Recycle Bin in Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: where to look for deleted files and how to restore them

Deleting files on your smartphone is a common procedure, but what if you accidentally erase an important photo, document or video and find them in the shopping cart? Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (also known as the Redmi Note 5 in some regions) often face confusion: where is the basket stored on this device and why it is not in the standard menu? The fact is that unlike computers or even newer smartphone models, Android devices from 2017 to 2018 release often do not have an integrated system basket. Instead, files are deleted immediately, and their recovery depends on the application through which they were erased.

In this article, we will learn how to delete files on Redmi 5 Plus, where to look for a “hidden” basket in different applications (gallery, file manager, instant messengers), and what to do if files are lost irrevocably. You will also learn how to configure backup to avoid data loss in the future. If you have already tried to search for a basket through the settings and did not find it, do not worry: most likely, it simply does not exist in its usual form.

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Why is there no standard cart on Redmi 5 Plus?

Many users are used to having deleted files first in the recycle bin on Windows or macOS, but Android works differently — especially on early MIUI devices like Redmi 5 Plus (released in 2018).

• 📱 Limitations MIUI 9/10: The Android 7.1.2 (Nougat) or 8.1 (Oreo) firmware installed on Redmi 5 Plus did not provide a global basket for all files. This feature appeared later in MIUI 11+ for new models.
• 🗑️ Applications manage their own baskets: Each application (gallery, file manager, instant messengers) may have its own basket — or may not have one at all.
• 💾 Memory savings: Permanent storage of deleted files takes up space, and Redmi 5 Plus came with 32/64 GB of storage, where every gigabyte counts.

It's not that files are permanently deleted, but the Redmi 5 Plus basket is "scattered" and you have to search for it in each application separately, for example, photos from the gallery can be in the Gallery application basket, and documents from the file manager can be deleted immediately.

⚠️ Warning: If you used third-party file managers (like ES Explorer or Solid Explorer), their baskets may work according to their own rules.

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Where to look for a cart in standard Redmi 5 Plus apps

Even without the system basket, some applications on Redmi 5 Plus save deleted files temporarily.

1. The basket in the Gallery appendix (photo and video)

The standard Xiaomi Gallery (or Google Photos if installed) has a built-in shopping cart to find it:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) top-left.
3. Select the Recycle Bin (or recently deleted in Google Photos).
4. Deleted files are stored here for 30 days, after which they are permanently erased.

2.Basket in the MIUI file manager

The standard Explorer (or Files) in MIUI on Redmi 5 Plus has no recycle bin. Files deleted through it are erased immediately.

• 🔍 Use Google Files (Google Files app) – it has a Recycle Bin for deleted files (stores them for 30 days).
• 📁 Install a third-party manager with a basket, such as MiXplorer or FX File Explorer.

3. basket in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)

Messengers often save media files in their shopping carts:

• 💬 WhatsApp: Deleted chat files are stored in the /WhatsApp/Media/.Statuses folder (for statuses) or /WhatsApp/Media/ (for media) folder.
• 📤 Telegram: There is an option to Clear History in the chat settings, but deleted files don’t get into the shopping cart — they’re erased immediately.

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How to recover files if there is no basket?

If files were permanently deleted (e.g., through a standard Explorer or after cleaning a gallery basket), you can still try to recover them.

1.Use of recovery programs

Special utilities scan the device's memory for "traces" of deleted files.

• 🛠️ DiskDigger (free version) - recovers photos and videos.
• 📂 Recuva (requires root rights) – works with all types of files.
• 🔧 EaseUS MobiSaver supports recovery from memory cards.

Important: The less you use your smartphone after deleting, the better the chances of recovery. New files can overwrite old data!

2. Recovery from backup

If you have previously set up backup, files can be returned from:

• ☁️ Google Drive: Go to Settings → System → Backup and check the latest copies.
• 📱 Mi Cloud: Xiaomi’s account (in the Cloud section) may store backups of the gallery and contacts.

3. Check the DCIM/.thumbnails folder

Sometimes the thumbnails of the photo remain in the hidden folder:

1. Open Explorer and enable the display of hidden files (in settings).
2. Go to /DCIM/.thumbnails.
3. Try renaming files (remove the.thumb extension) and opening them through the gallery.

⚠️ Warning: Don't save recovered files to the same drive you're recovering them from! Use the cloud or other media to avoid overwriting.

Disconnect mobile internet and Wi-Fi|Not installing new applications|Do not take photos or videos|Download the recovery program on PC (if possible)|Use a memory card instead of internal memory-->

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How to set up an automatic cart on Redmi 5 Plus?

Although there is no MIUI system basket for Redmi 5 Plus, you can organize it using third-party tools.

1.Install a file manager with a basket

Applications like MiXplorer or FX File Explorer allow you to include the basket in the settings:

1. Download MiXplorer from the official website (not from the Play Market).
2. Go to Settings → General → Enable the cart.
3. Specify the retention period of deleted files (for example, 7 or 30 days).

2.Use Google Photos for auto-save

Google Photos automatically backs up and has a shopping cart:

• ☁️ Install the application and enable Backup and Sync.
• Deleted photos will be stored in the cart for 60 days.

3. Set up sync with Mi Cloud

Xiaomi offers its own cloud storage:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for Gallery, Contacts and Notes.
3. Deleted files can be recovered through the web version of Mi Cloud.

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If you frequently delete files by mistake, create a shortcut for the DCIM/Camera folder on the home screen so you can check new photos faster before cleaning.

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Frequent mistakes in cart search and their solutions

Redmi 5 Plus users often face typical problems when trying to find a shopping cart.

1. "There is no basket item in the gallery"

Causes and solutions:

• 🔄 Update the app: Go to the Play Market, find the Gallery and update it.
• 📲 Use Google Photos: If the standard gallery doesn't show the cart, install Google Photos - there it is.
• 🔧 Reset the gallery settings: Go to Settings → Apps → Gallery → Storage → Clear the data (Warning: This will delete all the app settings!).

2. "Files missing from basket ahead of schedule"

The cart can be cleaned automatically for several reasons:

• 🗃️ Memory Lack: If the device has less than 10% of the available space, the system may delete files from the Recycle Bin ahead of time.
• ⚙️ Cache cleanup: Some “optimizers” (e.g., Xiaomi Security) can clear the cart when the system is “accelerated.”
• 🔄 Sync failure: If the shopping cart is tied to the cloud (like Google Photos), internet problems can cause files to be lost.

3. "I can't find the basket in the file manager"

As mentioned, the standard Explorer in MIUI has no basket.

• 📁 Install Google Files — there’s a built-in shopping cart.
• 🛠️ Use Root Explorer (requires root permissions) to access hidden folders with deleted files.

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How to avoid losing files in the future?

The best way to avoid looking for a shopping cart is to make sure that files are not lost.

1. Set up automatic backups

Use cloud services:

• ☁️ Google Photos: Enable Backup and Sync in Settings.
• 📱 Mi Cloud: Activate sync for gallery, contacts, and notes.
• 💾 Yandex Drive or Dropbox: Download important files manually.

2.Use the memory card

Redmi 5 Plus supports microSD up to 256 GB.

• 📷 Save photos and videos directly to the map (select Memory → Map SD in the camera settings).
• 🔄 Copy data from the card to the PC regularly.

3. Install an application for monitoring files

Apps like Dumpster or Recycle Bin create a global shopping cart for all files:

• 🗑️ Dumpster works without root rights and recovers any files.
• 🔧 Set up exceptions for important folders (e.g. DCIM or Downloads).

⚠️ Warning: Don't just rely on the trash! Even if the files are stored there for 30 days, a system failure or software update can cause them to lose. Always duplicate important data.

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Redmi 5 Plus doesn’t have a single system basket, but it can be emulated with third-party apps (Google Photos, MiXplorer, Dumpster) or cloud services. The main thing is to set up a backup before you lose files.

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FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions