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

The Xiaomi Redmi smartphone basket is a temporary storage for deleted files that many users forget to check, and over time, it gets clogged with unnecessary data, photos, videos, documents and app cache, taking up precious gigabytes of internal memory. If you notice that the phone is slower and the space is melting in front of your eyes, check the basket first.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can clean your Recycle Bin on Redmi devices (including MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS models), and how to set up automatic file deletion so that the problem doesn’t happen again, with a special focus on hidden folders that aren’t visible in the standard file manager but continue to take up space.

Important: The cleaning procedure differs depending on the firmware version and the software installed. If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), some methods may not work, as we’ll mention.

1. Standard method: cleaning through the Files app

The easiest and most secure method is to use Xiaomi’s built-in file manager, which is available on all Redmi devices by default and does not require superuser rights.

1. Open the Files app** (a blue background folder icon).
2. In the bottom menu, tap on the "Basket" section** (dumpster icon).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Clean the basket.
4. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

If you don't have a Clean Cart button, your version of MIUI uses a different interface.

• 📁 Hold your finger on any file in the basket → check-box.
• 🔍 Click on the icon of all files allocation (square with tick).
• 🗑️ Slip on the basket icon at the bottom of the screen.

💡

If the cart doesn't clear the first time, restart the phone and try again. Sometimes system processes block deleting files.

On some Redmi Note 10/11/12 models, the basket can be hidden to find it.

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Scroll down to the “Other Files” section** and click on it.
3. Put the "Basket" in the category list.

2. Cleaning through MIUI settings (for new firmware versions)

With MIUI 13/14 and HyperOS, developers have moved the cart management to system settings, a method that is suitable if the standard Files app does not display the cart or malfunctions.

Instructions:

If the item "Basket" is not in the list, it means:

• 🔄 Your basket is already empty.
• 📱 You've got an old version. MIUI (Update the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🛠️ Recycle Bin function disabled in settings (how to enable – read in the next section).

3. Turning on/off the basket in MIUI

By default, the Recycle Bin is activated on all Redmis, but some users turn it off to save space. If you don't see the Recycle Bin in the File Manager, check its status:

How to turn on:

1. Find the "Basket" section and move the slider to the "On" position.

How to turn off (if you do not want to use the cart):

• ⚙️ Go to the same settings and deactivate the slider.
• ⚠️ Note: when you disable all files in the basket will be permanently deleted.

Some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global for Redmi 9/9A) may not have a basket option, in which case use alternative methods in the following sections.

4. Cleaning the cart through ADB (for power users)

If the standard methods don’t work, you can delete the cart files via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode** on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging.**

Redmi

adb shell


pm clear com.android.documentsui

This command will reset the file manager settings, including the shopping cart.

To completely delete the files of the basket, use:

adb shell


rm -rf /storage/emulated/0/.Trash/*

💡

ADB-commands delete files irrevocably. Make sure that the bin is free of important data before executing!

If the basket still does not clear after completing the commands, check the access rights or try an alternative way:

adb shell


rm -rf /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer/files/Trash/*

5. Third-party applications for cleaning the basket

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party fileymi managers.The best options for Xiaomi Redmi are:

How to clean your cart through Files by Google:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Go to the "Cleaning" section** (Broom icon).
3. Select “Basket”** in the category list.
4. Click "Delete" and confirm the action.

Download the application from official source | Check reviews and rating | Provide the necessary permissions | Create a backup of important files-->

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (e.g, ES Conductor) may request suspicious permissions. Avoid low-rated programs or unknown developers.

6.Manual cleaning of hidden basket folders

In MIUI, the cart files are stored in hidden directories that are not displayed in the standard manager, so that they can be seen and deleted:

Method 1: Through Solid Explorer (requires to enable the display of hidden files):

1. Open the application and go to Settings → Display settings.
2. Activate the option to “Show hidden files”**.
3. Go to /storage/emulated/0/.Trash/ or /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer/files/Trash/
4. Select all the files and delete them.

7.Setting up automatic basket cleaning

To avoid manually cleaning the bin, set up automatic file deletion. MIUI does this:

1. Open Files → Three Dots → Settings.

"Autocleaning"** (if available).

On HyperOS, the path is a bit different:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleanup → Settings.
2. Turn on the "Automatic Cart Cleaning"**.