Xiaomi’s Hidden Files: Where They Are Stored and How to Find Them in 2026

Have you ever noticed that your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO is losing space when you haven't downloaded anything? Or have you been searching for an important file but you can't find it, despite the fact that you know it's saved? The reason is often hidden files and folders that MIUI hides from the user by default, which takes up gigabytes of memory, but remains invisible without any special actions.

In this article, we will not only show where hidden files lie on Xiaomi, but also explain how to safely view, edit or delete them without risking damage to the system. MIUI, which are not displayed in the standard conductor, and methods of accessing them through ADB, TWRP And even without root rights, we'll focus on the folder. /data/media/0/MIUI/, where the theme caches, log files and backups are stored, occupying up to 5–10 GB on some devices.

Why Xiaomi is hiding files from the user

The manufacturer does not disguise some of the data for malicious intent, but for three key reasons:

• 🔒 System file protection, folders, sort of. /data/ or /system/ They contain critical data for Android to work, and if they are accidentally deleted or changed, they can lead to a bootloop or a complete failure of the smartphone.
• 📁 Optimization of the interface. MIUI hides technical files (e.g..nomedia or.thumbnails) so as not to clutter the conductor with unnecessary elements.
• 🛡️ Privacy. Log files (/data/log/), file (/data/data/) cache may contain personal information that is better not to be shown.

But there is a downside: hidden files are often a source of problems, such as /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ can weigh several gigabytes due to automatic backups, and the cache of the themes (/MIUI/theme/) can take up to 1-2 GB even after removing themes through settings.

⚠️ Note: Not all hidden files can be safely deleted. /data/dalvik-cache/ contains optimized versions of applications – its cleaning will lead to slowdown of the system until the next restart.

Standard methods of viewing hidden files

If you don’t need system directories, but just want to see hidden user files (such as application configurations or backups), use the built-in MIUI tools:

1. Xiaomi Explorer: Open Files app, go to Category tab → Local storage. Put three points in the top right corner and select Settings. → Show hidden files. Now folders and files whose names start with a dot (e.g.,.config or.config.android_secure), become visible.
2. Total Commander or FX File Explorer: Partition file managers often offer more features. In Total Commander, go to Settings → Display and enable the option to Show Hidden/System Files. In FX File Explorer, a similar setting is found in the Side menu → Settings → Display and icons.

These methods are suitable for viewing files in /storage/emulated/0/ (internal memory and on SD-But they won't give you access to system partitions like this. /data/ or /system/ — This requires the rights of a superuser or ADB.

Where exactly are hidden files stored on Xiaomi

Hidden data on Xiaomi devices is distributed across several key directories, below is a table describing the most voracious folders that are most often the cause of memory shortage:

The /MIUI/ folder deserves special attention - not only themes and backups are stored here, but also:

• 🎨 /MIUI/extra/ — Additional resources for system applications;
• 📱 /MIUI/screenrecorder/ — Screen recordings, even if you deleted them through the gallery;
• 🔄 /MIUI/updater/ — Update files that are sometimes not cleared after installation.

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If you change your design themes frequently, clean /MIUI/theme/.data/ regularly through the file manager, which will free up to 1-2 GB of storage without losing functionality.

How to Access System Hidden Files Without Root

You don't need to get root rights to view folders outside /storage/emulated/0/ (e.g. /data/ or /system/), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool from Google to debug Android devices. Here's a step-by-step instruction:

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Download the platform ADB Google|Put the debugging on. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times)|Connect your phone to your PC and allow debugging|Open the command line in the folder with ADB-->

After preparation, follow the following commands:

1. Check the device connection: Adb devices must display your Xiaomi’s serial number.
2. Go to the shell of ADB: Adb shell
3. View the contents of the system folders (e.g. /data/): ls /data/ To see hidden files, add the flag -a: ls -a /data/

To copy files from your device to your PC, use:

adb pull /path/to/file C:\folder\on\PC

For example, to copy a log file:

adb pull /data/log/latest_log.txt C:\XiaomiLogs\

⚠️ Note: Delete or modify files in /system/ or /vendor/ through ADB Always back up before editing using the command: adb backup -f C:\backup.ab -apk -obb -shared -all

Hidden files in MIUI: what can be deleted and what can not

Not all hidden data is equally useful, and below is a breakdown of the most problematic folders and recommendations for cleaning them:

• ✅ Safe to remove: 🗑️ /MIUI/theme/.data/ — Cash tems (releases until 2 GB); 📸 /data/media/0/.thumbnails/ — Miniatures (will be re-created); 📦 /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ — Old backups (if not needed).
• ⚠️ Remove with caution: 🔄 /Android/data/ — Application data (remove only the cache through Settings) → Annexes); 📁 /Android/obb/ — Additional game files (can be deleted if the games are not used).
• ❌ Never remove: 🚫 /data/dalvik-cache/ — Dalvik cache (will slow down the system); 🚫 /system/ — System files (risk brick, “bricking” of the device); 🚫 /data/misc/ — system configurations (can break Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.).

To clean the cache of the themes without manually deleting files:

1. Go to Settings → Themes.
2. Slip on the three-point in the upper right corner and select Clear the cache.
3. Confirm the action. This will remove unnecessary data from /MIUI/theme/.data/.

How to find hidden files on Xiaomi via TWRP

If you have a custom TWRP recap on your device, you get full access to all memory parts, including hidden system files, which is suitable for advanced users, as it requires an unlocked bootloader.

Instructions for viewing hidden files via TWRP:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter Recaveri mode.
2. In the main TWRP menu, select Advanced → File Manager.
3. Go to the desired section (e.g. /data/ or /system/). TWRP displays all files, including hidden files.
4. To copy the file to a microSD or OTG-drive: Highlight file with long tap; Press Copy; Go to target folder (for example, /external_sd/); Press Paste.

TWRP has the advantage of being able to edit files directly, including build.prop (a system configuration file) or hosts (to block ads), but be very careful: changing system files can make it impossible to boot a device.

⚠️ Attention: B TWRP Files are not displayed in the encrypted partition /data/, If you use a password or a pattern lock, you either have to temporarily unblock the lock to access it (via Format Data in the Format Data System). TWRP, This will remove all data!, or use the method of ADB after loading.

Hidden files in applications: where settings and data are stored

Many applications create hidden folders to store settings, cache, or temporary files, such as:

• 📷 Xiaomi camera saves settings in /data/data/com.android.camera/ and a miniature cache in /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails/;
• 💬 WhatsApp stores backup copies of chats in /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Databases/, but file extension.crypt14 Not visible without displaying hidden files;
• 🎵 Music (MIUI Music) caches album covers in /data/data/com.miui.player/.

To find hidden data of a particular application:

1. Find out its batch name (for example, through App Inspector from Google Play).
2. Go to /data/data/[packet name]/ via ADB or root conductor.
3. Usually, folders are of interest: shared_prefs/ — Application settings (.xml files); cache/ — cash; databases/ — databases (e.g. chat history).

To clean the cache of a particular application without root rights:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the appropriate app (e.g. Gallery).
3. Slip the vault. → Clear the cache.

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If the application is unstable after cleaning the cache, try to delete its data (Clear data in the settings).This will reset all the application settings to factory, but often solves problems with Lag or errors.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden files on Xiaomi