You deleted an important file on your Xiaomi Redmi, but you can't find a basket to restore it, or you don't even know where MIUI stores this folder, you're not alone: many users are faced with the fact that the standard shopping cart on Xiaomi smartphones behaves differently from other Android devices, in some cases it's simply not in its usual place, and sometimes it's hidden or disabled.
In this article, we’ll take a look at all the possible places a Recycle Bin can be on Redmi (including the Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11, and others), explain why it might be missing, and show you how to recover deleted files if the Recycle Bin is empty, and learn how to set up automatic backups to keep data from being lost.
1. Where is the standard basket in MIUI?
Unlike Windows or macOS, where the Recycle Bin is always visible on the desktop, Xiaomi Redmi is dependent on the version of MIUI and the type of deleted files.
- 📁 File Manager – the main storage location.
- 🖼️ Photo Gallery – for deleted images and videos.
- 📄 In the cloud service Mi Cloud – if synchronization is enabled.
- ❌ It is not available at all in the old versions. MIUI or manual removal through adb.
The most reliable way to find a shopping cart is to open the standard Files application (folder icon) and:
- Go to Categories (bottom of the screen).
- Scroll down to the basket block (urn icon).
- If there is no block, tap on three points in the upper right corner and select Settings → Show the cart.
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If the Recycle Bin doesn’t show up even after turning on in the settings, try updating the Files app via Google Play or clearing its cache in Settings → Apps.
2.How to recover files from the Recycle Bin on Redmi?
Finding the cart is half the battle, and now you need to restore the files properly so you don't lose them forever.
- Open the cart in the Files or Gallery app (for photo/video).
- Select the desired files with a long tap or through the Select button.
- Click Restore (up arrow icon) Files will return to the original folder.
Important nuances:
- ⏳ Files are stored in the Recycle Bin for 30 days (by default), then deleted automatically.
- 🔄 If the space on the device ends, MIUI may clear the basket early.
- 🚫 Files deleted through adb shell rm or third-party file managers (such as Solid Explorer) do not fall into the basket.
Make sure the file is not overwritten.|Check the free space on the device|Turn off automatic cleaning of the basket in the settings|Sync your data with Mi Cloud for the future-->
3. Why did the basket disappear and how do I get it back?
If the cart disappeared after updating MIUI or resetting settings, the reasons may be as follows:
| Reason. | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| Disabled in File settings | Go to Files → Settings → Show the basket |
| Outdated version of MIUI (below 12.5) | Update the firmware through Settings → About the phone → System update |
| Damage to system files | Reset Files application settings or make a hard reset (with data loss) |
| Use a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher) | Return to the standard MIUI launcher or find the basket through the Files system application |
Critical: If the basket disappeared after rooting or installing custom firmware, it can only be restored by flashing official software through Fastboot, in which cases files from the "old" basket are usually lost.
Once a week | Once a month | Only when I run out of memory | Never clear | I don't know where it is-->
4. Alternative ways to find deleted files
If the cart is empty or not, try these methods:
- 🔍 Search Google Photos: If sync is enabled, deleted photos are stored in the Google Photos Recycle Bin for 60 days.
- 🛠️ Third-party utilities: DiskDigger, Recuva (requires root rights for deep scanning).
Warning: Do not install recovery programs on the same partition where deleted files were stored – this can overwrite them irrevocably!
How do recovery programs work?
5. Recycle Bin Settings: How to Increase File Shelf Life?
By default, MIUI stores files in the Recycle Bin for 30 days, but this can be changed:
- Open the files → Settings → Recycle Bin.
- Select Auto Cleanup.
- Set the period: Never, 7 days, 15 days or 30 days.
You can also do this here:
- 🗑️ Turn on/off the cart completely.
- 📊 View the statistics of the occupied place.
- 🔄 Set up automatic cleaning when memory is scarce.
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Disabling the cart auto-cleaning can cause memory overflows, and we recommend setting a balance: for example, storing files for 15 days and manually checking the cart once a week.
6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Xiaomi Redmi users often face these problems:
⚠️ Note: If you delete files through an adb shell or terminal, they do not fall into the recycle bin and can only be restored with specialized tools (for example, TestDisk for PC).
- 🔄 "The basket cleans itself" → Check the auto-cleaning settings and free space on the device.
- 📂 "I don't see a basket in the gallery" → Update the Gallery app or use Files → Images → Basket.
- 🔍 "I can't find the deleted documents" → They can be stored in the Google Drive or Mi Cloud cart if sync was enabled.
Another common mistake is trying to recover files after resetting, in which case the recycle bin is cleared completely, and data can only be returned from cloud reserve (if it was created).
7.How to protect files from accidental deletion?
To avoid looking for a cart every time you accidentally delete something important, follow these tips:
- 🔒 Enable backup in Settings → The phone. → Backup (select Mi Cloud or Google Drive).
- 📁 Use Cloud Folders: Save important files right away in Google Drive or Mi Cloud.
- 🛡️ Set passwords to folders through Files → Personal storage (available on MIUI 13+).
- 🔄 Export data to a PC or external drive periodically.
For Redmi models with OTG support (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro), you can use the flash drive as backup storage, plug it in via an adapter and copy important files manually.
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Create a shortcut for the cart on the home screen: long tap on the desktop → Widgets → find the Files widget with the Recycle Bin option.