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

You accidentally deleted an important file on Xiaomi Redmi 7 and now you can't find it? Or you just want to figure out how the remote storage system in MIUI works? Unlike computers where the basket is always in plain sight, on Xiaomi smartphones everything is different. There is no traditional "Baskbasket" icon on the home screen, and the deleted files themselves can be stored in different places, depending on how they were erased and what application was used.

In this article, we will discuss in detail where the Redmi 7 basket is physically located, how to get there through standard MIUI 10/11/12 tools, and also consider alternative ways to restore data from embedded tools to third-party utilities. Particular attention will be paid to hidden folders of the system where deleted media files are temporarily stored before final erasure. If you are a Xiaomi user and have ever faced a problem of losing files, this guide will help to avoid errors in the future.

Why Xiaomi Redmi 7 doesn’t have a regular shopping cart

Many users who switch from iPhones or smartphones to pure Android are lost in search of a shopping cart on Xiaomi, because MIUI does not have a single universal repository for all deleted files, instead each type of data (photos, videos, documents) is processed separately.

• 📱 Storage Fragmentation: Files from the gallery, downloads and applications are deleted using different algorithms, for example, photos from the Gallery are in a temporary folder, and documents from the File Manager do not.
• 🔄 Memory optimization: Xiaomi automatically clears the "baskets" after 30 days to make room. On computers, files can lie in the basket for years, and here they are erased forcedly.
• 🛠️ Lack of Android standard: Google doesn't require manufacturers to implement a shopping cart, so each brand solves this issue in its own way: Samsung has Secure Folder, Huawei has Deleted files in the gallery, and Xiaomi has disparate solutions.

Moreover, in some versions of MIUI (especially on budget models like Redmi 7), the basket can be turned off by default, this is done to save system resources, but creates confusion for users, and to activate it, you will need to change the settings, which we will discuss in the next section.

Where to look for a cart in standard MIUI applications

On the Xiaomi Redmi 7, the basket is hidden in three main places, depending on the file type.

1. basket in the Gallery app (for photos and videos)

If you delete a photo or video through a standard gallery, the file will be stored in a temporary storage facility to find it:

1. Open the Gallery app (an icon with colored squares).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner (⋮) → pick the basket.
3. Here you will see all deleted media files from the last 30 days. To recover, click on the file and select Restore.

⚠️ Note: If the menu does not have "Basket", then the function is disabled. To enable it, go to Gallery Settings. → Additionally. → Recycle bin and activate the switch.

Temporary storage in Files (for documents and APK)

For other file types (PDF, DOCX, APK, etc.), the basket works differently, here it is called Recent or Deleted and is hidden deeper:

1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
2. Go to the Category section → Recent.
3. In the top menu, select the Recycle Bin (if it is not, then the files are deleted irrevocably).

Important: This section only stores files for 15 days, and then they are automatically erased, and the basket doesn't work for all formats, APK-Files are deleted immediately, without the possibility of recovery.

3. Recycle Bin in "Downloads" (for files from the Internet)

Files downloaded through a browser or messengers are deleted according to different rules.

1. Open Downloads (Icon with a down arrow).
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) → Basket.
3. If there is no item, then the function is disabled in the application settings.

💡 Useful tip: To increase the storage life of files in the Recycle Bin from 15 to 30 days, go to Settings → Memory. → The basket and select the maximum period.

Hidden MIUI folders: where do deleted files actually reside?

Even if you didn't find files in standard bins, they could have been left in hidden system folders. Xiaomi uses several of these directories to temporarily store data before final deletion.

To see these folders, you’ll need a file manager that supports hidden files (like Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete files from.trash or.recycle folders manually through root access! This can cause the shopping cart to malfunction. If you need to clear the place, use standard tools MIUI.

How to recover files if the basket is empty

If the files aren't found in standard baskets and hidden folders, don't despair. There are a few other ways to get them back:

1. Recovery via Google Photos

If your Redmi 7 is synced to Google Photos, check:

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Go to the Library. → Basket.
3. The files are stored here for 60 days, which is twice as long as MIUI.

2. Use of third-party utilities

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

• 🔍 DiskDigger – Restores photos and videos even after formatting.
• 📄 Undeleter – works with documents and APK.
• 🔧 Recuva (requires root access) is the most powerful solution, but risky.

⚠️ Note: When recovering through third-party programs, do not save files back to your smartphone – use the cloud or computer. Otherwise, new data may overwrite old data, and recovery will become impossible.

3. Contact the service center

If files are critical (such as family photos or work documents), and self-recovery did not help, contact the official Xiaomi service. They have special tools to extract data from internal memory.

💡

Before you recover, turn off your mobile internet and Wi-Fi on your smartphone, which will prevent you from automatically overwriting data with new files from messengers or updates.

How to set up a cart on Xiaomi Redmi 7 for reliable storage

To avoid file loss in the future, set up the cart correctly:

1. Increase storage time: For Gallery: Gallery settings → Recycle Bin → Shelf life → 30 days. For Files: Settings → Memory → Recycle Bin → 30 days.
2. Enable backup: Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud. Activate Gallery Sync and File Reservation.

Use third-party clouds

• Install Google Drive, Yandex Drive or Dropbox.
• Set up automatic upload of photos and documents.

💡

Setting up automatic backup in Mi Cloud takes 5 minutes, but saves years of memories.

Frequent mistakes when working with a basket on Xiaomi

Many users lose files because they don’t know the nuances of the MIUI Recycle Bin, and here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:

• 🗑️ Delete via “Memory Cleanup”: If you use the Cleanup function in Settings → Memory, files are deleted bypassing the shopping cart. Always check what is being cleared before confirming.
• 🔄 Factory reset: When hard reset, the cart is completely cleaned.Be sure to transfer important files to your computer or cloud before reset.
• 📁 Using third-party file managers: Applications like ES Explorer or Total Commander can delete files without placing them in the Recycle Bin. Set up the Recycle Bin option or use standard Files from Xiaomi.
• ⏳ Ignoring retention period: By default, files in the bin are stored for 15-30 days, after which they are permanently erased. Check the folder regularly and restore the desired one.

💡 Tip: If you work with important files often, install the Dumpster app from Google Play, which creates a universal shopping cart for all types of data and allows you to configure storage rules flexibly.

Alternative ways to protect data on Xiaomi Redmi 7

The shopping cart is good, but it doesn't guarantee 100% file safety.

1. Regular backups

Use the built-in MIUI tools:

• 📱 Settings → The phone. → Backup – Creates a local copy.
• ☁️ Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Backup – uploads data to the cloud.