Recycle Bin in Xiaomi Redmi 4: where to look for deleted files and how to return them

You accidentally deleted an important file on Xiaomi Redmi 4 and now you can't find a basket to recover it? This problem is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi smartphones — especially those who have switched from iPhones or devices on pure Android. The fact is that the MIUI shell (even in older versions for Redmi 4) does not have the usual "basket" in the classical sense. Instead, files are deleted immediately, but there are ways to return them — and we will tell you about them in as much detail as possible.

In this article, you will learn where the Recycle Bin really is stored in Redmi 4, how to enable backup to automatically save deleted data, and what programs will help restore files if standard methods do not work, and why MIUI does not have a traditional Recycle Bin, like Windows or macOS, and what to do if you delete photos, videos or documents without the possibility of cancellation.

Important: If you're looking for a messaging cart (SMS/MMS) or a call, this is a separate topic that we'll cover below, and if you need to recover data after resetting your settings or firmware, go straight to the recovery section.

Why Xiaomi Redmi 4 doesn’t have a cart like a computer

Many users expect to see the same file logic in a smartphone as they do on a PC: they deleted the document and it ended up in a basket where it can be returned within 30 days. However, in MIUI (even in the Redmi 4/4X/4A version), this mechanism works differently.

• 📱 Limited space: Smartphones don’t have the same amount of memory as computers, so permanently storing deleted files would be critical.
• 🔄 Automatic cleaning: MIUI Optimized for performance, and “soft” removal (with a basket) would slow down the system.
• ☁️ Cloud alternatives: Xiaomi is betting on Mi Cloud, a cloud storage where files are synced and can be recovered from another device.
• 🗑️ Local shopping cart for gallery only: the only exception is the Gallery app, where deleted photos / videos are stored for 30 days (more about this below).

It's not that files are lost forever. It's just that MIUI uses a different approach, where instead of the basket, backups, cloud syncs, and special folders for temporary storage, we'll show you where to look for remote storage.

Where is the photo and video cart on Redmi 4?

The only place in Redmi 4 that has something like a shopping cart is the standard Gallery app (or Photos in newer versions of MIUI), where when you delete a photo or video through a gallery, it doesn't disappear immediately, but it goes to a hidden folder called "Recently Deleted," where files are stored for 30 days, and then permanently deleted.

To find this basket:

1. Open the Gallery app (icon with multi-colored squares).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) top-left.
3. In the menu, select Recently Deleted (or Recycle Bin in some firmware).
4. Click on the file you want to restore and select Restore.

⚠️ Note: if you deleted the photo not through the gallery, but through the file manager (for example, Explorer or ES File Explorer, it won't be in "Recently Deleted" and will be erased immediately, in which case only recovery through special programs will help (see section below).

Cart for messages, contacts and calls

If you are looking for a “basket” for SMS, The Redmi 4 doesn't have a history of calls or contacts, but there are alternative ways to recover it:

• 📩 Communications (SMS/MMS): There is no basket in the Messages application, but you can restore deleted ones SMS via Mi Cloud (if sync is enabled). Use third-party apps like SMS Backup & Restore (requires root for full recovery).
• 📞 Log of calls: MIUI It doesn't save deleted records of calls. The only way to get them back is by backing up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 👥 Contacts: If contacts have been synced to a Google Account or Mi Account, they can be returned via the web version of the service (contacts.google.com or i.mi.com). Local contacts (without sync) can be almost impossible to restore.

⚠️ Warning: If you reset your phone to factory settings without a backup, restore SMS, Calls or contacts will be extremely difficult, and only specialized software (like Dr.Fone) will help, but there are no guarantees.

How to recover files if there is no basket: 3 working ways

If you deleted a file outside the gallery, or it's been more than 30 days, a standard shopping cart won't help.

1. Recovery via Mi Cloud (if synchronization was enabled)

Xiaomi automatically backs up photos, contacts and some documents if the account settings enable Sync.

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Check if sync is enabled for Gallery, Contacts or Notes.
3. If yes, go to i.mi.com from your computer, log in and check the Deleted Files folder.

2.Recovery programs (without root)

If the sync has not been configured, use specialized utilities. For Redmi 4, you can:

• 📱 DiskDigger – Scanning internal memory and card SD, Finds deleted photos/video/documents. Works without root, but is more efficient with it.
• 💻 Recuva (for PC) - connect your phone in File Transfer mode (MTP) and scan the memory.
• 🔍 7-Data Recovery – supports recovery of WhatsApp, Viber and other messengers.

⚠️ Attention: the more you use your phone after deleting files, the less likely you are to recover them:

• Turn off mobile internet and Wi-Fi.
• Do not install new applications.
• Don't take photos or videos.

3. Manual search in system folders

Some files (such as thumbnails or app cache) may remain in hidden folders. Check the following paths through the file manager (such as Explorer or Solid Explorer):

/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails


/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/.trash




/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private




/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.gallery/cache

If the folder is not visible, turn on the display of hidden files in the file manager settings.

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Before recovering, copy the files found to your computer or cloud so you avoid re-loss of data when crashed.

How to turn on the automatic basket on Redmi 4

Although MIUI doesn't have a full-fledged shopping cart, you can set up automatic backups to play a role.

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for: Gallery (photos and videos), Contacts, Notes, Call Records (if available).

Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset

Now, when you delete files, they will be saved to the cloud, from where they can be restored within 6 months (for photos) or 30 days (for other data).

You can also use third-party file managers with a basket function, for example:

• 📁 ES File Explorer (in settings, turn on the Recycle Bin).
• 🗃️ Solid Explorer (Recycle Bin plugin).
• ☁️ Google Files (automatically saves deleted files for 30 days).

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Set up a backup in Mi Cloud takes 5 minutes, but saves your data in 90% of deletion cases.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with the basket on Redmi 4, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

• 🔍 I don't see the folder "Recently Deleted" in the gallery: Make sure that you delete the photo through the Gallery app, not through another file manager. MIUI Redmi 4 (even if it's old, updates may add features).
• 📵 Mi Cloud does not restore files: Make sure you are logged in to the same Mi Account that was linked to your phone at the time of deletion. Make sure you have enough space (free 5GB).
• 🛑 Recovery programs don't find files: Try scanning not the internal memory, but the card SD (If the files were on it, use deep scanning in the program settings.

⚠️ Attention: if you're trying to recover files after you reset to factory settings, the odds are extremely slim:

1. Do not write new data to your phone.
2. Use Dr.Fone or Tenorshare UltData – they specialize in post-reset recovery.
3. If the phone doesn’t turn on, contact the service center – you may need a chip-off recovery.

Data recovery after firmware or reset

If you've stitched Redmi 4 or reset to factory settings, standard recovery methods won't work.

1. Check backups: Local copies: Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local backups. Cloud copies: i.mi.com → Devices → Backups.
2. Use professional software: Tenorshare UltData for Android – recovers data even after a reset (requires root). EaseUS MobiSaver – supports scanning of internal memory at a low level.
3. If data is critical (e.g., work documents), service centers can retrieve it via a chip-off (direct connection to the phone’s memory).

⚠️ Warning: After you have firmware or reset, do not write new data to your phone, which reduces the chances of recovery, but it is better to immediately remove the memory card (if any) and connect it to the computer to scan it.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions