Why is the Xiaomi cart hidden or missing?
Xiaomi users often face a problem: deleted files disappear irrevocably, and the standard basket, like on computers, is not visible, the reason lies in the features of the MIUI firmware and the Android TV operating system (for TVs), unlike Windows or macOS, where the basket is a system folder, on mobile devices its work depends on the application that deleted the file.
For example, photos deleted through Google Photos Gallery end up in her own cart, and files erased through MIUI Explorer can be sent to temporary storage or deleted permanently depending on your settings. In addition, on some models (such as the Redmi Note 10 or POCO X3 Pro), the cart is turned off by default to save disk space. In this article, we will discuss where to look for the cart on different Xiaomi devices and how to recover data from it.
Where is the basket on Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI)
On MIUI-based smartphones (versions 12-14), the basket can be in three places depending on how you delete the file.
1. Basket in standard MIUI Conductor
If you deleted files through the built-in Explorer (the folder icon on the desktop), then:
- Open the Explorer app.
- Slip on three horizontal lines (menu) in the upper left corner.
- Select the Recycle Bin (urn icon) and if it is not available, the function is disabled (how to turn it on, read below).
2.Basket at MIUI Gallery
Photos and videos deleted through the standard Gallery are stored in its own shopping cart:
- 📷 Open the gallery. → Click on three dots in the upper right corner.
- 🗑️ Select the Recycle Bin (or Recently Deleted in Older Versions) MIUI).
- ⏳ The files are stored there for 30 days, after which they are deleted forever.
3.The basket in Google Photos
If you use Google Photos to back up, deleted photos fall into its shopping cart:
- 🌐 Open the Google Photos app.
- 👤 Tap on the profile avatar. → Basket.
- ⚠️ Note: files are stored there for 60 days, but if you manually clean the cart, recovery will be impossible.
How to turn on the basket in the MIUI Explorer, if it is not
If the Explorer menu doesn't have a Recycle Bin, you need to activate it manually.
☑️ Incorporation of the basket MIUI
Step-by-step:
- Open Explorer → Taipe on three horizontal lines → Settings.
- Scroll down to the Additional section and turn on the Recycle Bin switch.
- Return to the main menu – now the item Cart should appear.
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) The recycle bin option may not be available due to memory limitations, in which case files are deleted immediately, without the possibility of recovery.
How to increase the storage time of files in the basket?
By default, files in the MIUI Explorer Recycle Bin are stored for 15 days to change this time limit:
- Go to the Conductor. → Settings → Basket.
- Select a Shelf Life and set a value of 1 to 30 days.
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If the basket doesn’t appear even after turning on, try clearing Explorer’s cache in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Explorer → Clear the cache.
Recycle Bin on Xiaomi TVs (Android TV and PatchWall)
On Xiaomi TV (Mi TV 4S, Redmi Smart TV, etc.), the shopping cart works differently than on smartphones. There is no single storage for all files - it depends on the application through which you deleted the content.
1. Recycle Bin in Standard File Manager
If you deleted files through the built-in File Manager (folder icon in the app menu):
- 📁 Open the File Manager.
- 🔍 In the left menu, select the Recycle Bin (if no option – the feature is not supported on your model).
- ⏳ Files are stored there for 7 days, after which they are deleted automatically.
2. Recycle cart in applications (YouTube, Google Photos, gallery)
Media files deleted through apps end up in their own shopping carts:
- 🎬 YouTube: Library → History → Basket (stored for 30 days).
- 📸 Google Photos: Like on a smartphone (60 days).
- 🖼️ Xiaomi Standard Gallery TV: No shopping cart - files are deleted immediately.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall firmware (Indian version of the software) may not have a basket at all, in which case, third-party utilities (for example, DiskDigger for Android) will be required to restore files. TV).
How to recover files without a basket?
Recycle Bin on Xiaomi laptops (Mi Notebook, RedmiBook)
Xiaomi laptops (Mi Notebook Pro series, RedmiBook) use Windows 10/11, so the basket works according to standard OS rules. However, there are nuances associated with the preinstalled Xiaomi software:
Where to look:
- 🗑️ Recycle Bin Badge on the Desktop (if it has disappeared – check the icon settings).
- 🔍 Through Windows Explorer: Enter shell:RecycleBinFolder and Enter.
Features:
Some Xiaomi models pre-installed the Mi Cloud app, which syncs files to the cloud, and deleted documents are fed into the Mi Cloud Recycle Bin (available at i.mi.com in the Recycle Bin section).
How to Restore a Hidden Recycle Bin on your Desktop:
- Right-click on the desktop → Personalization.
- Select Themes → Desktop icon settings.
- Check the box against the basket. → Apply.
How to recover files from Xiaomi shopping cart if they are missing
If files disappeared from the cart early or you accidentally cleared it, try the following recovery methods:
| Method | Suitable for | Chances of recovery | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud backups (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) | Photos, documents, contacts | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Low. |
| Third-party applications (Dumpster, Recycle Bin) | Any files (if installed in advance) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Medium |
| Programs for PC (Recuva, EaseUS) | Deleted files from internal memory | ⭐⭐⭐ | Tall. |
| ADB-Teams (for experienced users) | System files, cache | ⭐⭐ | Very high. |
Step-by-step instructions for recovery through Dumpster:
- Install the Dumpster app from Google Play before files are deleted.
- Open Dumpster → find the desired file → click Restore.
- The file will return to the original folder.
⚠️ Note: If you deleted files before installing Dumpster or another Recycle Bin Manager, recovery through it will not be possible.
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The most reliable way to avoid data loss is to set up automatic backups in Google Drive or Mi Cloud, and even if the cart is cleared, the files will remain in the cloud.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Xiaomi users often face typical problems when working with the basket.
1.The basket does not open or gives an error
Causes and solutions:
- 🔄 Memory overflow: Clear the space on the device (minimum 500MB of free space required).
- 🛠️ Explorer Failure: Clear the App Cache in Settings → Annexes → Conductor → Clear the cache.
- 📱 Outdated firmware: Update MIUI Up to the latest version in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
2.The files disappeared from the basket ahead of schedule
Possible causes:
- 🗑️ Manual cleaning of the basket (check the history of the actions).
- 🔋 Memory Lack (the system automatically cleans the cart at a critical free space level).
- 🤖 Reset settings or firmware update (basket clears when reset to factory settings).
3.The basket is missing from Xiaomi TV
On most Xiaomi TVs, the shopping cart only works for files deleted through the File Manager, and if you delete media through a gallery or other application, you can only restore them through a backup or PC program.
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To avoid losing important files, set up automatic sync with Google Photos or Mi Cloud. Go to Settings → Accounts → Add an account and select the service you want.