Where do deleted files go in Xiaomi Redmi 8 Note: where to look for the basket and how to recover data

You accidentally deleted an important photo or document on the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Note and now you can't find a basket to recover a file? The problem is that Android devices, unlike computers, don't have a single "basket" in the usual sense. However, in the Redmi 8 Note, deleted files do not disappear without a trace - they can be found in hidden system folders, cloud backups or through specialized applications.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can find a shopping cart on your smartphone, from built-in MIUI tools to third-party utilities, where temporarily deleted files are stored, how to turn on accidental deletion protection, and what to do if data is lost forever, and focus on the nuances of working with internal memory and microSD cards, which handle deletion differently.

Why Android doesn’t have a shopping cart and where do the files go?

Unlike Windows or macOS, the Android operating system (including firmware) MIUI on the Redmi 8 Note, by default, does not use the concept of "basket"; when you delete a file through a standard conductor, it does not move to temporary storage, but is erased from memory immediately. F2FS/ext4, Xiaomi is using to optimize performance.

However, there are three key exceptions when files do end up in an intermediate storage:

• 📁 gallery MIUI: Photos and videos are deleted in the.trash folder (hidden) and stored there for 30 days.
• ☁️ Cloud Services (Mi Cloud, Google Photos): Create your own shopping carts with a storage life of up to 60 days.
• 🗑️ Third-party file managers (e.g. Files by Google): can emulate the basket in their settings.

If you deleted a file through MIUI Explorer, the chances of recovery without a backup are minimal. But don't panic, in the next sections we'll look at all the search options.

Where to find a basket in the standard gallery MIUI

The most reliable way to find deleted photos or videos on the Redmi 8 Note is to check the hidden folder of the shopping cart in the Gallery app. Xiaomi has added this feature to MIUI 10 and later, so your device definitely has it.

1. Open the Gallery app (icon with multi-colored squares).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) top-right.
3. In the drop-down menu, select the Recycle Bin (or Trash if the interface is in English).
4. You'll see a list of files that have been deleted in the last 30 days, and to restore, click on the file and select Restore.

Pay attention to two important nuances:

• ⏳ Files in the gallery basket are stored for exactly 30 days, after which they are deleted irrevocably.
• 📂 The folder of the basket is physically located along the way: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Gallery/trash/ (Only available through root or file manager with superuser rights).

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If you don’t see the “Basket” item in the gallery, update the app through the Play Store or check the display settings in the Gallery → Settings → General.

Search for deleted files through the file manager

If the files were deleted through MIUI Explorer or other manager, rather than through the gallery, the chances of finding them in the shopping cart are minimal, but two methods can be tried:

Method 1: Checking Hidden Folders

Some apps (like Google Photos or Mi Cloud) create their own folders to temporarily store deleted files.

1. Open Explorer (or any file manager, such as Solid Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files: Settings → Show hidden files.
3. Go to the root directory of internal memory and find folders:.trash is the shared basket of some applications. Android/data/com.miui.gallery/trash is the backup folder of the gallery. Pictures/.thumbnails are thumbnails of deleted images.

Method 2: Using Date Search

If you remember the approximate date of deletion, you can try to find files by the time stamp:

1. In the Explorer, open the menu (☰) and select Search.
2. Specify the date range when the file still existed.
3. Sort the results by the date of change (new from above).

Recovery of files through cloud services

If you're using Mi Cloud or Google Photos, deleted files could be saved in their carts, which is the most reliable way to recover, since the data is stored on servers. Xiaomi/Google It does not depend on the memory status of the phone.

Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)

To check the cart in Mi Cloud:

1. Open the Mi Cloud app or go to i.mi.com.
2. Sign in with the same account that is linked to the Redmi 8 Note.
3. Go to the Gallery or Files section.
4. Find the Cart (or Trash) tab in the side menu.

In Mi Cloud, files are stored for 60 days, and then deleted irrevocably. To recover, just click on the file and select Restore.

Google Photo

If you use Google Photos to back up:

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
3. Pick the basket.
4. Hold your finger on the file and click Restore.

Instructions for using DiskDigger:

1. Download the app from the Play Store.
2. Run a full scan (requires root for deep analysis).
3. Select the file types to search for (e.g. JPG, MP4).
4. Wait for the scan to finish and mark the files for recovery.
5. Save them to the cloud or memory card (not to internal memory!).

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Without root rights, apps will only restore thumbnails of photos and videos, and full recovery will require unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk.

⚠️ Warning: Don't install recovery apps on the same memory as the deleted files! This can overwrite them irrevocably. Use a microSD card or cloud to save the results.

How to turn on protection against accidental removal

To avoid future data loss, set up automatic backups on the Redmi 8 Note and enable additional layers of protection.

1. Set up backup in Mi Cloud

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for Gallery, Contacts and Notes.
3. Set autosynchronization over Wi-Fi so that copies are created without your participation.

2.Using Google Photos for Auto Save

1. Open Google Photos and tap on the avatar.
2. Select Photo Settings → Backup and Synchronization.
3. Turn on the option and select quality (High or Original).

Installation of a third-party basket

Apps like Dumpster or Recycle Bin create a virtual bin for all files:

1. Download Dumpster from Play Store.
2. At the first start, give access to memory.
3. In the settings, specify which types of files should fall into the basket.

All deleted files will now be moved to Dumpster, where they can be restored within a given timeframe (30 days by default).

What to do if files are not restored

If none of these methods worked, it is possible that the files were physically overwritten with the new data, in which case the chances of recovery tend to zero.

• 🔧 Fastboot firmware: If the phone doesn't turn on, try flashing it over the Mi Flash Tool (data will be erased!).
• 💻 PC Analysis: Connect Redmi 8 Note to your computer and scan the memory with PhotoRec or TestDisk (command line skills required).
• 📞 Contact the service: Specialized laboratories (for example, HETMAN Software can recover data from a memory chip, but it is expensive (from 5,000) ₽).

⚠️ Warning: If you plan to carry your phone to a recovery service, don't turn it on or try to stitch it yourself. Every memory record attempt reduces your chances of success.

If files were critical (such as work documents or single photos), consider contacting professionals. Otherwise, take this as a lesson: set up automatic backups right now to avoid future losses.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the cart in the Redmi 8 Note