Where is the basket on Xiaomi Redmi 12: detailed instructions with pictures

Why can’t users find a cart on Redmi 12?

Xiaomi Redmi 12 smartphones run on the proprietary MIUI shell, which hides some system folders from the user by default, this is done to simplify the interface, but often leads to confusion: device owners can not find the basket where deleted files temporarily go. Unlike Windows or macOS, where the basket is visible on the desktop, on Android (and MIUI in particular), its location depends on the type of files and application through which they were deleted.

The main problem is that Redmi 12 doesn’t have a single basket for all file types, and instead each file manager or application (gallery, downloads, documents) has its own folder for temporarily storing deleted data, such as photos from the standard Gallery that end up in one basket and files from the File Manager end up in another, and if you delete a file through a third-party application (like Google Photos), you should look for it there.

In this article, we will look at all possible locations on the Redmi 12 Recycle Bin, including hidden system folders, and how to recover deleted files if they are missing from the Recycle Bin, and pay special attention to the differences between MIUI versions (e.g. MIUI 14 and HyperOS), as the interface may differ.

Recycle Bin in the standard Xiaomi Gallery

If you delete photos or videos through the Gallery app (a flower icon), they are taken to the MIUI internal shopping cart to find it:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (menu) in the lower right corner.
3. Select the basket item (urn icon).

In this folder, files are stored for 30 days (by default), after which they are automatically deleted.

• 🗑️ Restore files – click on them, then select Restore.
• 🧹 Clean the cart completely - Clean the button in the upper right corner.
• ⏳ Change the storage period - in the settings of the gallery (Settings) → Basket).

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If the gallery menu does not have a “Basket” option, update the app via Google Play or check the display settings: sometimes the option is hidden in Settings → Show hidden albums.

Important: If you delete files through Google Photos, they will end up in the Google Photos Recycle Bin, not MIUI.

1. Open Google Photos.
2. Slip on the profile avatar. → Basket.

The Recycle Bin in the MIUI File Manager

Files deleted through the Files app (yellow folder icon) are placed in a separate bin to open it:

1. Run Files (if there is no shortcut, search through the application search).
2. In the bottom menu, select Categories (three square icon).
3. Scroll down and tap the basket.

Here are stored:

• 📄 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel).
• 🎵 Audio files (MP3, WAV).
• 🎬 Videos (if not removed through the gallery).
• 📁 Archives (ZIP, RAR).

Unlike a gallery, you can set exceptions for certain types of files here, for example, so that the video doesn't get into the bin, but is deleted immediately:

1. Open the files. → Settings (cogs at the top).
2. Choose the Recycle Bin → Exceptions.
3. Add file extensions (such as.mp4) that must be permanently deleted.

Make sure important files are restored

Check the shelf life (30 days by default)

Export the necessary files to the PC or cloud

- Turn off auto cleaning if required-->

Hidden System Recycle Bin folder: How to Access

On the Redmi. 12 All deleted files from standard applications MIUI Physically stored in a hidden system folder: /storage/emulated/0/.recycle_bin

To see it, you need to:

1. Use a file manager (e.g. Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden folders in the manager settings.
3. Cross the path /storage/emulated/0/ and find the file.recycle_bin.

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folder.recycle_bin It contains subfolders for each file type (e.g. image, video, doc) and do not manually delete them, which can disrupt the shopping cart. MIUI.

Inside you'll find:

⚠️ Note: Do not change the name of the folders inside.recycle_bin And don't move files from there manually, which can cause the cart to malfunction. MIUI, Files will no longer be restored through the standard interface.

How to recover files if the basket is empty

If files are lost or deleted from the Recycle Bin (for example, via ES Explorer or Root Explorer), try the following methods:

1.Recovery through Mi Cloud

If Redmi 12 is synced to Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
2. Select Gallery or Files (depending on the type of data).
3. Check the Recycle Bin section in cloud storage.

2. Data recovery programs

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

• 🛠️ DiskDigger (free version restores photos).
• 🔍 Recuva (requires root rights for full scanning).
• 📱 EaseUS MobiSaver (paid, but with trial period).

⚠️ Warning: The more you use your smartphone after deleting files, the lower your chances of recovering them. New data overwrites old memory sectors. Shut down the Internet and don't install programs until you recover them.

3. Connection to PC

If the smartphone is defined as a removable disk:

1. Connect Redmi 12 to your computer via USB (File Transfer Mode).
2. Use Recuva or PhotoRec to scan your internal memory.
3. Search for files by signatures (e.g..jpg,.mp4).

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To increase the chances of recovery, format the memory card (if the files were on it) in FAT32 before scanning.

How to turn off the cart on Redmi 12 (and why it’s a bad idea)

Some users want to disable the cart so that files are deleted immediately, and you can do that, but we don't recommend that, because without the cart, the chances of recovering accidentally erased data are almost zero.

If you still want to turn it off,

1. For Gallery: Settings → Cart → Autocleaning → Disable.
2. For File Manager: Files → Settings → Recycle Bin → Store deleted files → Turn off.

After the shutdown:

• ❌ The files will be deleted irrevocably.
• ❌ Nothing can be restored, even through programs.
• ❌ System folders.recycle_bin stop updating.

⚠️ Note: On some HyperOS firmware (e.g. HyperOS 1.0 for Redmi 12), disabling the cart may cause errors in the Gallery. If the application starts to freeze after changes, reset its settings: Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the data.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Redmi 12 users often face the following problems:

1.The basket won't open

Causes and solutions:

• 🔄 Application Failure: Clear the Gallery or Files cache in the settings.
• 📱 An outdated version MIUI: Update the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🚫 Lack of rights: If you use a third-party file manager, give them access to the storage.

2.The files disappeared from the basket ahead of schedule

Possible causes:

• 🧹 Auto Cleanup enabled (check in basket settings).
• 📉 Lack of space on the device (MIUI Can clean the basket when there is a lack of memory).
• 🔄 Resetting settings or updating firmware (basket cleared when reset).

3. The Recycle Bin does not show all deleted files

This happens if:

• 📁 Files deleted through another app (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram have their own shopping carts).
• 🌐 Files were in the cloud (check the Mi Cloud or Google Drive Recycle Bin).
• 🔧 Files deleted from memory card (on the SD-basket-card MIUI doesn't work).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions