Xiaomi Android Recycle Bin: Where to Find and Recover Deleted Files

Deleting files on Xiaomi smartphones often causes confusion: users look for the usual “basket” as on a computer, but do not find it in the standard interface. MIUI. In fact, the mechanism for storing deleted data on Android works differently, depending on the type of files, the firmware version and even the device model. In some cases, the basket is really there, but hidden in non-obvious sections, and in others, files are deleted irrevocably immediately after clicking "Delete».

If you accidentally erase a photo, document or video, don’t panic. In this article, we’ll look at all possible shopping cart locations on Xiaomi, Redmi and other sites. POCO, We will explain how to recover data from backups, and warn you of common errors that lead to the loss of files forever. MIUI 12/13/14 and the nuances of working with cloud storage Mi Cloud.

Spoiler: Most Xiaomi devices don’t have a single bin for all file types, but there are separate junk containers in the gallery, file manager, and some applications, and their location and storage period for deleted data depends on the system settings.

In order not to waste time searching, use our step-by-step instructions - it is suitable for models from Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

1.The basket in the standard Xiaomi Gallery

The most obvious place to look for deleted files is the Gallery app (Google Photos or standard). MIUI This is where most people lose photos and videos, not knowing that they are not deleted immediately, but sent to temporary storage.

To find the basket in the gallery:

1. Open the Gallery app** (an icon with a colored circle or photo).
2. Slip along three horizontal lines (menu) in the lower right corner.
3. Select Recycle Bin (or recently deleted in some versions of MIUI).

In this section, files are stored for 30 days (by default), after which they are automatically cleared.

• 📤 Restore files – click on them and select “Restore».
• 🗑️ Clean the Recycle Bin - delete files permanently (action is irreversible!).
• ⏳ Change the storage period - in the settings of the gallery (path: Settings) → Basket → Storage period).

⚠️ Note: If you use Google Photos as your main gallery, the shopping cart may be elsewhere. → Library → The basket, the shelf life there is 60 days.

2.Basket in the file manager (MIUI File Manager)

Unlike the gallery, the standard file manager from Xiaomi (File Manager by Xiaomi) does not always have a basket.

• 📱 Smartphone models – on flagships (for example, Xiaomi) 13T Pro) the basket is available, but on budget Redmi may not be available.
• 🔄 Versions MIUI — into MIUI 14th basket appeared by default, and in MIUI 12 that had to be manually turned on.
• 📁 Remote File Type – Recycle Bin only works for files deleted through File Manager, not through third-party applications.

How to check for a basket:

1. Open File Manager (Icon with folder)
2. Go to the Categories section (bottom of the screen).
3. Scroll down - if there is a basket item, tap it.

If you don’t have a recycle bin, but you deleted the file through File Manager, try:

• 🔍 Check the.Trash folder in the root directory of internal memory (hidden folder, enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings).
• 📲 Install a third-party file manager (e.g., Solid Explorer or FX File Manager – Sometimes they see the system basket.

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If you work with files often, turn the Recycle Bin on in File Manager beforehand: go to Settings → Additionally. → Cart and activate the option.

Recycle Bin in Mi Cloud: How to Recover Files from the Cloud

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi's cloud storage that automatically backs up photos, contacts and some documents, and if you've enabled sync, deleted files can stay in the cloud bin.

To check:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select the Gallery or Files section (depending on the type of data).
3. Slip on the basket icon (or item Recently deleted).

Features of the cloud basket:

• ⏳ Files are stored for 30 days (as in the local gallery).
• 📥 Recovery takes time – data is downloaded back to the device.
• 🔒 If you delete a file from your recycle bin in the cloud, you can only restore it through Xiaomi support (and then not always).

⚠️ Note: If you have disabled sync with Mi Cloud or are not logged in to your Xiaomi account, the cloud cart will be empty. → Xiaomi account.

4.Why the cart may not be on your Xiaomi

If you didn’t find a basket in any of the places listed, the reasons may be as follows:

1.Outdated version MIUI

V MIUI 11 and earlier versions of the cart in File Manager were disabled by default:

• 🔧 Update the firmware to MIUI 12/13/14 through settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📥 If the update is not available, install the Recycle Bin manually through File Manager Settings. → Additionally. → Basket.

2. no basket for certain types of files

On Xiaomi, the cart works only for:

• 📷 Photo and video (in gallery).
• 📄 Documents and APK (File Manager, if enabled).

There is no shopping cart for music, downloads or files from instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and these files are deleted immediately.

3. Resetting or rooting

If you did:

• 🔄 Hard Reset (full reset),
• 🛠️ Unlocking the loader or installing custom firmware,

The system basket could be disabled, in which case files can only be restored through backups or specialized programs (for example, DiskDigger).

5. How to recover files if the basket is empty

If you haven’t found files in the Recycle Bin but are sure they’ve been deleted recently, try these methods:

Method 1: Checking Hidden Folders

Some apps (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) store deleted files in hidden folders:

1. Open File Manager.
2. Enable the display of hidden files: Settings → Show hidden files.
3. Go to the folders: /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Media/.Statuses (WhatsApp status), /storage/emulated/0/Telegram/Telegram Images/.thumbs.

Method 2: Recovery via Google Drive or Mi Cloud

If you have enabled backup:

• 📁 For Google Drive: Go to drive.google.com → Basket.
• ☁️ For Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Storage management → Basket.

Method 3: Recovery programs

If your files are not in the cart or cloud, use the following utilities:

• 🖥️ Recuva (for PC) – connect your phone in File Transfer mode and scan the memory.
• 📱 Dumpster (for Android) – a shopping cart application that intercepts deleted files.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install recovery programs on the same partition of memory where deleted files were stored.

6.How to set up a cart on Xiaomi in advance

To avoid data loss in the future, set up the cart correctly:

1.Include the cart in File Manager

1. Open File Manager.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Cart.
3. Activate the option and set a storage period (we recommend 30 days).

2. Set up automatic backups

• 📷 For photo: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery → Autosynchronization.
• 📄 For files: use Google Drive or Dropbox.

3. Install a third-party basket

If standard tools do not suit, try the applications:

• 🗑️ Dumpster – intercepts all deleted files.
• 🔄 Recycle Bin – Creates a virtual basket for any data.

Important: On devices with MIUI 14 and newer Recycle Bin in File Manager is enabled by default, but it is limited to 5% of internal memory. If you delete a lot of files, manually clean the Recycle Bin so you don't fill up the storage.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Xiaomi users often lose files due to typical flaws.

Error 1: Delete files via Explorer (not File Manager)

If you plug your phone into your PC and delete files through Windows Explorer, they don't end up in the Xiaomi shopping cart.

• 🖥️ Check the basket on the PC.
• 🔍 Use recovery programs (e.g. EaseUS Data Recovery).

Error 2: Clearing the cache or application data

When cleaning the gallery cache or file manager via Settings → Recycle bin apps can reset. Don't do that if there are important files in the shopping cart!

Error 3: Using the Optimization Functions

V MIUI There are built-in cleaning tools (Safety) → They can delete files from the trash before the deadline:

• ⚙️ Turn off automatic cleaning in Settings → Battery and productivity → Cleanup.

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If you frequently work with important files, turn off automatic cart cleanup and set up backups in Mi Cloud or Google Drive.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions