Where to look for a Recycle Bin with deleted files in Xiaomi phone: the full guide 2026

You're not alone: MIUI users often find that the standard shopping cart is hidden or doesn't work the way it does on other Android devices. Unlike Samsung or Google Pixel, where the trash can is seen right in the gallery, Redmi, POCO or Mi are different -- and that confuses even experienced owners.

In this article, we will discuss all possible places where a shopping cart can be stored on Xiaomi (including models from 2020-2026), and also tell you what to do if files are lost without recovery. You will learn about hidden folders of the system, the nuances of MIUI 12-15, and why sometimes the basket simply does not appear.

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Why Xiaomi doesn’t have a shopping cart in the gallery (and where to look for one)

On most Android smartphones, the shopping cart appears automatically when you delete files from a gallery or file manager, but on Xiaomi with the MIUI shell, this mechanism works differently — and here's why:

1. No universal shopping cart. Unlike Google Photos or the standard Samsung gallery, where all deleted files go to one place, MIUI throws garbage in different folders depending on the type of content, for example, gallery photos and screenshots can lie in different baskets.

2. Dependence on MIUI version: In MIUI 12 and later, the basket can be hidden in the settings or even disabled by default, and in older versions (for example, MIUI 11), it sometimes has to be turned on manually.

3. Third-party apps work. If you use Google Photos, Files by Google, or other file managers, they create their own shopping carts that don't sync with the system.

So where do you look? Let's start with the most obvious place, the standard Xiaomi gallery.

• 📁 gallery → Albums. → The cart. The easiest way, but it doesn't work on all models. If you don't have a folder, read on.
• 🔍 Search the system. Search the phone for "basket" -- sometimes the folder is hidden, but indexed.
• ⚙️ Gallery settings. Go to the Gallery. → Settings → Recycle Bin and check if the function is enabled.

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO X3 Pro) Gallery cart is disabled by default. To activate it, you need to update the Gallery app to the latest version via Google Play.

Where is the Recycle Bin Stored in Xiaomi File Manager

If the files were deleted not from the gallery, but through Files (standard MIUI manager), the shopping cart may be located elsewhere.

1. Open the Files app (yellow folder icon).

2. Go to Categories → Cart (or Recent → Recycle Bin in older versions).

3. If there is no folder, tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings → Show hidden folders.

In the file manager basket are stored:

• 📄 Deleted documents (.pdf,.docx,.xlsx).
• 🎵 Audio files (.mp3,.m4a).
• 🎥 Videos (except those removed from the gallery).
• 📁 Archives (.zip,.rar).

Important: the files in the bin are only stored for 15 to 30 days (depending on the model), and then they are deleted permanently. To extend the term, transfer them back to the main memory.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi 13/14 series MIUI 14+ The file manager basket may be called Recently Deleted. If you don't find it, update the Files app via Google Play.

Hidden folders with deleted files: how to access

If you don't have a recycle bin in the gallery or in the file manager, don't panic. MIUI creates hidden system folders where deleted data is temporarily stored to see it.

1. Connect the phone to the PC via USB-cable (file transfer mode).

2. Enable the display of hidden files:

- On Windows: View → Hidden elements.

On Mac: Finder → Command + Shift + key combination.

3.Cross the path:

Internal memory → MIUI → trash

Or (for older versions):

Internal memory →.trash

These folders may contain:

• 📸 Photos and videos in.nomedia format (not displayed in the gallery).
• 📄 Temporary application files (cache, logs).
• 🔄 Backup copies of contacts or notes.

Critical: Don’t manually delete the.trash folder, which can disrupt the system basket. If it takes up a lot of space, clean it through the storage settings (Settings → Memory → Clean).

How to recover files if the basket is empty or not

If the cart is cleaned or not in the system, there are three ways to return deleted data:

1. Restore via Google Photos (if synchronized)

If you have used Google Photos with synchronization enabled:

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

The storage period in the Google Photos basket is 60 days.

2.Using backup copies of MIUI

Xiaomi automatically backs up some of the data to verify it:

Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backups.

If there is an actual copy, restore it, but keep in mind: this will overwrite the current data on the phone.

3.Recovery programs (last chance)

If nothing helps, try the tools:

• 🛠️ DiskDigger (free for photo/video).
• 🔧 EaseUS MobiSaver (paid, but with trial period).
• 📱 Recuva (for recovery from memory card).

Importantly, the less you use your phone after deleting, the better your chances of recovery are. If you suspect data loss, turn off your mobile internet and Wi-Fi to avoid overwriting files.

Why Xiaomi’s Recycle Bin May Not Work (and How to Fix It)

Sometimes the Recycle Bin just doesn't show up or save files, here are the main reasons and solutions:

If none of these methods worked, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: on MIUI 12.5 and newer basket is more stable.
• 🔄 App Updates: Update Gallery and Files in Google Play.
• 🛠️ Root rights: If you got them, the system basket could be removed.

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If the cart is constantly cleaning itself, check your optimization settings in Settings → Battery → Memory Optimization. Sometimes the system automatically deletes "unnecessary" files to save space.

How to permanently delete files from the Recycle Bin (and why it’s dangerous)

If you want to completely erase data without recovery (like before selling your phone), it's not enough to just clear your cart.

1. Hand cleaning of the basket:

In the gallery: Cart → Choose everything → Delete forever.

- File Manager: Recycle Bin → Clean.

Formatting a memory card:

If the files were on SD-map, format it through Settings → Memory. → Format.

Reset to factory settings:

This will delete all data, including hidden copies. path: Settings → About phone → Reset settings.

4. overwriting data (for paranoid):

Once reset, fill the phone's memory with junk files (like videos) and then delete them, which will rewrite memory sectors where traces of old data may have been left.

⚠️ Note: Even after resetting, you can recover data with professional equipment (e.g., service centers). If you sell a phone with sensitive information, use specialized programs like iShredder for permanent deletion.

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Cleaning the cart does not guarantee complete deletion of files. For reliable data erasure, use the combination: reset settings + overwrite memory + map formatting (if any).

Frequent mistakes when working with a basket on Xiaomi

Users often make mistakes that lead to permanent data loss, and here are the most common ones:

• 🚫 Ignoring notifications: If the system says "Basket is almost full," don't delay cleaning - new deleted files can automatically be erased.
• 🔄 Update MIUI without backup, after major updates (e.g., with MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) the basket may be dropped.
• 📱 Memory Optimizers: Applications like Clean Master or CCleaner often clean the cart without warning.
• ⚡ Delete files via PCs, connect the phone to the computer and delete files bypassing MIUI They will be lost forever (not in the basket).

Another common mistake is trying to restore files to the same phone they were deleted from, which reduces the chances of success because new data overwrites old ones, always restore files to another medium (PC, external drive).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Cart