Have you ever tried to find old WhatsApp photos on Xiaomi but couldn't find a folder with files? Or needed a backup of chats before changing your phone, but didn't know where exactly the messenger was saving data? MIUI File paths may be different from standard Android paths — especially if you’re using an encryption-encrypted internal memory or a microSD card.
In this article, we will discuss exactly where WhatsApp stores:
- 📸 Media files (photos, videos, voice messages, stickers)
- 💬 Chat databases (message history, including archival)
- 🔄 Backups (local and cloud backups)
- 📁 Cache and temporary files (including thumbnails and previews)
We pay special attention to hidden folders. MIUI, which are not displayed in the standard file manager without additional settings.
Important: Instructions are relevant to MIUI 14/15 (including HyperOS for new Xiaomi models 14/Redmi Note 13), But it's also good for older firmware versions. If you're using Xiaomi with custom firmware (like LineageOS), the paths may be different.
1. Standard ways to store WhatsApp files on Xiaomi
By default, WhatsApp creates all folders in the root directory of internal memory or on the SD-card (if it is assigned as the main storage) the main directory of the messenger:
/storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Inside you will find the following subfolders:
- 📂 Databases – This is where files are stored msgstore.db.crypt14 (current chat database) and archive backups (msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14).
- 🎵 Media – media files, broken down into categories: WhatsApp Images (photos) WhatsApp Video (video), WhatsApp Animated Gifs (gifs), WhatsApp Voice Notes (voice messages) WhatsApp Stickers (stickers)
- 🔄 Backups – Local Backups (if WhatsApp is enabled).
On Xiaomi MIUI The path may look different because of the file system, for example, if you connect your phone to a PC, in a conductor. Windows/MacOS You'll see:
This computer \ Xiaomi [model name]\Internal memory\WhatsApp\⚠️ Warning: If you don't see the WhatsApp folder at the root of the storage, check the file manager settings. MIUI The default is to hide the system files and folders. To display them, open the Files. → ⋮ (menu) → Settings → Show hidden files.
2. Features of storage on Xiaomi with MIUI: Why are files not in the standard folder?
Xiaomi users often experience the WhatsApp folder disappearing or empty, although the messenger works normally.
- Encrypting the storage, starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi defaults to encrypt internal memory.It doesn't interfere with WhatsApp's operation, but it can hide files from the user.Solution: Use Google Files (install from Play Market) - it shows encrypted folders.
- Transfer to SD-If you have specified saving media to a memory card in WhatsApp settings, the path will change to: /storage/XXXX-XXXX/WhatsApp/ where XXXX-XXXX — Your unique microSD ID.
- Optimization MIUI. The shell can automatically move rarely used files to the Mi Cloud "cloud" (if the feature is enabled). → Memory. → Cleanup → Files in the cloud.
Another common problem is that WhatsApp doesn't see files after reinstalling.
- 🔄 You restored the messenger from the backup, but the Media folder is left from the old installation.
- 📱 You moved WhatsApp to another phone via Mi Mover, but the files were not copied.
- 🔒 You have changed folder access permissions (for example, through adb or Root Explorer).
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After the update MIUI WhatsApp folder is gone, try restarting your phone. Sometimes Xiaomi's file system doesn't have time to mount the storage immediately after the update.
3. Where backups of chats (backups) are stored
WhatsApp creates two types of backups:
- Local backups – stored on the device itself in a folder /WhatsApp/Databases/. The files are formatted msgstore.db.crypt14 (current msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14 (archival).
- Cloud backups are downloaded to Google Drive (for Android) or iCloud (for iOS). On Xiaomi, cloud copies are not stored locally, they are downloaded only when you restore them.
To find a local backup on Xiaomi:
- Open any file manager (e.g., Google Files or the standard MIUI File Manager).
- Cross the path: /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Databases/
- Make sure that hidden files are displayed (see Section 1).
- Look for files with extension.crypt14 (for new versions of WhatsApp, or.crypt12 (old).
If the Databases folder is not:
- 🔍 Check if backups are enabled in WhatsApp settings: ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup.
- 📱 Make sure the messenger has storage access rights: Phone settings → Annexes → Application management → WhatsApp → Permits → Memory.
- 🔄 Try to manually create a backup: click Create a copy in the backup settings.
⚠️ Note: If you manually deleted the Databases folder, it will be impossible to restore chats without a cloud backup. WhatsApp does not store message history on its servers - only media files of the last 30 days (when synced with Google Drive is enabled).
| Type of backup | The way to Xiaomi | File format | How to repair |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local (automatic) | /WhatsApp/Databases/ | msgstore.db.crypt14 | Reinstall WhatsApp and select “Restore” when you first start |
| Local (manual) | /WhatsApp/Databases/ | msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14 | Rename the file to msgstore.db.crypt14 and reinstall WhatsApp |
| Google Drive | Stored in the cloud. | — | Link the same Google account when you install WhatsApp |
| Mi Cloud (media only) | /MIUI/Backup/AllBackup/ | zip or tar | Restore through Settings → Memory. → Backup |
4. How to find WhatsApp media files on Xiaomi (photos, videos, voice)
WhatsApp media files are stored in a folder /WhatsApp/Media/, But on Xiaomi, their search can be complicated because of the:
- 🔍 Hidden folders — MIUI It does not show system directories by default.
- 📁 Duplication of files – Xiaomi can create thumbnails in a folder /MIUI/thumbnail/.
- 🔒 Access restrictions – some files may be blocked for viewing due to encryption.
To find all the media files:
☑️ Search for WhatsApp media files on Xiaomi
If you can’t see files in the Xiaomi Gallery, but they are in the folder WhatsApp/Media:
- Open the gallery. → ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden folders.
- Click Update Media Library (in some versions) MIUI This option is in the Settings → Memory. → Cleanup → Update media files).
- If files are still not displayed, use a third-party gallery (such as Google Photos or Simple Gallery).
For voice messages (.opus) and stickers (.webp):
- 🎤 Voice is stored in /WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Voice Notes/.
- 😊 Stickers - in /WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Stickers/.
- 📹 Video from statuses - in /WhatsApp/Media/.Statuses/ (folder!).
⚠️ Note: If you delete a media file from WhatsApp chat, it will automatically disappear from the Media folder (if settings are enabled). → Data and memory → To avoid this, disable this option or manually copy important files to another location.
5. Transfer WhatsApp files to a memory card or other phone
If Xiaomi's internal memory is full, you can transfer WhatsApp files to a microSD or another phone.It's important to do it correctly so you don't lose data.
Method 1: Transfer to SD-card (without loss of chats)
- Copy the entire WhatsApp folder to a memory card manually (via file manager or PC).
- Remove the WhatsApp folder from your internal memory.
- On WhatsApp, go to Settings → Memory. → Change and choose. SD-map.
- The messenger will offer to transfer the data - confirm.
Method 2: Transfer to another phone (via local backup)
Step-by-step instructions for transferring to the new Xiaomi
If you are transferring data between Xiaomi and a phone of another brand (such as Samsung), consider:
- 📱 On Samsung, the path to WhatsApp can start with a /storage/emulated/0/ or /sdcard/.
- 🔄 When recovering from a backup on another phone, use the same version of WhatsApp as you did on your old device.
- 🔒 If the backup is encrypted (a file with the.crypt extension), it cannot be restored on a phone with a different number.
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When you transfer WhatsApp to a new phone, always restore chats from the backup first, and then copy media files. If you do the opposite, the messenger may not recognize the files attached to the messages.
6. Recover deleted WhatsApp files on Xiaomi
If you accidentally delete WhatsApp files (chats or media), you can try to restore them. success depends on how long it has been since you deleted and whether you used your phone after that.
Method 1: Recovery from local backup
- Remove WhatsApp from your phone.
- Move to the /WhatsApp/Databases/ Find the most recent backup file (for example, msgstore-2026-05-15.1.db.crypt14).
- Rename it to msgstore.db.crypt14.
- Install WhatsApp again and restore chats from the local backup.
Method 2: Using Recovery Programs
If you don’t have a backup, try programs like DiskDigger, Recuva (for PCs) or GT Recovery, algorithm:
- Connect Xiaomi to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
- Run a recovery program and scan your internal memory.
- Look for files with extensions: 📄.db.crypt14 — chat-base 📷.jpg,.png - photo 🎥.mp4,.3gp — video 🎤.opus - voice messages
⚠️ Warning: Do not install recovery software on the same memory as the files you deleted! This will overwrite sectors and make recovery impossible. Always use a separate drive (PC, other) SD-map).
Method 3: Recovery via Mi Cloud (media only)
If Xiaomi has backup enabled in Mi Cloud, check:
- Open Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
- Find a backup with the right date and restore it.
- Media files from WhatsApp can be stored in the Gallery section or Other files.
7. Frequent errors and their solutions
When working with WhatsApp files on Xiaomi, users face typical problems.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp folder is not displayed | Hidden files in MIUI | Enable the display of hidden folders in the file manager |
| Backup's not recovering. | Backup file corrupted or from another number | Check the integrity of the file or use another backup |
| Media files are not shown in the gallery | Setting "Save to Gallery" is disabled | Turn it on WhatsApp. → Settings → chat → Visibility of media files |
| Error "Chats failed to recover" | Discrepancy between WhatsApp or Google account | Update the messenger and check the linked account |
| Files take up too much space. | Cache and duplicate accumulation | Clean it up. /WhatsApp/Media/ manually or through settings → Memory. |
Error: WhatsApp can't create a folder on SD-map"
This problem arises at Xiaomi due to restrictions. MIUI to write to external drives:
- 📱 Format. SD-card as internal memory (settings) → memory → SD-map → Warning: After that, the card will only work on this phone!
- 🔧 Use adb to assign rights: adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true (requires enabled Developer Mode and Debugging by Debugging) USB).
- 📁 Transfer files manually through your PC and then point the way to them in WhatsApp settings.
Error: "Files are encrypted and not opened"
If you see files in the WhatsApp folder but can’t open them (e.g., videos or photos aren’t played), the reason may be:
- 🔒 Encryption MIUI — Try to copy files to your PC and open them there.
- 📱 Damage to files – check them through VLC Player (he often opens damaged media).
- 🔄 Format incompatibility – voice messages in.opus are not played in a standard player MIUI; use VLC or MX Player.