Where is the basket on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: search, recovery and hidden nuances MIUI

Did you delete an important file on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 but can't find a basket to recover it? this problem is familiar to many smartphone owners with firmware MIUI. Unlike Windows or macOS, where the basket is always in sight, Android systems (and especially Xiaomi’s customized shells) are not so obvious where it is located. Moreover, some applications ignore the system basket altogether, creating their own mechanisms for storing deleted data.

In this article, we’ll break down three main ways to find a Recycle Bin on Redmi Note 9 – from the standard file manager menu to hidden folders. MIUI. You will also learn why some files are lost irrevocably, how to turn on backups and what to do if the cart is empty, even though you haven’t deleted anything.

If you've tried to search the cart through a system search before and you haven't found it, don't panic. 80 percent of the time, the files are still recoverable, they're just not where you expect them to be. We'll show you where they are.

1. Standard Recycle Bin in the File Manager MIUI

The most obvious way is to use Xiaomi's built-in file manager. On the Redmi Note 9, it's simply called Files (an icon with a blue folder) and is usually on the home screen or in the app menu. Here's how to find a shopping cart:

1. Open the Files app.
2. In the lower menu, tap on the Categories section (or Browse in English).
3. Scroll down to the basket item (the bin icon).
4. This will show all files deleted within the last 30 days (default storage period).

If the cart is empty but you are sure you have deleted files, check:

• 📁 Time filter: Files may have been deleted more than a month ago and automatically cleared.
• 🔍 Search by name: enter the file name in the search bar inside the shopping cart.
• 📱 Other app: Some programs (e.g. gallery) have their own shopping cart.

💡

If you don't see the Recycle Bin section in the file manager, update the Files app via Google Play. MIUI (12 below) this section may not be available.

Important: files in the cart take up space in the device's memory. If the Redmi Note 9 runs out of space, the system can automatically clear the cart before 30 days. To avoid this, regularly transfer important data to the cloud or computer.

2. Cart in the gallery: where to look for deleted photos and videos

Photos and videos deleted through the standard Gallery app are placed in a separate bin that is not associated with the file manager.

1. Open the Gallery app (an icon with colored squares).
2. Tap on three points (⋮) top-right.
3. Select the basket item.
4. Deleted media files will be stored here for 15 days (as opposed to 30 days in the file manager).

Features of the gallery basket:

• 📸 Autocleaning: If the device space runs out, the storage period can be reduced to 7 days.
• 🔄 Recovery: Select files, click Restore and select a folder to save.
• 🚫 Exceptions: files deleted through Google Photos or other third-party apps will not appear here.

Standard Gallery MIUI|Google Photo|Other appendix|I don't use the gallery.-->

If you deleted a photo through Google Photos, look for the cart in this app: open the side menu → Recycle Bin. It's 60 days old, but files take up space in the cloud (if you have sync enabled).

3. Hidden folders MIUI: where temporary files are stored

Xiaomi hides some system folders where traces of deleted files may remain, and to see them, you need to enable the display of hidden files in the file manager settings:

1. Open the files. → press three lines (☰) top-left.
2. Select Settings → Enable the option to show hidden files.
3. Go back to the root catalogue (/storage/emulated/0/) and find the folders:

The.trash folder is an alternative storage bin. If the standard basket is empty, check it. But be careful: deleting files from that folder is irreversible.

If you didn't find the files in any of the folders, it's possible they were deleted without being placed in the bin.

• 🗑️ You used the Clean Everything function in the file manager.
• 📲 The files were deleted through ADB or TWRP (Tools for Advanced Users).
• 🔧 In the settings MIUI Recycled Recycle Bin option (rarely, but happens after resetting).

4.Why do some files not get into the bin?

Not all deleted files end up in the trash, here are the main reasons:

1. Apps like Telegram, WhatsApp or Viber have their own mechanisms for storing deleted files, for example, on Telegram, remote media can be found in the Saved Messages chat (if they were sent there).
2. Cloud services: files synced with Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Yandex.Disk are deleted immediately or end up in the basket of the cloud service, not the device.
3. Memory Card Formatting: If you formatted a microSD through your phone’s settings, all files are permanently deleted (the Recycle Bin is not used).
4. System restrictions: files larger than 2 GB can be deleted immediately, bypassing the basket (depending on version) MIUI).

To check which apps are bypassing the cart:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app (such as Gallery or Downloads).
3. Check the Warehouse section. → File management. This could be the Recycle Bin option or the recently deleted option.

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If you often work with important files, turn off automatic cleaning of the basket in the settings. MIUI: Settings → Warehouse → Basket → Autocleaning (not available on all firmware versions).

Pay special attention to Xiaomi's Mi Cloud, which is a cloud storage, and if you have sync enabled, deleted files can stay in the cloud basket for up to 90 days to check:

1. Open your Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud
2. Select the basket in the lower menu.
3. This will show files deleted from synchronized devices.

5. How to recover files if the basket is empty?

If the files are not found in any of the baskets, try the following methods:

Method 1: Recovery programs

Use applications like DiskDigger, Recuva (for PCs) or Undeleter, which scan the device's memory at the file system level and can find traces of deleted data.

• 🛑 Do not install programs on the same disk where files are lost (use a memory card or PC).
• 🔧 Turn off the internet during scanning to avoid overwriting data.
• ⚠️ The chances of recovery depend on how long it has been since the removal.

Method 2: Backup copies of MIUI

If you have backup enabled, check:

1. Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backups.
2. Select the last copy and restore the files you want.

Please note: backup copies MIUI not all file types are saved (for example, downloads from the browser may not be enabled).

Method 3: Cloud services

Check it out.

• 🌥️ Google Photos: photo.google.com → Recycle Bin (stores files for 60 days).
• 📁 Google Drive: drive.google.com → Basket (15-30 days).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: as described above.

Disable Wi-Fi and Mobile Data|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Free up space on the device|Not installing new applications-->

If none of these methods work, you can go to Xiaomi's service center, and they can extract data with professional hardware, but it's expensive and it doesn't guarantee 100% results.

6.How to set up a cart on the Redmi Note 9 for convenience?

To avoid losing files in the future, set up the cart to suit your needs:

1. Increase the storage period: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Recycle Bin and select the maximum term (if this option is available in your version) MIUI).
2. Eliminate important folders from cleaning: In the file manager, click on the folder → Additionally. → These folders won't be automatically cleaned.
3. Enable cloud reservation: Activate sync with Mi Cloud or Google Photos in your account settings.
4. Use third-party file managers: Apps like Solid Explorer or FX File Manager has more flexible shopping cart settings.

We also recommend:

• 📡 Regularly transfer important files to a PC or external drive.
• 🔄 Enable automatic upload of photos in Google Photos (settings) → backup).
• 📋 Keep records of important files (for example, in notes or tables).

💡

Create a cart shortcut on the home screen: clamping the empty space on the screen → Widgets → Find the Files widget and select the Recycle Bin option so you can quickly check deleted files.

7. Frequent mistakes when working with a basket on Xiaomi

Redmi Note 9 users often face the following problems:

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI Reset the file manager settings: Settings → Annexes → Files. → Warehouse → Clear the data. This will return the standard folders, but delete the history of recent files.

Mistake 1: The basket won't open

Reasons:

• An outdated version of the Files app (update via Google Play).
• The cache is damaged (clean it in the application settings).
• File system error (reboot phone)

Error 2: Files disappear from the cart ahead of time

This happens if:

• The device has critically little memory (MIUI cleans the basket automatically).
• You manually clicked Clear the Recycle Bin in the file manager.
• Files were deleted through another application (e.g, ES Conductor).

Error 3: You can’t recover files from the Recycle Bin

Decisions:

• Check the permissions to the folder where you restore the file.
• Move the file to another folder (such as Download).
• Use a PC: Connect your phone to USB and copy the files manually.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions