You accidentally deleted an important file on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO and now you don't know where to look for it? Many users mistakenly believe that after clicking Delete, data disappears forever. In fact, smartphones on MIUI (and even pure Android) temporarily store deleted files in hidden memory areas - they can be returned if you act quickly.
In this article, we’ll look at where deleted files are stored in Xiaomi phones (including models from 2023-2026), how the Built Recycle Bin works, which system folders are responsible for temporary data storage, and what to do if files are lost from the Recycle Bin, and why even after cleaning the Recycle Bin, data can remain in the device’s memory until new files are overwritten – and how to use this to restore it.
How to Delete Files on Xiaomi: What Really Happens
When you delete a file through the standard File Manager application (or POCO File Manager), the system does not delete it immediately.
- 📁 The file moves to the.Trash (hidden cart) folder on the internal drive.
- ⏳ 15-30 days (depending on version) MIUI) It is stored there, taking up a place in memory.
- 🗑️ After expiration or manual cleaning of the basket, the file is marked as deleted, but physically remains on the disk until overwritten.
This means that even after cleaning the cart, the chances of recovery are there — but they depend on how much new data you saved after deleting. The more you use your phone (installing apps, downloading media), the faster the old files are rewritten.
Where to look for deleted files: the way to the MIUI basket
In Xiaomi smartphones, the built-in basket is in a hidden folder to open:
- Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
- Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → pick the basket.
- If there is no item, turn on the display of hidden folders: Settings → Show hidden files.
An alternative way to reach the basket through the file manager:
/storage/emulated/0/.Trash/In this folder, files are sorted by type:.Trash/Images (photo),.Trash/Videos (Videos) etc. Please note if you delete a file from SD-The map, the basket for her is on the way:
/storage/{ID_Maps}/.Trash/Open the Files app
Enable the display of hidden folders
Check the /.Trash folder on internal memory
Check/.Trash on SD-card (if any)
Sorting files by date of deletion-->
Hidden system folders where “remote” data can be stored
In addition to the shopping cart, MIUI has other places where files that the user has “deleted” are temporarily saved:
- 🔄 /data/data/com.android.providers.media/.thumbnails — Miniatures of deleted photos/video (can stay for months).
- 📱 /data/com.miui.gallery/cache — cache of galleries with previews of remote media.
- 💾 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ — Here some applications (e.g. Google Photos) store backups of deleted files.
You can access /data/ folders only with root rights. Without them, you will see only empty directories. However, even without root access, you can try to restore files through specialized utilities (about them below).
How to access /data without root?
| folder | What it keeps. | Do you need root rights? | Storage period |
|---|---|---|---|
| /.Trash/ | Deleted files (photos, videos, documents) | No. | 15-30 days |
| /data/.../.thumbnails | Miniatures of Remote Media | Yes. | Before the cache is cleaned. |
| /Android/data/ | Backup copies of applications | No (partially) | Depends on the app. |
| /MIUI/Backup/ | Local backups of the system | No. | Before hand cleaning. |
What to do if files are missing from the cart
If you cleared the cart or didn’t find the right file there, there are several ways to return the data:
- Check out cloud backups: 🖥️ Mi Cloud (if synchronization was enabled). ☁️ Google Photos (Automatic Backup). 📧 Postal attachments (you may have sent the file to yourself).
Use Recovery Programs to Recover
- 📱 DiskDigger (works without root, but with limitations).
- 💻 Recuva or EaseUS (requires a phone to connect to a PC).
⚠️ Warning: Do not install recovery software on the same disk where the deleted files were stored! This will overwrite the data and make recovery impossible. SD-card.
If the file was deleted a long time ago (more than a month ago), the chances of recovery are minimal.
- 🔍 Search for a file by name through Files → Search (sometimes files are duplicated in other folders).
- 📡 Check the downloads (/storage/emulated/0/Download/) — You may have downloaded it before.
💡
If you are recovering a photo, check the folder first. DCIM/.thumbnails — Sometimes there are reduced copies of deleted images that can be stretched to acceptable quality with the help of AI-Tools like Topaz Gigapixel.
Why files can disappear from Xiaomi memory without your knowledge
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where files are lost without explicit deletion.
- 🤖 Autocleaning MIUI: In Battery settings and performance → Cleanup can be enabled with the automatic deletion of “unnecessary” files.
- 📉 Memory Lack: At critically low free space levels, the system deletes cache and temporary files, including the contents of the shopping cart.
- 🔄 Reset to factory settings: Completely cleans /.Trash/ and other hidden folders.
- 🛠️ File system errors: For example, after an interrupted update or crash.
To prevent data loss:
- Turn off autocleaning in Settings → Battery → Cleanup → Settings.
- Regularly transfer important files to your PC or cloud.
- Use Google Photos to automatically back up your media.
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with hybrid memory (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) Part of the internal drive is used as a virtual drive. RAM. This increases the risk of overwriting deleted files – data can disappear faster than on devices without such a feature.
Xiaomi models with features of storage of deleted files
Some Xiaomi smartphones have unique nuances of working with the basket and data recovery:
| Model | Feature | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| POCO F5/F6 | The basket is cleaned automatically when connected to the PC in file transfer mode. | Turn off this function in Settings → Additional → USB. |
| Redmi Note 13 Pro+ | Uses file compression in the recycle bin, which complicates recovery. | Restore the data immediately after deletion. |
| Xiaomi 14 Ultra | Supports a “Smart Recycle Bin” with sorting by file type. | Use filters for quick search. |
| Black Shark 5/6 | The basket is disabled by default (game mode). | Include it in Settings → Memory → Recycle Bin. |
On devices with MIUI 14+ (such as Xiaomi 13T or Redmi K60), the shopping cart is integrated with the Mi Cloud, which means that deleted files can sync between devices, but also take up space in the cloud storage.
💡
On new Xiaomi models (2023-2026), the Recycle Bin only stores files for 15 days instead of 30, which can be extended in Files settings, but the maximum value is 60 days.
How to permanently delete files so they can not be restored
If you need to permanently erase sensitive data (for example, before selling your phone), standard deletion is not enough.
- 🔥 Irreversible removal through MIUI: Move the files to the bin. Open the basket. → highlight files → Click Delete Forever.
Data re-recording:
Shreddit
Secure Delete
Encryption + reset:
- Enable encryption in Settings → Security → Phone Encryption.
- Make a reset to factory settings.
For full cleaning. SD-Formatting cards are not enough – use utilities like SD Card Formatter with Full (Overwrite) option).
⚠️ Attention: On devices with UFS 3.1/4.0 (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70 Pro) standard overwriting methods may not work because of hardware encryption, in which case the only reliable way is full encryption. + discharge.