How to find a cart with deleted files on a Xiaomi smartphone: the complete guide

Why Deleted Files Don’t Disappear Forever – and How to Get Them Back

You accidentally deleted an important photo, document or video on Xiaomi — and now you don't know where to look for the shopping cart? Unlike computers where deleted files immediately go to the Recycle Bin on the desktop, on MIUI smartphones, the mechanism works differently. Depending on the file type and how you delete it, it can end up in one of three places: the MIUI system basket, the Google Photos basket or the cloud storage. The main thing is to act quickly: most services have a time limit for storing deleted data.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for all Xiaomi models (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark), and learn how to set up automatic backups to avoid losing data in the future.

• 📱 Where is the system basket in MIUI And how to open it.
• 🖼️ How to recover photos and videos with Google Photos or Mi Cloud
• ⚙️ Why some files are permanently deleted – and how to avoid it
• 🔄 What to do if the cart is empty or files are missing from it

If you’ve deleted files recently (in the past 30 days), the chances of recovery are as high as possible: On Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later, the system basket stores deleted files up to 15 days by default — but this timeframe can be extended to 60 days in the settings.

Method 1: MIUI System Recycle Bin - Where to Look and How to Use

Most Xiaomi smartphones (starting with MIUI 10) have a built-in recycle bin for files deleted through a standard File Manager that works similarly to a Windows Recycle Bin, but with one key difference: not all files get there, such as if you deleted photos directly from a gallery or through a third-party application (like ES Explorer), it can bypass the system basket.

To open the MIUI basket:

1. Launch the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. In the lower menu, tap on the basket tab (dumpster icon).
3. If there is no tab, click on three horizontal lines (☰) in the upper left corner and select the basket.

In the Recycle Bin, you'll see all the deleted files grouped by date to recover:

• 📁 Select the desired files with a long tap (or tick the boxes).
• 🔄 Click Restore in the lower menu.
• 📍 Files will return to the folder from which they were deleted (for example, in Downloads or in the file). DCIM/Camera).

Check if files are deleted through another application (gallery, messenger)

Make sure that files are not deleted in “guest mode” or through Safe Mode.

Try to find files in cloud baskets (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)

Check the.Trash folder in the root directory through the file manager (hidden files)-->

If the basket is absent at all, the reasons may be as follows:

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the system cart MIUI In this case, you can only recover files through cloud services or specialized programs like DiskDigger.

Method 2: Recover photos and videos via Google Photos

If you deleted photos or videos, the first place to look is in the Google Photos Recycle Bin. Even if you weren't actively using the service, it could automatically back up your media files. The Google Photos Recycle Bin stores deleted files for 60 days -- twice as long as the MIUI system basket.

To recover files:

1. Open the Google Photos app (if not, download from the Play Market).
2. Slip on your avatar in the upper right corner → Basket.
3. Select the files you need and click Restore (they will return to the main gallery).

If the basket is empty, check:

• 🔍 Whether synchronization was enabled: Settings → Backup and synchronization.
• 📅 Has it been 60 days since the removal.
• 📱 Have files been deleted offline (without an internet connection).

💡

To avoid future photo loss, turn on the “Original Quality Backup” option in Google Photos (up to 15 GB free). Go to Settings → Backup and Sync → Download Quality

If you haven’t used Google Photos, try an alternative method:

1. Open the standard gallery on Xiaomi.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) → Recycle Bin (if there is an option).
3. Restore files or check if they have been moved to the Recently Deleted folder (on some firmware).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for POCO (for example, POCO F3 or X3 Pro) The gallery cart may not be available, in which case use Google Photos or check the folder /storage/emulated/0/.Trash through a file manager with root rights.

Method 3: Cloud storage - Mi Cloud, Yandex.Disk, Dropbox

If files are synced to the cloud, they can be restored even after cleaning the system basket. Xiaomi defaults to Mi Cloud, but many users also connect Yandex.Disk, Dropbox or OneDrive. The main advantage of clouds is the long shelf life of deleted files (from 30 to 365 days depending on the service).

Instructions for Mi Cloud:

1. Open the Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
2. Select Mi Cloud → Recycle Bin (or Deleted Files).
3. Find the data you need and restore it.

For other cloud services:

If you don’t remember which cloud service you used, check all your connected accounts:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Accounts.
• 🔗 See the list of synchronized services (e.g. Google, Mi Account, Yandex).
• 🔍 Go to each of them and check the basket.

Why some files are permanently deleted – and how to avoid it

Not all files on Xiaomi end up in the trash, but here are the main reasons why data can disappear forever:

• 🗑️ Removal through third-party applications (e.g, ES Solid Explorer – They have their own baskets (or none at all).
• 📛 Files on SD-map MIUI they're not.
• 🔄 Clearing the cache or application data (for example, through Settings) → Annexes).
• 🛠️ Reset to factory settings - clears all baskets.
• 📂 Files larger than 2GB may not be included in the shopping cart due to restrictions MIUI.

To minimize the risks:

1. Enable automatic sync with Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
2. Use only the standard File Manager for deletion.
3. Make regular backups to your PC or external drive.
4. Increase the storage period of the basket in Files → Settings → Recycle Bin (maximum 60 days).

💡

The most reliable way to avoid losing files is to combine local MIUI cart + cloud backup (Google Photos + Mi Cloud).

What to do if the cart is empty or files are missing from it

If you don't find the deleted files in the trash, don't panic.

1. Check the hidden folders: Open the files → ☰ → Settings → Show hidden files. See the.Trash,.Recycle or RecentlyDeleted folders in the root directory.
2. Use recovery software: For Android: DiskDigger, Dumpster, EaseUS MobiSaver (require root rights for deep scanning). For PC: Recuva, TestDisk (connect the phone in file transfer mode).

Check backups.

• If you have previously done a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset, restore it.
• Check your archives on Google Drive or PC (if synced).

If the files were deleted long ago (more than 60 days), the chances of recovery are minimal.

• 🔍 Try to remember if you sent them to someone in messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp – there may be a copy of it).
• 📧 Check your emails – you may have attached files to your emails.
• 💾 If the files were on SD-Do not write new data on the map, this increases the chances of recovery.

⚠️ Note: If you used the Security Garbage Cleanup (Shield App), files could be permanently deleted.This option often clears cache and temporary data, including hidden baskets.

How to set up a shopping cart on Xiaomi so you don’t lose files in the future

To avoid problems with lost data, set up your cart and backup beforehand. Here are the optimal options for Xiaomi:

1. Increase the shelf life of the basket: Files → ☰ → Settings → Basket → Storage period: 60 days
2. Enable automatic sync with Mi Cloud: Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Data Sync (enable Gallery, Notes, Contacts)
3. Set up Google Photos for backup: Google Photos → Settings → Backup and Sync → Enable
4. Turn off automatic garbage cleaning: Safety → Cleanup → ☰ → Settings → Autocleaning: Turn off

Additional advice:

• 📁 Regularly (once a month) copy important files to your PC or external drive.
• 📱 Use backup apps like Swift Backup (root required) or Titanium Backup.
• 🔄 Before resetting to factory settings, be sure to make a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

💡

If you often work with important documents, install Dumpster, which creates an additional basket for all deleted files, even those that do not fall into the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the cart on Xiaomi