root access (for example FX File Explorer) to access hidden folders.

If the reset was done a long time ago:

  • 🔄 New data (system updates, installed applications) will almost certainly overwrite the old ones photo.
  • 🛠️ In this case, only professional restoration at a service center will help (cost from 5 000 ₽).
⚠️ Attention: After resetting to factory settings do not update the firmware and do not install applications before attempting recovery - this will significantly reduce the chances of success.

7. Professional data recovery services

If all independent attempts are unsuccessful, you can only contact specialists hardware recovery methods (for example, chip-offs). extract data even from damaged drives.

When to contact the service:

  • 💔 Photos have large value (family archives, working documents).
  • 🔧 You tried all software methods, but to no avail.
  • 💾 The device is physically damaged (does not turn on, is not detected by the PC).

Average prices for restoration (for 2026):

Type recovery Cost (₽) Time frame
Logical recovery (without disassembly) 3 000 — 8 000 1–3 days
Chip-off (with disassembling the phone) 10 000 — 25 000 3–7 days
Recovery from a damaged memory card 5 000 — 15 000 2–5 days

How to choose a reliable service:

  • 🔍 Look for reviews on independent sites (for example, Yandex.Maps or 2GIS).
  • 📋 Check if they provide guarantee for results (many services charge only for successful recovery).
  • 🔒 Check whether there is confidentiality - your data should not fall into third hands.

Popular services in Russia:

  • 🏢 Hddbiz (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg)
  • 🏢 Data Recovery (networks throughout Russia)
  • 🏢 Kaspersky Lab (data recovery)
⚠️ Attention: Details of tariffs and available recovery methods may change. Before contacting, check the latest information on the service website or by phone.

Frequent errors and their solutions

When restoring photos, users often encounter typical problems. Here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

Problem 1: The app does not see Redmi 9 when connected to a PC.

  • 🔌 Check the cable and USB port (try a different cable or port).
  • 📱 On your phone, select the mode "File transfer"** (MTP) in the connection notification.
  • 🖥️ Install drivers Mi PC Suite from the official website Xiaomi.

Problem 2: Recovered photos do not open or broken.

  • 🔄 Try restoring them again with different software (for example, PhotoRec instead of DiskDigger).
  • 🛠️ Use apps for image repair, for example, JPEG Repair.
  • 🗑️ If the photo is partially restored, try opening it in Photoshop or GIMP - sometimes they read damaged files.

Problem 3: The phone does not have a recycle bin in the gallery.

  • ⚙️ Check the settings: Gallery settings → Cart → Enable cart**.
  • 🔄 Update the application "Gallery"** via Google Play.
  • 📥 If the recycle bin is disabled at the firmware level, try restoring the photo via Mi Cloud or PC.

Problem 4: Google Photos shows that the photos are permanently deleted.

  • ☁️ Make sure you are logged in to the correct account Google.
  • 📅 Check the folder "Archive"** - sometimes photos are moved there instead of being deleted.
  • 🔍 Use Google Photos search using keywords or dates.

Problem 5: The memory card is not detected on any device.

  • 🔌 Try cleaning the card contacts with an eraser (carefully!).
  • 🛠️ Connect the card through another card reader.
  • 🚨 If the card is physically damaged, do not try to format it - contact the service.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to recover photos deleted a year ago?

The chances are extremely low. If the photos were not synchronized with the cloud (Google Photos or Mi Cloud), they are most likely overwritten by new data. Try scanning the internal memory using DiskDigger, but do not count on success.

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

In this case, independent recovery is impossible. Contact a service center where specialists will remove the memory chip and read the data directly. The cost of such a service starts from 10 000 ₽.

Is it possible to restore a photo after formatting a memory card?

Yes, but only if no new files were written to the card after formatting. Use PhotoRec or EaseUS Data Recovery for deep scanning. Please note that the recovered files may be without names and in a chaotic order.

Why do recovered photos have strange names like IMG_1234567.jpg?

This is normal - recovery apps often cannot read the original metadata. To organize your photos, sort them by creation date (in the file properties) or use apps like Adobe Bridge for batch renaming.

How to avoid losing photos in the future?

Turn on automatic synchronization s Google Photos or Mi Cloud. Also regularly copy photos to your PC or external drive. For additional protection, use applications like Simple Gallerythat allow you to create local backups.