Many users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones face a situation where accidentally deleted files cannot be quickly restored, because the standard MIUI interface or the new HyperOS hides the Recycle Bin system folder from the owner’s eyes so as not to clutter the desktop.
Unlike computer operating systems, where the basket is always in plain sight, Android's approach to file removal is different: Here, the basket is most often built directly into the Explorer or Gallery, but does not have a separate icon on the home screen. Putting the basket shortcut on the desktop is not just a matter of aesthetics, but a way to create a reliable buffer zone for your data before it is finally erased.
In this article, we will discuss how to activate the Recycle Bin, where to look for hidden settings, and what alternative methods exist to manage deleted files, how to set up automatic cleanup and why standard deletion of files does not always mean their complete disappearance from the device’s memory.
The principle of the file removal system in MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi’s shell file system architecture is designed to minimize the risk of accidental memory loss. When a user deletes a file, it doesn’t physically erase the drive immediately. Instead, the operating system labels the space it occupies as “writeable,” but stores the file itself in a special hidden partition, which allows the buffer memory to recover data for a certain period.
By default, this buffer doesn't have a visual representation as a separate application, so as not to teach users to accumulate digital garbage. However, for those who are used to desktop logic of working with files, the lack of a visible shopping cart can be a problem. Android's system limitations also prevent you from simply putting the system basket label on the desktop without using special methods or third-party tools.
It's important to understand that the file retention period in this buffer is limited. In standard applications like Gallery or Explorer, remote objects are usually stored for 30 days. After this period, automatic cleaning permanently deletes the data, making room for new files, which is why knowing where this temporary drive is located is a key skill for any smartphone owner.
Search for built-in basket in standard Explorer
The first step to regaining control of deleted files is to check the standard Explorer application. In the latest versions of the MIUI shell and HyperOS, the functionality of this application is significantly expanded. To find a hidden folder, you need to launch the application and carefully examine the interface. Often users overlook the menu button where the desired functionality is hidden.
At the top of the Explorer screen, you'll usually have tabs or category switch icons, and you'll need to find a menu icon that can look like three dots or three horizontal bars, and clicking on that element opens a drop-down list where, among other things, you can find the Recycle Bin item, and if that item is active, you can go to it and manage the deleted files.
- 📁 Open the Explorer app on the main screen.
- 🔍 Click on the menu icon in the upper right or left corner of the interface.
- 🗑️ Select the item from the drop-down list.
- ✅ Check for deleted files and restore them if necessary.
If you don’t have a standard Explorer menu, it means that your firmware version has hidden or disabled it by the manufacturer, which means that direct access through the standard app is not possible, and you will need to use alternative methods or third-party file managers who can work with Android system folders.
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In some versions of MIUI, the basket in the Explorer only appears after you first delete a file through this application.
Set up the display of the basket in the Xiaomi Gallery
The most common loss of photos and videos is the one Xiaomi's Gallery app has its own guide-independent album for remote elements, a separate logical section that functions as a shopping cart exclusively for media content, accessed through the Albums tab.
To get into this section, open the gallery and go to the Albums tab. Scroll down to the end of the list, and you'll find a folder called Recently Deleted or Recycle Bin, and inside this folder, you'll find all the photos and videos that you've deleted!
This is the standard storage period for media content in the Xiaomi ecosystem.
It's important to note that the files in this folder take up space in the device's memory. They don't physically disappear until the time of manual cleaning or expiration date. If you want to vacate space, you'll have to manually clean that folder, otherwise, automatic deletion will only occur after the set timer has expired.
⚠️ Note: Files in the recently deleted gallery folder are not synced to the cloud unless you have the “Sync with Xiaomi Cloud” or Google Photos feature enabled. Local deletion is local deletion.
Using Google Photos as an Alternative Recycle Bin
For Xiaomi smartphone owners who don’t trust standard MIUI tools, the great solution is to use the Google ecosystem.The Google Photos app has its own, very robust shopping cart that often proves to be more convenient and functional than the Chinese manufacturer’s built-in solutions.It’s integrated into a Google account and accessible from any device.
To use this feature, make sure you have the Google Photos app installed and updated. Go to the app settings and activate sync. After that, all photos you delete will be taken to the Google Recycle Bin, where they can be stored for up to 60 days (or even longer for Google One subscribers), which creates an additional layer of data protection.
The advantage of using Google Photos is that it is cross-platform: you can recover deleted photos not only on your phone, but also on your tablet or computer just by logging into your account. Google’s AI algorithms make it easy to find the right images even among thousands of deleted files.
- ☁️ Open the Google Photos app.
- ⚙️ Go to the Library section in the lower right corner.
- 🗑️ Click on the basket item in the top menu bar.
- 🔄 Select a photo and click "Restore" to return to the gallery.
How much space does the Google Photos cart take?
Installation of third-party file managers with a basket
If Xiaomi's built-in tools seem uncomfortable to you and Google Photos doesn't work, the best solution is to install a dedicated file manager. There are many applications in the Google Play Store that implement a full-fledged shopping cart feature with the ability to take the widget to the desktop, such applications intercept the process of deleting files and move them to their isolated container.
One of the most popular solutions is the ES Explorer app (older versions) or more modern analogues like Solid Explorer and File Manager+. These applications often offer to create a shopping cart shortcut on the desktop when installed. Once this function is activated, all deletions through this manager will go through the buffer.
When selecting a third-party application, pay attention to the permissions it requests. To work properly, the basket requires access to the file system and rights to change data. Without these permissions, the application will not be able to intercept the deletion command and store files in its storage.
| Annex | Availability of a widget | Storage period | Russian |
|---|---|---|---|
| File Manager + | Yes. | Indefinite (until cleaned) | Yes. |
| Solid Explorer | No (inside the annex) | Customizable | Yes. |
| CX File Explorer | No. | Manual control | Yes. |
| ASTRO File Manager | Yeah (cleaning widget) | Customizable | Partially. |
☑️ Criteria for selecting a file manager
Creating a cart shortcut through system settings
In some versions of MIUI firmware (especially in Chinese versions or global builds for certain regions), it is possible to add a system shortcut to the cart through the interface settings. This method does not work on all devices, but it is worth checking because it is the most native.
Press your finger on the empty desktop space to go into editing mode. Select "Widgets" or "Add widgets." In the list that opens, scroll down to the letter "C" or "K" (depending on the system language) and find "Baskbasket" or "Recycle Bin." If such a widget exists in your version of the software, it can be dragged to the desktop.
But most of the time, global firmware versions don't have this widget, and in this case, users resort to shortcuts for the particular shopping cart application we talked about earlier, and the Android cart as a separate entity is not designed to be directly accessible, so workarounds are the only solution.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to download apps from unverified sources that promise to “activate the Xiaomi system basket.” Most often these are fraudulent programs that can harm your device or steal personal data.
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The native Xiaomi desktop cart is not available in all versions of MIUI. The most reliable way is to use a third-party file manager widget.