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

Did you delete an important file on Xiaomi Redmi but didn't find it in the cart? MIUI The problem is that Xiaomi smartphones don't have the usual Windows or macOS-style shopping cart, and instead, files are sent to hidden system folders, cloud storage, or irrevocably erased, depending on the type of data and settings. In this article, we will understand where to look for deleted files on different Redmi models (from Redmi Note 10 to Redmi). 13C), How to set up a backup and what to do if the cart is empty.

It's important to understand: MIUI It doesn't have a universal shopping cart for all types of files. Photos, videos, documents and applications are deleted using different algorithms. For example, photos from the Google Photo Gallery go to the cloud basket for 60 days, and files deleted through Explorer. MIUI, They can disappear forever in 30 days, if you don't have backup enabled. MIUI 12, 13, 14 and 15 (including global and Chinese versions) and collected all ways to recover data.

If you are looking for a cart for a particular model, use the article search (Ctrl)+F: We have separately covered features for Redmi Note, Redmi K and budget series (Redmi A, Redmi) 10/12/13). There is also a point at the end of the article. FAQ Answering frequent questions (such as why the Recycle Bin is not displayed or how to return files after resetting settings).

Where is the basket on Xiaomi Redmi: 4 main places

Xiaomi smartphones have a shopping cart scattered across different services, and here are all the possible locations where deleted files can be stored:

• 📁 Local basket in the Conductor MIUI — Temporary storage for files deleted through a standard file manager only works if the Recycle Bin setting is enabled in the Explorer settings.
• ☁️ Google Cloud Recycle Bin Photos – photos and videos removed from the gallery are stored here for 60 days (if sync is enabled).
• 🗃️ Mi Cloud Recycle Bin – Backups of contacts, notes and certain documents (available only for authorized Xiaomi accounts).
• 🔄 The.Trash folder in internal memory is a hidden directory where some applications (for example, Files by Google) send deleted files.

First thing you do is check the conductor. MIUI — It's the standard file management application on all Redmis. Open it (the folder icon on the desktop) and:

1. Slip on three horizontal lines (menu) in the upper left corner.
2. Select the Recycle Bin item (if it is not available, then the function is disabled, see the next section).
3. View the file list: this shows items deleted within the last 30 days (by default).

If you don't find the basket item on the menu, it means:

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (especially Chinese or custom) basket in the Conductor MIUI It's disabled by default, and it may not be available on models with MIUI Lite (e.g. Redmi) A1 or Redmi 10A).

If the local cart is empty, check Google Photos:

1. Open the Google Photos app (if not installed, download from the Play Market).
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner → Cart.
3. It stores all media files deleted in the last 60 days (even if you erased them through the standard Xiaomi gallery).

How to turn on the basket in the MIUI Explorer, if it is not

If in your guide MIUI There is no Recycle Bin section, it can be activated manually. MIUI 12-15 (except for lighter firmware versions).

Do the following:

1. Open Explorer (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Additional section and turn on the Recycle Bin switch.
4. Click OK in the confirmation window that appears.

After that, the Recycle Bin item will appear in the Explorer menu, and all deleted files will be stored there for 30 days (the term can be changed in the same settings).

Open the Conductor|Go to Settings → Additionally.|Activate the "Basket" switch"|Confirm the action|Check the appearance of the section in the menu-->

On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ or Redmi K50) After turning on the cart, you may need to restart the smartphone to make the changes take effect:

• 📱 The Recycle Bin only works for files deleted through Explorer MIUI. If you erase photos through a gallery or documents through Google Drive, they won’t get here.
• 🗑️ Recycle bin capacity is limited: by default, 5% of internal memory (for example, on Redmi 12 with 128 GB it is the same as the default). ~6GB).
• ⏳ File storage can be extended to 90 days in settings, but this will reduce the available space.

If even after turning on the cart does not appear, check the version. MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. If the version is older than MIUI 12, update the firmware through Settings → System Update.

Hidden folders with deleted files: where else to look for a basket

In addition to the standard basket in the Conductor MIUI, Xiaomi Redmi has hidden system directories that are used to access deleted files, which are not visible in normal mode, but can be found through the root file manager or special applications.

Here are the main hidden "baskets":

To access these folders:

1. Install a file manager with support for hidden files (for example, FX File Explorer or Root Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden folders in the manager settings (usually the option is called Show Hidden Files).
3. Follow one of the paths from the table above.

Warning:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from folders Android/data or MIUI/Backup manually, this can cause system failures, and it is also not recommended to clean.thumbnails unless you have backed up photos: sometimes only copies of thumbnails for corrupted media files are stored here.

If you are using Google Photos to back up, check the folder as well:

/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Google Photo/Trash

It can store temporary copies of photos deleted through the cloud.

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To quickly find hidden folders, type in the Explorer search bar MIUI.Trash or.thumbnail. This will display all directories with deleted files or their thumbnails.

How to recover files from the cart on Xiaomi Redmi

If you find deleted files in the Recycle Bin (whether it is a Explorer) MIUI, Google Photos or hidden folder, they can be easily restored. Let's look at the process for each case.

1. Recovery from the Conductor MIUI

If the files are in the standard basket:

1. Open the Conductor. → Basket.
2. Select the files you want (stick and hold your finger on one of them, then mark the rest).
3. Click on the Restore button in the lower menu.
4. Select the folder to restore (by default – the original location).

Important: If the original folder has been deleted, the files will be restored to the root directory of the internal memory (/storage/emulated/0/).

2. Recovery from Google Photos

For media files (photos and videos):

1. Open Google Photos → Basket.
2. Select the files that need to be returned.
3. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Restore.

Files will return to the same folder they were deleted from (e.g. Camera or Screenshots).

3. Recovery from hidden folders

If you find files in.Trash or another hidden directory:

1. Copy them into any other folder (like Download or Documents).
2. Rename files if their names contain characters like ~$ or.
3. Check integrity: some files may be damaged (especially if they have been in the bin for a long time).

Tip: Use applications like Photo Recovery or DiskDigger (available in the Play Market) to recover damaged media files.

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If the file is not recovered from the recycle bin (produces an error), try to copy it to your computer via the USB-Cable and then open with specialized programs (e.g. Recuva for Windows).

What to do if the cart is empty or files are deleted forever

If you didn't find files in any of the bins, it doesn't mean you can't recover them.

• 🔍 Check backups: In Mi Cloud (if sync was enabled): Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup. Google Drive: Open the app → Basket.
• 📱 Use recovery software: DiskDigger scans internal memory for deleted files. EaseUS MobiSaver recovers photos, videos and documents (root required for deep scanning).
• 💻 Connect your smartphone to your PC and scan the memory with Recuva or TestDisk (only if the phone has not recorded new data after deletion).

Warning:

⚠️ Warning: The more you use your smartphone after deleting files (installing apps, taking photos, downloading data), the lower your chances of recovery. Deleted files are not erased immediately - their place is marked as free, and new data can be overwritten old. So at the first sign of data loss, minimize activity on your device.

If you delete files after you reset, the chances of recovery are minimal.

1. Check if sync with Mi Cloud or Google Account was enabled before reset.
2. Contact Xiaomi Service Center – sometimes experts can extract data using professional equipment (but it is expensive and does not guarantee 100% results).

How to set up automatic backup on Xiaomi Redmi

To avoid data loss in the future, set up automatic backup. There are several ways to do this on Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Backup in Mi Cloud

Syncs contacts, messages, notes and some settings:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on the backup switch.
3. Select data for synchronization (we recommend to note Contacts, Messages, Notes and System Settings).
4. Click Start backup.

Limitations:

• Free 5 GB of cloud storage (to expand you need to pay).
• Not all file types are synced (for example, photos and videos need to be copied separately).

2. Automatic upload of photos to Google Photos

A reliable way to save media files:

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Slip on the profile avatar. → Photo settings → Backup and synchronization.
3. Turn on the switch and select quality (Original or High).
4. Press Confirm.

Advantages:

• Free storage for high quality photos (compression up to 16 MP).
• Automatic synchronization over Wi-Fi.
• Access files from any device.

3. Local backup through Explorer MIUI

If you don’t trust the cloud, copy your files to the cloud. SD-card:

1. Connect the flash drive or insert SD-map.
2. Open the Conductor. → select the files you need → Copy.
3. Go to the external drive section and click Insert.

Tip: Use the Automate or Tasker app to automatically copy (scripts will need to be customized).

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To remember to back up, turn on reminders in Google Calendar or use the Backup Reminder app (available in the Play Market).

Frequent problems with the basket on Xiaomi Redmi and their solutions

Xiaomi Redmi users often experience problems with their shopping cart, and here are the most common cases and ways to solve them:

Additional advice:

• 🔄 If the basket is unstable, try resetting the Explorer settings (Settings) → Annexes → Conductor → Warehouse → Reset).
• 📵 On some models (Redmi) 9A, Redmi 8 may not work due to iron limitations, in which case use third-party managers (e.g. Total Commander).
• 🔒 If the files in the cart are protected (for example, from the Private folder), you will need to enter a password from the Xiaomi account to restore it.

Warning:

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for POCO (for example, POCO X3 or POCO F3) The cart may be called Recycle Bin and is in another menu section, and these models also sometimes don't sync with Mi Cloud - check your account settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about the Xiaomi Redmi Recycle Bin