Trash on smartphones Xiaomi is a temporary storage for deleted files, which many users forget to check. Over time, it becomes clogged with unnecessary photos, videos and documents, taking up precious space in the device’s memory. If you notice that your Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 suddenly began to run out of free space, the first thing you should do is look here.

Unlike computer analogues, the recycle bin on MIUI works differently: files are stored here from 7 to 30 days (depending on the settings), and then automatically are deleted. However, manual cleaning can free up memory instantly - especially important before installing large applications or system updates. In this article, we will look at all the ways to empty the recycle bin, including hidden folders and system tools that not everyone knows about.

Where is the recycle bin on Xiaomi and how to open it

In MIUI 12–14 the recycle bin is integrated in two key places: Gallery (for multimedia) and File manager (for documents). However, the paths to it differ depending on the shell version and smartphone model. For example, on Xiaomi 13 Ultra with MIUI 14, the menu may look different than on Redmi 10A with MIUI 12.5.

To avoid confusion, use the universal instructions:

  • 📷 Through the Gallery: open the application Gallery → tap on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner → select Trash. Deleted photos and videos are stored here.
  • 📁 Through File Manager: run Files → go to the tab Categories → scroll down to the section Trash.
  • 🔍 Search in the system: if you don’t find the trash, use the search bar in Settingsby entering the request “cart”.

On some models (for example, POCO F4) the basket may be hidden under the name Recently deleted - this ok, functions are the same. If you do not see the section at all, check whether synchronization with Mi Cloud is disabled - without it, the recycle bin may not be displayed.

📊 How often do you empty the recycle bin on your smartphone?
Once a week
Once a month
Only when the memory runs out
Never cleared

This is the simplest method that is suitable for deleting multimedia files. The algorithm works on all smartphones Xiaomiincluding older models like Redmi 12, POCO M5 and older models like Mi 9T. The main thing is not to confuse the gallery basket with the cloud basket Google Photosif you use it.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Open the application Gallery (icon with multi-colored squares).
  2. In the upper right corner, click on the three dots (⋮) and select Cart.
  3. Click on Manage (or Edit in old versions of MIUI).
  4. Tick the files that you want to delete permanently, or tap Select all.
  5. Click Delete and confirm the action.

If you want to delete all files at once, some versions of MIUI have a button Empty the Trash —it appears after clicking on the three dots (⋮) inside the trash can. Be careful: recovery after such an action is impossible!

☑️ Preparing to empty the Trash

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Method 2: Deleting files via File manager

File manager Xiaomi allows you to empty the trash from documents, APK files, downloads and other types of data. This method is universal and works even if the gallery does not open for some reason. Important: in MIUI 14, the recycle bin in the file manager may be called Deleted files.

How to clear:

  • 📂 Open the application Files (blue folder icon).
  • 🔍 Go to the tab Categories in the bottom menu.
  • 🗑️ Scroll down to the section Trash (or Deleted files) and tap on it.
  • ✅ Select unnecessary files or click Select all.
  • 🗑️ Click Delete permanently and confirm.

In some firmware (for example, on Xiaomi 12 Lite) the trash can in the file manager may be hidden. To see it, click on the three lines (☰) in the upper left corner and select Trash manually.

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If the Trash is not emptied, try restarting the phone - sometimes MIUI system processes freeze when working with temporary files.

Method 3: Manually clearing hidden trash folders

Even after cleaning through the interface, “tails” may remain in the smartphone’s memory - hidden trash folders that are not visible in standard menus. They are usually located along the path /storage/emulated/0/.recycle or /MIUI/Gallery/cloud/.trash. Deleting these folders requires rights root or a file manager with access to system directories (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Manager).

Instructions for advanced users:

  1. Install a file manager with support root (if have rights) or enable display of hidden files in the settings of the standard manager.
  2. Go to the path: 
    /storage/emulated/0/.recycle

    /MIUI/Gallery/cloud/.trash
    

    /DCIM/.thumbnails

  3. Delete all files in these folders. If the folder does not open, check the access rights.
  4. Restart the phone.

Attention: deleting files from system folders manually can lead to failures in the gallery or file manager. Do this only if you are confident in your actions!

What should you do if, after emptying, the recycle bin becomes full again?

This may occur due to automatic synchronization with Mi Cloud. Open Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud and disable gallery backup. Are third-party applications installed to clear memory that may conflict with the system recycle bin.

Method 4: Automatic cleaning through Settings

In MIUI 13/14 a function has appeared automatically cleaning the trash on a schedule. This is convenient if you don’t want to remember about manual cleaning. The function is hidden in the optimization settings and works regardless of the smartphone version (suitable for Redmi Note 11, Xiaomi 11T and newer).

How to set up:

  • 🔧 Open Settings → About phone → Memory.
  • 📊 Tap on Storage & Performance (or Optimization in older versions).
  • ⚙️ Select Cleaning settings → Auto-cleaning recycle bin.
  • 🕒 Set period: Every week, Every month or If there is not enough memory.
  • 🔄 Turn on the switch Automatic cleaning.

This function deletes files from the recycle bin without recovery option, so enable it only if you are sure that you will not need the deleted data. On some firmware, the option may be called Smart cleaning.

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Automatically emptying the Recycle Bin saves time, but disables the ability to restore files. Use it only if you do not store important data in the trash.

Method 5: Emptying the trash via Mi Cloud

If you use Mi Cloud for backup, deleted files may be duplicated in the cloud trash. Cleaning up here will free up space on both your phone and cloud storage. Please note: files in the cloud trash are stored for up to 60 days, after which they are deleted automatically.

How to empty the cloud trash:

  • ☁️ Open the application Mi Cloud (or go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud).
  • 📁 Select section Gallery or Files (depending on what you need to clear).
  • 🗑️ Tap on Trash in the top menu.
  • ✅ Mark unnecessary files and click Delete permanently.

If you do not see the section Basket in Mi Cloud, update the application to the latest version or check your Internet connection. On some accounts, the function may be disabled - in this case, cleaning is only possible through the web version. data-i="201">linked to your account i.mi.com.

⚠️ Attention: Emptying the cloud trash removes files from all deviceslinked to your account Mi. If you use one account on several smartphones, the data will be lost everywhere.

What to do if the recycle bin is not emptied

Sometimes users encounter that the recycle bin on Xiaomi is not emptied or displays an error. The reasons can be different: from a malfunction of MIUI to damage to system files. Here's what you can do:

Problem Possible reason Solution
The “Delete” button is inactive The files are protected from deletion Check access rights or reboot the phone
The Trash is empty, but the memory is not freed System cache or hidden files Clear the gallery cache in Settings → Applications
Error “Failed to delete” File system corruption Run a memory check via Settings → Memory → Scan
The recycle bin does not open MIUI crashes Clear application data Gallery or Files

If none of the methods helped, try resetting the gallery settings:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application management.
  2. Find Gallery and select Storage.
  3. Click Clear data and Clear cache.
  4. Restart the phone.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting the gallery data will delete all application settings, including albums and tags on photos. The files themselves will remain in the phone’s memory. untouched.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the recycle bin on Xiaomi

How many days are files stored in the Xiaomi recycle bin?

By default, files are stored for 30 days, but this period can be changed. data-i="245">path: MIUI 14 path: Settings → Memory → Clear memory → Recycle Bin settings. Available options: 7, 15, 30 or 60 days. On some models (for example, POCO X3 Pro) the maximum period is 15 days.

Is it possible to restore files after emptying the Recycle Bin?

No, after manual cleaning or automatic deletion after expiration, recovery is impossible. The only chance is to use apps like DiskDigger or Recuva, but they only work if the disk space has not been overwritten by new ones. files. The success of recovery depends on the smartphone model and memory type (UFS/eMMC).

Why does the recycle bin take up space if it is empty?

This may happen due to:

  • Hidden system files (for example, thumbnails in /DCIM/.thumbnails).
  • Errors in display of used space (reboot the phone).
  • Application cache, which is not counted as a “trash”, but takes up memory.

Check the used space through Settings → Memory → Memory Analysis.

How disable the recycle bin on Xiaomi?

You cannot completely disable the recycle bin, but you can reduce the storage period of files to 1 day:

  1. Open Gallery → Recycle Bin → Settings (gear in the corner).
  2. Select the minimum storage period.

On some firmware (for example, Xiaomi.eu), the recycle bin can be disabled by editing system files, but this requires rootrights.

Is there a recycle bin in MIUI for third-party applications?

No, the system recycle bin Xiaomi works only with files deleted through standard applications (Gallery, Files). Third-party applications (for example, Google Photos or ES Explorer) have their own recycle bins. need to be cleaned separately.