Where is the Recycle Bin on Xiaomi Redmi: a complete guide to file recovery

Deleted important photos or documents on Xiaomi Redmi, and then realized that they still needed? Don't panic - MIUI has a built-in basket that stores deleted files from 30 to 60 days (depending on the model and version of the firmware). But here's the problem: it's not as easy to find it as on an iPhone or computer. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to access the basket on Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13 and other models, and also tell you how to recover data if it is already gone from the garbage.

Many users mistakenly search for a shopping cart in Settings or search the system and do not find it. The fact is that in MIUI the shopping cart is not a separate application, but is integrated into the standard file manager and gallery. The logic of the work is different from other Android smartphones: for example, on Samsung or Huawei, garbage is stored in Google Photos, and here everything works differently. Next, details with step-by-step screenshots and life hacks.

Why the cart on Xiaomi Redmi is “hiding” from users

On Xiaomi smartphones, the shopping cart is unintuitive, and this is one of the main complaints users have about MIUI. Unlike Windows or macOS, where garbage is prominently located, here it is hidden in the depths of system applications.

• 📱 Different access paths depending on file type: one place for photos and videos, another for documents.
• 🔄 Lack of universal icon: there is no single “Basket” app like on iOS.
• 🗑️ Autoclean: System can remove files from garbage ahead of schedule if memory is lacking.
• 🔧 Default settings: On some models, the basket is manually disabled (for example, after resetting to factory settings).

Xiaomi also updates MIUI regularly, and the path to the cart may change. For example, in MIUI 14, the gallery menu looks different than in MIUI 12. If you upgraded the firmware, the old instructions may not work.

Where is the photo and video basket on Xiaomi Redmi

If you delete photos or videos, you can restore them through the standard Gallery. Here is the exact path for all modern Redmi models (including the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 10C, Redmi K50, etc.):

1. Open the Gallery app (a icon with multi-colored squares).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) top-right.
3. In the drop-down menu, select the basket item (or garbage on some firmware).
4. You will see a list of deleted files. To recover, click on the file → Restore.

If the basket item isn't on the menu, it means:

• 📵 You have deleted files not through the Gallery, but through another file manager (e.g. Google Photos or Google Photos). ES Conductor).
• ⚙️ The cart is disabled in the settings (how to turn on - read below).
• 🗑️ The files were deleted more than 30 days ago and have been permanently erased.

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If the Gallery doesn't have a Recycle Bin, try updating the app through Google Play. Sometimes interface bugs get fixed in new versions.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13 for the global version), the basket may be called Recently Deleted (if the system language is English).

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Language and input.
2. Choose Russian (or other language you need).
3. Reboot your smartphone.

Recycle Bin for Documents, Music and Other Files

The photos are sorted out, but what if you delete a Word document, ZIP archive, or audio file? For such cases, MIUI has a separate shopping cart - in the File Manager application.

Instructions for remediation:

1. Open the Files app (the blue label folder icon).
2. In the bottom menu, select the Category (or Browse) tab.
3. Scroll down and find the Recycle Bin section (sometimes it is hidden under the Still item).
4. Select the necessary files by ticks and click Restore.

Note: The Files Recycle Bin only stores data for 15 days (as opposed to 30 days in the Gallery) if you deleted a document more than two weeks ago, you can't restore it through system means.

If you don’t find the file in the basket, check:

• 🔍 Download folder – sometimes files “disappear” simply because they were re-downloaded.
• ☁️ Cloud services: Mi Cloud, Google Drive or Yandex.Disk (if autosynchronization was enabled).
• 📁 Hidden folders: In Files, enable the display of hidden files (Settings) → Show hidden files).

How to turn on the basket if it is not on the menu

On some Xiaomi Redmi smartphones (especially after resetting or updating the firmware), the basket can be disabled by default.

For the Gallery:

1. Open the gallery. → press three points (⋮) top-right.
2. Select Settings.
3. Find the basket item and move the slider to the position Vl.
4. Set a storage period (maximum 60 days).

For the Files app:

1. Open Files → go to Settings (cog icon).
2. Select Additional → Basket.
3. Turn on the option and set up a storage period (up to 30 days).

Is the Recycle Bin Included in the Gallery | Has a maximum shelf life (60 days) | Has the Files app been checked for debris | Have system applications been updated to the latest version-->

If the basket still does not appear after turning on, try:

• 🔄 Clear the cache of the Gallery and Files applications (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Clear the cache).
• 📥 Reinstall updates for these apps via Google Play.
• 🔧 Reset application settings (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Drop it).

How to recover files if the basket is empty

If files were deleted more than 30 to 60 days ago or the shopping cart is disabled, the system tools won't help, but there are several ways to get data back:

1. Through backups

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Check if sync is enabled (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Gallery/Files).

2. Through third-party applications

If there are no backups, try recovery programs:

• 📱 Dumpster – an alternative shopping cart for Android that intercepts deleted files.

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The faster you start recovering, the better the chances of returning files, and every new file you write to your phone reduces the likelihood of a successful recovery.

3. Contact the service center

If your phone has critical data (such as work documents or personal photos) and self-recovery has not helped, you can contact specialized laboratories, they use professional equipment to extract data from flash memory, the cost of such a service is from 3,000 to 10,000 rubles depending on the complexity.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install recovery software on the same memory partition where the deleted files were stored! This can permanently erase them. Use SD-card.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Xiaomi Redmi users make the same mistakes when working with the basket.

1. Delete files through third-party applications (e.g. ES Explorer or Total Commander), in which case files do not enter the MIUI system basket and are deleted irrevocably.
2. Ignoring garbage cleanup notifications: The system can automatically delete files from the trash when the disk space runs out.
3. Disable sync with Mi Cloud. Without backup, it will be impossible to recover data after resetting.
4. Using Optimization features like Garbage Cleanup in the Security App. These tools often delete files from the Recycle Bin ahead of time.

To avoid data loss:

• ☁️ Enable autosynchronization with Mi Cloud or Google Photos.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to sell or rent your phone for repair, be sure to manually clean the cart before resetting. Even after a factory reset, some files can remain in the device's memory and be restored by specialists.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions