File Manager on Xiaomi: where is in the phone and how to use it

The file manager on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is the standard MIUI application that allows you to manage documents, photos, videos and other data directly from the system. However, many users face the problem: the application is either hidden in the depths of the menu or not at all on the home screen, especially after MIUI updates, when the interface changes and icons move to new places.

In this article, we will not only show you where exactly the file manager is in Xiaomi firmware (including the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS), but also how to return it if it disappeared, what hidden features are there, and what alternative managers are worth considering.

If you have recently upgraded your phone or simply can’t find a file application, don’t rush to install third-party programs. 90% of the time, the standard manager is already installed, you just need to get it right. Next, we’ll look at all possible scenarios, from basic search to recovery through system settings.

1. Standard File Manager Location in MIUI

In most versions of MIUI (12 to 15) and the new HyperOS, the file manager is called Files and is located in one of the following locations:

• 📱 Main screen or app bar: Look for a blue icon (some models have a yellow one) folder icon, if it's not, swipe down the screen and search for Files.
• 📂 Tools folder: Xiaomi often groups utility applications (calculator, voice recorder, files) into one folder on the desktop.
• ⚙️ Settings menu: go to Settings → Annexes → Manage applications, then find Files in the list.

On HyperOS smartphones (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the interface may be different: the app icon has become more minimalistic, and the program itself is integrated with Mi Cloud cloud storage. If you don't find it, try swiping right on the home screen - sometimes MIUI hides frequently used apps in the side menu.

Important! On some models (like the POCO F5 or Redmi 12), the file manager may be called an Explorer or a File Manager. It's not a bug, it's just localization depends on the firmware region.

2.Why the file manager is not on the screen and how to return it

If the Files app is missing, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔄 Resetting launcher settings: after the update MIUI Sometimes the buttons on the desktop are dropped.
• 🗑️ Delete or disable: the user (or other program) may have deactivated the manager.
• 📦 Hiding in a folder: MIUI It automatically sorts applications, and Files could move to a folder like Work or Utilities».

To get the manager back, follow the following steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, enter Files (or Files).
3. Click on the app and select Show on the home screen or Enable if it is disabled.

If the application has been removed (which is unlikely, since it is system-based), it can only be restored through a reset or flashing, but it is usually enough to simply restart the phone - sometimes MIUI "loses" icons after a long period of work without restarting.

3. Hidden functions of the standard MIUI file manager

Many users are unaware that Xiaomi’s Files app has much more to offer than just folders. Here are some useful tips:

• 🔍 Search by content: you can search not only by file name, but also by text inside documents (PDF, TXT). To do this, open a search in the manager and select the tab “Contents».
• ☁️ Mi Cloud integration: automatically syncs selected folders (photos, videos) to the cloud. → Mi Cloud.
• 🔒 Hidden folders: Create a folder with a name that starts with a point (like.secret) and it disappears from the general list. To see it, turn on the hidden files in the manager settings.
• 📊 Memory analysis: in the Storage section, the app will show which file types take up the most space (cache, video, APK).

An important caveat: in MIUI 14+ and HyperOS, the hidden folder function is different — now it appears gray, but it doesn't disappear completely. To hide the folder completely, use third-party managers like Solid Explorer.

Another little-known feature is direct file transfer to other Xiaomi devices via Files → Send. This feature works on the Mi Share protocol (similar to AirDrop) and allows you to transfer data without the Internet at speeds up to 20 MB / s.

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If you need to quickly free up space, open the “Cleanup” section in the manager – there MIUI automatically finds large unnecessary files, duplicate photos and remnants of deleted applications.

4. Alternative file managers for Xiaomi: when to install

While the standard MIUI manager handles the basic tasks, in some cases it is worth considering third-party applications:

Third-party managers are especially helpful if you need to:

• 🔐 Work with encrypted containers (e.g..enc files).
• 🌐 Connect to FTP-servers NAS-storehouse.
• 📦 Manage archives without additional programs.

Warning: When using third-party managers, turn off autocleaning in the standard Files app to avoid conflicts. Go to Files → Settings → Cleanup → Turn off automatic cleanup.

5. Where are Xiaomi system files stored and can they be edited

In Android (and MIUI in particular), the file system is divided into several sections, most of which are hidden from the user:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/ — Your internal memory (readable/writeable).
• 🔧 /system/ — System files (read-only, editing requires root).
• 📱 /data/ — Application data (available only with superuser rights).
• 🔄 /cache/ — system cache (can be cleaned but not edited).

To see hidden system folders in the standard manager:

1. Open the Files.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → “Settings”.
3. Enable "Show hidden files."

⚠️ Note: editing or deleting files in /system/ If you don't have root rights, you can make a device blink (completely inoperable). Even with superuser rights, only change system files if you know exactly what they're responsible for. /system/build.prop Make the phone unusable.

If you need to access system partitions (for example, to modify firmware), use ADB or specialized tools like MT Manager (requires root).

6. Frequent errors when working with a file manager and how to fix them

Even the standard Files app can crash, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

• 🚫 «No access to the folder": usually occurs when you try to open system directories. ADB file-copy.
• 🔄 «Files are not displayed": check if hidden files are enabled in the manager settings. If the problem persists, restart your phone.
• ☁️ «Not synced with Mi Cloud: Make sure you’re logged in to the same Xiaomi account on all devices and enable sync in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 📱 «Manager is constantly closing": clear the app cache in Settings → Annexes → Files. → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

If the file manager starts to work incorrectly after the MIUI update (for example, videos or documents do not open), try resetting it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Files → Storage.
2. Click Clear Data (Warning: This will remove all user settings of the manager!).
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: If you lose your bookmarks or history after resetting your manager, don't panic. This data is stored locally and is not associated with files on your device. To avoid loss, export important paths to a text file regularly (e.g., export important paths to a text file, /storage/emulated/0/Download/bookmarks.txt).

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Before any manipulation of the file manager (data cleanup, update), back up important files. To do this, copy them to a memory card or to the cloud (Mi Cloud, Google Drive).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions