What is Trash Bin in Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to a Cart on Smartphones

Have you ever accidentally deleted an important file on a Xiaomi smartphone and then realized with horror that it was gone forever? Fortunately, the manufacturer has a mechanism to protect against such situations — Trash Bin (or "Basket"). This function works similar to the basket on the computer: deleted files are not erased immediately, but sent to a temporary storage facility from where they can be restored.

However, many users are unaware of the existence of Trash Bin in their devices, and in this article we will discuss what a shopping cart in Xiaomi is, where to find it, how to use it, and what to do if the files are lost. We will pay special attention to the nuances of working with different types of data - photos, videos, documents and even messages in the data. MIUI.

If you want to learn how to manage your smartphone memory efficiently and never lose important data, read on.We will also reveal hidden shopping cart settings that are not dokumented in official instructions, but can save your files in a critical situation.

What is Trash Bin and Why is it Necessary?

Trash Bin (from English "garbage bucket") is a system folder in the firmware MIUI, It works on the principle of "soft deletion": instead of completely erasing data from the memory of the device, the system simply moves it to the basket, where it is stored for a limited time (usually 30 days).

The main objectives of Trash Bin:

• 🛡️ Accidental Deletion Protection – the ability to recover files if you change your mind or make a mistake.
• 🗑️ Memory optimization – Automatically clean the cart after a predetermined period to avoid clogging the storage.
• 🔍 Easy search – files in the basket save the original tags (date of creation, name, folder of origin).

It is important to understand that Trash Bin in Xiaomi is not a universal shopping cart for all types of files.

• 📷 Photos and videos (from Mi Gallery or Google Photos if sync is enabled).
• 📄 Documented (PDF, Word, Excel, etc., deleted via Files by Google or Mi File Manager.
• 💬 Some messages (in Mi Messages or in Mi Messages) SMS, if the appropriate setting is enabled).

But here are files deleted through third-party applications (for example, Telegram, WhatsApp or WhatsApp). VLC), Trash Bin doesn't get into it, and the cart doesn't save it:

• 🎵 Music and audio files (unless deleted via Mi Music).
• 📁 System files and application cache.
• 🔧 Application settings or game data.

Where is the basket on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Trash Bin location depends on file type and version MIUI. We will look at all possible ways of access.

1. Photo and video basket

If you have deleted a photo or video through the standard Mi Gallery, you can restore it as follows:

1. Open the Gallery app (an icon with colored squares).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) lower-right.
3. Select the Cart item (or Trash in English version).
4. Click on the file, then select Restore (or Restore).

In some versions MIUI (for example, MIUI 12.5 and later) the path may differ:

Gallery → Albums → Scroll Down → Cart

2. Document and File Recycle Bin

To recover deleted documents, use Mi File Manager:

1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
2. Go to the Categories (or Browse) section.
3. Scroll down and select the basket.
4. Select the files you need and click Restore.

If you have Files by Google installed, the path will be different:

Files by Google → Menu (☰) → Recycle Bin

Open the gallery and find the "Baskbasket" section

Check the File Manager for Trash folder

Make sure that backup is enabled in the storage settings

Try to delete the test file and see if it appears in the cart-->

3. Hidden messaging basket

Few people know, but in MIUI It is possible to restore the remote SMS And the messages from Mi Messages:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap on three points (⋮) top-right.
3. Select Settings → Backup and Restore.
4. Click Restore Messages (if backup was previously enabled).

Note: this method only works if you have backed up in your message settings beforehand. SMS will not be possible.

💡

If you don't find a shopping cart in the Gallery, try updating the Mi Gallery app via Google Play. In older versions, the feature could have been hidden or disabled.

How to recover files from Trash Bin: a step-by-step algorithm

The process of recovering files from the Xiaomi Recycle Bin seems simple, but there are a few nuances that few people know about.

1. Photo and video recovery

To return deleted media files:

1. Open the Gallery and go to the Recycle Bin (as described above).
2. Select files by holding your finger on one of them (a tick will appear).
3. Click on the Restore button at the bottom of the screen.
4. Select the folder to restore (by default - the original folder).

Important points:

• 🔄 Recovered files do not save the original date of creation – it is replaced by the current one.
• 📂 If the original folder has been deleted, the files will be restored to the folder. DCIM/Camera.
• ⏳ Recycle bin storage time – 30 days (configured in Gallery Settings) → Basket).

Recovery of documents

For the return of deleted documents:

1. Open the File Manager and go to the Recycle Bin.
2. Select the files you want (multiple selection mode can be used).
3. Click Restore and confirm the action.

Features:

• 📄 Files are restored to the Download folder if the original folder is deleted.
• 🔒 Some system files (for example, APK) They may not recover due to security restrictions.

3. Computer-assisted recovery

If the basket on the phone does not work or files are missing from it, you can try to restore them via the PC:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB (in File Transfer mode).
2. Open the folder. MIUI/Trash or MIUI/Recycle (It can be hidden – turn on the display of hidden files).
3. Copy the files to a safe place on your PC.

If there is no Trash folder, try searching along the way:

Internal Storage → Android → data → com.miui.gallery → files → trash

Trash Bin Settings: How to Change Storage Time and Turn Off the Recycle Bin

By default, Trash Bin files are stored for 30 days and then automatically deleted, but you can change that value — or disable the cart altogether if it takes up too much space.

1. Change in the retention period

To adjust the life time of files in the basket:

1. Open the gallery.
2. Go to Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
3. Pick the basket.
4. Click on Clean the Cart after and set the desired time: 7 days, 15 days, 30 days or Never.

Mind you:

• ⚠️ The option can never cause memory overflow if you delete files frequently.
• 📅 Minimum period - 7 days, maximum - 30 days (in some versions) MIUI 60 days available).

2. Completely shutting down the basket

If you want to delete files immediately (without getting into the basket):

1. Go to the Gallery Settings → Recycle Bin.
2. Turn off the switch. Turn on the basket.
3. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

⚠️ Warning: Once the Recycle Bin is disabled, all files in the Recycle Bin when the settings change will be permanently deleted.

3. Manual cleaning of the basket

To make room manually:

1. Open the Gallery or Files and go to the Recycle Bin.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right.
3. Choose Clear the basket.
4. Confirm removal.

Alternative method (through settings):

Settings → Storage → Cleaning → Cart → Clean

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If you frequently delete large files (such as videos in the 4K), Reduce the shelf life of the basket to 7 days or manually clean it.

What to do if files are missing from the cart or it does not work

Sometimes people find that Trash Bin is empty, even though the files have been deleted, or the cart does not open at all.

1. Files deleted irretrievably

If files are missing from the recycle bin, the following scenarios are possible:

• ⏳ Expired storage period (30 days by default).
• 🧹 The basket was cleaned manually or automatically (with a lack of memory).
• 🗑️ Files deleted through a third-party application (for example, ES A conductor or Total Commander that does not use Trash Bin.
• 🔧 There was a breakdown in work. MIUI (for example, after updating).

The first three cases are not recoverable by standard means, and the last one will help:

• 🔄 Phone reboot.
• 🗃️ Cleaning the cache Gallery (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 📥 Reinstall the update for Mi Gallery via Google Play.

2. the basket does not open or gives an error

If you try to open Trash Bin with an error (for example, “Basket is empty” or “Can’t download”), try:

1. Check if the cart is included in the settings (Gallery settings) → Basket).
2. Update the Mi Gallery app to the latest version.
3. Clear the Gallery data (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the data. Attention: this will delete all application settings!
4. Check the free space on the device (if the memory is less than 500 MB, the basket may not work).

3. Recover deleted files without a basket

If the files are not included in the basket or it is disabled, the following options remain:

⚠️ Note: Data recovery software (e.g., DiskDigger) only works until deleted files are overwritten with new data. The more you use your phone after deletion, the lower your chances of recovery.

The hidden possibilities of Trash Bin, which not everyone knows

The shopping cart in Xiaomi has some undocumented features that can be useful in non-standard situations.

1. File recovery after resetting settings

Many users mistakenly believe that after a Hard Reset, all data is lost forever, but if the basket was active before the reset, some files can be returned:

1. After resetting, do not connect your phone to the Internet (so that you do not start an automatic update).
2. Connect the device to the PC and check the folder MIUI/Trash conductor.
3. Copy the necessary files to the computer.

This method doesn’t always work, but in 30% of cases it saves at least some data.

2. Repositioning of the basket

By default, Trash Bin stores files in the device's internal memory, MIUI 13 for Xiaomi 11T) can be moved to SD-map:

1. Put it in. SD-phone-card.
2. Open the Settings → Storage → Recycle Bin.
3. Select a storage location → SD-map.

Advantages:

• 📱 Internal memory is released.
• 🔄 The storage period of files is increased (SD-maps are usually larger in volume).

3. Restore the cart after the update MIUI

After major updates (e.g., with the MIUI 12 on MIUI 14) The basket may be "reset" - files will disappear in it, and the settings will be reset:

1. Before updating, make a backup copy of the folder MIUI/Trash PC-only.
2. After updating, return the folder to its place (if the structure has not changed).
3. Reboot the phone.

If the files in the cart are critical, it is recommended to disable automatic updates. MIUI until you have them moved to a safe place.

4. Access to the basket through ADB

For advanced users: if the shopping cart does not open through the interface, you can access it through the interface. ADB (Android Debug Bridge:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then Additional → For developers → USB debugging).
2. Open the command line on the PC and type:

adb shell ls /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Trash

This command will show the contents of the basket, so you can copy the files to the PC:

adb pull /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Trash/ C:\Backup\

⚠️ Attention: Working with ADB The wrong commands can cause the system to fail. If you're not sure what you're doing, you better use other recovery methods.

How to protect files from accidental deletion: prevention

The best way to avoid losing data is to prevent it from being deleted. Here are some proven methods:

1. Configuring backup

Enable automatic backup of important files:

• 📷 For photos: Google Photos (up to 15GB free) or Mi Cloud (5GB free).
• 📄 For documents: Yandex Disk or Dropbox.
• 💬 For messages: Settings → Communications → Backup.

How to enable backup in Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on the gallery synchronization switch.
3. Select Autoboot and install only over Wi-Fi so as not to waste mobile traffic.

2. Use of third-party baskets

If the standard Trash Bin doesn’t suit you, you can install alternative apps with advanced features:

3. Protection against children and accidental pressing

If you often give your phone to your children or are afraid of accidentally deleting your files:

• 🔒 Enable Application Blocking for Gallery and Files (Settings) → Annexes → Application lockdown).
• 👶 Use the Mode for Children (Settings) → Special facilities → Regime for children).
• 📲 Set a password to delete files (in some file managers, such as Solid Explorer).

4. Regular check of the basket

The habit of checking Trash Bin once a week will help you avoid data loss.

• 🗓️ Keep a reminder in your calendar or Google Keep.
• 📊 Use the Warehouse widget on the home screen to track the occupied space.
• 🔍 Periodically sort files in the shopping cart, removing unnecessary ones (such as screenshots or duplicates).

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The most reliable way to protect data is a combination of backup to the cloud + basket + There's no method by itself that gives you 100% guarantee.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Trash Bin in Xiaomi