Removed File Recycle Bin on Xiaomi Redmi: Where to Find, How to Recover, and Why It Might Disappear

Why Xiaomi Redmi doesn’t have a shopping cart — and where do deleted files actually go?

You deleted a big file on Xiaomi Redmi, and then you realized you needed one, and the first thought is to look in the cart like you're on a computer. But MIUI is different. There's no single basket for all types of files, and the recovery mechanism depends on how you deleted the data and what application you used.

Unlike Windows or macOS, where the Recycle Bin is a system folder, Redmi’s shopping carts are scattered across different services: Gallery, Files, Google Photos, and even cloud storage like Mi Cloud. Moreover, in some cases files are permanently deleted immediately after clicking Delete — without the possibility of recovery. In order not to lose data forever, it is important to understand where to look and how to act in the first minutes after deletion.

Where to look for a basket in standard Xiaomi Redmi apps

On Xiaomi Redmi smartphones (including Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11, POCO X5, etc.), the basket can be hidden in three main places, depending on the file type.

1. The basket in the Gallery appendix (photo and video)

If you delete a photo or video through the standard MIUI Gallery, the file will be placed in a temporary bin, which will be stored for 30 days (by default).

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) top-right.
3. Select Recycle Bin (or Remote in older versions of MIUI).
4. Click on the file and select Restore.

⚠️ Note: If the Recycle Bin function is disabled in the gallery settings, the files will be permanently deleted. → Basket.

2. basket in the Files app (documents, APK, downloads)

For other file types (PDF, Word, APK, archives, etc.), the shopping cart is available in the Files (Folder icon) application.

1. Open Files (or File Manager on global firmware).
2. Go to the Categories section (bottom of the screen).
3. Select the Recycle Bin (or Deleted Files).
4. Keep your finger on the file. → Restore.

🔹 Important: In some versions MIUI The Files basket is disabled by default to activate it:

Files → Settings (⚙) → Show Recycle Bin → Enable

3. Recycle Bin in Google Photos (if sync is enabled)

If your Redmi is synced to Google Photos, the deleted photos and videos are sent to a cloud basket that is stored for 60 days to recover:

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Tap on the profile avatar. → Basket.
3. Select files and click Restore.

⚠️ If you delete files from the Google Photos Recycle Bin, it will be impossible to restore them – they will be erased forever.

How to recover files if the basket is empty or not

It gets complicated if you don't find a file in the bin or it doesn't show up at all, and there are a number of ways to get the data back -- but it doesn't always work.

1. Check cloud backups

If Redmi enabled sync with Mi Cloud or Google Drive, the files could be saved to the cloud:

• 📁 Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup. Check the Gallery or Files section.
• ☁️ Google Drive: Open the app, check Backups or Xiaomi folders.

2.Use third-party recovery programs

If files aren't synced, try specialized utilities like DiskDigger, Recuva (for PCs) or Dumpster, which scan your internal memory for residual data, and note that the more you use your phone after you delete it, the lower your chances of recovery.

🔹 Instructions for DiskDigger:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select Full Scan (requires root rights for deep search).
3. Wait for the process to be completed and mark the required files.
4. Save them to a memory card or to the cloud.

3. contact the service center (extreme case)

If files are critical (such as work documents or only photos) and self-recovery did not help, you can contact the Xiaomi service center.

• 💰 Costs expensive (from 5,000) ₽).
• ⏳ Takes 3-7 days.
• 🔒 Not guaranteeing 100% results.

💡

If you often work with important files, set up automatic backup to Mi Cloud or Google Drive. To do this, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Automatic Sync and enable the option for the desired data types.

Why Xiaomi Redmi’s Recycle Bin May Not Work

Sometimes users find that the shopping cart is not displayed or files disappear from it prematurely, and here are the main reasons and ways to eliminate them:

⚠️ Note: If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the standard shopping cart MIUI In this case, you can only restore files through third-party utilities or backups.

How to permanently delete files from the cart (if you don’t need them)

If you want to completely erase files from your shopping cart (for example, before selling your phone), do the following:

1. Cleaning the basket in "Gallery"

1. Open the gallery. → Basket.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right.
3. Choose Clear the basket.

2. Cleaning the basket in the Files

1. Open the Files → Recycle Bin.
2. Slip on Clear Everything (or select files manually and click Delete Forever).

3. Removal from Google Photos

1. Open Google Photos → Basket.
2. Click Clear the Recycle Bin or select files → Delete Forever.

🔹 Important: After cleaning the cart, files cannot be restored by standard means. If you sell or transfer a phone, also reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).

Comparison of baskets on Xiaomi Redmi and other brands

The mechanism of working with deleted files is different not only from Xiaomi, but also from other manufacturers.

As you can see from the table, Xiaomi offers a more fragmented approach: baskets are scattered across different applications, and their settings are often hidden, which can confuse newcomers, but gives more flexibility (for example, you can set different storage periods for photos and documents).

Frequent mistakes when working with the basket on Xiaomi Redmi

Many users lose files permanently due to ignorance of the nuances of MIUI, and here are the most common errors and how to avoid them:

• 🗑️ Delete files via Delete Forever: Some menus (like when viewing photos in the Gallery) have an option to Delete Forever that bypasses the shopping cart.Always check which button you click!
• ⏳ Ignoring retention period: By default, files in the Recycle Bin are stored for 30 days, then automatically deleted. If you need files longer, move them to another location or increase the period in the settings.
• 📱 Using third-party file managers: Applications like ES Explorer or Solid Explorer can delete files bypassing the system basket MIUI. Use only standard files.
• ☁️ Disable Cloud Sync: If you delete files that aren’t synced to Mi Cloud or Google Drive, it’s almost impossible to restore them.

💡

On Xiaomi Redmi, the cart is not a guarantee of file safety, but temporary storage. Always back up important data to the cloud or to an external drive.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about the Xiaomi Redmi Recycle Bin