Where do deleted files go on Xiaomi Redmi? Where to look for a basket in MIUI and how to return data

You accidentally deleted an important photo, video or document on your Xiaomi Redmi and now you can't find a recycle bin to recover files? Unlike Windows or macOS, where the recycle bin is always in plain sight, in Android smartphones — and especially in Xiaomi's MIUI firmware — the storage system for deleted files works differently, and its location and even availability depends on the shell version, the phone model and the type of files.

In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to find a shopping cart on Xiaomi Redmi (including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and others), explain why sometimes a folder with deleted files disappears, and show how to recover data if they have already left the shopping cart, and learn how to set up automatic backups to avoid losing important information in the future.

We warn you right away, if you've used Security Garbage Cleanup or formatted a memory card, your chances of recovery are dramatically reduced, but don't despair, even in these cases, there are solutions.

1. Where is the Recycle Bin in the standard MIUI file manager?

In MIUI firmware 12, 13 and 14, the basket is built into the standard File Application (aka File Manager or Explorer), but its visibility depends on two factors:

• 📁 File type: The Recycle Bin stores only photos, videos and documents deleted through a gallery or file manager. Files deleted through third-party apps (such as Google Photos or Telegram) do not get there.
• ⚙️ Settings MIUI: If you have disabled the Recycle Bin function in the storage settings, the folder will be hidden and files will be deleted irrevocably.

To open the basket:

1. Launch the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. In the lower menu, tap on Categories (or Quick Access in older versions of MIUI).
3. Scroll down to the basket section. If it's not there, read the next section.

The Recycle Bin stores files for 30 days (by default) and then automatically clears. You can change the time limit in the settings:

⚠️ Warning: If you manually cleaned the cart through Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning, restoration with standard means MIUI will become impossible.

2. Why is the basket not on the menu and how to turn it on?

If there is no Recycle Bin section in the Files app, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔧 Function disabled in settings MIUI (relevant to Redmi with MIUI 12 and newer).
• 🗑️ You are using a third-party file manager (e.g. Solid Explorer or a file manager). FX File Manager that is not synchronized with the system basket.
• 📱 You have an outdated version of the firmware (up to) MIUI 11), where the basket worked differently.
• 💾 Files were deleted from the memory card - to SD-basket cards don't work!

To turn on the basket:

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Slip on Cleanup (or Smart Cleanup in newer versions).
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Settings.
4. Activate the Recycle Bin switch and set a shelf life (1 to 60 days).

If you don't have Recycle Bin in your settings, your version of MIUI doesn't support this function, so you can go to backup recovery methods.

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On Xiaomi Redmi smartphones with MIUI 14, the basket can be hidden under the name Recently deleted in the Albums section (for photos and videos).

3. How to recover files if the basket is empty or disabled?

If the Recycle Bin is disabled or files were deleted long ago (more than 30 days ago), try these methods:

The most reliable way is to back up MIUI, to recover the data:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Backup.
2. Select the latest backup (check the date of creation!).
3. Click Restore and tick the categories you want (such as Gallery or Documents).
4. Confirm the recovery. Attention: current data in selected categories will be overwritten!

If there is no backup, try Google Photos:

• Open the Google Photos app.

⚠️ Note: Google Photos only stores files in the Recycle Bin for 60 days, after which they are deleted permanently.

4. Recover deleted files without a basket: programs and utilities

If standard methods don't work, you'll have to use third-party tools. Importantly, the less you use your phone after deleting files, the better the chances of recovery. New data (photos, apps, updates) can overwrite deleted files.

We recommend these programs:

• 📱 DiskDigger (Android) scans internal memory without root rights, but finds more files with root.
• 💻 Recuva (Windows) – works with a connected phone in file transfer mode (MTP).
• 🖥️ EaseUS MobiSaver is a paid but effective deep scanning solution.
• 📲 Dumpster – an alternative shopping cart for Android that intercepts deleted files.

Instructions for DiskDigger:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Run and select Full Scan (requires root for maximum results).
3. Wait until the process is over (it can take up to an hour).
4. Mark the files you need and click Restore.

To recover via computer:

1. Connect Redmi to your PC in File Transfer mode.
2. Install Recuva or EaseUS.
3. Select a phone drive (usually Internal Storage).
4. Run a deep scan and save the files to your computer.

5. Features of the basket on the memory card (SD)

Many Xiaomi Redmi users extend memory with microSD cards, but Few knows that external drives have a basket. MIUI It's not working. SD-cards disappear irrevocably – they cannot be restored through standard system means.

To protect the data on the memory card:

• 🔄 Regularly copy important files to internal memory or cloud.
• 🛡️ Use third-party baskets like Dumpster (set to track) SD-map).
• 📥 Enable auto-save in Google Photos for photos and videos from the map.

If the files have already been deleted from SD-maps, try them:

1. Connect the card to the computer through the card reader.
2. Use Recuva or PhotoRec to scan.
3. Select the FAT32 or exFAT file system (depending on the map format).

⚠️ Note: If you are formatting SD-After deleting files, the file is almost impossible to recover (FAT), Even professional utilities are powerless.

6.How to set up automatic backup so as not to lose files?

To avoid looking for a cart in the future and wasting time on recovery, set up automatic backup. MIUI has several built-in tools:

1. backup copy of MIUI (locally):

• Go to Settings → About the phone → Backup.
• Click Create a backup and select the data to save.
• Set a schedule (for example, once a week).

2. Cloud backup (Mi Cloud):

• Register a Xiaomi account (if you haven’t already).
• Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
• Enable synchronization for Gallery, Contacts and Notes.

3. Google Photos (for photos and videos):

• Install the Google Photos app.
• In the settings, enable Backup and Synchronization.
• Choose the quality (original or high).

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Set up a backup immediately after you buy your phone – this will save you hours of data recovery in the future.

For maximum reliability, combine on-premises and cloud backups.

• 📱 MIUI Backup – for system settings and applications.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud – for contacts and notes.
• 📷 Google Photos for Photos and Videos.

7. Frequent mistakes and myths about the cart on Xiaomi Redmi

When working with the shopping cart on Xiaomi, users often encounter misunderstanding or misinformation.

Myth 1: “The cart is only in the new Redmi models”

❌ Reality: The basket has appeared in the MIUI 9, but in older versions it was hidden by default. on Redmi 4X or Redmi 5A It can be manually activated (see section 2).

Myth 2: “Deleted files can be recovered within 30 days regardless of the activity.”

❌ Reality: The 30 days period is only valid if you haven't manually cleaned the cart or overwrote the data, for example, if you take 100 more photos after you delete the photo, the chances of recovery drop dramatically.

Myth 3: The basket works the same for internal memory and SD-map"

❌ Reality: The Recycle Bin doesn't work on memory cards -- files are deleted immediately. That's Android's limitation, not Android's. MIUI.

Myth 4: “If I drop my phone to factory settings, I can get the files back from the trash.”

❌ Reality: Hard Reset (Settings) → Additionally. → Resetting) completely clears the basket, one of the first actions that destroys the chances of recovery.

Myth 5: “All recovery programs require root rights”

❌ Reality: Programs like DiskDigger or Undeleter work without root, but with limitations. Root gives access to deep scanning, but increases the risk of damage to the system.

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Before using recovery software, check reviews on 4PDA or XDA Developers – some utilities contain malicious code.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions