Recycle Bin on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: where to look and how to recover deleted files

You accidentally deleted an important file on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 and now you can’t find a basket to restore it? This problem is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi smartphones — the standard Android basket is hidden from view, and in MIUI its location depends on the firmware version and the type of deleted data. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to access the basket on your device, including system tools and third-party applications.

It’s important to understand that Redmi Note 7 runs on MIUI 10-12 (depending on updates), and in these versions the shopping cart is not implemented in the same way as on pure Android. For example, deleted photos can be stored in one place and documents in another. We will also explain how the file manager, gallery and cloud storage basket Mi Cloud differs, so you know exactly where to look in your case.

If you don't find a deleted file in a standard folder, don't panic. In 90% of cases, you can recover it within 30 days of deleting it, and the key is not to write new files to your device so you don't erase the old ones.

1.Where is the basket in the standard Xiaomi gallery

On the Redmi Note 7, the photo and video basket is built right into the MIUI Gallery app to open it:

1. Launch the Gallery app** (an icon with a floral logo).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (menu) in the upper right corner.
3. Select the "Basket" option** (or Trash if the interface is in English).

The gallery cart stores files for 30 days from the moment of deletion, and then they are automatically deleted without recovery. Please note that if you manually cleaned the cart or use the Clean All feature, the data will be deleted immediately.

• 📷 Photos and videos – fall into the gallery basket when deleted through the application itself.
• 📁 Screenshots – also stored here if deleted through the gallery.
• ❌ Files deleted through the file manager – this basket does not show!

⚠️ Note: If you deleted a photo through Google Photos, look for the cart in this app – it is separate from the Xiaomi system gallery.

Recycle Bin in MIUI File Manager: Where to Look for Deleted Documents

For all other file types (documents, APK, music, downloads) on Redmi Note 7, the MIUI file manager basket is used.

1. Open the Files app** (folder icon).
2. In the bottom menu, select the Categories (or Browse) section.

It stores files deleted through any system Explorer (including Mi File Explorer and Files by Google, if installed), and is also 30 days old, but there are nuances:

• 📄 Documents and PDF — fully recovered.
• 🎵 Audio files – may not recover metadata (track title, album).
• 📦 APK-files – may not be installed after recovery due to damage.
• 🚫 Files from the memory card – do not fall into the basket (deleted immediately)!

⚠️ Note: If you used the “Clear Memory” function** in the storage settings, files are deleted without being placed in the Recycle Bin!

Check out the Mi Cloud cloud|Use third-party applications (DiskDigger, Undeleter)|Try connecting your phone to your PC|Do not write new data to the device-->

3. How to recover files from the Mi Cloud Recycle Bin

If you've synced data with Mi Cloud, deleted files can be stored in the cloud bin, which is true for Redmi Note 7, because it's default to photo and contact sync, to check:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select “Gallery” or “Files” (depending on the type of data).

The cloud bin stores files for 60 days, twice as long as the local one, but there are limitations:

• 📧 Free account – only 5 GB of storage (deleted files take up space!).
• 🔄 Autosynchronization – if disabled, files in the cloud basket do not fall.
• 🌐 Access from PC – you can recover files via the web version of i.mi.com.

If you don’t find the file in the cloud, check:

1. Was Mi Cloud enabled at the time of deletion?
2. Is there enough space in the cloud (if not, new files are not synced)
3. Have you manually deleted files from the cloud (they disappear immediately)?

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Before recovering files from Mi Cloud, check if there is enough space on your phone. If not, the files will not recover, but will disappear from the Recycle Bin!

4.What to do if the basket is empty or files are missing

If you don't find deleted data in standard carts, there are a few ways to get it back. On the Redmi Note 7 root-rights, chances are higher, but without them you can try:

Method 1: Third-party recovery applications

Install one of these apps from Google Play:

• 🔍 DiskDigger – Searches for deleted photos and documents without root.
• 🗑️ Undeleter – Supports recovery from SD-map.
• 📱 Dumpster – Creates its own basket for all files (you need to install it in advance!).

When using such programmes:

1. Do not install them on the same memory (internal or SD) where the files were deleted.
2. Scan immediately after removal - the later, the less chance you have.
3. Save the recovered files to another medium (PC, cloud).

Method 2: Connecting to a PC

If the phone is defined as a removable disc:

1. Connect Redmi Note 7 to your computer via USB (File Transfer Mode).
2. Use programs like Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery to scan.
3. Select a deep scan – this will increase the odds, but it will take longer.

⚠️ Note: Do not save recovered files back to your phone – this may erase the remaining data!

5. How to permanently delete files from the Recycle Bin (without recovery)

If you want to completely erase your data without any recovery (like before selling your phone), standard removal from the cart isn't enough.

Method 1: Cleaning through settings

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Select “Deep Clean” and check for unnecessary files.
3. Confirm the deletion – the data will be erased without placing in the basket.

Method 2: Formatting (extreme case)

For complete removal:

1. Make a backup copy of important data.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select “Reset”** (or Format Data in Recovery Mode).

After formatting, you can only recover files using professional tools (for example, chip-off in the service center), and this does not guarantee 100% results.

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The only way to guarantee that files are deleted without recovery is through full formatting followed by writing new data (e.g. firmware).

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Redmi Note 7 users often experience problems with their cart, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

• 🔄 Recycle Bin does not open – update the Gallery and Files apps via Google Play.
• 📛 Files disappeared from the cart before 30 days – check if you manually cleaned it or used memory optimizers.
• 🔒 No access to the Mi Cloud cart – log in to Xiaomi account and check your internet connection.
• 📱 No files are recovered from SD-Cards – they don’t make it to the cart, use DiskDigger.

Another common problem is that the recycle bin doesn't show up in the file manager.

• Disabled Recycle Bin function in settings (includes in Files → Settings → Recycle Bin).
• Using a third-party file manager (such as Solid Explorer) that has its own recycle bin.
• Mistake in MIUI (helps reboot or reset the Files app settings).

If nothing helps, try:

1. Clear the cache of the Gallery and Files apps in Settings → Applications.
2. Update MIUI to the latest version (via Settings → System Update).
3. Reset your phone settings (but it will delete all data!)

7. Alternative ways to back up on Redmi Note 7

To avoid losing data in the future, set up automatic backup on the Redmi Note 7.

• ☁️ Mi Cloud – free 5 GB, synchronizes photos, contacts, notes.
• 📁 Google Photos – unlimited storage of compressed photos (until 2021).
• 💾 Local Copying on PC – via Mi PC suite MTP.
• 🔗 Synchronization with NAS — If you have a home network storage.

To set up Mi Cloud:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the desired data (galleries, contacts, records).
3. Set up a Wi-Fi boot-up so you don’t waste mobile traffic.

For Google Photos:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. In the settings, turn on “Backup and Synchronization”.
3. Select the quality “High” (free) or “Original” (due to space in Google Drive).

⚠️ Note: If you use Google Photos, remember that free unlimited storage has been abolished since June 2021. All photos in original quality now take up space in your Google Account (15 GB free).

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Set up automatic upload of photos to Mi Cloud only over Wi-Fi, so as not to spend mobile Internet. To do this, go to Mi Cloud Settings → Synchronization settings → Wi-Fi only.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions