Where to bookmark in Xiaomi: a complete guide to search and management

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where, after updating the MIUI interface or switching to a new version of HyperOS, the usual icons and menu items change their location, especially for system applications such as a browser, file manager or gallery where important user data is stored. Finding saved links becomes a real problem if you do not know which directory or application they are now in the default.

To make matters worse, the Android shell on the Chinese manufacturer’s devices is deeply customized. Standard navigation paths may differ from stock versions of the system, and preinstalled launchers often hide minor interface elements in folders or additional menus. Understanding the logic of the file system and the structure of Xiaomi applications will allow you to quickly find any saved web pages without having to reinstall software or reset settings.

In this article, we will take a look at all the possible places where your bookmarks can be stored. We will look not only at the standard Mi Browser browser, but also at third-party solutions, synchronization through a Google account, as well as hidden system folders, you will learn how to create convenient widgets for quick access and understand how to prevent data loss when changing devices.

Search for bookmarks in the standard Mi Browser browser

By default, all Xiaomi smartphones have their own Mi Browser browser. This is where most users search for their saved links, but the interface of the application is constantly changing. To find bookmarks, you need to launch the application and pay attention to the bottom navigation bar, there is an icon in the form of a star or an open book, which indicates the section "Menu" or "Library".

You'll see a few tabs when you go to the menu, which will be "Bookmarks." If you've previously sorted links by folder, they'll show up as a list. It's important to note that the latest versions of MIUI and HyperOS have a sync function through your Mi Account, which means that your data can be hidden if you're not logged in.

To manage a link collection, use a long click on a specific item. This will open a context menu where you can edit the title, URL-Address or delete an unnecessary post, and grouping is also available to create thematic folders for easy navigation.

• 📁 Click on the star icon at the bottom of the screen to access the library.
• 📂 Use tabs to switch between history, downloads, and saved pages.
• ✏️ Editing is available via long press or the "Change" button in the corner of the screen.
• 🔄 Check the synchronization status in the profile settings to avoid losing data.

Use of Google Chrome and other alternatives

Many users choose not to use standard solutions from the manufacturer, but install Google Chrome, Yandex Browser or Opera. In these applications, the logic of bookmarking can be radically different. For example, in Chrome, all data is tied exclusively to your Google account. If you change your phone and are not logged in, the list will be empty.

To find saved pages in Chrome, click three dots in the top right corner of the screen. In the drop-down list, select "Bookmarks." Here they can be sorted by "Mobile Bookmarks" and "Bookbar" folders. The latter syncs with the desktop version of the browser on your computer, which is very convenient for cross-platform work.

If you use Yandex Browser, look at the bottom bar, and it often displays a tab button with a number indicating the number of tabs open, and next to or inside this menu is the "Collections" or "Bookmarks" section, which is accessed through the bottom navigation bar, where you can select the icon of the letter "O" or asterisk.

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Use Google Assistant voice search: just say “Show me my bookmarks” and the system will open the desired application with a list of saved pages if they are synchronized with the main acc.

System Search and Global Navigation

MIUI and HyperOS have a powerful built-in search engine that indexes not only apps, but also content inside them, and it's the fastest way to find a specific link if you remember at least part of the name. You don't have to open your browser, you just go to your desktop.

Swipe down (or up, depending on your navigation settings) to open the search bar. Type in a keyword, such as the name of the site or the word "bookmarks." The system will prompt you to open the browser application or immediately show the matches found in the "Web" or "Applications".

Also worth mentioning is the Search in Settings feature. If you're looking for settings for the bookmarking mechanism itself, rather than links (such as saving path or clearing cache), search under Settings. Type "browser" or "application data" to quickly navigate to the memory management menu you want.

• 🔍 Swipe down the desktop to activate the search bar.
• 🗣 Use voice input to quickly search for website names.
• ⚙️ Through a search in the settings, you can find a way to the cache of a particular application.
• 📱 The search widget can be fixed on the desktop for permanent access.

Working with widgets and quick access

For those who often use the same resources, the best solution is to create a widget or shortcut on the desktop. This eliminates the need to open the browser every time and search for the desired link in the depth of the menu. There are several ways to implement quick access at Xiaomi.

The first way is to create a site shortcut: Open the desired page in the browser, click on the menu (three dots or bars) and select the option "Add to the home screen." The system will create an icon that will lead directly to this URL. This works for both Mi Browser and Chrome.

The second way is to use browser widgets: hold your finger on the empty desktop, select "Widgets" and find your browser in the list. Drag the "Bookmarks" or "Quick Access" widget onto the screen. Now your favorite sites will be visible always, even without opening the application.

Data synchronization and accounts

The key to keeping your data safe is to set up syncs correctly, Mi Cloud is responsible for that in the Xiaomi ecosystem, and Google Play is responsible for that in the Google ecosystem, and if you don't set up sync, it's almost impossible to restore bookmarks if you lose your phone or it breaks.

To enable sync in Mi Browser, go to the app settings and select "Account." Log in to your Mi ID and make sure the Bookmark Sync switch is active. This will allow you to see your links on a Xiaomi tablet or other smartphone of the brand after authorization.

Google Chrome is similar to Google Chrome, but requires you to log in to Google profile. Go to your browser settings, click on your profile name and select Sync. Make sure that Bookmarks is ticked, which ensures that your online travel history is preserved forever.

⚠️ Warning: When you reset your phone to the factory, all local data is deleted. If you didn't sync in advance, you can't restore bookmarks through the cloud.

File system and backup

For advanced users who want to have full control over their data, there is the option of manual backup. Android bookmarks are often stored as database files or XML-files inside hidden directories, accessed through a root file manager or PC connection.

The path to Chrome bookmarks is usually /data/data/com.android.chrome/files. However, without root permissions, /data/ is closed. In this case, you can use the built-in MIUI backup function. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and create a copy of these applications.

The backup file will be stored in internal memory in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder. This file can be copied to a computer or to the cloud storage. If you need to restore, just move the file back and start the recovery procedure from the same settings menu.

• 💾 Use built-in backup MIUI save data applications.
• 📂 Backup files are stored in a folder MIUI/backup inner-memory.
• 🔒 Access to database system files requires root rights.
• ☁️ Regularly copy the backup file to external media or to the cloud.

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Regular backups through the MIUI system menu are the most reliable way to save bookmarks without the need for Root rights and third-party software.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)