Xiaomi Redmi 7 is still a popular smartphone among users who value balance of price and functionality, but even such a reliable device has its own features, such as an unobvious system for storing deleted files. If you accidentally erase a photo, document or video and now search for where the shopping cart on Redmi 7 is located, this article will help you to understand the nuances of MIUI and recover lost data.
Unlike computers, where the recycle bin is the only storage for all deleted files, Xiaomi smartphones are different. There is no universal “basket” for the entire device: its counterparts work only in individual applications (gallery, file manager, cloud), and in fact, some types of files are deleted irrevocably immediately after clicking “Delete”, unless you use special tools, then we will detail where to look for deleted data, how to restore it and what to do if standard methods do not work.
Why Redmi 7 doesn’t have a single cart like a PC
Many users who switch from Windows or macOS to Android expect to see a familiar shopping cart icon on their desktop, but MIUI (Xiaomi's firmware) does it differently. Here are the key reasons:
- 📱 Fragmented Storage System: Each application (gallery, file manager, instant messengers) manages its deleted files independently.
- 🗑️ Memory optimization: Xiaomi assumes that users often delete files consciously, so does not load the system with unnecessary “junk” folders.
- ☁️ Priority of cloud services: The company is actively promoting Mi Cloud, where deleted files can be stored longer than in local memory.
This means that the Recycle Bin on Redmi 7 exists, but only within specific applications, such as photos from the gallery being taken to the recently deleted ones, and files erased through Files (the standard manager) may disappear forever, and then we'll look at where to look for deleted data depending on the type of file.
Recycle Bin in the Gallery app: how to return photos and videos
If you delete a photo or video through the standard Gallery (or Google Photos) app, the chances of recovery are maximum. MIUI has a built-in folder called Recently Deleted, where files are stored for 30 days before final deletion, to find it:
- Open the Gallery app (icon with multi-colored squares).
- Slip on three horizontal lines (menu) in the lower right corner.
- Select Recycle Bin or Recently Deleted (name depends on MIUI version).
- Click on the file you want to restore and select Restore.
It is important to take into account several nuances:
- 📅 Storage period: Files are automatically cleared after 30 days.If the folder is full, old data can be deleted earlier.
- 🔄 Packet Recovery: You can select multiple files and restore them at the same time (hold your finger on one file, then mark the rest).
- 🚫 Limitations: Files deleted through other apps (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) will not appear in this folder.
What if the “Recently Deleted” folder is empty?
Warning: If you cleared the gallery cache or reset the app settings, the “Recently Deleted” folder could reset, in which case you can no longer recover files using standard means – you will need third-party utilities (we will discuss them below).
Recycle Bin in File Manager: Where to Look for Deleted Documents
With the standard File Manager app on Redmi 7, it's more complicated. Unlike the gallery, there's no built-in shopping cart, deleted files are erased immediately.
- Check the.Trash folder: Some versions of MIUI create a hidden folder to temporarily store deleted files. To find it, open Files → Categories → Local Storage. Enable the display of hidden files (three dots in the upper right corner → Show hidden files). Look for the.Trash or Recycle Bin folder.
Use your action history
Some firmware has a transaction log. Go to Files. → ⋮ (menu) → History. It can display the last deleted items.
If these methods did not work, then the files were deleted irrevocably, in which case only specialized recovery software (we will discuss it below) will help.
☑️ Check before file recovery
| File type | Where to find a basket | Storage period | Is it possible to recover after cleaning? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photos/video (Gallery) | Gallery → Bastard | 30 days | No (only through third-party utilities) |
| Documents (Files) | .Trash folder (if any) | 1-7 days or absent or absent | No. |
| Files from Mi Cloud | Mi Cloud → Cart (in the web version) | 60 days | Yes (via Xiaomi support) |
| Messages (SMS) | Application Messages → Basket | 30 days | No. |
File recovery via Mi Cloud: Cloud Recycle Bin
If your Redmi 7 is synced to Mi Cloud, the chances of returning deleted data are much higher. Xiaomi's cloud stores backups of photos, contacts, notes, and even some documents to check the cart in the cloud:
- Open your browser on your PC or phone and go to i.mi.com.
- Sign in with the same Mi Account as you do on your smartphone.
- Go to the basket section (the bin icon in the side menu).
- Select the files you need and click Restore.
Important rules for restoration:
- 🛑 Do not write new data to your device – this can overwrite deleted files.
- 🔌 Use a charged battery (the scanning process can take hours).
- 🔐 Root rights increase the chances of success, but getting them can void the warranty.
💡
The faster you start recovering from deletion, the better the chances of returning files, and each new entry to the device (photo, video, app installation) reduces the likelihood of success.
Warning: ⚠️ Be careful about programs that require root access, or that may cause you to lose your warranty or damage your system, or if you're not sure, contact your service center.
What to do if the cart is empty and files are not restored
If none of these methods worked, don't despair. There are a few other ways to get back the data you lost.
- Check other devices: It is possible that the files were sent to another gadget (tablet, PC) or saved in instant messengers (Telegram, Viber).
- Contact Xiaomi for support: If files were in Mi Cloud but disappeared from the Recycle Bin, contact support via mi.com/support. Provide exact dates and file names – sometimes they can be recovered from server backups.
- Use Google Backups: If your smartphone has been enabled to sync with your Google Account, check Google Drive (Basket section) or Google Photos.
If the files were critical (for example, working documents or only photos) and you could not recover them, consider contacting professional data recovery laboratories. The cost of the service starts from 5,000 rubles, but the chances of success are ~70%.
How to avoid data loss in the future
To avoid missing files, follow these simple rules:
- 🔄 Enable automatic reservation: Go to Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Backup and activate the option for photos, contacts and notes.
- 📁 Use cloud services: Set up autoload photos in Google Photos or Yandex.Disk. These services have their own carts with a long shelf life.
- 🛡️ Install a file manager with a basket: Applications like Solid Explorer or FX File Manager has a built-in basket for all types of files.
- 📱 Regularly check memory: Delete unnecessary files manually to prevent automatic cleaning due to space shortage.
Advice: Create a folder Archive on SD-You can move your important files to the cloud or map before you delete them, and you can't have to recover them in the future.