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

Deleting files on Xiaomi smartphones often causes panic: users do not find the usual “basket” on the computer, and consider data lost forever. In fact, MIUI hides the temporary storage of deleted files — but its location depends on the type of data, firmware version and even the device model. In this article, we will analyze where to look for a “basket” on Redmi, POCO and other phones of the brand, how to restore files through embedded tools and when it is time to use third-party utilities.

Many people mistakenly believe that Android has no analogue to the cart, it is not. Manufacturers, including Xiaomi, integrate protection against accidental removal, but implement it in different ways. For example, photos from the gallery go to one temporary storage, and documents from the file manager to another, while on devices with MIUI 14 and later, the media basket automatically clears after 30 days, if you do not change the settings.

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1.Where is the photo and video basket in the Xiaomi Gallery

On Xiaomi phones, deleted photos and videos are defaulted to the hidden Recycle Bin folder inside the standard gallery. To find it, open the Gallery app (the flower icon) and follow the following steps:

• 📂 Slip along three horizontal lines (menu) in the lower right corner.
• 🗑️ Select the "Basket" option (on some models - "Recently deleted»).
• ⏳ This store contains files deleted in the last 30 days (the deadline can be changed in the settings).

If the “Basket” folder is not on the menu, check:

1. Is the gallery updated to the latest version (go to Google Play → My apps).
2. Is synchronization with Mi Cloud disabled (without it, the basket may not work).
3. Do you use a third-party gallery (for example, Google Photos – it has its own shopping cart).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12 and older, the gallery basket automatically clears when there is a lack of memory. To avoid this, attach important files (long tap). → «Restore and consolidate»).

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If the Recycle Bin is empty but you are sure that files have been deleted recently, check the DCIM/.thumbnails folder through the file manager – sometimes thumbnails are saved there even after the originals are deleted.

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

For documents, archives and other files (not media), Xiaomi has a separate shopping cart, which is built into the standard File Manager (Blue folder icon).

1. Open File Manager → go to the tab “Category”.
2. Scroll down to the Others section and select Recycle Bin.
3. Deleted files are stored here for up to 15 days (configuration is not changeable).

Important nuances:

• 📄 The File Manager Recycle Bin does not work for files deleted through Google Files or other third-party applications.
• 🔍 If the Recycle Bin folder is missing, update the manager via Play Market or reset it (Settings) → Annexes → File manager → Warehouse → Clear the data).
• 🚫 Files deleted from SD-cards, do not fall into the basket - they are erased immediately.

⚠️ Note: If you used the Cleanup function in Security (the shield application), files could be deleted irrevocably – this tool bypasses the shopping cart.

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3. How to change the storage period of files in the Xiaomi shopping cart

By default, MIUI stores deleted media files for 30 days and documents for 15 days.

For the gallery:

1. Open the gallery. → Basket → ⚙️ Settings.
2. Select “Shelf life” and set the value from 1 to 60 days.

For the file manager:

Unfortunately, the storage period is not customized, which is a system limitation, but you can manually clean the basket less often if:

• 📥 Regularly check the folder for unnecessary files.
• 🔄 Use cloud backups (Mi Cloud or Google Drive).

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4.What to do if the basket is empty and the files are not restored

If you don’t find deleted data in standard shopping carts, try these methods:

Method 1: Checking the cloud copies

• 🌥️ Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Gallery/Files and check backups.
• ☁️ Google Photos: Open the app → «Library» → «Recycle Bin (stores files for 60 days).

Method 2: Recovery via PC

Connect your phone to your computer and use programs like DiskDigger or Recuva (require root rights for deep scanning).

Method 3: System tools

Some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F4) have a hidden recovery function:

Dial ##4636## → Select “Testing” → “Data Recovery”

⚠️ Note: This method does not work on all devices and may reset some settings.

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5. Xiaomi models without a basket: what to do owners of old devices

Phones with MIUI 11 and below (e.g. Redmi 4X, Mi A1) may not have a system basket at all.

• 🛠️ Install an alternative gallery (e.g. Simple Gallery with basket function).
• 📱 Use Recycle Bin Support Files: Files by Google, FX File Explorer.
• 🔄 Enable automatic sync with Google Photos or Mi Cloud – this will create backups.

For POCO owners with custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience):

The shopping cart depends on the version of Android, and on pure Android 12+, it is replaced by the recently deleted feature in Google Files.

1. Install Google Files from the Play Market.
2. Open the application → “Cleaning” → “Basket”.

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6.How to permanently delete files from Xiaomi Recycle Bin

If you want to permanently erase your data (for example, before selling your phone), standard deleting from the cart is not enough.

For media files:

1. Open the gallery. → Basket.
2. Select the files → Click "Delete Forever».
3. For complete cleaning: Settings → Storage → Cleaning → Deep cleaning.

For documents:

In the file manager:

1. Go to the Basket.
2. Tap “Clean” or highlight files → “Delete forever”.

⚠️ Note: Even after “deleting forever”, files can be restored with special utilities until their place on the disk is overwritten with new data.

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7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Xiaomi users often face these problems when working with the cart:

• 🔄 Recycle Bin Updated: Reboot your phone or clear the gallery cache (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 📛 Files disappear from the cart ahead of time: Check the free space on the device - at a critical level (less than 500 MB), the system automatically clears temporary folders.
• 🔒 No Recycle Bin Access: Make sure you’re logged in to the same Xiaomi account that deleted the files (the Recycle Bin is linked to your profile).

If files are opened with errors after recovery (for example, photos are not displayed), try:

• Resave them through an editor (e.g., Snapseed).
• Transfer to PC and open using Photoshop or VLC (for video).

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On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 14+, the gallery and file manager basket work independently of each other. Always check both folders if you do not find the deleted file.

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FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions