Where in the phone Xiaomi is a basket of deleted files and how to return lost data

Delete an important file on Xiaomi and don't know where to look for a cart? you're not alone: many users face this problem, especially after switching from iOS or Windows, where the basket is always in sight. MIUI File deletion works differently – and this often causes confusion.

Unlike computers where deleted files are sent to a single bin, Xiaomi smartphones use separate storage for different types of data. Photos, videos, documents and applications can have their own shopping carts — or none at all. Moreover, in some cases, files are deleted irreversibly immediately after clicking Delete, without the possibility of recovery through standard means. Why this happens and how to avoid it, we will discuss below.

If you have recently deleted a file, you still have a chance of returning it, but you need to act quickly: the system automatically clears the baskets after 15-30 days (depending on the version). MIUI). Next, you will find detailed instructions on where to search for remote data on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO.

1. Where is the photo and video basket

The most obvious shopping cart on Xiaomi is the album "Recently Deleted" in the standard Gallery app, which works similarly to the cart on the iPhone or Google Photos, but with important nuances:

🔹 Storage period: files remain on the album for 30 days (in the MIUI They are then automatically and irrevocably deleted.

🔹 Volume Limit: If the device runs out of space, the system can clear the cart early.

🔹 Exceptions: files deleted through Google Files or third-party applications (e.g, ES The guide, this album is not included.

To find the album:

1. Open the Gallery app (an icon with a floral logo).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) lower-right.
3. Select the Album item → Scroll down to the Utilities section.
4. Click on Recently Deleted.

Inside the album, you'll see all the deleted photos and videos from the last 30 days.

1. Select the necessary files (long press → ticks).
2. Click Restore in the lower menu.
3. Select a folder to save (by default - Gallery).

⚠️ Note: If you deleted files through Google Photos, look for them in the shopping cart of this application (section Library) → The cart. It's 60 days, but only if you've got sync on.

2. Recycle bin for documents and other files

With documents, archives, APK And other types of files, it's more complicated. MIUI There is no single basket for all data – instead, the garbage mechanism in the Files application is used (it is File Manager or Explorer depending on the firmware version).

🔹 How it works:

• 📁 Files deleted through Files → Internal memory, enter the garbage folder and store it for 15 days.
• 🗑️ Files deleted through SD-map USB-They are not retrieved (there are no retrievable baskets for them!).
• 🔄 If you delete a file via a PC (by connecting your phone as a flash drive), it will also disappear forever.

To find and recover files:

1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
2. Go to the Categories section (bottom of the screen).
3. Scroll down and select Garbage (or Recycle Bin in global versions) MIUI).
4. Select the files you need and click Restore.

If the garbage folder is not on the menu, it means:

• 📱 You have an outdated version. MIUI (11th - there was no basket there.
• 🔧 The function is disabled in the settings (check Settings). → Warehouse → Garbage).
• 🚫 Files were not deleted through standard conductor.

Make sure the file is deleted no more than 15 days ago|

Check the free space on the device (minimum 10% of the memory capacity)|

Disable energy saving modes (they may interrupt the process)|

Do not connect your phone to your PC during recovery-->

3.Why files can disappear from the cart early

Even if you didn't manually clean the trash, the files in it can disappear early.

The most dangerous situation is when the system deletes files from the recycle bin without notice.

• 📉 Free space on the phone is less than 500 MB.
• 🔄 You haven’t restarted the device for a long time (the system clears the cache when rebooting).
• 📱 You have enabled the autoclean function in Settings → Battery and productivity.

⚠️ Note: If you delete files from SD-cards or external drives, they can not be restored through standard means MIUI. In this case, only specialized software (for example, DiskDigger or Recuva) will help, but the chances of success are minimal.

4.How to recover files if the shopping cart is already cleaned

If files are missing from the recycle bin or deleted without it, there are three options:

🔧 Method 1: Checking backup copies

Xiaomi smartphones automatically back up some data if the Mi Cloud function is enabled:

1. Open the Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi-cloud.
2. Select the backup of the device.
3. Check the date of the last copy. If it was made before you deleted the files, restore the data from there.

⚠️ Limitations:

• 📸 Photos and videos are reserved only if the synchronization of the Gallery is enabled. → Settings → Synchronization with Mi Cloud.
• 📄 Documents and APK not automatically reserved.
• 💾 The volume of free storage is only 5 GB.

🔧 Method 2: Use of PC and specialized software

For deep scanning of the phone memory, programs are suitable:

• 🖥️ DiskDigger (there is a version for Android with root rights and without).
• 🖥️ Recuva (requires to connect your phone to your PC in mode) MTP).
• 🖥️ EaseUS MobiSaver (paid but with free trial period).

📌 It's important:

• 🛑 Do not write new files to your phone after deleting them – they can overwrite deleted data.
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC only after installing the software – unnecessary connections reduce the chances of recovery.
• 🔍 The scan can take several hours (depending on the amount of memory).

🔧 Method 3: Contacting a Service Center

If the files are critical (such as working documents or only photos), you can try contacting Xiaomi Service Center.

• 💰 Service paid (from 1,500-3000) ₽ depending on the complexity).
• ⏳ Recovery time: 3-7 days.
• 🔒 There is no 100% guarantee (especially if the memory has been overwritten).

💡

If you delete files from SD-Take it out of your phone and connect it to your PC through a card reader, which will increase your chances of recovery, as you reduce the risk of overwriting data.

5. How to permanently delete files without passing the shopping cart

Sometimes you have to completely erase files so they don't get into the trash and can't be restored.

🗑️ Method 1: Delete through Retention Files

1. Open the Files app.
2. Find the file you want, hold it with your finger.
3. In the menu that appears, select Delete Forever (not just Delete!).

🗑️ Method 2: Use Safe Mode

If you want to delete system files or application residues:

🗑️ Method 3: Formatting

For full cleaning. SD-card or partition of internal memory:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Select Cleanup. → Additionally. → Format.
3. Confirm the action (all data will be erased irrevocably).

⚠️ Note: Even after "complete" deletion, files can be recovered using professional hardware (e.g., with the help of a "complete" deletion, PC-3000). If you need to erase data (for example, before selling your phone), use the Reset to factory settings function with the Clean All Data option enabled (in Settings). → The phone. → Resetting settings).

6. How to protect files from accidental deletion

To avoid losing important data, follow these tips:

🔒 1. Set up automatic backups

• 📸 For photo: Gallery → Settings → Synchronization with Mi-Cloud (or Google Photos).
• 📄 For documents: use Google Drive or Yandex Drive with autoload.
• 📱 For contacts and SMS: Settings → System and device → Backup.

🔒 2. Create local copies

• 💾 Regularly copy important files to SD-map USB-accumulator.
• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and transfer data manually (for example, to a folder on your desktop).

🔒 3.Use cloud services

The most reliable options for Xiaomi:

• 🌥️ Mi Cloud (5GB free, deep integration with the MIUI).
• 🌥️ Google Photos (unlimited storage of compressed photos, 15 GB for originals).
• 🌥️ Yandex Drive (10GB free, easy to use for documents).

🔒 4. Set up a password for important folders

V MIUI You can hide and protect folders:

1. Open the files. → Internal memory.
2. Hold the folder. → Password-protected.
3. Set a PIN or pattern lock.

7. Frequent mistakes when working with a basket on Xiaomi

Many users lose files due to ignorance of features MIUI. Here are the most common mistakes:

❌ Error 1: Delete via PC in mode MTP

When you connect your phone to your computer like a flash drive, files are deleted past the trash. Always transfer files manually, rather than delete them through Windows Explorer.

❌ Error 2: Using the "Cleaning" function in the settings

Section Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning removes files from the trash without recovery. Always check before cleaning what data will be erased.

❌ Mistake 3: Ignoring Memory Shortage Notifications

When less than 1GB of free space is left on your phone, the system automatically cleans the carts.

❌ Error 4: Delete files through third-party explorers

Apps like this ES The Explorer or Total Commander often has their own baskets (or none at all:

❌ Error 5: Resetting your phone without backup

Reset function to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Setting reset) erases all data, including the contents of the carts. Always back up before resetting!

💡

The Xiaomi Recycle Bin is not a guarantee of file safety; it only works for certain types of data and has a limited shelf life. Use cloud services or regular backups to securely store important files.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions