If you own a Xiaomi smartphone, you’ve probably noticed the standard Explorer** (or File Manager in English) on the app menu, which many users ignore, preferring third-party file managers like ES Explorer or Total Commander. But in fact, the built-in app from Xiaomi is a powerful tool with unique features, tightly integrated into the MIUI shell.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what Explorer is on Xiaomi, what tasks it solves, how to use it effectively, and why it is sometimes better not to remove it even for the sake of “usual” third-party software.
What is a “Conductor” on Xiaomi and why you need it
Explorer** (or File Manager) is a standard file management application preinstalled on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones under the MIUI shell. Unlike many analogues, it not only shows files, but is also deeply integrated into the system:
- 🔍 Access to internal and external memory (including SD-maps OTG-accumulator).
- 📁 Managing File Categories (Images, Videos, Documents, APK etc.) with automatic sorting.
- 🔗 Cloud services: working directly with Mi Cloud, Google Drive and other storage.
- 🔧 System tools: garbage cleaning, analysis of occupied space, search for duplicates.
The main advantage of the standard Explorer** is the ability to work with secure system folders (e.g. /data/data/) that third-party applications without root permissions do not have access to, which can be critical when transferring backups, recovering data, or manually configuring some MIUI features.
It is also optimized for battery life and doesn’t hang in the background, unlike many alternatives, and thanks to integration with MIUI, it supports gestures and quick actions that are not available in third-party software.
Where is the “Conductor” on Xiaomi and how to open it
You can find the application in several ways - depending on the version of MIUI and the model of the smartphone:
- Through the app menu: swipe up the home screen (or click on the All Apps icon), then find the Explorer icon** (a folder with a magnifying glass or a blue icon with a white logo).
- Through Search: Swipe down the home screen, type “Conductor” or “File Manager” in the search bar.
- Through Settings: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, find the “Conductor” list** and tap it.
If the icon isn't on the menu, it might be hidden or disabled to bring it back:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Show all apps”**.
- Find the “Conductor”, tap it and click “Enable” or “Show”**.
Main features of “Conductor” on Xiaomi: what does a standard application
Many users mistakenly believe that the built-in Explorer** is inferior to third-party counterparts, in fact it has a wide functionality, which is enough for 90% of tasks:
| Function | Description | Advantage over Third-Party Managers |
|---|---|---|
| Memory analysis | Shows which files take up the most space (cache, duplicates, large files). | Integration with MIUI Cleaner – you can clean the garbage immediately. |
| Cloud storage | Support for Mi Cloud, Google Drive, OneDrive and others without additional apps. | There is no need to set up a separate client for each cloud. |
| Archivator | Creation and unpacking ZIP/RAR-archives without third-party software. | It works faster than many alternatives due to optimization under MIUI. |
| Safe folder | Encrypted storage for confidential files (photos, documents). | Security at the system level, not the application level (harder to crack). |
| OTG and FTP | Connecting external storage and access to FTP-protocol. | There is no need for root rights to work with some system folders. |
One of the most useful features is the Privacy Safe, which allows you to hide files from prying eyes by protecting them with a password or fingerprint, and not only do files hide, but they are encrypted, making them inaccessible even when you connect your smartphone to your computer.
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To quickly hide the file in the “Secure folder”, long-click on it in “Conductor” → “Move to a secure folder”.
The hidden possibilities of the “Conductor”: what is not obvious at first sight
Even experienced Xiaomi users are often unaware of some of the features of the standard Explorer.
- 🔄 Recovery of deleted files: in the Recycle Bin (Basket on the menu), files are stored for up to 30 days and can be restored even after cleaning through some third-party utilities.
- 📡 FTP-server: in settings (Settings) → FTP) You can run a local server and access smartphone files through a browser on a PC via Wi-Fi.
- 🔍 Content search: In the search bar you can enter not only file names, but also text inside documents (PDF, TXT, DOCX).
- 📎 Fast File Sending: Select files, tap Share, and select Mi Share to transfer to other Xiaomi devices without internet.
Another little-known feature is Duplicate Analysis, which scans memory for the same files (like screenshots or multiple images) and suggests removing the extra ones, which is especially useful if you don't have enough space on your smartphone to use:
- Open the Conductor.
- Go to the Cleanup section (the broom icon in the bottom menu).
- Select “Duplicates of Files”** and follow the instructions.
How to turn on the developer mode in the “Conductor”?
Also in the "Conductor"** there is a built-in media player that can play video and audio without installing additional applications, which is convenient if you downloaded a movie or music and do not want to stuff memory with unnecessary programs.
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The standard Explorer on Xiaomi can replace up to 5 separate applications: file manager, archiver, cloud client, media player and utility for cleaning memory.
How to customize the “Conductor” for yourself: personalization and optimization
The app allows you to flexibly customize the interface and behavior, and here are the key options that are worth checking out:
- Display view: Open Explorer** → click on three dots in the upper right corner → View. Choose between List, Grid or Details** (size and date).
- File Sorting: In the same menu (View), you can select sorting by Name, Date, Size or Type. For convenience, enable the option to Show Hidden Files** (useful for working with system folders).
Quick action
- In settings (Settings → Quick Actions), you can add shortcuts for frequently used features (such as “Clean” or “Safe Folder”) to the home screen.
⚠️ Note: Do not remove the "Conductor"** through ADB Or root access if you're not sure what you're doing, and it can disrupt your job. MIUI, because some system processes depend on it (e.g. firmware updates or backups).
Should we replace the standard “Conductor” on Xiaomi with a third-party one?
Many users prefer to install alternative file managers, such as Solid Explorer, FX File Explorer or Total Commander. But before you uninstall the standard application, weigh the pros and cons:
- ✅ The advantages of the standard "Conductor»**: 🔹 Deep integration with MIUI (Access to system folders, cloud services). 🔹 Battery savings (optimized for Xiaomi). 🔹 No advertising and unnecessary permissions (unlike many third-party managers).
- ❌ Cons of the standard "Conductor»**: 🔸 Limited opportunities for advanced users (no support) SFTP, licensure). 🔸 Less flexible interface configuration compared to Solid Explorer.