Recycle Bin in Xiaomi: where to find, how to use and restore files

You accidentally deleted an important photo, video or document on a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone — and now you can't find where the cart is stored? Unlike computers, on Android devices, the storage system for deleted files works differently. In this article, we will discuss where to look for a basket in MIUI firmware, how to use it and what to do if files are lost forever.

Note right away that in Xiaomi, the Recycle Bin is not a universal repository for all types of data, but it depends on the application you deleted the file through, for example, photos from the gallery go to one basket, and documents from the file manager go to another, and we will go through all the scenarios in detail, including hidden folders and backups in the Mi Cloud.

Where is the basket in Xiaomi: the main places

Xiaomi smartphones don't display the shopping cart as a standalone desktop app, but it's built into standard MIUI services. Here are the key places to look for deleted files:

• 📷 Gallery (Google Photos or Standard) MIUI Gallery – Removed photos and videos are stored for up to 30 days.
• 📁 File Manager (Files by Google) MIUI File Manager – Document Recycle Bag, APK other files.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud – cloud storage where you can restore files synchronized before deletion.
• 🔄 Backup copies MIUI — If you have enabled automatic backup, the chance of returning data is higher.

Important: the Recycle Bin in MIUI is not infinite. By default, files are stored in it for 15 to 30 days (depending on the type of data and firmware version), then deleted irrevocably. If you manually cleaned the Recycle Bin, you can't recover them by standard means.

How to find a basket in the standard gallery MIUI

If you have deleted a photo or video through the Gallery app (flower icon), follow the instructions:

1. Open the Gallery app on the main screen.
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) lower-right.
3. Select the Recycle Bin (or Recently Deleted in English) option from the menu.
4. You will see a list of deleted files. To recover, click on the file → Restore.

Note that some versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 14 for global firmware) may call the basket Remote or Deleted. If there is no option, check if sync with Mi Cloud is disabled (more on this below).

Make sure the file is deleted no earlier than 30 days ago.

Check the memory space (recovery requires ≥10% free space)

Disable battery optimization for Gallery app

Connect to Wi-Fi if your files are stored in the cloud-->

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

For files deleted via MIUI File Manager (or Files by Google), the algorithm is different.

1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
2. In the top panel, go to the Category → Basket tab.
3. Select the files you need with a long tap, then click Restore at the bottom of the screen.

If the cart is empty but you are sure that the files were deleted through the manager, check:

• 🔍 Hidden folders: Go to Settings → Show hidden files.
• 🗑️ Cache Clearing: Sometimes files are deleted when memory is cleared through Settings → Memory.
• 📱 Other applications: if the file was deleted via Total Commander or ES The guide, the basket may be in them.

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If the file manager does not have a Recycle Bin tab, update the app via Google Play or MIUI App Store.

Recovery through Mi Cloud: Cloud Recycle Bin

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that automatically syncs photos, contacts and some documents. If sync was enabled before deleting files, there is a chance of recovery:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select the Gallery or Files section (depending on the type of data).
3. Scroll down to the Recycle Block or Deleted Files.
4. Click Restore next to the desired file.

Important nuances:

• ☁️ The cloud shopping cart stores files for up to 60 days (as opposed to 30 days in the local one).
• 📶 To restore you need access to the Internet and free space on the device.
• 🔒 If you logged out of your Mi Account after deleting, files may have been deleted from the cloud.

Hidden folders and technical nuances of MIUI

In some cases, files don't get to the bin, but instead stay in hidden system folders.

To see these folders:

1. Open the file manager.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) → Settings → Enable Show hidden files.
3. Manually follow the specified paths (copy the path and paste in the search bar of the manager).

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete files from.trash or.recycle folders manually - this can disrupt the shopping cart.

What to do if the basket is empty: alternative ways

If the files are not found in the shopping cart, try these methods (from the most reliable to the most risky):

• 🔄 Recovery from backup MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backups. Select the backup you made before you delete your files and restore your data.
• 💻 PC Connection: Use programs like Recuva, DiskDigger, or EaseUS MobiSaver to scan internal memory. Importantly, don't write new data to your phone until you recover, which reduces your chances of getting it back!
• 🛠️ ADB-commands (for advanced): Connect your phone to a PC with debugging enabled USB and execute the command: adb shell ls /data/data/com.android.providers.media/databases This will show databases of media files where links to deleted files can be stored.

⚠️ Note: Data recovery programs often require root rights, which voids the warranty and can damage the system. MIUI 14 and newer to get root harder due to enhanced protection.

Why Files Don't Get into the Recycle Bin: Common Reasons

Sometimes users experience files being deleted by the cart, and here are the main reasons:

• 🧹 Cleaning through “Optimization”: If you used the garbage cleanup function in Settings → Memory, files are deleted irrevocably.
• 📲 Third-party apps: Files deleted via WhatsApp, Telegram or Google Drive are stored in their own shopping carts.
• 🔧 Recycle Bin Settings: In some firmware (for example, MIUI In India, the cart is disabled by default. Turn it on in the gallery settings.
• 📵 No space: If your device has less than 5% of free memory, the cart can be automatically cleaned.

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Before deleting important files, always check if sync with Mi Cloud is enabled and if there is enough space in the Recycle Bin.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the cart in Xiaomi