Why you can’t see the Recycle Bin on Xiaomi Mi 9 – and where deleted files are actually stored
You deleted an important file on Xiaomi Mi 9 and now you can’t find a basket to recover it? This is a situation that many Xiaomi smartphone owners — especially those who have moved from iPhones or other brands. The fact is that on pure Android (and Mi 9 runs on MIUI from Xiaomi), the basket is implemented differently than on Windows or macOS. Moreover, its location depends on the type of files and how you delete it.
In this article, we will explain exactly where the shopping cart on Xiaomi Mi 9 is stored, how to get there through standard and third-party applications, and what to do if files are lost without recovery, you will also learn why some files are permanently deleted immediately after clicking Delete, and how to avoid this in the future.
Before we get to the instructions, let’s clarify: Xiaomi Mi 9 (codename cepheus) was released in 2019 and supports MIUI 10–14 depending on the firmware version. Some features (such as the cloud basket) may vary depending on the region and version of the software. If your smartphone runs MIUI 12.5+, you have a better chance of recovering files – more details are below.
Where is the Recycle Bin in the standard MIUI file manager
The main place where deleted files are stored on the Xiaomi Mi 9 is the built-in file manager (Files or File Manager).
- 📁 The Recycle Bin is only available for files deleted through this manager, and if you deleted a photo through a gallery or a document through Google Drive, you should search elsewhere.
- ⏳ Files are stored in the Recycle Bin for 30 days (by default), after which they are deleted automatically.
- 🔍 To open the basket, open the Files app, tap three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select the basket.
- ⚠️ If the Recycle Bin item is not on the menu, then you have never deleted files through this manager or your version. MIUI It does not support the function (relevant to old firmware).
Important: The Xiaomi file manager basket only stores files that have been deleted from internal memory or SD-Files deleted from cloud services (such as Mi Cloud or Google Drive) are not included in the file.
Open the Files app.
Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right
Select the basket item
Find the file you want and click Restore-->
Recycle Bin in the Gallery: How to Recover Deleted Photos and Videos
If you have deleted photos or videos through a standard Xiaomi gallery (Gallery or Photos), they will not be in the file manager basket.
- Open the Gallery app.
- Tap it on three points (⋮) Swipe right to open the side menu.
- Select the Cart item (or Recently Deleted in English).
- Hold your finger on the file for selection or tap on Restore Everything.
Features of the gallery basket on Mi 9:
- 🕒 Photos and videos are stored here for 15-60 days (depending on settings).
- 🗑️ If you delete a file from the recycle bin or clean it manually, it is no longer possible to restore it with standard means.
- 🌐 Files synced to Mi Cloud can be stored in the cloud bin for longer (up to 6 months).
💡
If you frequently delete a photo by mistake, turn on Deletion Confirmation in the Gallery settings: Settings → Deletion Confirmation.
Mi Cloud Recycle Bin: File Recovery via Xiaomi Account
If your Xiaomi Mi 9 is synced to Mi Cloud, you have a chance to recover files even after cleaning the local Recycle Bin.The cloud Recycle Bin works independently of the device and stores:
- 📸 Photo and video from the gallery (if synchronization is enabled).
- 📄 Documents and notes (if you used standard Xiaomi apps).
- 🔄 Backup copies of contacts, SMS and call logs.
To check the cloud cart:
- Open i.mi.com in your browser and log in.
- Go to the Gallery or Files section.
- Find the Cart (or Trash) tab.
- Select the files you need and click Restore.
⚠️ Note: files in the cloud bin are stored for a maximum of 6 months. After that, they are deleted without recovery. Also note that the free tariff of Mi Cloud provides only 5 GB - if the space runs out, old files can be deleted automatically.
Yeah, synchronizing everything.|Only photos and contacts|No, I don't trust clouds.|I don't know what it is.-->
What to do if the cart is empty or files are deleted forever
If you didn't find files in any of the bins, it doesn't always mean they're lost forever.
| Method of recovery | When it helps | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery Programs (DiskDigger, EaseUS MobiSaver) | Files deleted recently and not overwritten | Requires root rights for deep scanning |
| Backup copy of Google (Google Photos, Google Drive) | If automatic synchronization has been enabled | Recover only files that have been uploaded to the cloud |
| Local MIUI backup (Settings → About Phone → Backup) | If you were manually backup. | Recovers only system data, not individual files |
| Appeal for Xiaomi support | If files are critically important (e.g. documents) | The chances are minimal if there is no backup in the Mi Cloud |
⚠️ Note: If you delete files and continue to actively use your phone (install apps, take photos, download data), the chances of recovery drop dramatically, because the new data overwrites the memory sectors where previously deleted files were stored. The faster you start acting, the higher the probability of success.
How Data Recovery Programs Work
How to set up a cart on Xiaomi Mi 9, so as not to lose files
To avoid future data loss, set the cart settings in advance. Here's what you can do:
- ⏳ Increase the storage period: in the file manager go to Settings → Basket → Storage period and select the maximum value (up to 60 days).
- ☁️ Enable automatic sync with Mi Cloud or Google Photos for photo/video.
- 🔄 Create local backups of important files through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
- 🚫 Turn off automatic cart cleaning in optimization settings (Security) → Cleanup).
We also recommend using third-party file managers with advanced shopping cart features, such as:
- Solid Explorer – supports cloud carts and encryption.
- FX File Explorer allows you to configure multiple baskets for different file types.
- ES Conductor – has a built-in restore wizard (but requires caution with permissions).
💡
Even with synchronization enabled, Mi Cloud doesn’t store all file types, and important documents (PDF, DOCX) are better duplicated in Google Drive or Dropbox.
Frequent mistakes when working with the basket on Xiaomi Mi 9
Many users lose files because they don't understand how the Recycle Bin works in MIUI, and here are some of the most common mistakes:
- Delete files through the "Conductor" Windows when connecting the phone over USB. In this case, the files are deleted irrevocably, bypassing the Xiaomi basket.
- Clearing cache or app data (such as gallery) through Settings → Apps. This can result in the loss of not only cached files, but also original files.
- Ignoring memory overflow notifications: When the device runs out of space, MIUI can automatically clear the cart ahead of schedule.
- Resetting the phone to factory settings without backing up, which deletes all the data, including the contents of the shopping cart.
⚠️ Note: If you use a memory card (SD) In Xiaomi Mi 9, note that the cart for it may work differently. MIUI Do not save deleted files from external drives to the recycle bin. SD-Always check the contents on your computer.