Users who have switched to Chinese smartphones often experience unusual menu structure, especially for those who are used to seeing the icon “My Files” or “Conductor” immediately on the desktop, the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS approach to system applications is slightly changed, which can cause confusion. Where is the right tool for working with documents, and why is it not visible?
By default, each Xiaomi device has its own data management app preinstalled. It has a sufficiently wide functionality that allows you not only to move files, but also to clean up memory, hide personal photos and even connect to the Internet. FTP-But if you can't find a standard tool, it doesn't mean it's not there, it's probably just hidden in a folder with system utilities.
There are several ways to find the program you want, and each depends on your operating system version and regional settings. In some cases, a standard Explorer can be deleted by the user or hidden as a result of a failure. Recovering access to the file system is a solvable task, and we will consider all possible options.
Standard location and search for built-in application
The first place to look is the Tools folder. Most Redmi and Xiaomi models running MIUI have system ulites clustered there. The icon can be called Explorer or Files, and it usually has a distinctive yellow or blue folder icon. If there's no such folder on the desktop, try swiping the screen up to open the full list of applications.
The second option is to use the built-in search function. Swipe your finger down the center of the screen (or up, depending on the navigation settings) to activate the search bar. Type the word "Conductor" or "Files." The system will instantly display the app you find if it's installed. This is the fastest way to run the program without wandering through the menu.
Note the name of the app. Global firmware versions often refer to it as File Manager, Chinese versions simply refer to it as file characters, and the app icon can also change depending on the theme you use, and if the standard theme is replaced with a third-party the visual style of the system elements could change beyond recognition.
Sometimes users accidentally remove the shortcut from the desktop, thinking they are deleting the application, in which case you just go to the full list of programs, find the Explorer, pinch the icon and drag it back to the home screen or to the dock bar. Remove the Xiaomi system explorer without root rights and use ADB-commands are almost impossible, so the application is almost always in the memory of the device.
Alternative names and hidden folders
With new versions of the HyperOS shell and the latest MIUI 14 updates, Google is pushing its standard file manager, so on some models, especially those designed for the European market, instead of Xiaomi’s native app, you can find a program called “Files” from Google, whose icon of blue, red, yellow and green colors immediately catches your eye.
Additionally, there may be multiple file managers installed in the phone. This often happens if you have installed memory cleanup applications or antiviruses that have Explorer features built in. Check the list of all installed programs through the Settings menu → Apps → All applications. Type the word “file” in the search to see all programs relevant to the file system.
There's also the concept of Hidden Folder, which is not a separate application, but a secure partition inside a standard Explorer. Many users are looking for a separate icon for hidden photos or documents, but it's integrated directly into the Explorer interface. To get there, you have to open the file app, scroll down to the Hidden Files category, and type in the password.
Why did the Explorer's badge disappear?
And don't forget the voice assistant, if you have Google Assistant or Xiao AI enabled, you can just say, "Open file manager." It will find the application and run it, even if you don't know where it is visually, which is especially useful when the screen is occupied by widgets or folders.
Instructions for installing a third-party conductor
If a standard app doesn't suit you or has been removed, you can always install an alternative. App stores offer dozens of options with varying levels of functionality, the most popular are Total Commander, FX File Explorer and Solid Explorer, which provide more flexible settings, plugin support and dual-panel mode.
To install the new manager, do the following: First, open Google Play Market or GetApps. In the search bar, type the name of the desired application. Press the "Install" button and wait for the download to complete. Once installed, the shortcut will appear in the app menu.
☑️ Pre-installing check
It is important to consider access rights. When you first start, any file manager will request permission to access the device memory. Without this, it will not be able to display the contents of folders. In new versions of Android (11, 12, 13, 14), the security system is more stringent, so you may need to additionally allow access to All Files in special features.
Installing third-party software offers a number of benefits: you get access to cloud storage directly from the interface, the ability to archive in rare formats and more advanced search by masks. Third-party conductors often work faster than standard ones, since they are not overloaded with advertising modules, which are sometimes found in Xiaomi system utilities.
Working with system folders and accessing Android
Since Android 11, Google has restricted apps from accessing the root /Android/data folder, which is designed to keep malicious programs from modifying sensitive data, but has created a challenge for users: a standard Explorer can not show the contents of some folders or refuse to open them.
A standard application may not be enough to gain full access to the file system, including hidden partitions, in which case specialized utilities such as Google's Files or Material Files help, and they can request permission through the system interface, opening access to secure directories.
| Annex | Access to /Android/data | Interface. | Advertising |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI conductor | Limited. | Simple. | There is. |
| Files by Google | Complete (through request) | Minimalism | No. |
| Total Commander | Complete. | Classical. | No. |
| Solid Explorer | Complete. | Modern. | No (Trial) |
When working with system files, be extremely careful. Deleting or moving critical files can lead to unstable system operation or even cyclical reboot of the device. System partitions should not be touched without a clear understanding of the consequences. If you are not sure about the purpose of the file, it is better to leave it alone.
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Use the Cleanup feature in Xiaomi’s standard Explorer with caution, sometimes marking the cache of important apps as junk, which can cause the programs to reset.
Solving problems with displaying icons
There are times when an app is installed, but its icon is not displayed anywhere, it can be due to a launcher bug or a conflict of topics. First of all, try to restart your smartphone. Often after restarting the system, the shortcuts return to their places.
If the reboot didn’t help, check if the app is hidden in the settings. Some themes have a Hidden Apps feature that removes the icons of selected programs from the general list. Go to Settings → Apps → Hidden Apps (the path may vary depending on the version of MIUI) and make sure the switch opposite Explorer is turned off.
⚠️ Note: If you use a third-party theme, try temporarily switching to a standard theme, Classics. Some themes may misrepresent system icons or hide them completely.
Another method is to clear the launcher cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, search for Louncher or System Launcher. Select Clear → Clear Cache. This action will not delete your data, but reset the desktop icon settings to factory ones.
In extreme cases, if nothing works, you can reset your phone, but it's a radical measure that requires prior backup of all the data, and it's usually solved by simpler methods, such as updating a theme or reinstalling a problematic app.
Using the command line to search
For advanced users with access to USB debugging, there is a way to search for a package via ADB. Connect your phone to your computer, enable USB debugging, and type a command to output a list of all packages containing the word "file" or "explorer" to help you find the system name of the application, even if it is hidden.
adb shell pm list packages | grep fileThis command will display a list of all the packages that are associated with the files installed. You will see names like com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer (standard Explorer) or com.google.android.apps.nbu.files (Files by Google). Knowing the exact name of the package, you can try to launch the application or reset it through the appropriate ADB commands.
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Knowing the exact name of the system package allows you to restore the operation of hidden applications through ADB, even if the interface is completely unavailable.
Using the command line requires care. One syntax error can lead to an unwanted action. If you're not sure about your knowledge of Linux-like commands, you'd better limit yourself to a graphical settings interface.