How to completely clean the cart on Xiaomi: instructions for all models

The Xiaomi smartphone basket is a temporary storage for deleted files that helps avoid losing important data when accidentally deleted. However, over time, it fills with unnecessary photos, videos and documents, taking up precious space in the device’s memory. If you notice that your Redmi, POCO or Mi has become short of free space, the first thing to check is the basket.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to clean the cart, including standard methods through the Files app, hidden MIUI settings, as well as alternative options for users with root rights. Separately, we will discuss how to permanently delete files without passing the cart, and what to do if it stops working. All instructions are relevant for the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and adapted to popular models from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

1. Standard method: cleaning through the Files app

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in Files app, which is a good approach for 90% of users and doesn't require any additional knowledge.

1. Open the Files app** on the home screen or in the app menu.
2. In the bottom panel, click on the basket tab (the bin icon).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Clean the basket.
4. Confirm the action by clicking Delete in the window that appears.

If the basket is empty but the memory is still busy, check hidden files or app cache. In some MIUI firmware, the basket may not display correctly, as we will discuss in the next section.

Check the free space in memory|Close background annexes|Connect the charger (if the charge is charged) < 20%)|Backup of important files-->

⚠️ Note: Files deleted from the Recycle Bin can be extremely difficult to recover. If you use Mi Cloud cloud storage, check if important data is synced there before clearing.

2. Alternative method: through storage settings

If the Files app doesn’t display the cart or gives you an error, try clearing it through system settings. This method works on all Xiaomi devices regardless of the MIUI version:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Scroll down to the Other section and click on the Recycle Bin.
3. The system will show the amount of space occupied. Press Clear.
4. Confirm the deletion by entering a password or pattern lock (if requested).

This method is especially useful if the standard Files app has been removed or disabled. However, note that in some firmware, the path may be slightly different. For example, on POCO F5 with MIUI 14, the basket is in Settings → Memory → Free up space → Recycle Bin.

3. How to delete files without passing the basket (forever)

By default, MIUI sends all deleted files to the recycle bin, where they are stored for 30 days. If you want to delete data immediately and irrevocably, use one of these methods:

• 📁 Through the Files app: Press the file → press Delete → In the window that appears, select Delete Forever (not Move to the Recycle Bin»).
• 🔧 Root-righted Explorer: Use Root Explorer or FX File Manager to manually delete files from folder /storage/emulated/0/.trash.
• 💻 Through ADB: Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell rm -rf /storage/emulated/0/.trash/*

Important: Files deleted through ADB or root Explorer are not recoverable even by specialized programs, a method recommended only for advanced users.

Once a week | Once a month | Only when I run out of memory | Never clear | I don't know where it is-->

4. Disconnecting the cart on Xiaomi: pros and cons

If you prefer to have files deleted immediately, without going to the bin, you can turn it off, which will free up to 5-10% of the memory, but it will deprive you of the ability to recover accidentally erased data.

1. Open Files** → Press three points → Settings.
2. Find the basket option and move the slider to the off position..
3. Confirm the action by clicking Disable.

Once disabled, all deleted files will be permanently erased. If you change your mind, you can turn the Recycle Bin back on the same way. Note that some models (e.g. Redmi A2) may not have this option due to a simplified version of MIUI Go.

⚠️ Note: Disabling the Recycle Bin does not affect files already in it. They must be manually deleted through the storage settings as described in Section 2.

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If you often work with sensitive data, disable the cart and use applications like Shreddit or Secure Delete to securely erase files (repeated overwrite).

5.Recover files from Xiaomi Recycle Bin

If you accidentally delete an important file, it can be restored from the recycle bin within 30 days (default storage period).

1. Open the Files app** and go to the Recycle Bin tab.
2. Find the file or folder you want (you can use a search by name).
3. Click on the file and select Restore.
4. The file will return to the original folder (e.g. Downloads or DCIM/Camera).

If the cart is empty but you are sure the files were there, try:

• 🔄 Restart the device (sometimes the cart doesn’t update immediately).
• 📱 Check the.trash folder through the root file manager.
• ☁️ Restore data from Mi Cloud backup (if synchronization was enabled).

Recovery programs older than 30 days will require specialized programs like DiskDigger or Recuva, but the chances of success depend on whether the data has been overwritten by new files.

6. Mistakes in working with the basket and their solutions

Sometimes users encounter problems when trying to clear the cart, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the Files app settings**:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Files** and select Warehouse.
3. Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
4. Reset the device.

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If the error is repeated after reset, it may indicate that the file system is damaged, in which case only a full reset or flashing through the Mi Flash Tool will help.

7.Memory Optimization: How to Avoid Cart Overflow

To prevent the basket from clogging your memory, follow these tips:

• 📅 Set up automatic cleaning: In the Files app» → Settings → Recycle Bin can be enabled with Auto Clean (delete files older than 30 days automatically).
• 🗑️ Use the Cloud: Move important files to Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or Yandex Disk, and delete unnecessary files permanently.
• 🔍 Check your cart regularly: Set aside 5 minutes a week to review its contents and remove excess waste.
• 📱 Turn off the Recycle Bin for certain folders: Some file managers (such as Solid Explorer) can configure the Bin exceptions.

It's also useful to keep track of which apps are taking up the most space.

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Memory Analysis.
2. See which applications or file types take up the most space.
3. Clear the cache of unnecessary apps or remove them.

For example, messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp can store gigabytes of media files in the Download folder, and cleaning them regularly will help avoid overflowing memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the cart on Xiaomi