You accidentally deleted important photos, videos or documents from your Xiaomi smartphone and now you don't know how to return them? Don't panic - MIUI has a built-in Recycle Bin that temporarily stores deleted files before final erasure. However, its location and how it works depends on the firmware version, file type and even the device model. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to find the Recycle Bin on Redmi, POCO or Mi, recover data from it, and also tell you what to do if files are lost without the possibility of returning.
It's important to understand that the shopping cart in Xiaomi doesn't work like it does on a computer. There's no single garbage can for all types of files -- photos, videos and documents can be stored in different places. Moreover, in some versions of the MIUI, the shopping cart can be turned off by default or hidden in the depths of settings, and we'll show you exactly where to look for deleted data depending on your situation.
Where is the photo and video cart in Xiaomi
On most Xiaomi smartphones (especially those with MIUI 12-14), the media basket is built into the standard Gallery app, but its location may vary depending on the firmware version.
- 📱 MIUI 14 (new models): Open the Gallery → tap three points in the upper right corner → Select Recycle Bin (or Recently Deleted) Files are stored here for 30 days, and then deleted permanently.
- 📱 MIUI 12–13 (old models): In the Gallery swipe left to the end → If you don't have one, update the app through Google Play.
- 📱 POCO Launcher: On some devices POCO The shopping cart may be called Album Archive and hidden in the gallery settings menu → Archives.
If you don't find the basket in the gallery, check if it's turned off in the settings.
- Open the gallery. → Settings (⚙️).
- Find the Recycle Bin or Deleted Files section.
- Make sure that the Save Deleted Files slider is turned on.
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If the gallery basket is empty but you’re sure you’ve deleted files recently, try restarting your phone – sometimes MIUI doesn’t immediately display deleted data.
Recycle Bin for Documents and Other Files: Where to Look
Unlike photos and videos, documents (.pdf,.docx,.xlsx), archives and other files in Xiaomi don’t always end up in the shopping cart.
- 🗃️ Delete through Explorer: Files are sent to the Recycle Bin MIUI, which is in the conductor → Recycle bin (Lumpster icon at the bottom menu) 15 days shelf life.
- 🗃️ Delete via Google Files: If you use this app, the shopping cart is in Google Files → Recycle Bin (available only when logged in to Google account).
- ⚠️ Delete via third-party file managers (e.g, ES Explorer or Solid Explorer: In this case, files are permanently deleted because third-party apps are not integrated with the Recycle Bin MIUI.
If you deleted a file through Explorer but don’t see it in the Recycle Bin, check:
- Wasn't the file deleted from SD-Cards – on external drives, the basket does not work.
- Is the storage limit exceeded (usually up to 5 GB for the basket).
- Is sync with Mi Cloud disabled – sometimes it affects the display of files.
How to recover files from Xiaomi shopping cart
Finding the cart is only half the battle, and now you need to restore the files properly so that you don't lose them permanently.
Recovery of photos and videos from the gallery
- Open the gallery. → Basket.
- Select the files you want (tap and hold for multiple selections).
- Click Restore (the icon with the arrow down).
- Files will return to the folder from which they were deleted (for example, Camera or Downloads).
Recovery of documents from the Conductor
- Enter the Conductor. → Basket.
- Find the file and tap three dots next to it.
- Select Restore - the file will return to the original folder.
If the Recover button is inactive or files are not returned, try:
- 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes MIUI «It is “hanging” when it is restored.
- 📁 Check the free space on the device – if the memory is less than 10%, the recovery may be blocked.
- 🔗 Connect to Mi Cloud – some files are only recovered through the cloud.
☑️ Pre-reconstruction checks
What to do if the cart is empty or the files are gone forever
If you don't find the files in the recycle bin, it doesn't always mean they're lost forever.
1. Check backups in Mi Cloud
Xiaomi automatically syncs photos and some documents to the Mi Cloud cloud if the feature is enabled.
- Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Select the Gallery or Files.
- Check if you have the data in the cloud, and if you do, download it back.
2.Use third-party recovery programs
If the files are not in the cart or in the cloud, you can try programs like DiskDigger, Recuva (for PC) or EaseUS MobiSaver.
- ⚠️ Do not install programs on the same disk where the files were deleted – this will reduce the chances of recovery.
- ⚠️ Do not write new data to your device before recovery – they can overwrite deleted files.
3. Contact the service center
If files are critical (for example, work documents or only photos), and self-recovery did not help, you can contact the Xiaomi service center.
- 💰 Costs expensive (from 3000 to 10,000) ₽ depending on the complexity).
- ⏳ Takes time (from 2-5 days).
- 🔒 Does not guarantee 100% results – if the data is overwritten, it may not be possible to return it.
Can I recover files after resetting to factory settings?
How to set up a shopping cart in Xiaomi for secure file storage
To avoid future data loss, set up the cart correctly. Here are the key parameters:
| Parameter | Where to set up | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Storage period in the basket | Gallery → Settings → Basket | 30 days (maximum) |
| Cart cleaning | Conductor → Settings → Basket | Disable (so that files are not automatically deleted) |
| Synchronization with Mi Cloud | Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud | Insert (for backup) |
| Basket size limit | Conductor → Settings → Basket | 5GB (maximum for most models) |
We also recommend:
- 🔄 Regularly check the Recycle Bin and clean unnecessary files manually to keep up with the limit.
- ☁️ Enable automatic photo upload to Google Photos or Mi Cloud as an additional backup.
- 📱 Use the Developer Mode for debugging USB, If you are planning to recover data via PC.
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Even if the Recycle Bin is turned on, it doesn't protect against data loss when resetting to factory settings or memory damage.Always duplicate important files to the cloud or to an external drive.
Common mistakes when working with the Xiaomi basket
Many users lose files due to ignorance of the nuances of the Recycle Bin in MIUI. Here are the most common errors and how to avoid them:
⚠️ Note: If you delete the file from SD-The cards will be erased through the Conductor, and it will not be in the basket and will be erased forever. MIUI It only works with internal memory.
- 🚫 Cleaning the cart manually without checking the contents. Many users click Clear the cart without making sure it doesn't have the right files.
- 🚫 Using third-party file managers to delete. ES The conductor bypasses the basket MIUI and erase files immediately.
- 🚫 Disable sync with Mi Cloud. Without the cloud, it will be impossible to recover files after the storage period in the Recycle Bin.
- 🚫 Ignoring bin overflow notifications: If the limit is exceeded, no new deleted files will be saved.
Another common problem is that the cart doesn't show up in the gallery after the MIUI update, which may be because of:
- 🔄 Failure of the Gallery app (helps reinstallation via Google Play).
- 📱 Incompatibility with custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU).
- 🔧 Disabled system permissions for Gallery (check in Settings) → Annexes → Permits).