Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro users often face confusion: after deleting photos, videos or documents, you can not find a basket to recover files. Unlike Windows or macOS, where deleted data is temporarily stored in a special folder, MIUI smartphones work differently. In this article, we will discuss where the “basket” in Redmi 8 Pro is actually stored, how to return deleted files and why there may not be a standard solution.
Many people mistakenly search for the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop or in the application menu, but MIUI 11/12 (current for the Redmi 8 Pro) does not have it by default. Instead, files are deleted immediately - or moved to hidden system folders that users do not know about.
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Why is there no standard cart on the Redmi 8 Pro?
Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI do not have a universal basket, as on computers, this is due to the features of the Android file system:
- 📁 Files are deleted immediately - without temporary storage, unless third-party software is used.
- 🔄 Cache and temporary data are automatically cleaned by system utilities.
- 📱 MIUI Optimized for memory saving – no extra “intermediate” folders are created.
But that doesn't mean files are gone forever, but depending on the type of data (photos, videos, documents) they can:
- 🖼️ Move to the hidden.trash folder (for some applications).
- ☁️ Save to Mi Cloud Cloud Storage (if synchronization is enabled).
- 🗑️ Getting into the shopping cart of Google Photos or other services.
It's important to understand that if you delete a file through MIUI Explorer or a third-party application, the chances of recovery depend on whether the disk space has been overwritten, and the faster you act, the more likely you are to return the data.
Where to find a cart for photos and videos?
If you have deleted a photo or video through the standard Gallery app, check the following places:
1️⃣ Google Photos Recycle Bin (if sync is enabled):
- 📲 Open the Google Photos app.
- 🗑️ Slip on the basket icon in the lower menu.
- ⏳ Deleted files are stored there for 60 days.
2️⃣ Hidden folder.trash in MIUI:
- 🔍 Use the Explorer (or Total Commander).
- 📂 Go to the Inner Memory →.trash (folder hidden – turn on the display of hidden files).
- ⚠️ The folder may be empty if the files were not deleted through the Gallery.
3️⃣ Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud):
- ☁️ Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery.
- 🔄 Check the section Recently deleted (stored for up to 30 days).
⚠️ Note: If you delete files through Explorer or ES Conductor, they could have been gone forever, and in this case, only the recovery program will help (more on this below).
☑️ What to do before recovering files
How to recover deleted files via PC?
If the files are not found in the cloud or hidden folders, connect Redmi 8 Pro to your computer and use recovery software.
| Programme | Support for MIUI | Recovery. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| DiskDigger | ✅ Yes. | Photos, videos, documents | ⭐⭐ (simple) |
| Recuva | ✅ Yeah) | Any files. | ⭐⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) |
| EaseUS MobiSaver | ✅ Yes. | Photos, messages, contacts | ⭐ (simple) |
| 7-Data Recovery | ⚠️ Partially. | Documents, archives | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) |
📌 Instructions for recovery through DiskDigger:
- 🔌 Connect Redmi 8 Pro to PC in File Transfer Mode (MTP).
- 💻 Install and run DiskDigger.
- 🔍 Select your smartphone’s drive and click Next.
- 🖼️ Mark the file types (for example, JPG, PNG, MP4).
- 🔄 Wait for the scan to end and save the files found on your PC.
⚠️ Note: Do not save recovered files back to your smartphone, this can overwrite the remaining deleted data.
What to do if the phone is not determined by the PC?
How to include a basket in MIUI for new files?
To avoid losing files in the future, set up automatic backup and use apps with the Recycle Bin function:
🔧 1. Enable synchronization with Mi Cloud:
- Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Activate the Synchronization Gallery option.
- Install Automatic Boot over Wi-Fi.
📱 2.Use Google Photos:
- 📲 Install an application from the Play Market.
- ☁️ Enable Backup and Synchronization.
- 🗑️ Deleted files will now be in the Google Recycle Bin for 60 days.
🗂️ 3. Install a file manager with a basket:
- 📁 Solid Explorer – has a built-in basket.
- 📂 FX File Explorer – Supports file recovery.
- 🔄 ES Explorer – saves deleted files to.recycle.
Important: Even with synchronization enabled, files deleted through MIUI Explorer or third-party applications may not be in the Recycle Bin. Always check the specific software settings.
💡
If you often work with important files, create a Backup folder on your memory card and regularly copy critical data to it, which will save time if the main files are lost.
Frequent mistakes when searching for a cart on Redmi 8 Pro
Users often make the same mistakes when trying to find deleted files, and here's what doesn't work and why:
- 🔍 Search for the name "Basket" - in MIUI There is no such system application.
- 📂 Check Download folder – deleted files are not automatically restored.
- 🗑️ Using Standard Explorer – It doesn’t show hidden folders by default.
- ☁️ Trying to recover files without backup – if sync hasn’t been set up, chances are minimal.
🛑 What to do instead:
- 🔄 Use specialized programs (DiskDigger, Recuva).
- 📱 Check Hidden Folders with Total Commander or Root Explorer.
- 📧 Set up automatic backups in advance.
⚠️ Note: If you deleted files more than a month ago and did not use recovery software, the probability of their return is close to zero.
💡
There is no universal shopping cart on Redmi 8 Pro – files are deleted immediately or saved to hidden folders/cloud. To avoid losses, set up backups in advance!
How to protect files from accidental deletion?
To avoid searching for a cart after each removal, follow the simple rules:
🔒 1. Set up locking important folders:
- 📂 Use applications like Folder Lock or AppLock.
- 🔑 Set a password for folders with photos or documents.
☁️ 2. Automate backups:
- 📱 Enable Mi Cloud and Google Photos.
- 💾 Use Automate or Tasker to create automatic backups.
🗑️ 3. Install a file manager with a basket:
- 📁 Solid Explorer or Solid Explorer FX File Explorer saves deleted files.
- 🔄 Set up a basket cleaning every 30 days to avoid clogging memory.
📌 4. Check hidden folders regularly:
Internal memory/.trash
Internal memory/DCIM/.thumbnails
Memory card/Lost.DIRBy following these rules, you will minimize the risk of data loss, and even if the file is deleted, it can be quickly recovered from the recycle bin of a cloud service or file manager.