How to find all files on Xiaomi Redmi: from photos to system data

Have you ever lost an important file on Xiaomi Redmi knowing it was saved somewhere but couldn’t find it? or wanted to delete unnecessary system data to make room but were afraid to damage your phone? In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to search files, from obvious to hidden, including system folders, app cache and even deleted data.

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI They have a unique file storage structure that is different from pure Android, and there are some nuances: for example, some folders are hidden by default, and access to system partitions requires additional rights. We will show you how to get around these limitations without risking the device, using both standard tools and advanced methods such as: ADB or TWRP.

It's important to understand that not all files are equally accessible. You'll find photos from the gallery in a second, but here are system application logs or backups. MIUI They can be buried deep in the depths of memory, and we structured the material so that you could choose the right method, from simple to complex.

1. Standard conductor MIUI: What to find without root

Let’s start with the most obvious: the built-in file manager. MIUI. It is installed on all Redmi smartphones by default and allows you to view most user files:

1. Slip the Explorer icon (a folder with a blue tag) on the home screen or in the application menu.
2. At the top of the screen, select the Device tab – this displays the internal memory and microSD card (if installed).
3. For convenience, use the category panel: "Images", "Audio", "Video", etc.

What you'll find here:

• 📷 Photo and video: folders DCIM/Camera (camerashot), Pictures/Screenshots (Screenshots), Download (downloads from the browser).
• 🎵 Music and sounds: Music, Ringtones, Notifications folders).
• 📄 Documents:.pdf,.docx,.xlsx files in Documents or Download folder.
• 📱 APK-Files: Manually installed applications are stored in Download or APK.

However, the standard conductor has limitations:

• ❌ No access to system folders (for example, /data/data/, where the application settings are stored).
• ❌ Does not show hidden files (with a dot at the beginning of the name, such as.thumbnails).
• ❌ Does not display app cache and temporary files.

⚠️ Note: If you connect Redmi to your computer through USB, some folders (e.g, Android/data/) They may not be displayed due to restrictions. MIUI. To see them, turn on the "File Transfer" mode (MTP)" notice-curtain.

2. How to enable the display of hidden files

Many important data (such as configuration files or backups) are stored in hidden folders. By default, they are not visible in the conductor. MIUI, I don't want to do it when you're connected to a PC:

Method 1: Through a standard conductor

1. Open the Conductor.
2. Stick to three points (⋮) top-right.
3. Select "Settings" → "Show hidden files".
4. Reset the conductor (close and reopen).

You will now see folders and files whose names start with a dot, such as:

• 🔍.thumbnails – thumbnails of images (can be removed to free up space).
• 🔧.Config - Configuration files of some applications.
• 📁.miui - system data MIUI (remove!).

Method 2: Through a computer (Windows/macOS/Linux)

If you connect Redmi to your PC:

• On Windows: in Explorer go to the tab "View" → Check the box "Hidden elements".
• On macOS: in Finder, press Cmd + Shift +. (point).
• On Linux: In the file manager, enable the option "Show hidden files" (usually in the "View" menu).

⚠️ Attention: Delete files from folders.android_secure or.data can cause app failures, such as deleting content.android_secure/smdl2tmp1.asec disrupt the operation of encrypted data.

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If hidden files don’t show up even after you turn on the option, try using a third-party explorer, such as Solid Explorer or a third-party explorer. FX File Manager – They often bypass restrictions MIUI.

3. Search for system files and application data

System files and application data are stored in secure, restricted areas, and this is what you can do without root rights:

Through the "Storage" menu in the settings

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Tap on "Other Apps" (or "Applications" in some versions) MIUI).
3. Select the desired application → "Warehouse".
4. Here you'll see the volume of Data and Cache, and the cache can be cleared right from here.

But this method doesn't show specific files, it just shows their size, and you need additional tools to look at them in detail.

Through ADB (no root)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) It allows you to view some system folders without getting root permissions:

1. Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About the phone, tap 7 times on "version" MIUI".

"Additional settings"

"For developers"

"Debugging by USB"

Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.

Terminal

adb shell


ls /data/data/

This command will show you a list of folders with the data of all installed applications. For example, WhatsApp data is stored in the app. /data/data/com.whatsapp/, a Telegram, in /data/data/org.telegram.messenger/.

⚠️ Note: Attempt to delete or modify files in /data/data/ through ADB without root, you will get a "Permission denied" error. TWRP.

4.File search through TWRP (for advanced users)

If your Redmi has a custom recapvery installed TWRP, You get full access to all the memory parts, including the system partitions, and it's the most powerful file search tool, but it requires some pre-production:

What can you do in TWRP:

• 🔍 View and edit files in /data, /system, /vendor.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary system applications (bloatware).
• 📂 Backup copies of individual folders (for example, /efs s IMEI).
• 🔄 Restore deleted files (unless they have been overwritten).

Step-by-step:

Select Advanced → File Manager

Go to the appropriate section (for example, /data/data/)

Press the file. → Choose Copy or Delete

Copy important files on a microSD or OTG-accumulator-->

Example: To find backup copies MIUI, cross over /data/miui/backup/. Here is stored data from the built-in backup tool.

⚠️ Attention: Delete files from folders /system/priv-app/ or /vendor/ This can lead to bootloop. Always create a backup before making changes!

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TWRP It gives you full control of the file system, but it requires an unlocked bootloader and a customized backup installed!

5. Recovery of deleted files

If you accidentally delete an important file, you can still return it — but only if the disk space has not been overwritten with new data.

Method 1: Through the MIUI basket

MIUI It has a built-in recycle bin where files are stored for 30 days before final deletion:

1. Open the Conductor.
2. Slip on the "Baskbasket" icon in the bottom menu.
3. Select the files you want and click "Restore".

Method 2: Using Recovery Applications

If the files are not in the Recycle Bin, try the specialized utilities:

• 🛠️ DiskDigger – Recover photos, videos and documents.
• 🔄 Recuva (via PC) – works with internal memory when connected by USB.
• 📱 Dumpster – an alternative shopping cart for Android.

Critically, the less you use your phone after deleting files, the better the chances of recovering them, and each new record to the disk (photo, video, app installation) reduces the likelihood of success.

Method 3: Through TWRP (power-user)

If you have a set TWRP, You can try to recover files using the testdisk tool:

1. Download testdisk for Android (available as.zip for TWRP).
2. Boot in. TWRP, plug in OTG-test-drive.
3. V TWRP Choose Advanced → Terminal and enter:

cd /sdcard/


./testdisk_static /dev/block/mmcblk0

This command scans the internal memory for deleted files, and it can take hours.

6. Search for files by name or type

If you know the name of the file or its extension, you can speed up your search using specialized tools.

Method 1: Built-in search in MIUI

1. Open the Conductor.
2. Slap on the magnifying glass icon (🔍) top-down.
3. Enter the file name or extension (e.g.,.pdf or invoice).

Method 2: Application "Files by Google"

Google’s search engine has a more flexible search:

• 🔍 Searches by name, type, date, and even the contents of some files.
• 📂 Shows "Large Files" and "Unused Applications" to free up space.
• 🗑️ It has a built-in basket and cleaning tool.

Method 3: Commands ADB search

If you know a part of the file name, you can use it. ADB search:

adb shell


find /sdcard/ -name "part_of_filename"

Examples:

• Search all.jpg files: find /sdcard/ -name "*.jpg"
• Search for files larger than 100 MB: find /sdcard/ -size +100M

7. Where specific files are stored on Xiaomi Redmi

Some types of files have fixed storage paths, and here are the most important ones:

For WhatsApp and Telegram files, the following paths are:

• 💬 WhatsApp: Media: /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media/ Backup copies of chats: /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/ (file msgstore.db.crypt14)
• 📤 Telegram: Downloads: /sdcard/Telegram/Telegram Documents/ or /sdcard/Download/Telegram/ Cash images: /data/data/org.telegram.messenger/cache/ (root)

8.How to free up space: Finding and removing unnecessary files

Over time, Redmi accumulates garbage: cache, temporary files, duplicates. Here's how to find and delete them:

Through the "Cleanup" menu.

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
2. MIUI Analyze the memory and show:

• 🗑️ Application cache (can be removed without risk).
• 📁 Downloads (old) APK, document).
• 🎬 Large files (video, games).
• 🔍 Duplicate files (photos, audio).

Manual search for large files

Use the application "Files by Google":

1. Open the application and go to the "Cleaning" tab.
2. Select "Large Files" - video, games and other volumetric data will be displayed here.
3. Sort by size and remove the unnecessary.

Removal of the application cache

Some apps (like Facebook, Instagram, games) can take up gigabytes of cache to clear it.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook).
3. Slip the Storage" → "Clear the cache".

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for system applications like com.android.systemui or com.miui.home – this can cause interface failures. MIUI.

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Regular cleaning of cache and removal of duplicate photos / videos can release the 5–10 GB of space on Redmi with 64/128 GB memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about files on Xiaomi Redmi