Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 have a huge number of pre-installed and custom applications. Over time, the standard desktop turns into a chaotic mosaic of icons where it is difficult to find the right program in seconds, which is why the ability to properly structure the screen space is a basic skill for any Android device owner.
Creating folders is the easiest and most effective way to clean up the MIUI shell interface. Grouping applications not only visually cleans the desktop, but also allows you to logically allocate programs into categories, significantly speeding up access to them in everyday use.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the ways you can create folders on your device, not only the standard drag and drop method, but also the subtleties of renaming, changing the look and feel, and how to manage files inside internal memory to make the system work as fast as possible.
Basic method of creating a folder on the desktop
The process of creating a folder on Redmi Note 9 is as simple as possible for developers and does not require access to complex settings. All actions are performed directly on the desktop by direct interaction with the interface elements, you only need the accuracy of your finger movements across the display.
To start, find two apps that you want to combine: tap the icon of one of the programs and drag it over the icon of the second program without letting go, at which point you will see a translucent outline of the future folder form under your finger, release your finger, and the system will automatically create a new group.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t try to drag the application to an existing folder too abruptly.If the movement is too fast, the system may perceive this as a command to move the icon to another desktop, rather than in the group.
Once you create a folder, it will have a standard name, often the same as the app category or the name of the first program added. You can immediately change that name by tapping the text box under the folder icon, which will help you navigate the content faster if you plan to create more of these groups.
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Use short and clear folder names, such as "Banks", "Social networks" or "Games", to instantly find the desired application with a glance.
Content management and group renaming
Once you have formed the basic structure, it is important to learn how to manage the contents of the created containers, adding new applications to an existing folder is similar to creating it: just drag the desired icon over the open group or on its shortcut in a rolled-up form.
Removing the program from the group is also easy. Open the folder, find the application you want, pinch the icon, and drag it to the free desktop area. If you decide that you no longer need the folder, just move all the applications out of it, and once there is one icon in the group, it will automatically be disbanded.
Special attention should be paid to renaming. Standard names like "Tools" or "Google" don't always reflect the real content. Click on the folder name to open the keyboard and type in your text. You can use emojis to visually highlight categories, which makes the interface more lively and personalized.
Working with folders in the file manager
Beyond the desktop, folder structure is critical in the device’s internal memory. Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 uses a standard file manager that allows you to create directories for storing documents, photos and downloads. This helps avoid confusion when hundreds of files are in one pile.
To create a new folder in the storage, open the Explorer or Files app. Go to the desired section, such as the internal storage. In the upper or lower corner of the screen, find the three-dot button or menu icon. In the list that opens, select New Folder.
The system will suggest you enter a name for the new directory. It has the same rules as the desktop titles, but with the file system's limitations in mind. Don't use special characters like /, \,,?, as they are reserved by the system for paths.
☑️ Checking before creating a folder
Table of folder types and their purpose
To better understand how to organize space, consider the main types of folders that can be created on the Redmi Note 9.
| Type of folder | Location. | Appointment | Example of contents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annex group | Desktop | Visual grouping of icons | WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber |
| System folder | Root catalogue | Storage of OS data | Android, MIUI, System |
| Customized | Internal memory. | Personal files and documents | Documents 2026, Vacation |
| Cash app. | Hidden sections | Temporary programme data | Social media images, maps |
Understanding the difference between these types is important for safe smartphone use, and if desktop folders can be created and deleted indefinitely, you should be extremely careful with system directories in internal storage.
Hiding folders and the "Second Space" mode
MIUI offers a unique feature called Second Space, which is not just a password folder, but a fully isolated environment inside your Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, where you can create separate folders with apps and files that won’t be visible in your main profile.
To activate this feature, go to the settings and find the appropriate section. Once enabled, you will access another desktop that can be switched by fingerprint or pin code, which is the perfect way to hide personal photos, banking applications or work documents from prying eyes.
⚠️ Note: When you delete the Second Space, all the data inside it (photos, contacts, installed applications) will be permanently lost.
And then there's a Hidden Folder feature in standard Explorer, and to use it, open a gallery or a explorer, pull the file list down until the lock icon appears, and once you're in this section, you can move sensitive files there, hiding them from public access.
How do you hide a folder in the Gallery?
Cleaning and optimizing created folders
Regular maintenance of the created structures is necessary to maintain the performance of the smartphone, and over time, the folders accumulate “digital garbage”: the remnants of remote applications, duplicate files and cache, which takes up precious space.
Use Xiaomi's built-in Security app, which allows you to do deep cleaning not only of your system debris, but also analyze the contents of large folders, and it will find files that haven't been opened in a long time, and suggest that you delete them.
It’s also worth checking Downloads, where the chaos of.apk installation files, temporary documents, and instant messenger images often accumulates, and cleaning the directory regularly can free up several gigabytes of memory.
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Regularly checking the Downloads folder and clearing the messenger cache is the most effective way to free up space without deleting important personal data.