Where do deleted files go on Xiaomi? Where to look for the basket and how to recover data

Removed an important file on Xiaomi and you don't know where to look? The basket on smartphones of this brand works differently than on computers or phones of other brands. Depending on the type of file (photos, videos, documents) and how to delete, recovery can take from 30 seconds to several hours - or be impossible. In this article, we will discuss all options for accessing the cart on Redmi, POCO and other Xiaomi models, including hidden MIUI functions and third-party tools.

Many users mistakenly think that the shopping cart on Xiaomi is a single storage for all deleted files. In fact, the system separates the garbage containers by application: separately for the Gallery, separately for the File Manager, and even some messengers (for example, Telegram) have their own temporary archives. In addition, the storage period in the basket is limited to 7 to 30 days, after which the data is deleted irrevocably. If you deleted the file more than a month ago, the chances of recovery drop sharply.

Before you start your search, check out two key points:

1. Make sure the file is actually deleted, not hidden (the Gallery has a Hidden Albums folder).
2. Do you remember which application you used to remove? It depends on which shopping cart you're looking for.

1.The basket in the standard Xiaomi Gallery

The most obvious way is to check the built-in Recycle Bin in the Gallery app, which automatically saves deleted photos, videos and photos. GIF-animation for up to 30 days (setting depends on version) MIUI). To get there:

Instructions:

1. Open the Gallery app (icon with multi-colored squares).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) top-right.
3. Select the Recycle Bin (on some models – Recently deleted).
4. Find the file you want, hold your finger on it and click Restore.

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Warning: If the cart is empty, check your storage settings. In some MIUI 14/15 firmware, the cart is disabled by default. To turn it on, go to Gallery Settings → Recycle Bin → Enable.

In the Gallery Recycle Bin, files are stored in compressed form, so their weight may differ from the original. For example, a 500 MB video in the Recycle Bin will take about 300-400 MB. This is done to save space, but can affect the quality of the recovery.

Check the Hidden Albums folder in the Gallery

Make sure that the file is deleted through the Gallery, not through the File Manager.

Try to find the file through a search in the Gallery (magnifying glass icon)

Update the Gallery app to the latest version in the Mi App Store-->

2. Recycle Bin in File Manager (Mi File Explorer)

If you have deleted a document, archive, or music through a standard file manager (yellow folder icon), you should look for them in another shopping cart, where the storage period is shorter than 7-15 days, and the algorithm is different:

How to open it:

1. Run the File Manager (or Mi File Explorer on POCO).
2. In the bottom menu, select the Categories (or Review) section.
3. Scroll down and tap on the basket.
4. Select files and click Restore or Delete Forever.

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Note: The Recycle Bin in the File Manager does not work for files deleted from the SD-If you have used an external drive, recovery is possible only through third-party utilities (more on this below).

Unlike the Gallery, the files are stored in their original quality, but they take up the full size. PDF-A 10MB document will take up the same 10MB in the basket, which is important to consider if the phone has little memory.

The standard Mi File Explorer

Google Files (Files from Google)

Solid Explorer

Other

I don't know what it is.-->

3. Hidden basket in Mi Cloud (cloud storage)

Many people don't know, but Xiaomi automatically syncs some deleted files to the Mi Cloud, and if you have Backup enabled on your phone, the chances of recovery are higher.

How to check:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Scroll to the Gallery or Files section and click on it.
3. Look for the Recycle Bin tab or Recently Deleted tab.
4. Restore files by clicking on the cloud icon with the down arrow.

In Mi Cloud, the cart works according to different rules:

• 📅 Storage period: up to 60 days (depending on the tariff).
• 📱 Available only when connected to the Internet.
• 🔒 Files are encrypted, so recovery takes longer.
• 💾 Recycle bin volume is limited to your cloud storage (5GB free).

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Note: If you manually delete a file from Mi Cloud (not via your phone, but via cloud.mi.com), it will disappear from the Recycle Bin immediately and without recovery.

4. Restore via Google Photos (if used)

If your Xiaomi has Google Photos installed and backup enabled, deleted images can be stored in the Google Recycle Bin, a major advantage of this method is that it lasts up to 60 days (versus 30 in the standard Gallery).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Google Photos app (an icon with a multicolored circle).
2. Slip on your avatar in the upper right corner.
3. Pick the basket.
4. Find the files you need, highlight them and click Restore.

Features of the Google cart Photos:

• 🔄 Recovered files are returned to the Gallery and Google Cloud.
• 📶 It works even if the file is deleted from the phone, but saved in the cloud.
• 🚫 Does not restore documents, music or archives – only photos or videos.

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Note: If you delete a file from Google Photos and immediately clear the shopping cart, you can only restore it through specialized programs (for example, DiskDigger), but the chances are minimal.

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If you frequently delete files by mistake, turn on notifications in Google Photos about new backups. To do this, go to Settings → Notifications → Backup and activate the option.

5. Third-party recovery utilities (if the basket is empty)

If the files are not found in any of the baskets, then the last chance is to use programs for deep memory scanning. Not all utilities work on Xiaomi without root rights, but there are proven options:

Top.-3 recovery:

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Warning: When using third-party utilities, never save recovered files to the same drive you're recovering them from.This can lead to overwriting and irretrievable loss.Always export files to your computer or cloud.

How to use DiskDigger (the most reliable option):

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Start and select Start basic scan (without root).
3. Wait until it is completed (may take 1-3 hours).
4. Mark the files you need and click Restore.
5. Save them on. SD-map.

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Third-party utilities are only effective in the first 24 to 48 hours after deletion, and the longer you wait, the greater the risk of overwriting data with new files.

6. What to do if the basket is not working?

Sometimes the shopping cart on Xiaomi may not display or work properly. Here are the typical reasons and solutions:

Problem 1: The basket is not on the menu

• 🔧 Check the version. MIUI. In the firmware below MIUI 12 basket can be disabled. Update system in Settings → The phone. → Update of the PO.
• 📱 Remove the Gallery or File Manager cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management.

Problem 2: Files disappear from the cart ahead of time

• 🗑️ Check the space on your phone. If the memory is less than 1 GB, the system automatically cleans the cart.
• ⚙️ In some versions MIUI There's a hidden setting Autoclean the basket. To turn it off, use the command: adb shell settings put global. trash_auto_clean_enabled 0 (Requires a PC connection and enabled Developer Mode).

Problem 3: The Recycle Bin in Mi Cloud is not synced

• 🌐 Check your internet connection (better to use Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Restart your phone and wait for automatic synchronization (may take up to a day).
• 📧 Make sure you’re logged in to the same Xiaomi account that was used when deleting files.

If none of these methods work, the last option is to go to a service center, and specialists can extract data using professional equipment, but it is expensive (from 3 000 to one). ₽) It does not guarantee 100% results.

7.How to protect files from accidental deletion?

To avoid looking for a bin every time an important file goes missing, set up protection beforehand.

Methods of protection:

• 🔒 Use the Protected folder in the Gallery to enable it: Open the Gallery → Albums. → Secure folder. Set a password or a fingerprint. Move your important files there, they won't be deleted when you clean the basket.

Google Photo

Mi Cloud

SD-map

Mi PC Suite

🚫 Turn off automatic cleaning of the cart (see section above).

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Warning: If you use a Secure Folder, remember your password. When you reset your phone to factory settings, files will be deleted from it without recovery.

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The most reliable way to protect is a combination of a cloud backup (Google Photo or Mi Cloud) and a local Secure folder, which gives a double guarantee of data security.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the cart on Xiaomi