Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face the need to recover accidentally deleted photos or videos. Unlike desktop computers, where the basket is a standard interface element, Android mobile operating systems and the MIUI or HyperOS shell do this differently. Many users mistakenly believe that deleted files disappear instantly, leaving no chance of recovery, but this is not quite true.
Modern smartphones are equipped with sophisticated data protection algorithms that store deleted content in hidden memory for a period of time. Understanding how to check the basket and where it is located in your model can save important memories or working documents. In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways to access deleted files, from the standard Gallery to cloud services.
It is worth noting that the location of the corresponding menus may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the general principle of the file system remains the same for the entire brand range, we will look at the current interfaces and provide step-by-step instructions for navigating the system.
Where is the basket in the standard Xiaomi Gallery
The most common place to store deleted media files is the built-in Gallery app. Xiaomi developers have implemented a temporary storage feature that automatically activates when photos or videos are deleted. By default, the files are here for 30 days, after which the system automatically clears the space.
To access this section, you need to open the app and go to the Albums tab, and this is where, after scrolling down to the very end, you find a hidden folder, and on some versions of the shell, this element may be called Remote, and on newer versions, it may be called Recently Deleted.
Inside this folder, you can store all thumbnails and original files you deleted in the last month, and you can browse them, select specific images to restore, or permanently delete them, freeing up space.
⚠️ Note: If you manually clean your phone’s memory through storage settings, the “Recently Deleted” folder may be affected and the files will disappear irrevocably.
The functionality of this folder allows you not only to recover data, but also to sort it. You can select several pictures at once and restore them to the main album with a single button, which is especially convenient after a mass memory cleaning, when you realized that you deleted the extra.
Instructions for Recovering Deleted Files
The process of recovering data from the hidden storage of the Gallery is as simple as possible and does not require root rights or third-party software. To return a photo, open a folder with deleted files, click on the "Select" button or keep your finger in thumbnail for a long time. After selecting the necessary elements, an action bar will appear on the screen.
In the action bar, you click the Restore button, and the system will automatically move the files to their original albums or to the general Camera stream. If the original folder location has been changed or deleted, the files will appear in the Gallery root directory.
☑️ Pre-reconstruction checks
There is a nuance when working with large video files: if the video was deleted and then the phone's memory was filled with new data, the recovery process may take longer or require vacating space. In rare cases, the system may suggest saving the recovered video to a new folder.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the recovery process if the progress indicator is frozen. Interrupting may cause the file to be corrupted and not open in the future.
To batch-recover all data, you can use the "Select All" feature, which is usually in the upper right corner of the screen in edit mode, which will instantly return the entire dataset if you accidentally cleared the entire album.
Working with the cloud basket Xiaomi Cloud
In addition to local storage, Xiaomi smartphones are actively using the cloud service Xiaomi Cloud (or Mi Cloud).If your device is enabled to sync Gallery, then deleted files also fall into the cloud basket, where they can be stored for up to 60 days, regardless of actions with the local memory of the phone.
To check cloud storage, you need to go to your phone’s settings, select Mi Account and then Xiaomi Cloud. In the Gallery section, you will have the option to manage remote elements, which is especially true if you lost your phone or performed a full reset.
| Parameter | Local basket | Cloud basket |
|---|---|---|
| Storage period | 30 days | 60 days |
| Network dependency | Not required | Internet is required |
| Effects of discharge | Files are deleted | Files are saved |
| Limit the seat | Depends on the phone's memory. | Depends on the Mi Cloud tariff |
Using the cloud has the added benefit of being able to manage deleted files from any device by logging into your account via a browser on your computer, allowing you to recover photos directly to your PC without using your phone.
What happens when the cloud overflows?
It is important to check the sync status periodically, if it was disabled when files were deleted, then copies of them will not appear in the cloud, and you will only have to rely on the device’s local memory.
Recycle Bin in File Manager and Explorer
The standard Explorer (or File Manager) on Xiaomi smartphones also has its own security system. However, unlike the Gallery, here the mechanism can work differently depending on the version of Android. In new versions of the shell, when you delete files through the Explorer, they can not get into a special folder, but delete immediately, unless you configure otherwise.
However, it’s worth checking the.Trash folder or similar hidden directory at the root of the internal storage if you’re using third-party file managers installed from Google Play. The standard MIUI/HyperOS Explorer most often doesn’t have its own basket for all file types, relying on application functionality.
If you delete a document, music, or archive, first check if the action was performed through a specific application (for example, through Documents or Music).
For users who often work with documents, it is recommended to use third-party file managers with the Recycle Bin function, since Xiaomi’s native tool is focused primarily on media content, which will create an additional layer of protection against the accidental deletion of important working files.
⚠️ Note: Files deleted through the computer when connecting the phone USB file transfer mode (MTP), Most often they pass the basket and are removed irrevocably.
💡
Use the Archivation function in the Gallery settings for important photos to hide them from prying eyes and protect against accidental removal into the shared cart.
Third-party applications for data recovery
If the standard methods of finding a remote one fail, users often turn to third-party software. Applications like DiskDigger, Dumpster or Recycle Bin can emulate the operation of the shopping cart on the phone, they intercept the deletion command and store a copy of the file in their secure database.
Installing such an application is a preventative measure: If files are already deleted and are not in the system basket, the chances of recovering them without root rights are extremely small. Modern versions of Android strictly control access to the memory sectors where deleted data was stored, quickly overwriting them with new information.
- 📱 DiskDigger – allows deep memory scanning, but superuser rights are often required to work properly.
- 🗑️ Dumpster – creates a virtual basket that works in parallel with the system, saving all deleted objects.
- 🔄 Google Photos is an alternative storage method where the shopping cart also stores files for 60 days for subscribers and 30 days for ordinary users.
When using third-party software, be careful with permissions. Granting full permissions to access the file system can carry risks to the privacy of your data. Always check the reputation of the developer before installing.
The effectiveness of these programs depends on how much you used your phone after deleting, and the less new data you wrote, the more likely you are to successfully recover the digital footprints of old files.
Prevention of data loss and setting up autocleaning
To avoid worrying about overflowing memory and accidental file loss, it is recommended to set up automatic cleaning. In the Gallery settings, you can find the item "Clean the Recycle Bin", where you set the frequency, but you should not rely only on the automatic machine.
Regularly back up important data to an external hard drive or an alternative cloud (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk) that creates a dual loop of protection. In the event of a failure in one system, the copy will remain in the other.
Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (7 times) → Advanced Settings → BackupUse this path to create complete backups of the system and data. Regular backups are the only guaranteed way to keep information forever, as the baskets tend to be cleaned.
💡
Regular backup to external media is the only way to guarantee the safety of data 100%, since the baskets have a limited shelf life.
Also worth paying attention to the sync settings of Google Photos. Often users delete photos from their phone thinking they will stay in the cloud, but forget that sync can be two-way. Carefully study the settings of “Free space” in the Google Photos app.