Where is the Recycle Bin in Xiaomi Redmi 5 and how to recover deleted files

Xiaomi Redmi 5 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, but its owners often face an unexpected problem: after deleting files, you can not find a standard basket, like on a computer or in new Xiaomi models. Where are deleted photos, videos and documents stored? Why can not be restored through the usual menu? In this article, we will analyze all the nuances of working with files on Redmi 5, including hidden folders, backups and third-party tools.

It's important to understand that Redmi 5 is based on Xiaomi's MIUI, which has its own memory management features. Unlike modern versions (such as MIUI 12+), where the Recycle Bin is integrated into the Files application, the old firmware for Redmi 5 (released in 2017) doesn't have it by default. It's not a system bug, it's a conscious decision of the developers. But there are workarounds, from hidden folders to cloud services.

If you delete important data and you're looking for a way to get it back, don't panic: there's a chance of recovery, but you need to act quickly -- the longer the smartphone is used after deletion, the greater the risk of overwriting files. Next, let's look at all the options, including those that are not written in the standard instructions.

Why doesn’t Redmi 5 have a standard cart?

Many users mistakenly believe that the basket should be in any smartphone, like the iPhone or the new Samsung. However, in the Xiaomi Redmi 5 (and other models on MIUI 9/10), it really does not.

• 📅 Age of the model: Redmi 5 was released in December 2017, when the basket function was not yet massively implemented in Android smartphones.
• 🗃️ Architecture MIUI: Older versions of the shell deleted files irreversibly, without intermediate storage.
• 📱 Memory limitations: Budget devices are often devoid of the “luxury” of temporary garbage storage.
• 🔄 Alternative solutions: Instead of shopping cart, Xiaomi offered cloud backups through Mi Cloud.

Interestingly, even in newer models (like the Redmi Note 8), the Recycle Bin only came out with MIUI 11, and Redmi 5 doesn't even have it after a firmware update, which is a hardware limitation, but that doesn't mean files are gone forever: they can be recovered through hidden mechanisms or third-party utilities.

⚠️ Note: If you deleted files through the Gallery app, they may have stayed in the.trash folder, but this mechanism doesn't work on all versions. MIUI For Redmi 5, check it manually.

Where to look for deleted files: 3 hidden locations

Before using third-party programs, check these system folders, which may contain temporary copies of deleted data:

1. The.trash folder in internal memory Path: /storage/emulated/0/.trash or /sdcard/.trash. This folder is created automatically by some versions of MIUI, but it is hidden. To see it, turn on the display of hidden files in any file manager (for example, FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Some programs (such as Gallery or Downloads) store thumbnails and temporary files in folders like /Android/data/com.miui.gallery/cache.
3. If the backup function was enabled on the smartphone, deleted files could be saved here: /MIUI/Backup/AllBackup. Check the date of the last copy.

Important: These folders may be empty if:

• 🧹 You cleaned the cache manually through Settings → Memory.
• 🔄 Automatic system updates have occurred, resetting temporary data.
• 📱 The smartphone was rebooted after deletion (this increases the chances of overwriting files).

💡

If the.trash folder is missing, try creating it manually, sometimes it will wake up the temporary storage mechanism in MIUI.

How to recover files without a basket: step-by-step instructions

If standard methods are not enough, use these methods. They are suitable for Redmi 5 on any version of MIUI:

Check for backups in Mi Cloud

Install a file manager with root support (if you have permissions)

Shut down the Internet to avoid overwriting data

Connect your smartphone to your PC for deep scanning-->

Method 1: Recovery through Mi Cloud

If your smartphone has been enabled sync with Mi Cloud, follow the steps:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select the Gallery or Notes section (depending on the file type).
3. Check the Recycle Bin folder in the cloud – it stores deleted files for up to 30 days.
4. Select the files you need and click Restore.

Method 2: Recovery programs (without root)

For smartphones without superuser rights, suitable:

• 📱 DiskDigger scans internal memory for deleted files.
• 🖥️ Recuva (for PC) – requires a Redmi 5 connection USB file transfer.
• 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver – Supports Photo, Video and Document Recovery.

Example of working with DiskDigger:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Run a full scan (may take 10 to 30 minutes).
3. Mark the files you find and save them to a memory card or cloud.

⚠️ Note: Do not save recovered files to Redmi 5 internal memory - this can overwrite the remaining data. SD-map.

Method 3: Manual recovery through ADB (for advanced)

If you have experience with ADB, you can try extracting files via the command line:

adb shell


su




cd /data/media/0/




ls -la | grep ".trash"

If the folder exists, copy its contents to the PC:

adb pull /data/media/0/.trash C:\Redmi5_Recovery

Yes, through Mi Cloud.

Yes, with third-party software.

No, you didn't.

I tried it, but I didn't succeed.-->

What to do if the files are not restored?

If none of the methods worked, it's possible that the data was physically overwritten, and in this case, the chances of recovery are minimal, but you can try:

• 🔧 Contact the service center: Some workshops offer deep data recovery services with professional equipment (e.g. Chip-Off). ₽.
• 💾 Check other devices: It is possible that the files were synced with Google Photos, Dropbox or sent via instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp).
• 📧 View email: Many users send themselves important files to the mail "just in case".

If files are critically important (such as family photos or work documents), don’t experiment with questionable programs – contact the specialists.

How to avoid data loss in the future?

To avoid having to deal with missing files, set up Redmi 5 for these tips:

Tip: If you frequently delete files by mistake, install an alternative file manager with a Recycle Bin feature, such as:

• 📁 Files by Google – has a built-in Recycle Bin for deleted files (stores up to 30 days).
• 🗄️ FX File Explorer – allows you to create your own rules for temporary storage.

💡

Even if your Redmi 5 doesn’t have a standard shopping cart, the combination of Mi Cloud + Google Photos + local copies will minimize the risk of data loss.

Frequent errors in file recovery

Many users make the situation worse by doing these things:

• 🔄 Rebooting your smartphone after deleting files increases the chances of overwriting data.
• 📲 Install new applications immediately after file loss – they can take up the vacant space.
• 🗑️ Cleaning the cache through Settings → Memory – This removes temporary copies.
• 🔌 Connecting to a PC in Charging mode instead of File Transfer – blocks access to memory.

If you’ve already made one of these mistakes, don’t despair – try deep scanning software (like Dr.Fone), but be prepared for the fact that some of the data may be lost irretrievably.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions