Where did the shopping cart on Xiaomi Redmi Note go? Where to look for deleted files in MIUI

You accidentally deleted an important photo or document on your Xiaomi Redmi Note and can't find a recycle bin to recover files? The problem is that the standard MIUI shell doesn't have the same Recycle Bin as you would on your computer or some other smartphone. But that doesn't mean files are gone forever. Depending on the type of data (photos, videos, documents) and how you delete it, you can still get it back, you know where to look.

In this article, we’ll break down 3 basic methods for searching for a Recycle Bin on Redmi Note (relevant to Note 8/9/10/11/12 and others based on MIUI 12–14), including hidden system folders, Mi Cloud cloud storage and third-party utilities, and learn why some files are permanently deleted after 30 days – and how to avoid this.

Why Xiaomi Redmi Note doesn’t have a shopping cart like other Android brands

Unlike Samsung smartphones (where there is a Recycle Bin folder in My Files) or Google Pixel (with a basket in Google Photos), the MIUI shell does not have a universal basket for all file types.

• 📁 File manager MIUI (Files) do not save deleted items – they are erased immediately.
• 🖼️ The gallery has its own shopping cart, but only for photos and videos (stores files for 30 days).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud can temporarily save backups, but not all users include this feature.
• 🗑️ Third-party applications (e.g, ES Conductor or Dumpster create their own baskets, but require pre-configuration.

So the Recycle Bin on Redmi Note is not a single repository, but a disparate tool for different types of data, so to find a deleted file, first determine how it was deleted:

⚠️ Note: If you delete the file through the Files → Delete (no confirmation), it disappears forever, in which case only recovery through the PC will help (section 5).

Method 1: Recycle Bin in the standard MIUI Gallery (for photos and videos)

If you delete a photo or video through the Gallery app, it ends up in a hidden bin where it's stored for exactly 30 days, and then the files are erased automatically, so you can recover them:

1. Open the Gallery app (icon with multi-colored squares).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → select the basket.
3. Click on the file → Restore (or highlight a few files and click Restore All).

Please note:

• 📅 Files in the basket are sorted by date of deletion (new first).
• 🔍 If the shopping cart is not on the menu, update the Gallery via Google Play or check the settings (section below).
• 🚫 Remote screenshots and downloads from messengers (for example, WhatsApp) do not fall into the cart.

Open the gallery|Click on the profile avatar (top right corner)|Select "Settings"|Make sure the "Basket" option is enabled-->

If the cart is empty but you are sure that the files were deleted through the Gallery, check:

1. Have you used the function of manually clean the cart?
2. Has it been 30 days since the removal?
3. Is synchronization enabled with Mi Cloud (files may have gone to the cloud)

Method 2: Recovery via Mi Cloud (if synchronization was enabled)

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage service from Xiaomi that automatically backs up photos, contacts and notes. If you log in to Mi-account and enable sync, deleted files can be restored within 60 days (as opposed to 30 days in the Gallery).

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Select Mi Cloud → Gallery → Cart.
3. Find the file you want and click Restore.

⚠️ Note: If you delete a file from the Mi Cloud Recycle Bin, you can't recover it. Also check if the storage limit is exceeded (free is 5GB).

If there are no files in Mi Cloud but sync has been enabled, try:

• 🔄 Update the page (pull down).
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone.
• 🌐 Check your internet connection (files only load with stable Wi-Fi).

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To increase your chances of recovery, immediately after deleting the file, disconnect your smartphone from the Internet. This will prevent you from syncing changes with the Mi Cloud.

Method 3: Search for the hidden.Trash folder (for power users)

In some versions of MIUI (especially on Redmi Note 8/9), deleted files are temporarily placed in the hidden.Trash system folder, which is not displayed in the standard Explorer, but can be found through the File Manager with hidden file impressions enabled.

How to access:

1. Open the Files app.
2. Select three points → Settings → Show hidden files.
3. Go to the Inner Memory →.Trash (or) /storage/emulated/0/.Trash).

This folder may contain:

• 📄 Documents (PDF, DOC, XLS).
• 🎵 Audio files (MP3, M4A).
• 📁 Archives (ZIP, RAR).

Please note:

• The.Trash folder is not automatically created, it only appears after the first deletion of the file through the Files.
• If the folder is not available, then your version of MIUI does not support this mechanism.
• Files in.Trash are stored until the first cache clearing or device reboot.

Method 4: Third-party applications for creating a basket (Dumpster, ES Explorer)

If standard methods don't work, you can install a third-party app that emulates the cart.

How to set up Dumpster (recommended option):

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. At the first start, allow access to the files.
3. In the settings, enable the option Automatic reservation.
4. All deleted files will now be placed in the Dumpster Recycle Bin.

⚠️ Warning: Third-party baskets do not restore files deleted before installation; they only work with data that was erased after activation of the application.

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If you delete important files often, install Dumpster in advance – this is the only way to guarantee that you can save data in the shopping cart on the Xiaomi Redmi Note.

Method 5: Recovery via PC (if files are permanently deleted)

If files were deleted bypassing the shopping cart (e.g., through Files → Delete or formatting a memory card), you can try recovering them using a PC and specialized programs. This method requires computer skills and does not guarantee 100% results.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS.
• 📱 Cable USB (better-than-original).
• 🛠️ Recovery software: Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery or DiskDigger.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi Note to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Run a recovery program (such as Recuva).
3. Select your smartphone’s drive and start scanning.
4. After completion, mark the desired files and click Restore.

Important nuances:

• 🚫 Do not save recovered files back to your smartphone – this can overwrite the remaining data.
• 🔋 The battery must be at least 50% charged to avoid being turned off during the process.
• ⏳ The scan can take several hours (depending on the amount of memory).

How to Avoid Data Loss in the Future: 5 Tips for Redmi Note Owners

To avoid searching for a cart after every accidental deletion, follow these guidelines:

1. Enable automatic sync with Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud and activate backup for Gallery, Contacts and Notes.
2. Install Third-Party Recycle Bin: Apps like Dumpster or Recycle Bin will save files even if you delete them through Files.
3. Make regular backups: Use Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
4. Check the Gallery basket once a week: Deleted photos are only stored for 30 days, after which they disappear forever.
5. Do not format a memory card unnecessarily: When formatting, data is erased without the possibility of recovery.

It's also useful to know:

• 📲 On the Redmi Note with MIUI 13/14 Protection against accidental deletion in the Gallery – turn it on in the application settings.
• 🔄 If you frequently re-install the firmware, use it. TWRP Recovery to create backups (requires unlocking the bootloader).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the cart on Xiaomi Redmi Note