Xiaomi smartphone users often encounter the mysterious behavior of the standard Gallery app, which automatically creates folders called “smart” or “smart albums” — these collections are formed by the system’s algorithms based on metadata photos, location shooting or object recognition, but over time their number can become redundant.
The main problem is that the standard delete button is often missing or inactive, as MIUI and HyperOS consider these folders to be system folders, but there are several proven ways to get rid of them, ranging from simple settings to using an engineering menu.
In this article, we will take a closer look at how smart albums work and offer solutions for different firmware versions, and learn how to safely clean the interface without risking losing important photos or disrupting the system.
The Nature of Smart Albums in the Shell of MIUI
Smart albums are not just folders with files, but dynamic virtual collections that the system generates on the fly. When you see Parks, People or Travel, the Gallery doesn't physically move files there, but only creates a link to existing images in the media.db shared database.
That's why trying to delete an album like this with a regular (long-press) often doesn't get you anywhere, because the system blocks the deletion so it doesn't break the logic of how artificial intelligence works, which continues to analyze your media library in the background, and understanding this architecture is critical to choosing the right cleaning method.
Often, these albums are created by third-party apps that have access to storage. Messengers, social networks or photo editing programs can create their own shortcut folders, which the Gallery mistakenly classifies as smart collections.
⚠️ Note: Deleting a smart album through settings usually hides it from view, but does not remove the photos themselves.However, using third-party file managers to remove system folders can cause the Gallery to reset settings.
It’s also worth noting that new versions of HyperOS have made algorithms more aggressive, and they can recreate deleted albums the next time they scan media files, unless the corresponding synchronization or analysis function is disabled.
Basic method: Hiding through display settings
The safest and most recommended way to get rid of visual noise is to use embedded concealment tools, which do not require root rights and are completely reversible, so you need to open the Gallery app and go to the Albums tab.
Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen to open the action menu, and select Settings or Hide/Show Albums, and in the list that opens, you will see all the folders available, including the system folders.
- 📂 Find the unnecessary smart album you want to remove.
- 🔘 Switch the switchboard opposite the folder name to the position "Switched off».
- ✅ Click on the “Ready” or “Save” button to apply the changes.
Once you do this, the album will disappear from the main list, but will remain available in the hidden folder menu if you decide to return it, ideal for those who are afraid of accidentally damaging system files.
If you want to delete the album completely, rather than just hide it, you need a deeper approach, and users often confuse concealment with deletion, but you need to do something different to clean it up, especially if the folder takes up space in the Xiaomi Cloud.
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Hiding albums through settings is the only safe method for ordinary users that does not require special knowledge of the file system.
Delete through folder management in the Gallery
Some versions of the MIUI 13 and MIUI 14 shells offer direct folder visibility control with a long press. Try pinching your finger on the name of an unnecessary smart album for 2-3 seconds.
If the system allows, a context menu will appear with the option “Delete” or “Hide” if the menu appears, select deletion. The system may request confirmation, warning that this action will affect only the shortcut, not the original photos.
However, if the menu does not appear, it means that the album is marked as protected, in which case direct deletion is impossible without changing access rights or using special commands.
Sometimes cleaning the app cache helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Gallery. Select “Clean” and then “Clear Cache.” This won’t delete your photos, but it can reset the list of newly created smart albums.
⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Cache Cleanup with Data Cleanup.The second option will return the Gallery to factory status by resetting all your sorting settings and favorites.
Using a File Manager to Clean Up
For advanced users who want to remove the source of the albums, work with the file system is suitable. Smart albums often refer to real but hidden folders at the root of the internal drive. To access them, you will need a file manager with permission to access system folders, such as MT Manager or a standard Explorer with the inclusion of hidden files.
Go to the root directory of internal storage. Look for folders with the prefix "." (dot), because in Linux-like Android, this means a hidden file. Often, smart albums are created in directories like.thumbnails or in the cache folders of specific applications.
☑️ Check before deleting folders
Find the folder that matches the name of the album you're deleting, and before you delete it, create an empty file with the name of the folder you're deleting (without extension) to prevent the system from re-creating it. This is an old but powerful trick.
If you find a folder created by a particular application (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), it is better to turn it off in the settings of the messenger itself than to delete files manually, which will prevent errors in the application.
After you manipulate the files, make sure to reboot the device, and this will trigger the mediascanner process, which will re-index the storage and realize that the old paths to albums no longer exist.
Comparison of methods of removing smart albums
So that you can choose the best way, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you assess the risks and effectiveness of each method, depending on your situation and the firmware version.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk of data loss | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiding in the settings | Low. | Absent. | Temporary (visual) |
| Clearing the Gallery's cache | Low. | Minimum | Average (index reset) |
| Removal through the Conductor | Medium | Medium. | High (for custom folders) |
| Use of ADB | Tall. | High-pitched | Maximum (complete removal) |
As you can see from the table, for most users, the best solution is a combination of hiding albums and periodically clearing the cache. Using ADB or manually deleting system files is recommended only for advanced users.
Always check the relevance of the information for your particular model.
What is ADB and is it worth using?
Synchronization problems and Xiaomi Cloud
Often undeleted albums are a result of cloud sync. If you have Xiaomi Cloud enabled, the album deleted on your phone can automatically recover from the cloud the next time you connect to the network.
To solve this problem, go to the settings of your Mi Account. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud → Gallery. Here you can manage albums that are stored in the cloud.
- ☁️ Find a problem album in the list of cloud folders.
- 🗑️ Remove it directly from cloud storage.
- 🔄 Turn off sync for this type of data if the album is automatically created.
It's also worth checking the sync settings in the Gallery app itself, sometimes with a "Sync System Albums" check that needs to be removed, which will prevent Screenshots, WhatsApp Images and other service collections from reappearing.
If the album is linked to a Memories or Travel feature, disable these features in the Gallery's AI settings, which are the main source of intrusive content generation.
⚠️ Before you turn off sync, make sure your important photos are saved elsewhere (on your computer or external drive) to avoid data loss in crashes.