Where to look for deleted files in Xiaomi: Recycle Bin, Cloud and Hidden Folders

You accidentally deleted important photos, documents or videos on a Xiaomi smartphone and now you don't know where to look for them? Unlike computers where files first go to the Recycle Bin, the deletion mechanism works differently on Android devices. However, there are several hidden places in MIUI firmware where deleted data can be temporarily stored, from an embedded cart to cloud backup. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to find and recover lost files on Redmi, POCO and other Xiaomi models.

It’s important to understand that the chances of recovery depend on how long ago files were deleted, whether memory cleanup features (e.g. Security Optimization) were used after that, and whether the cloud backup was enabled. We’ll look at both standard MIUI tools and third-party solutions, with their pros and cons. If you act quickly (within 30 days of deletion), the success rate is up to 85% for gallery and cloud files.

1. Built-in Recycle Bin in MIUI: Where to look for deleted files

With MIUI 12, Xiaomi's firmware has introduced the Recycle Bin, a computer-like feature where files are stored for 30 days before being deleted, but it doesn't work for all data types.

• 📷 Photos and videos (from the Gallery app)
• 📄 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel – if deleted through Files)
• 🎵 Audio files (only when deleted through a standard file manager)

To check the basket:

1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
2. In the bottom menu, tap on the basket (dumpster icon).
3. Select the files you need, click Restore.

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If there is no Recycle Bin icon, update the Files app via Google Play or enable the display of hidden folders in the file manager settings.

Please note: The cart does not work for:

• 📂 Files deleted through third-party managers (e.g, ES Conductor).
• 📱 Application data (cache, settings, game saving).
• 🔄 Files deleted from memory card (for internal memory only).

2.Mi Cloud Cloud Storage: Recovery from Backup

If your Xiaomi had Mi Cloud sync enabled, the deleted files could be saved to the cloud, which works even if you reset your phone to factory settings.

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select Gallery, Notes or Contacts (depending on the file type).
3. Check the Remote or Archive folder.

In Mi Cloud, files are stored for up to 60 days after deletion, which is twice as long as in the local shopping cart.

• 📲 Free account provides only 5 GB of space (if you exceed the old files are deleted automatically).
• 🔒 Some data types (e.g. messages from Mi Messages) are not synchronized.
• 🌐 Internet access is required for recovery.

If the files are not found in the cloud, check the sync settings:

Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Data Synchronization

Make sure that the switches opposite the Gallery, Notes and other desired partitions are active (green).

3. Hidden folders: where Xiaomi stores temporary and deleted data

MIUI firmware creates several hidden folders where deleted files can remain, and these folders are not displayed in the standard file manager, but can be accessed through ES Explorer or Root Explorer (superuser rights required).

To see hidden folders without root rights:

1. Install ES Explorer from Google Play.
2. Open the side menu, select Settings → Display hidden files.
3. Follow one of the paths from the table above.

4. Computer Recovery: Deep Scanning Programs

If the files are not found in the cart or cloud, then the last chance is to use specialized programs to recover data from the internal memory of the smartphone.

• 🔋 The phone has enough charge (at least 50%).
• 🔌 Used by the original USB-cable (cheap cables can interrupt the connection).
• 🛑 After deleting files, no new data was recorded on the phone (this reduces the chances of recovery).

The best recovery programs:

• 💻 EaseUS MobiSaver – supports Xiaomi and restores photos, videos, messages.
• 🖥️ Dr.Fone (Wondershare) – works with internal and external memory, but requires root for deep scanning.
• 📱 DiskDigger – there is a version for Android (can be used without a PC).

Enable debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap)

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC (download from en.miui.com)

Charge your phone to 100%

Disable screen lock (PIN/pattern lock)

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The following steps are taken for EaseUS MobiSaver:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Start the program, select the type of files to scan (for example, Photos and videos).
3. Click Scan and wait until the process is over (may take up to 1 hour).
4. View the files found, mark the necessary ones and click Restore.

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Don’t save recovered files back to your phone – use a PC or cloud to prevent overwriting and increase the chances of restoring files.

5. Features of recovery on different models Xiaomi

The algorithm for working with deleted files may vary depending on the model and version of MIUI, the following are the key differences for popular series:

For models on MIUI 12 and older (e.g. Redmi 9), the cart may not be available, in which case the only recovery options are:

• 🔍 Use Mi Cloud (if synchronization is enabled).
• 💾 Connect your phone to your PC and scan your memory with programs like Recuva.
• 🔧 Contact the service center (if files are critically important).

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On POCO, before recovery, disable MIUI Optimization in the battery settings – it can interrupt the scan.

6. How to prevent future data loss

To avoid looking for deleted files, you should set up your backup beforehand. MIUI has several tools for this:

1. Automatic sync with Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Autoboot Enable options for Gallery, Contacts and Notes.
2. Local backup: Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local backup Create backups to a memory card once a week.
3. Google Photos: Install the app and enable Backup and Sync in its settings.

Additional precautions:

• 📁 Regularly transfer important files to a PC or external drive.
• 🔄 Do not use the Security Garbage Cleanup feature without checking.
• 🛡️ Set a password to folders with sensitive data (for example, through AppLock).

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Even if you don't use Mi Cloud, back up your contacts in your Google Account, which will take 2 minutes, but saves the data when you reset your phone.

7. Frequent errors in file recovery

Many Xiaomi users make critical mistakes that reduce the chances of recovery to zero.

⚠️ Warning: Never install recovery software on your phone, it will overwrite deleted data. Use only PCs or cloud services.

Top.-5 mistake:

1. Continued use of the phone after deletion – new files (photos, messages, updates) overwrite old data.
2. Use cleaning functions (Optimization, Deep Cleaning) – they delete temporary files where “traces” may have been stored.
3. Resetting to factory settings without pre-scanning – it finally erases all data.
4. Connect to a PC in Charge mode instead of File Transfer – Recovery programs won’t see the phone’s memory.
5. Ignoring root rights – without them, many programs scan only the surface layer of memory.

If you've already made one of these mistakes, your chances of recovery drop dramatically, and then all that remains is:

• 🔧 Contact the service center (for physical recovery of the memory chip).
• 💰 Use paid services of laboratories (cost from 5 000) ₽).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions