Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer a handy tool for managing deleted files, a gallery cart that allows you to recover accidentally erased photos or videos for 30 days before they are permanently deleted. However, many users don’t know how to turn it on, configure it, or even find it on the menu. In this article, we’ll break down all the nuances of working with the shopping cart, from activation to file recovery to solving typical problems.
If you’ve ever lost important photos because of careless clicking, this guide will help you avoid similar situations in the future.We’ll look at not only the standard MIUI settings, but also alternative backup options that come in handy if the shopping cart doesn’t work for some reason.We’ll pay special attention to the differences between Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi flagships – the interface can differ even within the same firmware version.
Before you go to the settings, make sure that your device has the current version of MIUI 14 or 15. In older versions (for example, MIUI 12), the cart function may be missing or work differently. Also check the free space on the device - at least 500 MB of free space is required for the cart to work correctly.
If you use a third-party gallery (such as Google Photos), please note that its shopping cart works independently of the system, in which case you can only recover files through the corresponding application.
What is a shopping cart in the Xiaomi Gallery and why you need it
The MIUI Recycle Bin is a temporary storage for deleted photos and videos, similar to the Recycle Bin on your computer, where when you delete a file through a standard gallery, it doesn't disappear immediately, but moves to this folder, where it is stored for 30 days, and after that period, the data is deleted irrevocably (unless it was recovered earlier).
The main advantages of the function:
- 🛡️ Accidental Deletion Protection – the ability to return important files if you made a mistake cleaning.
- 🔄 Flexible management – you can restore individual photos or clean the cart ahead of time.
- 📁 Automatic sorting – files are grouped by deletion date for easy search.
- 🔒 Security – Access to the shopping cart is protected in the same way as the main gallery (password or fingerprint if configured).
It's important to understand that the Recycle Bin does not replace backup, that if you manually clean it or reset your phone to factory settings, the files will be lost forever, and that the Recycle Bin does not work for files deleted through Explorer or third-party applications, only those deleted from the standard MIUI gallery.
On devices with MIUI for POCO (like the POCO F5 or POCO X6 Pro), the path to the cart may be different — the gallery uses the “Recently Deleted” section instead of the “Basket” icon. This is not a bug, but a feature of customized firmware.
How to turn on the basket in the gallery Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions
By default, the shopping cart is activated on most Xiaomi devices, but if it is not on the menu, it may be disabled in the settings.
1. Open the Gallery app (a flower or mountain icon).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) in the lower right corner to open the side menu.
3. Select Settings (cogs) → General settings.
4. Find the Recycle Bin option and move the slider to the right to activate it.
5. Click Ready or go back to the gallery – now when you delete files, they will go to the basket.
If the basket item is not in the settings, this can mean:
- 📱 You have an outdated version. MIUI (Update the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
- 🔧 The gallery has been replaced with a third-party one (e.g. Google Photos). → Annexes → By default.
- 🛠️ The firmware is modified (castomy or regional version), in which case the basket may not be available.
☑️ Preparation for basket activation
Where is the basket in the gallery and how to use it
Once activated, the basket appears in the main gallery menu to open it:
- Launch the Gallery app.
- In the bottom panel, click on the Album icon (or Folder, depending on the version).
- Scroll the list up and there will be a Recycle Bin (or recently deleted for POCO) section.
- Slip it to see all the deleted files.
Inside the basket, you can:
- 🔄 Restore files – select the desired (long press) and click Restore at the bottom of the screen.
- 🗑️ Clear the Recycle Bin – Click Delete All or select individual files for final deletion.
- 🔍 Sort by date – use the filter in the upper right corner.
- ⏳ View the retention period – next to each file shows the number of days before automatic deletion.
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If the cart doesn't show up on the albums, try manually typing "basket" (without quotes) in your gallery search. Sometimes the section is hidden because of the large number of folders.
⚠️ Note: Files deleted manually or after 30 days cannot be recovered by standard means. Recovery will require specialized programs like DiskDigger or Recuva, but success is not guaranteed.
How to recover files from the cart on Xiaomi
The recovery process takes a few seconds:
- Open the basket in the gallery (instruction above).
- Select the files you want to return (you can choose several at once).
- Press the Restore button in the bottom panel.
- Confirm the action – the files will return to the original albums (e.g. Camera or Screenshots).
If the Restore button is inactive:
- 📂 Check if there is enough space on the device – free space is required to restore it.
- 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes helps with temporary crashes.
- 📱 Update the Gallery app via Google Play Market (if available).
Recovered files save the original timestamps and geotags (if any). However, if you edited the photo before deleting, the changes may not be saved - the shopping cart only stores the original versions.
What to do if the files are not restored?
Differences in the basket on different Xiaomi models (Redmi, POCO, flagships)
The functionality of the cart can vary depending on the model and version of the MIUI. Below is a comparison table for popular devices:
| Model/Series | Title of section | Storage period (days) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/14 series | Basket | 30 | Support for recovery in the original albums, including Documents and Downloads. |
| Redmi Note 12/13 | Basket | 30 | File size limit (up to 2 GB for video) |
| POCO F5/X6 | Recently deleted | 15 | Shortened storage period, no sorting by file type. |
| Xiaomi Pad 6 | Basket | 30 | Mi Cloud integration – synchronize deleted files between devices. |
On POCO devices, the shopping cart often works in a simplified way: for example, you can’t restore files selectively — just all at once, and this is due to optimizing firmware for game scenarios, where performance is prioritized over additional features.
Redmi with budget chipsets (such as Redmi 12C) may have a limit on the number of files in the basket, usually no more than 500.
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On flagship models (Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Mix Fold 3), the Recycle Bin supports file recovery even after resetting settings, if they were synced with the Mi Cloud.
Frequent Basket Problems and Their Solutions
Xiaomi users sometimes encounter bugs when working with the cart. Consider typical scenarios and ways to fix them:
Problem 1: The cart is not displayed in the gallery.
- 🔧 Solution: Check the settings of the gallery (instruction above). If the item is not, update. MIUI or reset the application settings through Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Drop it.
Problem 2: Files disappear from the bin before 30 days.
- 📱 Solution: This may be due to a lack of memory. Free up space on the device or transfer files to the device. SD-Check if the card is supported and check if the cart has been manually cleaned.
Problem 3: You can’t restore files – the button is inactive.
- 🔄 Solution: Reboot your phone. If it doesn't work, try recovering files via Mi Cloud (if sync was enabled) or connect the device to your PC.
Problem 4: The cart is empty, but the files have been deleted.
- 🗑️ Solution: Files may have been erased through Explorer or a third-party application, in which case they can only be recovered using data recovery software (e.g. EaseUS MobiSaver).
⚠️ Note: If you use dual applications (Double Account function) MIUI), The basket can be duplicated for each profile, deleted files in one account will not be visible in another!
Alternative ways to back up photos on Xiaomi
The Recycle Bin is a useful tool, but it doesn't protect against all risks. Consider additional methods of saving files:
1. Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud)
To include:
Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery → Enable synchronization2. Google Photo.
- 🗑️ Own basket with a storage period of 60 days.
3. Local copying on PC
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For maximum reliability, combine cloud storage (Mi Cloud or Google Photos) with a local backup on your PC, so you protect files from loss even when you reset your phone.