Where on Xiaomi is the Recycled File Recycle Bin and How to Recover Deleted Data

Why Xiaomi doesn’t have a shopping cart — and where do deleted files actually go?

You deleted an important file on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, and then you realized that you needed it urgently, and the first thought was to look into the basket, like on a computer. But the standard MIUI file manager doesn't have one. And that's not a bug, it's a feature of the Android architecture.

Unlike Windows or macOS, where the recycle bin is the single storage for all deleted files, Xiaomi smartphones work differently, where each application manages its own shopping carts, for example, photos from the gallery go to one temporary storage, and documents from the file manager to another, and in fact, some applications (such as Google Photos or WhatsApp) do not sync at all with the MIUI system basket.

In this article, we will discuss exactly where to look for deleted files on Xiaomi depending on their type, how to recover data from hidden bins and what to do if files are lost forever, and also why sometimes the basket suddenly clears itself and how to avoid this.

Where is the Recycle Bin in the standard MIUI file manager

The standard file manager MIUI (the Yellow Folder Icon File Application) does have a basket, but it's hidden from quick access.

1. Open the Files app.
2. Slip along three horizontal lines (menu) in the upper left corner.
3. Select the basket item (dumpster icon).

This section stores files deleted through the file manager itself (e.g. documents, archives, APKs) and it is important that files from other applications (photos, videos, music) are not displayed here, but have separate baskets for them.

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If the "Basket" item is not in the menu, update the Files app via Google Play or check the settings: it is possible that the function is disabled in Settings → Additional → Recycle Bin

The storage period of the files in the basket can be changed.

1. Open the Files → Menu → Settings.
2. Pick the basket.
3. Set the right period (from 1 to 60 days) or turn off the autoclean.

Every day.|Once a week.|Only when I look for deleted files|Never looked in.-->

Recycle Bin in the Xiaomi Gallery: How to Recover Photos and Videos

Photos and videos deleted through the standard MIUI gallery are placed in a separate shopping cart to open:

1. Launch the Gallery app.
2. Slip the album icon on the bottom menu.
3. Scroll down and select the Recycle Bin (Dumpster Icon).

Here you'll see all the deleted media files, sorted by date, to recover:

• 📷 Select the required files with a long tap.
• 🔄 Click Restore in the lower menu.
• 📁 Select the folder to save (by default — DCIM/Camera).

Check the filter by date.|Make sure that files are deleted through the gallery MIUI (not through Google Photos)|Try to find files in cloud storage (Mi Cloud, Google Photos)|Use third-party recovery programs-->

If the recycle bin is empty but you are sure that the files have been deleted recently, check:

• 🔍 Time filter: You can select a period in the gallery basket (for example, "Last 7 days").
• ☁️ Cloud Copies: If you enabled sync with Mi Cloud or Google Photos, files could be saved there.
• 📱 The folder "Recently deleted" in other galleries (for example, in Google Photos).

How to recover files if the cart is already cleaned

If the files are missing from the trash, or you manually cleaned it, not everything is lost.

1. Through MIUI backups

If your Xiaomi backup is enabled in Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Mi → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Select the last backup and click Restore.
3. Specify the data types (e.g., "Gallery" or "Files").

⚠️ Warning: Recovery from backup will replace the current files with those in the copy. If you add new photos after deleting, they may be lost.

2. Through third-party programs

For deep scanning of the memory of the smartphone, utilities are suitable:

• 🛠️ DiskDigger (there is a free version, restores photos and documents).
• 🔧 Recuva (requires root rights for full scanning).
• 📱 Dumpster (a shopping cart application that intercepts deleted files).

Before using such programs:

• 🚫 Do not save new files to your device (they can overwrite deleted data).
• 🔌 Connect your smartphone to your PC for a deeper scan.
• ⏳ Be prepared that the process may take several hours.

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The faster you start recovering from deletion, the better the chances of returning files, and each new record to the disk (photo, video, application updates) reduces the likelihood of successful recovery.

Why Xiaomi’s Recycle Bin Won’t Work

Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the Recycle Bin does not save files or display deleted data.

If the problem is not solved, try:

• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes the cart doesn’t update without restarting.
• 📋 Clear the cache of the Files or Gallery app in the settings.
• 🔧 Reset the file manager settings (at last resort).

How to Protect Files from Accidental Deletion

To avoid losing important data, set up protection in advance:

1. Turn on backup: ☁️ Mi Cloud: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup. ☁️ Google Photos: Automatic upload to the cloud.

Use secure folders.

In the MIUI gallery you can hide files in Private Albums (password protected).

Set up Cart Cleanup Notifications

Enable the option in the file manager settings to receive warnings before autocleaning.

⚠️ WARNING: Even with backups, don't store important files only on your smartphone. 3-2-1:

• 3 copies of the data,
• on 2 different media,
• 1 of which is outside the home (cloud).

Frequent errors in file recovery on Xiaomi

Users often make mistakes that reduce the chances of recovery to zero.

• 🚫 Install new applications after deleting files – they will overwrite the vacant space.
• 🔋 Battery discharge to 0% during recovery – this can interrupt the process.
• 🔄 Resetting settings without prior backup – this will delete all data, including the shopping cart.
• 📲 Using memory cleaners (such as Clean Master) – they aggressively clear cache and temporary files.

If you've already made one of these mistakes, try connecting your smartphone to your PC and scanning your memory with Recuva or EaseUS MobiSaver, which sometimes finds files even after overwriting.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Cart