Where are your personal files on Xiaomi: Search, Access and Security

Have you ever lost important photos, documents or videos on your Xiaomi and couldn’t remember where they went? MIUI Did you find that files have disappeared from their folders? This problem is familiar to many users of Xiaomi smartphones, where the file system has its own characteristics - from standard folders. DCIM hidden-partition /miad backup.

In this article, we will analyze all possible storage locations for personal files on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO — From internal memory to Mi Cloud services, you'll learn how to find lost data, why some files are duplicated, and how to avoid accidentally deleting them, and how to retrieve files after resetting or changing firmware if you don't back up.

Whether you’re using Xiaomi’s flagship 14 Ultra or the budget Redmi Note 12, the principles of file organization are the same for all devices based on the same dataset. MIUI. Let’s start with the obvious and gradually move on to the hidden folders, the existence of which many do not even suspect.

1. Standard folders of internal memory: where and what is stored

By default, all personal files on Xiaomi are distributed to standard internal memory folders, and can be seen through any file manager, such as embedded Files or third-party applications like Solid Explorer.

• 📷 DCIM — Photos and videos taken with the main or front camera, and screenshots and screen records are also stored here).
• 🎵 Music – audio files downloaded manually or through apps (e.g. Mi Music).
• 🎬 Movies and Videos – videos downloaded from the Internet or moved from other devices.
• 📄 Documents –.pdf,.docx,.xlsx and other documents.
• 📥 Download – everything you downloaded through your browser or messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp).
• 📁 MIUI — System firmware files, including wallpaper, notification sounds (ringtones) and themes.

Important: the Android folder contains application data (for example, Instagram cache or TikTok downloads). manually removing it is not recommended, it can break the program. If you need to free up space, use the Cleanup function in the settings (Settings). → Memory).

⚠️ Attention: Files from the folder DCIM/.thumbnails — These are thumbnails of photos. Deleting them won't free up much space, but it can slow down the loading of the gallery.

To quickly find the file, search the File Manager: tap the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner and enter part of the name. The system will show results even in hidden folders (if the appropriate setting is enabled).

2 Hidden folders and system partitions: what is there?

In addition to visible directories, Xiaomi has hidden folders that are not displayed by default, which contain backups, system logs and other important data.

1. Open Files → click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select Settings → Enable Show hidden files.

Now you'll see folders with a dot at the beginning of the name (e.g.,.backup,.miad).

The folder deserves special attention. /data — This is a section with user data of applications, and access is only possible with root rights or through the use of the user data. ADB. They're kept here:

• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (/data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml).
• 📱 Call logs and SMS (/data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases).
• 🎮 Preservation of games (e.g, /data/data/com.tencent.ig/databases for PUBG Mobile).

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data If you want to clear the app cache, use Settings. → Annexes → [Name of name] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

3.Mi Cloud Cloud Storage: How to Find and Download Files

Mi Cloud is a cloud service from Xiaomi that automatically syncs photos, contacts, notes and even photos. SMS. If you've enabled backup, your files can be stored there even if they're not on your phone:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Choose Mi Cloud. → Storage management.
3. See what data is synchronized (photos, videos, documents).

To download files from Mi Cloud to your phone:

1. Go to the files. → Mi Cloud (inlay at the bottom of the screen).
2. Select the files you need and click Download.
3. Files will be saved to the folder Download/MiCloud.

Please note the limitations:

• 📤 Free rate – 5 GB (this is not enough for high-resolution photos).
• 🔄 Autosynchronization only works when connected to Wi-Fi (by default).
• ⏳ Files deleted from Mi Cloud are stored in the Recycle Bin for 30 days, then deleted forever.

If you don’t remember if synchronization is enabled, check:

Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Data Synchronization

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To save space in Mi Cloud, turn off automatic video download. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization settings and uncheck the box from the video item.

4.Memory card (SD): file storage

If your Xiaomi supports microSD cards (such as the Redmi Note 11 or the Redmi Note 11) POCO X3 Pro, files can be stored there:

• 📱 By default, applications are installed in internal memory (transfer to the SD It is only possible for certain programs).
• 📷 Photos and videos can be saved to a map, but you need to manually change the camera settings: Open the camera → Settings (cogs) → Warehouse → Memory map
• ⚠️ When extracted SD-cards without secure disabling files can be damaged (appear in the folder lost.dir).

To check which files are stored on the card:

1. Open the files. → choose SD-top-down.
2. The folders here are organized in the same way as in the internal memory: DCIM, Download etc.

⚠️ Note: If you are formatting SD-The card is like internal memory (in the storage settings), it will become part of the system and will be encrypted!

Speed of operation SD-The card depends on its class. 4K Recommended class cards UHS-I (U3) If the video breaks when you're recording it, try to save it to your internal memory.

5. How to recover deleted files on Xiaomi

If you accidentally delete important files, don't panic, they can be returned.

Method 1: Recycle Bin in the File Manager

V MIUI There's a built-in recycle bin where files are stored 15 days after being deleted:

1. Open the files. → Click on the basket icon at the bottom of the screen.
2. Select the files you need and tap Restore.

Method 2: Recovery through Mi Cloud

If the files are synced to the cloud:

1. Log in to Mi Cloud via browser (i.mi.com).
2. Go to the Recycle Bin and restore the files.

Method 3: Third-party programs (without root)

To restore deleted files, you can use:

• 🛠️ DiskDigger – Search for photos and videos.
• 🔍 Recuva (on PC) – if you connect your phone as a drive.
• 📱 Dumpster – an alternative shopping cart for Android.

Importantly, the less you use your phone after deleting files, the better the chances of recovery. New data can overwrite old data.

⚠️ Warning: Recovery software often requires root permissions for deep scanning, and without them, it will only find thumbnails or parts of files.

Do not save new data on the phone|Turn off automatic synchronization (Mi Cloud, Google Photos)|Connect charging (the process can take a long time)|Use proven programs (from official sources)-->

6. File transfer to the new Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

When buying a new Xiaomi smartphone (for example, switching from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi) 13T) It's important to transfer personal files correctly. Here's the best way:

Method 1: Mi Mover (official decision)

This is a wireless data application from Xiaomi.

1. Install Mi Mover on both phones (available in GetApps or APKMirror).
2. On the old phone, select I send, on the new phone, I receive.
3. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network and follow the instructions.

Advantages: Transfers applications, SMS, The disadvantage is that it may not work on custom firmware.

Method 2: Through Google Account

If you have used Google services:

• 📧 Contacts, calendar and mail are synchronized automatically.
• 📷 Photos - via Google Photos (set autosynchronization).
• 🎮 Save Games – if the game supports Google Play Games.

Method 3: Manual transfer via PC

The most reliable, but longest method:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Copy the folders. DCIM, Download, Documents on the computer.
3. Connect the new phone and transfer the files back.

An archiver can be used to speed up the process (e.g, 7-Zip), to compress folders before copying.

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Mi Mover is the fastest way to transfer, but for complete certainty, back up important files to your PC or cloud before you upgrade to a new phone.

7 Security of personal files: how to protect data

Xiaomi has built-in tools to protect sensitive files, and here's how to use them:

1.The paroled folder in the Files

You can hide the files from prying eyes:

1. Open the files. → select files → Press More (three dots) → Move it to the password folder.
2. Install. PIN-code.

The files will only be accessed after you enter the password, and the folder is not visible in the standard reviewer.

2. Encryption of the device

For the complete protection of all data:

Settings → Additional → Encryption and accounts → Encrypt the phone

It takes 30 to 60 minutes, and once you encrypt all your files, they're protected, but the speed of your device can slow down a little bit.

3. Disabling automatic download in messengers

So that photos from WhatsApp or Telegram do not take place:

• On WhatsApp: Settings → Storage → Autoupload Media → Disable for Mobile Data.
• In Telegram: Settings → Data and Memory → Autoboot Media → Select Never.

It is also recommended to check the application permissions regularly:

Settings → Applications → Permissions → Storage

Revoke access to files from unnecessary programs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about files on Xiaomi