You accidentally deleted an important file on your Xiaomi Redmi 7A and can't find it now? Or just want to figure out how the remote storage system works on this smartphone? Unlike computers where the shopping cart is always in sight, on Android devices (especially on budget models like the Redmi 7A), this mechanism works differently. In this article, we will detail where to look for the basket, how to recover files and why they sometimes disappear irrevocably.
Xiaomi Redmi 7A, launched in 2019, is based on Xiaomi’s MIUI shell, and depending on the firmware version (MIUI 10, 11 or 12), the cart’s location and functionality may vary, and not all apps (like a standard explorer or gallery) support this feature, and we’ll look at all possible scenarios, from embedded tools to third-party solutions.
It's important to understand that on Android, the shopping cart is not a universal storage for all deleted files, but separate "junk bins" in each application (gallery, files, cloud). If you're looking for a specific document or photo, first determine which application it was deleted from, which will save time and nerves.
Where is the basket in the standard gallery Xiaomi
The most common way users search for a cart is after they delete photos or videos. In Redmi 7A, the Gallery app (an icon with a flower) is responsible for this.
- Open the Gallery app (if it is not on the home screen, find it in the menu of all apps).
- Slip along three horizontal lines (☰) in the upper left corner or swipe to the right to open the side menu.
- In the list, find the item Cart (sometimes called Recently Deleted).
- Inside, you will see all files deleted in the last 30 days (default storage period).
If the item is not on the menu, it can mean:
- 📱 You use a third-party gallery (e.g. Google Photos).
- 🔧 Function disabled in the application settings.
- 🗑️ Recycle Bin is empty (files are only stored for 30 days, then deleted permanently).
💡
To increase the storage life of files in the Recycle Bin to 60 days, go to Gallery Settings → Recycle Bin → Retention Period (not available on all versions of MIUI).
Inside the basket, you can:
- 🔄 Recover files – select the necessary ones and click the restore button at the bottom of the screen.
- 🗑️ Clean the Recycle Bin - delete all files forever (free up space in memory).
- 📤 Export – save files to another location (e.g., to a location) SD-map).
⚠️ Note: If you deleted files through Google Photos, look for them in the Recycle Bin of this app (opens through the menu in the upper left corner.
Basket in the Files appendix (conductor)
The standard MIUI Explorer (Files with folder icon) also has its own shopping cart, but it works differently than in a gallery, and it stores not only media files, but also documents, APKs, archives and other data, to find it:
- Open the Files app.
- Go to the Category tab (bottom of the screen).
- Scroll down and find the Recycle Bin section (may be called Deleted Files).
If there is no section, check:
- 🔍 Files version (update via Play Market if it is outdated).
- 📁 Conductor settings: Go to Settings → Recycle bin and turn on the function.
- 🛠️ Maybe on your version. MIUI The basket in the conductor is disabled by default (relevant to the MIUI 10).
| MIUI version | The presence of a basket in the Files | Storage period |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 10 | Missing or disabled | — |
| MIUI 11 | Got it (on manually) | 15 days |
| MIUI 12+ | There's a default. | 30 days |
In the Explorer Recycle Bin, you can restore files back to the original folder or delete them forever. Note that if you cleaned the Recycle Bin in the gallery, the files will not appear in the Explorer - these are different storages!
How to recover files if the basket is empty
If you don't find deleted files in the gallery or the explorer's shopping cart, it doesn't always mean they're lost forever.
- Check out cloud storage: 🌥️ Mi Cloud (if synchronization was enabled). ☁️ Google Drive or Google Photos (automatic backup).
Use third-party apps
- 🛠️ DiskDigger (Scanning Internal Memory).
- 🔍 Recuva (requires root rights for deep scanning).
- Connect your phone to your PC and scan the memory with programs like EaseUS Data Recovery.
If there is no such item, then your version of MIUI does not support this function.
- 📅 Check your cart regularly and restore important files manually.
- ☁️ Set up automatic backup in Mi Cloud or Google Photos.
- 📁 Use third-party file managers (such as Solid Explorer) where you can configure your shopping cart.
- 📤 Google Photos: Install the app from Play Market. Enable Backup and Sync in Settings. Select the quality of the save (High or Original).
Also useful:
- 🔄 Regularly copy important files to SD-card.
- 📁 Use cloud services like Yandex Drive or Dropbox for critical documents.
- 🛡️ Install applications to protect against accidental removal (for example, Dumpster – universal shopping cart for Android).
Frequent mistakes of users when working with the basket
Many Redmi 7A owners are facing the same problems.
- 🚫 Clean the Recycle Bin without checking – files are deleted forever and it will be difficult to recover them.
- 🚫 Ignore memory overflow notifications – the system can automatically clear the cart.
- 🚫 Delete the Gallery or Files apps – this can result in the loss of access to the shopping cart.
- 🚫 Disable sync with Mi Cloud without alternative backup.