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

You deleted photos or documents on your Xiaomi, but they still take up space in memory? Most likely, the files ended up in a shopping cart, a temporary storage place where data remains for up to 30 days before final deletion. Unlike computer OSes, on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO), the basket works differently: it is integrated into the Files application and can be hidden depending on the version of MIUI.

In this article, you will find the latest ways to clean the cart for all Xiaomi models (from Redmi Note). 10 Xiaomi 14 Ultra, including hidden settings and workarounds for older firmware versions. We'll also tell you how to recover files from the bin if you deleted them by mistake, and why sometimes the basket doesn't appear on the menu. MIUI 12/13/14 and earlier versions - below you will find instructions for each case.

Where is the basket on Xiaomi and how to open it

On Xiaomi smartphones, the basket is built into the standard Files app (a blue-backed folder icon), but its location depends on the MIUI version:

📱 MIUI 12/13/14: The basket is located in the bottom menu of the Files application (the bin icon next to the Image, Audio, etc. sections.).
🔄 MIUI 11 and older: The cart can be hidden in the Category section → Cart or not at all (on some Redmi models) 8/9).
🔍 If the Recycle Bin is not displayed: Try updating the Files app via Google Play or enable the display of hidden folders in the settings.

To open the basket:

Launch the Files app.
In the lower menu, click on the icon of the basket (or more → basket in older versions).
If there is no icon, scroll the screen to the left to the Category section.

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On some models (e.g. POCO X3), the basket is called Recently Deleted and is located in the Warehouse section.

If the cart is empty but the phone’s memory is still busy, check hidden files or app cache. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleanup and select Deep Cleanup.

How to clean the cart on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Cleaning the cart frees up space in the phone's memory and deletes files without recovery (unless third-party utilities are used). MIUI:

Method 1: Standard cleaning (MIUI 12 and later)

Open the Files app.
Go to the basket section (dumpster icon).
Click Control (or Edit) in the upper right corner.
Select files by tick or click Select All.
Remove it permanently and confirm the action.

Method 2: Clean through storage settings (for all versions)

If the Recycle Bin does not appear in the Files app, try this method:

Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
Choose a cleanup (or free up space).
Scroll down to the Recycle Bin or Recently Deleted Files section.
Press Clean and confirm.

Make sure there are no files in the cart.|Make a backup copy of important data|Check the amount of freed memory|Close all applications before cleaning-->

On Xiaomi models with MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the cart can be automatically cleared after 15 days instead of 30.This is due to storage optimization. If you need to save files longer, move them from the cart back to the phone's memory.

Method 3: Forced cleaning through ADB (for power users)

If the cart is not cleaned by standard methods (for example, due to a failure), use ADB:

adb shell pm clear com.android.documentsui


adb shell pm clear com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer

These commands reset the Files and Recycle Bin application settings. Attention: Once executed, you may need to reconfigure folder access.

Once a week.|Once a month|Only when memory ends|Never clean.-->

Why Xiaomi’s Recycle Bin Is Not Cleaned and What to Do

Sometimes files remain in the bin even after you try to delete them.

Problem.	Reason.	Decision
The "Delete Forever" button is inactive.	Files are protected by the system or application	Restart your phone or use ADB
The basket is empty, but memory is busy.	Hidden files or app cache	Clear the cache in Settings → Applications → Files
"Failure to delete" error	Damage to the file system	Check Memory Through Settings → Storage → Diagnostics
The basket is not displayed	Outdated version of MIUI or disabled function	Update your firmware or use a third-party file manager

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

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Find Files (or File Manager)
Select Warehouse. → Clear the data.

What to do if the cart is filled with system files?

If files with.db,.log or.tmp extensions appear in the Recycle Bin, don’t delete them manually – this can cause MIUI to crash. Instead: 1. Reboot the phone. 2. Clear the system application cache through Settings → Storage → Cleanup → System cache. 3. If the files are left, reset (but this will delete all the data from the phone).

How to recover files from Xiaomi shopping cart

If you accidentally delete important files, you can recover them from the Recycle Bin within 30 days (or 15 days on MIUI 14).

Open the Files Application → Recycle Bin.
Find the right file and tap it.
Select Restore (Arrow Up icon).
Specify the folder to restore (such as Downloads or Images).

If there are no files in the basket, try third-party utilities:

📱 DiskDigger – Recover photos and documents.
🔍 Recuva (requires root rights) – deep memory scanning.
☁️ Google Photos – If backup is enabled, files can be recovered from the cloud.

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Recovery is possible only if new data has not been written to the deleted files, and the faster you start recovery, the better the chances of success.

Warning: When you restore through ADB or root access, there is a risk of damaging system files. If you are not sure about your actions, contact Xiaomi Service Center.

How to turn off the cart on Xiaomi (and whether it is worth it)

The Recycle Bin is useful for protection against accidental deletion, but some users prefer to disable it so that files are deleted immediately. However, MIUI does not have a direct option to disable the Recycle Bin.

🗑️ Reduce the storage period: In some versions MIUI You can change the automatic cleaning time from 30 to 1 day through Settings → Additionally. → Basket.
📁 Use third-party file managers: Applications like Solid Explorer or FX File Manager allows you to configure the rules for deletion.
⚙️ Disable backup: In Settings → Google → Backup can be turned off saving deleted files.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the Recycle Bin means that all deleted files will be permanently erased, especially for photos and documents that are out of sync with the cloud.

If you want to remove the cart completely, you'll have to use ADB or root access to remove the system module, but this can cause MIUI to work in an unstable way, so we don't recommend this method.

Frequent mistakes in cleaning the cart and how to avoid them

Many users experience problems with their shopping cart on Xiaomi, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

🚫 Delete system files: Never clean files with.apk,.odex extensions or from Android folders, MIUI. This can cause a firmware failure.
⏳ Ignoring retention period: Files in the Recycle Bin are automatically deleted after 30 days.If you need to save them longer, move them to another location.
🔄 Interrupting Cleaning: If you interrupt the deletion process (for example, closing the Files application), the Recycle Bin can get damaged.
☁️ Unsynchronized data: If files are not uploaded to Google Photos or Mi Cloud, it will not be possible to recover them after cleaning the cart.

To avoid data loss:

Before cleaning the basket, check its contents.
Enable automatic sync with Google Drive or Mi Cloud.
Regularly back up important files to your computer.

How to check which files occupy the most space in the cart?

Open Files → Recycle Bin app and tap three dots in the top right corner. Select Sort → By size. So you'll see the largest files and you'll be able to delete them first.

Alternative ways to manage memory on Xiaomi

If the cart is full and cleaning doesn’t help, consider alternative methods of freeing up memory:

🧹 Cache Cleanup: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup → App cache and delete unnecessary data.
📸 Photo Optimization: In Google Photos, enable the Free Space option to remove local copies of already uploaded photos.
🎮 Removing heavy games: Games take up the most space. check their size in Settings → Annexes → Application management.
🔗 Transfer of files to SD-Card: If your model supports memory cards (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+), Transfer media files to an external drive.

For deep cleaning, use the built-in security utility:

Open the Security app (shield icon).
Pick the Purge.
Press Deep Cleanup and follow the instructions.

If the memory is still full, check the hidden folders:

/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ - App cache


/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails – Photos




/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/ - System Firmware Files

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Cart

Can I recover files from the cart after cleaning it?

If the recycle bin has been cleaned in the standard way, recovery is possible only with specialized programs (for example, DiskDigger or Recuva) and only if new data has not been written to the deleted files, the chances of success depend on the time elapsed since the deletion and the activity of using the phone.

Why is my Xiaomi cart missing?

The Recycle Bin may be missing for several reasons: An outdated version of MIUI (before MIUI 10). Files app is not updated. The feature is disabled in regional versions of firmware (for example, for some markets in Asia). Solution: Update the firmware and Files app via Google Play. If the Recycle Bin does not appear, use third-party file managers (for example, Files by Google).

How to increase the storage time of files in the basket?

Most versions of MIUI have a fixed storage period (30 days). However, on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13T with MIUI 14), you can change this setting: Open Files → Recycle Bin. Tap three dots in the upper right corner. Select Recycle Bin Settings (if available). Set the desired time (from 1 to 30 days). If this option is not available, transfer important files from the Recycle Bin to main memory before the expiration date.

Is it safe to clean your cart through ADB?

Cleaning the Recycle Bin through ADB is safe if you use the commands given in this article. However, it is not recommended to delete system folders or files manually, as this can lead to unstable MIUI operation. Always back up your data before using ADB.

Can I turn off the cart forever?

You can't completely disable the Recycle Bin without root rights, because it's built into the Files system application. Alternatives: Use third-party file managers without the Recycle Bin function. Reduce file retention to 1 day. Regularly clean the Recycle Bin manually. Please note that disabling the Recycle Bin increases the risk of data loss if you accidentally delete it.