How to enter the cart on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones: step-by-step guide

Have you accidentally deleted an important file on your Xiaomi Redmi and now you don’t know how to get it back? Or just want to free up space by emptying your Trash of unnecessary data? On smartphones Redmi (and other devices Xiaomi running MIUI) the recycle bin works differently than on a “clean” one Android —its interface is hidden in the depths of the file manager, and its functions depend on the firmware version. In this article, we will look at all the ways to access the recycle bin, including hidden methods for older models and devices with custom firmware.

It is important to understand: the recycle bin on Redmi is not a separate application, but part of the system file manager (usually Files or File Manager). Its contents are automatically cleared after 30 days, but if necessary, you can restore deleted files manually or configure the retention period. If you use third-party galleries (for example, Google Photos), they may have their own baskets - we will also talk about this below.

Before you start, check version MIUI on your device: path Settings → About phone → MIUI version. This determines which of the proposed methods will work. Are you ready? Let's start with the simplest method.

1. Standard method: through the system file manager

This is a basic method that works on most Redmi s MIUI 12–14s. The recycle bin here is integrated into the application Files (blue folder icon), and its contents include deleted files from the internal memory and SD cards (if installed).

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the application Files (if you don’t find it, check the folder Tools or use the system search).
• 🔍 At the top of the screen, tap on the three horizontal lines (menu) or swipe to the right to open the sidebar.
• 🗑️ Select the item Cart (on some versions - Recently deleted).
• 🔄 Here you will see all files deleted in the last 30 days. To restore, click on the file and select Recover.

If the item Trash is not in the menu, it means:

• ❌ You have an old version MIUI (up to 11 inclusive) - go to section for old firmware.
• ❌ Trash is disabled in the settings - how to enable, read in the next section.
• ❌ You use a third-party file manager (for example, ES Explorer or Solid Explorer) - they have their own baskets.

Please note: files from the recycle bin are automatically deleted after 30 days, but you can change this period. this:

1. Open Files → Trash.
2. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner.
3. Select Recycle Bin settings and set the desired period (from 1 to 60 days).

2. Enabling the Recycle Bin in the file manager settings

On some Redmi (especially after resetting the settings or updating the firmware), the recycle bin may be disabled by default. To activate it:

Steps:

• 📁 Open the application Files.
• ⚙️ Tap on the gear icon (Settings) or three dots in the upper right corner.
• 🔄 Find the section Trash (or Deleted files) and turn on the switch.
• ⏳ If desired, change the file storage period (recommended 15–30 days).

If there is no item in the settings Cart, it means:

• 📱 Your model Redmi does not support this function (relevant for budget devices like Redmi 9A or Redmi 8).
• 🔄 You are using custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience) - the recycle bin may work differently in them.

Important: after enabling the recycle bin, all new deleted files will go into it, but files deleted before activating the function cannot be restored. They are permanently deleted from the system (if third-party utilities like DiskDigger).

3. Recycle Bin in the gallery and Google Photos

Many users confuse the system recycle bin with the recycle bins in the applications Gallery and Google PhotosThese recycle bins work independently and store only. media files (photos, videos). Let's consider both options.

Trash in the standard MIUI gallery:

• 🖼️ Open the application Gallery.
• 🔍 Tap on the icon Albums in the bottom menu.
• 🗑️ Scroll down and select Trash (or Recently deleted).
• 🔄 Here you can restore photos/videos or empty the trash completely.

Trash in Google Photos:

• 🌐 Open the application Google Photos.
• 📷 Go to Library → Trash.
• ⏳ Files here are stored for 60 days (as opposed to 30 days in MIUI).
• ⚠️ If you deleted a file from Google Photos and from the system gallery, it may remain in only one of the recycle bins!

Trash type	Where stored	Retention period	File types
System (MIUI)	Application Files	1–60 days (customizable)	Any (photos, documents, APK)
MIUI Gallery	Application Gallery	30 days	Photo/video only
Google Photos	App Google Photos	60 days	Photo/video (including backup copies)
Third-party managers (ES Explorer)	Inside the application	Depends on settings	Any

What to do if the file is not restored?

If, when restoring a file from the recycle bin, the error “Failed to recover” appears, check:

1. Free space on the device (at least 10% of the file size is required).

2. Access rights to the folder (for example, if the file was in /DCIM/Camera, and the folder is now protected).

3. File integrity (damaged files may not be restored).

If all else fails, try copying the file to your PC via MTP or use the app Recuva (for Windows).

4. Recycle bin on older versions of MIUI (up to 11)

If your Redmi works on MIUI 9–11 (relevant for models Redmi Note 5/6/7, Redmi 8/8A etc.), there may not be a system recycle bin in its usual form. Instead, a mechanism is used Recently deletedthat works differently:

How to find:

• 📁 Open Files → Categories → Recently deleted.
• 🔍 If there is no folder, try the path: Files → Local storage → .trash (hidden folder).
• 🔄 Recovery is possible only within 15 days (instead of 30).

On MIUI 9 and below there is no basket at all. In this case:

• 🛠️ Use third-party recovery utilities (for example, DiskDigger or Undeleter).
• 🔧 Update the firmware to MIUI 12+ (if the device supports).
• 💾 Make regular backups to your PC or cloud.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi s MIUI 8 and older, attempting to restore files via ADB or root access may lead to file failure system. If you are not sure of your actions, contact the service center.

5. Recycle bin on custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)

If you installed alternative firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), system the cart MIUI will disappear. Instead you can use:

Options:

• 📱 Built-in cart Android 13/14 (available in Google Files).
• 🛠️ Third-party file managers with a recycle bin:
  • Solid Explorer (paid version)
  • FX File Explorer
  • MiXplorer (requires root for full functionality)
• 🔧 Modules Magisk for emulating a recycle bin (for example, Trash Bin Module).

To enable the cart in Google Files:

1. Open the application Files from Google.
2. Tap on your profile in the upper right corner.
3. Select Settings → Recycle Bin and enable the function.

Important: on custom firmware, recovered files may lose metadata (date of creation, geotags). If this is critical, use backup via TWRP or Titanium Backup (root required).

6. Recovering files without the Recycle Bin

If the Recycle Bin is empty or missing, and the files are critical, try these methods:

Recovery methods:

• 💻 Via PC:
  • Connect Redmi to the computer in mode File transfer (MTP).
  • Use apps Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery or PhotoRec.
  • Scan the internal memory (not SD card —the chances are lower).
• 📱 Via ADB (for advanced users):

  adb shell su -c "find /data -name 'your_file_name'"

  Replace your_file_name with part of the name of the lost file.
• ☁️ Cloud backups:
  • Check Google Drive (automatic backup).
  • If you used Mi Cloud, go to i.mi.com from PC.

⚠️ Attention: When restoring via a PC do not save files to the same drivefrom which you are scanning! This may overwrite the deleted data. Use another drive.

7. Setting up automatic emptying of the recycle bin

To prevent the recycle bin from clogging up memory, set up its automatic emptying:

How to set it up:

• 📁 Open Files → Cart → ⋮ → Cart settings.
• ⏳ Set the storage period (recommended 15-30 days).
• 🗑️ Enable the option Auto cleanup (if available).
• 📊 Check the cart volume in Settings → Storage → Recycle Bin.

For Google Photos:

• ☁️ Open Google Photos → Settings → Cart.
• ⏳ Set the storage period (maximum 60 days).
• 🔄 Enable notifications about files that will soon be deleted.

Tip: if you often delete large files (videos, archives), reduce the storage period to 7-10 days. This will free up space without the risk of losing important data.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the recycle bin on Redmi

Is it possible to increase the storage period of files in the recycle bin to more than 60 days?

In the standard recycle bin MIUI maximum is 60 days. For longer storage:

• Use Google Photos (there is a limit of 60 days, but you can manually archive files).
• Transfer important files to the cloud (Mi Cloud, Google Drive).
• Set up automatic backup via Settings → Advanced → Backup.

Why are deleted files not displayed in the Recycle Bin?

Possible reasons:

• Files are deleted before enabling recycle bin (they do not go into it retroactively).
• Files deleted from SD cards —some versions MIUI do not save them to the recycle bin.
• Trash disabled in the settings (see section 2).
• Files deleted via ADB or root commands (they bypass the recycle bin).

Try to check the hidden folder .trash via Root Explorer (root required).

How to empty the recycle bin completely?

Methods:

• Via Files → Recycle Bin → Delete everything.
• Via Settings → Storage → Recycle Bin → Clear.
• For Google Photos: Trash → ⋮ → Empty Trash.

If the Trash is not emptied, reboot the device or delete the files manually via PC.

Is it possible to recover files after emptying the recycle bin?

After emptying the recycle bin, the files are deleted irretrievably for standard methods. Chances of recovery:

• 🔴 Lowif >24 hours have passed and you have been actively using the phone.
• 🟡 Medium, if you used apps like DiskDigger immediately after cleaning.
• 🟢 High, if there is a backup copy in the cloud or on a PC.

For maximum chances:

1. Immediately turn off the Internet and do not install new applications.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and scan the memory with the app PhotoRec.

Does the recycle bin work on an unlocked Redmi? bootloader?

Yes, the recycle bin also works on devices with an unlocked bootloader (bootloader), but:

• If you installed custom recovery (for example, TWRP), the system recycle bin MIUI can be reset.
• When changing the firmware (for example, from MIUI to LineageOS), the contents of the basket are usually lost.
• If you rolled back the firmware via Fastboot, the files in the recycle bin may be damaged.

Recommendation: before any manipulations with the firmware, make a backup copy of the recycle bin (copy the folder .trash to your PC).