Where Xiaomi Stores Files: System Directories, Hidden Folders, and User Data

Have you ever tried to find a file on a Xiaomi smartphone that you should have saved, but it was gone? Or wanted to clear the memory, but couldn't understand why 20 GB is occupied, even though the gallery only has a couple of photos? MIUI Distributes files across dozens of hidden and system folders, many of which are not visible in standard Explorer.

In this article, we will not just list the paths of the type. /storage/emulated/0/, And we'll take a look at the logic of storage in Xiaomi firmware, from custom media files to utility logs that eat gigabytes, where to look for lost downloads, how to find app backups, and why cleaning up your cache through settings is often useless. How to securely access hidden partitions without root rights.

Important: Part of the way depends on the version MIUI (Especially relevant for Android 12 devices+ We'll note these cases separately. If your model is older than 2019, check out the section on legacy directory structures.

1. Where Xiaomi stores user files: photos, videos, documents

So let's start with the most obvious thing, media files. MIUI They are distributed in several standard folders, but there are nuances:

• 📷 Photos and screenshots: the main folder — /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera/. Screenshots lie in /Pictures/Screenshots/, But if you use a proprietary Screenshot app from Xiaomi, some files may be duplicated in the /DCIM/Screenshots/.
• 🎵 Music and sounds: by default — /Music/, But the Mi Music app creates additional folders for playlists in the /Android/data/com.miui.player/.
• 📄 Documents and downloads: browsers and messengers drop files into /Download/, Xiaomi Cloud can sync them to the /MIUI/CloudBackup/ without your knowledge.

The main trap: the Gallery app doesn't show all folders, for example, if you save a photo on Telegram or WhatsApp, they will get into the folder. /Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media/, But the gallery will only show up after a manual scan. To force the media base to be updated, use the command:

am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MEDIA_SCANNER_SCAN_FILE -d file:///storage/emulated/0/

Another hidden source of garbage is a folder. /MIUI/ExtraScreen/. Screenshots from the function Duplicate screen (if you connected your smartphone to Mi) TV These files are not automatically deleted and may take up to 1–2 GB.

2. System files and cache: what can be deleted and what can not

System files in MIUI They fall into three categories: app cache, system updates, and error logs. The first two can be cleaned, the last two can only be cleaned if you're ready to crash.

Main folders:

• 🗑️ Cash app: /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/. It stores temporary files of games and programs, such as cache. PUBG Mobile can weigh 3–4 GB, TikTok up to 1 GB.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI: /cache/ and /data/ota_package/. After installing the firmware, these files can be deleted, but do not touch the folder. /firmware/ — There are drivers for the camera modules and modem.
• 📜 Logs of the system: /data/anr/, /data/tombstones/, /data/log/. These files are used to diagnose crashes, and can be deleted, but only if you don't plan to use Xiaomi for support.

The safest way to clean up is through the Settings menu → Memory. → Cleanup. But it doesn't show the full size of the cache. /Android/data/com.xiaomi.midrop/ (Mi Drop files can weigh several gigabytes, although the settings will indicate everything. 200–300 MB.

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Before clearing the cache, check if the app uses offline data. For example, Google Maps stores maps in the app. /Android/data/com.google.android.apps.maps/files/OfflineMaps/ — Removing them will lead to re-loading.

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete files from /data/app/ or /system/priv-app/. This will lead to the collapse of applications and may require reflashing the device.

3. Backups and Cloud Data: Where Xiaomi Hide Your Backups

Xiaomi automatically backs up your files through Mi Cloud, but not only in the cloud, but also on-premises.

• ☁️ Cloud backups: /MIUI/CloudBackup/. There are archives with contacts, SMS, Files have the extension.mbk and weigh from 100 MB to 1 GB.
• 🔄 Local copies: /MIUI/Backup/AllBackup/. This is where the manual backup data comes in through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup.
• 📱 Application backups: /Android/data/com.miui.backup/. This is where you store data for recovery via Mi Mover (for example, when changing your phone).

Feature MIUI: Even if you disable backup in your settings, the system can create hidden backups for Mi Account. /MIUI/CloudBackup/auto/ It is updated once a week and keeps the last 3 copy.

To completely remove backups:

1. Open Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Click Backup Management and select Delete Everything.
3. Through the conductor, delete the folders. /MIUI/CloudBackup/ and /MIUI/Backup/.

4. Updates and firmware files: where to look and how to delete

Xiaomi is downloading updates in two folders:

1. /cache/ — temporary files of the current update.
2. /data/ota_package/ — full firmware packages (weighted) 1.5–3 GB).

Once you install the update, these files should be deleted automatically, but often remain, for example, if you interrupt the download or the phone is dead during the installation.

To clean up:

1. Open a Explorer with root permissions (such as Root Explorer or Root Explorer). FX File Manager).
2. Move to the /data/ota_package/ Delete all files with the.zip extension.
3. Clear the folder. /cache/ (Do not delete files with recovery or boot names).

If you use Fastboot firmware, their remnants may lie in the /sdcard/firmware/ or /sdcard/rom/. These files can only be deleted if you do not plan to roll back to the previous version.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/ota_package/ When you download, the update will crash. Wait for the process to complete or cancel the update via Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

5 Hidden Files and Folders: How to See Them and Why You Need Them

By default conductor MIUI hides system files and folders that start with a dot (e.g. /.thumbnails) to see them:

1. Open Explorer (or install Solid Explorer).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Show hidden files.
3. To access /data/ or /system/ root rights are needed.

The most "voracious" hidden folders:

• 🖼️ /.thumbnails/ — Gallery miniatures (can weigh up to a maximum of two) 500 MB).
• 📁 /.MIUI/ — configuration files of themes and wallpapers.
• 🔒 /.userdata/ — encrypted data of some applications (for example, Mi Wallet).
• 📊 /.estrongs/ — conductor-file ES File Explorer (if installed).

folder /.MIUI/ It's particularly insidious, because it stores cache of design themes that you've ever installed, and even if the theme is deleted, it can take up the remainder of it. 100–200 MB. Cleared only through Settings → Topics → Clear the cache.

Make sure you have a backup of important data

Check if files are being used by current applications

Do not delete folders with unknown extensions (.dat,.db,.cfg)

After cleaning, restart the phone.

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6. Application files: where the data of games, messengers and social networks are stored

Every Android app has its own folder in /Android/data/ or /Android/obb/. But some software (especially Xiaomi) stores data in non-obvious places.

Examples:

• 🎮 Games: PUBG Mobile: /Android/data/com.tencent.ig/files/UE4Game/ShadowTrackerExtra/ (Cash cards. Genshin Impact: /Android/data/com.mihoyo.GenshinImpact/files/ (before 8 GB). Call of Duty: Mobile: /Android/obb/com.activision.callofduty.shooter/.
• 💬 Messengers: WhatsApp: /Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media/ (Photos, videos, voices. Telegram: /Android/media/org.telegram.messenger/Telegram/. Mi Chat (if used): /MIUI/Chat/.
• 📱 Social media: TikTok: /Android/data/com.zhiliaoapp.musically/files/ (video cache. Instagram: /Android/data/com.instagram.android/cache/.

Feature MIUI: Some system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) store data in the system. /MIUI/ instead of a standard folder /Android/data/. For example, uploaded movies from Mi Video can be found in the /MIUI/Video/Download/.

To find all the files of a particular application:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application → Memory. → Warehouse.
3. Click Clear Cache or Delete Data (Warning: This will reset the app settings!).

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Some apps (such as Netflix or Disney)+) They store uploaded videos in encrypted form, and you can't just copy them to another phone, you need to use the export function inside the application.

7 Logs and dumps: why they take up space and how to remove them

MIUI Active logs to diagnose errors. In normal mode, they take 100-200 MB, but when failures (for example, when applications fall), their size can grow to 1-2 GB.

Where to look:

• 📝 /data/anr/ — Logs of application freezes (.trace files).
• 💀 /data/tombstones/ — memory dumps when the system collapses.
• 📡 /data/log/ — Networks, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (.log and.txt files).
• 🔧 /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log/ — Logs for debugging (created when the developer mode is enabled).

These files can be deleted, but only if you don't debug your device. For example, if you've contacted Xiaomi about a crash, they may ask you to send a log from the device. /data/anr/.

To disable log collection (not recommended for regular users):

1. Activate Developer Mode (click 7 times on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Turn off error logging and debugging USB.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/log/ It can cause problems connecting to Wi-Fi or mobile network if logs contain critical module settings.

8 How to Securely Manage Files on Xiaomi: Tips and Warnings

Before you remove anything manually, remember a few rules:

1. Do not touch folders with unknown extensions (e.g..qsee,.keystore,.oem) these can be encryption keys or configuration files.
2. Don't clean. /system/ without root, this will cause a loading failure.
3. Before deleting, check the date of the file change. If the folder hasn't been updated for a year, it can be cleaned.
4. Use official tools (e.g. Settings) → Memory. → Cleaning) to remove the cache.

If you suspect a file is viral, don't delete it immediately. Move it to quarantine (for example, a folder). /Download/Quarantine/) Check it out with Google Play Protect or Malwarebytes.

For deep memory cleanup:

1. Install. SD Maid or Files by Google – these show junk files that are not visible in standard Explorer.
2. Check the folder. /Android/data/ For old caches (for example, from remote games).
3. Clean /.thumbnails – this will speed up the gallery.

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If the memory is still occupied after cleaning, check the section. /data via DiskUsage (the application shows the graphical distribution of files by size).

FAQ: Frequent questions about files on Xiaomi