Where do deleted files go on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: where to look for the basket and how to return data

You deleted an important file on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 and now you can’t find a basket to recover it? This is a situation that many Xiaomi smartphone owners — especially those who have switched from iPhones or devices on pure Android — know that MIUI firmware (even current versions for Redmi Note 7) doesn’t have the classic “Basket” in the sense, instead, files are deleted immediately, but with the ability to recover through system tools or third-party applications.

In this article, we will look at where the Recycle Bin on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 actually stores, how to back up deleted files, and what to do if you accidentally erase photos, documents, or videos. You will also learn about the hidden features of MIUI that help you return data without root rights, and why some files disappear irrevocably. If you are looking for a way to restore deleted messages to SMS or WhatsApp, here you will find a solution.

Why is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 not a standard basket?

Unlike Windows or macOS, where deleted files first enter the Recycle Bin and then are cleared permanently, Android (and MIUI in particular) by default does not have a single repository for temporarily deleted data.

• 📱 Limited space: on smartphones, every megabyte of memory is in the account, and constant reservation of space for the basket would reduce the available volume.
• 🔄 Auto Cleanup: Android is optimized for quick removal of unnecessary files without unnecessary intermediate steps.
• 🛠️ Alternative solutions: in MIUI There are built-in recovery tools (such as Mi Cloud or Gallery) that replace the cart.

However, this does not mean that files disappear forever. Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (like other devices on MIUI) uses hidden mechanisms for storing deleted data that can be activated or restored through special actions. For example, photos from the Gallery are saved by default in the “basket” for 30 days, but only if synchronization with Mi Cloud is enabled.

Where to find a “basket” for photos and videos?

If you delete a photo or video through a standard MIUI Gallery, you have a chance to return it. Unlike a file manager, the Gallery has a built-in basket, but it's not directly accessible. Here's how to find it:

1. Open the Gallery app (icon with multi-colored squares).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) top-right.
3. Select the item Cart (if not - see the next section).
4. Click on the file and select Restore.

⚠️ Note: If the item is not in the menu, then:

• 🔄 You deleted files not through the Gallery, but through the file manager (for example, Explorer or Files by Google).
• ☁️ Sync with Mi Cloud is disabled – without it, photos are deleted immediately.
• ⏳ More than 30 days have passed since the removal (storage period in the basket).

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To make the shopping cart in the Gallery work always, turn on automatic synchronization: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery.

How to recover files deleted through file manager?

If you erased the documents, APK-Files or other data through Explorer or Files by Google, there will be no standard shopping cart, but there are several ways to return them:

The most reliable way is to check backups in the Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select the Gallery or Files.
3. Check out the recently deleted section.

If files are not found, try DiskDigger (available on Google Play).It scans internal memory for deleted data, but the effectiveness depends on how many new files were written after deletion.

Hidden basket in MIUI: how to turn it on?

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 has a hidden Recycle Bin feature for the file manager, but it is disabled by default. To activate it, follow the following steps:

1. Open Explorer (standard file manager MIUI).
2. Tap on three points (⋮) top-right.
3. Select Settings → Recycle Bin.
4. Turn on the switch. Turn on the basket.
5. Set a storage period (from 1 to 30 days).

Enable the basket in Explorer | Set a shelf life of 30 days | Check free space (minimum 1 GB) | Do not use memory cleaners-->

Once activated, all files deleted through Explorer will be placed in the Recycle Bin to open it:

1. In Explorer, scroll down the screen.
2. Slip on the folder of the basket (will appear after the first deletion).
3. Select files and click Restore.

⚠️ Note: if you use third-party file managers (e.g. Solid Explorer or other file managers) FX File Manager, their recycle bins work independently of the system. MIUI!

Recovering deleted messages and contacts

If you're looking for deleted SMS, call records, or contacts, not files, but a standard shopping cart, but there are alternative ways to do this in MIUI:

• 📞 SMS and calls: check the settings → Annexes → Calls. → Journal → Remote (not available on all versions) MIUI).
• 👥 Contacts: Restore via Mi Cloud (Contacts section) → Recently deleted).
• 💬 Messages in messengers: WhatsApp or Telegram has its own baskets (for example, WhatsApp) → Three points. → Basket).

For SMS, you can also use applications like SMS Backup & Restore that back up. If you don't have backups, try:

1. Install GT Recovery (root required for full scanning).
2. Select the data type (Messages).
3. Wait for the scan to finish and restore the necessary SMS.

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Without root rights, you can only restore SMS if it's synced to Google or Mi Cloud, otherwise the chances are minimal.

What if the cart is empty or files are not restored?

If you have checked all of the above methods but the files never show up, you may:

• ⏳ It’s been too long (over 30 days for Mi Cloud or 60 days for Google Drive).
• 🗑️ Files were deleted through formatting or resetting settings.
• 🔄 Data overwritten with new files (especially relevant for photos).
• 📵 The basket is disabled in the Explorer settings.

In such cases, there are two options:

1. Contact the service center – specialists can extract data using professional equipment (for example, Chip-Off or JTAG).
2. Use PC software like EaseUS Mobisafe or Dr.Fone, but these require a phone connection to a computer and are often paid.

⚠️ Warning: If you plan to use recovery software, do not connect your phone to charge during the scan, which may result in overwriting.

How to avoid data loss in the future?

To no longer search for a shopping cart on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, follow the simple rules:

• ☁️ Enable autosynchronization with Mi Cloud or Google Drive for photos, contacts and documents.
• 📁 Use file managers with a basket (for example, Files by Google or Solid Explorer).
• 🔄 Create backups regularly through Settings → System system → Backup.
• 🚫 Do not use memory cleaners like Clean Master – they often delete files permanently.

It is also useful to install automatic backup applications such as:

• Swift Backup (for applications and data, root is required).
• SMS Backup & Restore for messages and calls).
• Google Photos (to automatically upload photos to the cloud)

If you often work with important files, consider buying a memory card (up to 512 GB supports Redmi Note 7) and setting up the default data storage to it, which will reduce the risk of losing your phone when you reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the cart on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7