Where do deleted files go on Xiaomi Redmi: how to go to the basket and return data

You accidentally deleted an important photo, video or document on a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone and now you don't know how to return it? Unlike computers, where the basket is always in plain sight, on Android devices it is hidden deep in the system menu - and not all users know about its existence. Moreover, depending on the version of MIUI and the type of file (photos, videos, documents), the path to the basket can vary.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can access the Recycle Bin on Redmi smartphones (including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13 and others), and explain how to recover files if they’re already removed from the Recycle Bin, learn about hidden features in the Gallery, File Manager and Mi Cloud Storage, and get instructions for cases when standard methods don’t work.

1.Where is the basket in the standard Xiaomi Gallery

Most Redmi smartphones with MIUI 12-14 firmware have a photo and video basket built right into the Gallery app, but it depends on the software version and regional firmware.

Open the Gallery app (a multi-colored square icon) in the upper right corner, click three dots (⋮) And you can select the Recycle Bin. If you don't have that, you have your version. MIUI It's using a different path:

• 📁 Swipe left in the Gallery's main menu - sometimes the basket appears as a separate tab next to Albums and Stories.
• 🔍 Enter the request “basket” in the search bar of the Gallery (without quotes) – the system can give a direct link.
• 📱 On some firmware (for example, MIUI The Global Recycle Bin is called Recently Deleted (recently deleted).

In the Gallery Recycle Bin, files are stored for 30 days (by default), then automatically deleted. To recover a photo or video, tick them and click Restore at the bottom of the screen. Note: recovered files will return to the folder from which they were originally deleted.

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If the Gallery does not have a “Basket” option, update the application via Google Play or check the settings: Gallery → Settings → General → Show the cart (on some firmware this option is disabled by default).

Recycle Bin in File Manager: Where to Look for Deleted Documents

If you delete a document (.pdf,.docx), an archive, or another file, you should search for it in the File Manager Recycle Bin (the Blue File App).

1. Open the Files app.
2. In the lower menu, go to the Category tab (or Browse in English firmware).
3. Scroll down to the Trash (or Cart) section.
4. Select the files you need and click Restore.

An important caveat: the Recycle Bin in File Manager is not always enabled by default. If it is not in the category list, follow these steps:

1. In the Files app, click on three lines (☰) top-left.
2. Select Settings → General.
3. Activate the switch Show the basket.

After that, the section will appear in the main menu. Please note that the File Manager Recycle Bin only stores files for 15 days, which is half the time that the Gallery has, and if the deadline expires, you will not be able to restore data using standard means (you need special programs, we will talk about them below).

3.Mi Cloud Cloud Recycle Bin: Recovery from Synchronized Devices

If your Redmi is synced to the Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud), deleted files can be saved to the cloud basket.

• 📱 Authorized in Mi Account on a smartphone.
• ☁️ Enable backup in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Synchronized at least once data (photos, contacts, notes).

To check the cloud cart:

1. Open your browser on your phone or PC and go to i.mi.com.
2. Sign in with your Mi Account.
3. In the left menu, select the Trash (or Trash).
4. Select files and click Restore.

The storage time in the cloud bin is 60 days, which is twice as long as the storage time in the local one.

• 🚫 The free Mi Cloud account only provides 5GB of space.If the cart is full, old files are deleted automatically.
• 📛 Recovered files are returned to the Mi Cloud folder on the device, not the original location.

4 Why the cart may not be displayed: common problems

Redmi users sometimes experience a shopping cart disappearing from the menu or not working, and here are the main reasons and ways to fix them:

If none of these things work, check if the system-level basket is disabled.

1. Go to Settings → Special features → System settings.
2. Find the item Show hidden functions and activate it.
3. Return to the Gallery or File Manager – the shopping cart should appear.

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On MIUI firmware for Russia (with Google services preinstalled), the basket may be called Recently Deleted and may be in the Albums section → Device → Recently Deleted.

5. How to recover files if they have already been deleted from the Recycle Bin

If the 30-day storage period in the basket has expired or you have cleaned it manually, Xiaomi will not be able to return files using standard means.

Method 1: Data recovery programs

For Android, utilities like DiskDigger, Recuva (via PC) or Dumpster (cart application) are suitable.

• 🛑 Do not install programs on the same disk from which you restore data (this will overwrite deleted files).
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC in File Transfer mode (MTP).
• ⏳ The scan can take several hours – do not interrupt the process.

Method 2: Backups of Google Photos

If you have Google Photos enabled, check:

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Go to the Library. → Basket.
3. Files are stored for 60 days (like in the Mi Cloud).

Method 3: Contacting a Service Center

If the files are critical (such as court documents or unique photos), you can contact the Xiaomi service center, and specialists can extract the data using professional equipment, but:

• 💰 The cost of the service starts from 3-5 thousand rubles.
• ⏳ The process takes 3-7 days.
• 🔒 No 100% recovery guarantee (depending on the extent of data overwriting).

Do not save new files to the device|Disable automatic synchronization (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Use the original USB-cable-->

6. How to permanently delete files from the Recycle Bin (without recovery)

If you want to permanently erase files from your cart (like before selling your phone), it's not enough to simply clean it in the standard way, it's going to stay in the memory of the device and can be retrieved by software, and it's going to be permanently deleted by the software.

1. Clean the Recycle Bin in the Gallery and File Manager (as described above).
2. Install a secure removal app like Secure Eraser or Shreddit.
3. Select DoD 5220.22-M (US Department of Defense standard) mode for a complete rewrite.
4. For reliability, perform a reset to factory settings: Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.

⚠️ Note: After safely deleting or resetting the settings, it will be impossible to restore files. If the phone was tied to banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff), untie them in advance in your personal account.

7.Setting up the basket: how to change the shelf life and turn it off

By default, the Recycle Bin in MIUI is set to store files for 30 days (for Gallery) and 15 days (for File Manager).

For the Gallery:

1. Open the gallery → Settings → basket.
2. Select a Shelf Life and set a value from 1 day to 60 days.

For File Manager:

1. Start Files → Settings → Recycle Bin.
2. Activate or deactivate the cart, and set up a storage period.

If you want to completely disable the Recycle Bin (for example, to delete files immediately), do the following:

1. In the Gallery: Settings → Recycle Bin → Disable the basket.
2. In File Manager: Settings → General → Show the basket (uncheck the box).

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the Recycle Bin means that all deleted files will be erased without the possibility of recovery through standard means. MIUI. This can be dangerous if you are often working with important data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the cart on Xiaomi Redmi