Thumbnails folder on Xiaomi: where to store, how to find and clean it safely

Have you ever noticed that your memory is on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO And it's mysteriously shrinking, even though you haven't installed new apps, and the culprit is often the hidden folder Thumbnails, which is a repository of thumbnails of images and videos that Android creates automatically. 100 MB to 1-2 GB, but find them not so easy: they are hidden in system directories or protected from viewing.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to detect Thumbnails folder on Xiaomi devices (including models on the device). MIUI 12/13/14 And we'll show you how to open, clean or remove it without risking the system:

• 🔍 Where exactly is Thumbnails stored on different firmware versions
• 📁 How to access through a standard file manager and third-party apps
• 🛠️ Cleaning methods without root rights and with them
• ⚠️ What happens if you delete the folder – myths and real consequences

Important: Paths to the folder may differ depending on the version MIUI We’ve collected up-to-date data for 2020-2026 devices, but if your Xiaomi is older, check out alternative methods at the end of the article.

What is Thumbnails folder and why it takes up so much space

Thumbnails is a system directory where Android stores smaller copies of images and videos.

• 📸 Quick preview in the Gallery (Google Photos, MIUI Gallery)
• 🎵 Album covers in music players
• 📂 File Previews in File Managers (e.g. Files by Google)
• 🔄 Caching content on social networks (Instagram, Telegram)

The problem is that the system doesn't clean that cache automatically, and over time, the folder grows to giant sizes -- especially if you're:

• 📷 Often take high-resolution photos/videos (e.g., photos, 4K 108 MP on Xiaomi 13 Ultra)
• 🎮 Install games with a lot of textures (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile)
• 📥 Download memes, gifs or stock images from messengers

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi devices, the Thumbnails folder may be hidden and not displayed in a standard file manager.This is not a mistake - this is how the system protects against accidental deletion of critical files.

Interesting fact: on smartphones with MIUI 14 and a newer folder can be divided into several subdirectories, for example:

• .thumbnails - miniatures for the gallery
• DCIM/.thumbnails — camera preview
• Pictures/.thumbnails — cache of uploaded images

Standard paths to the Thumbnails folder on Xiaomi

Most of the devices Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO Thumbnails folder is located on one of these paths (check all options):

If you don’t see the folder in the paths indicated, it could mean:

• 🔒 It is hidden – turn on the display of hidden files in the file manager settings.
• 🛡️ No access rights, MIUI Some system folders are blocked without root.
• 🗑️ The folder is empty – it is possible that the cache is stored elsewhere (see the next section).

How to enable hidden files in the standard manager MIUI:

1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Activate the switch to show hidden files.
4. Go back to the root catalogue (/storage/emulated/0/) And check the paths from the table.

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If the.thumbnails folder doesn’t show up even after you have enabled hidden files, try using a third-party file manager, such as Solid Explorer or a file manager. FX File Manager – They often bypass restrictions MIUI.

How to find Thumbnails if it is not in standard folders

If a standard path search fails to yield results, the folder can be stored in one of these locations:

1.In the Gallery app cache (MIUI Gallery)

The thumbnails are often cached directly into the gallery app data to find them:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Gallery (or MIUI Gallery, and tap on it.
3. Choose Memory. → Cash.
4. The cache volume of thumbnails (usually 50-500 MB) can be displayed here.

Clearing the cache through this menu will remove all thumbnails, but they will recover the next gallery opening.

2.In the Google Cache folder Photos

If you use Google Photos for backup, thumbnails can be stored in:

/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.google.android.apps.photos/cache

To gain access:

• 📱 Use a file manager with support Android/Data (For example, Mixplorer).
• 🔓 Or connect your phone to your PC and use it. ADB (guideline).

3. in the media database (only for power users)

On some Xiaomi devices, thumbnails are stored not as files, but in a database. /data/data/com.android.providers.media/databases/external.db. You can remove them from there only with root rights or through ADB.

If you haven’t found a folder in any of the places listed, try:

Search for files with a filter ".thumb"|Check the folders. /Android/obb/ and /Android/data/|Connect your phone to your PC and scan the drive with TreeSize|Install the DiskUsage app to visualize occupied space-->

How to Clean Thumbnails Folder Without Root Rights

You can remove thumbnails in several ways - from a simple reset of the cache to a complete cleaning through the ADB. Let’s start with the safest methods.

Method 1: Clearing the cache through the application settings

This is the safest method that does not require special knowledge:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find and select the Gallery (or MIUI Gallery).
3. Put Memory on it. → Clear the cache.
4. Repeat to Google Photos and Media Storage.

✅ Pros: No rights required, secure for the system.

❌ Cons: not cleans all thumbnails (for example, the messenger cache remains).

Method 2: Delete through the file manager

If you found the.thumbnails folder manually:

1. Open it in a file manager (e.g. Solid Explorer).
2. Select all files (usually with or without the.thumb extension).
3. Click Delete and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: Some files in the.thumbnails folder may be blocked by the system. If an "Operation not allowed" error appears when you delete it, use the method with the following: ADB (see below).

Method 3: Cleaning through ADB (without root)

If standard methods don’t work, connect your phone to your PC and use it. ADB:

1. Install Platform Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap on version → return to Additional settings → For developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media This command will reset the cache of media storage, including thumbnails.

To remove a specific folder, use:

adb shell rm -rf /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails

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Cleaning through ADB — The most effective way to remove thumbnails without root, but requires caution. -rf in the root directory (/) so as not to damage the system!

Cleaning Thumbnails with root rights: full instruction

If you have root access, you can not only delete thumbnails, but also prevent them from being created in the future, which is true for users who often work with a large number of media files.

Step 1: Remove all thumbnails

Use Root Explorer or FX File Manager with root access:

1. Cross the path /data/data/com.android.providers.media/databases/.
2. Delete external.db and internal.db files (they contain thumbnail information).
3. Clear the folders: /data/media/0/DCIM/.thumbnails /data/media/0/Pictures/.thumbnails

Step 2: Disable the creation of thumbnails (optional)

To stop generating thumbnails, run in Terminal Emulator or through the ADB:

su


pm disable com.android.providers.media/.MediaScannerReceiver

⚠️ Consequences: Disabling the media scanner may result in:

• 🚫 No previews in the gallery (files will be displayed as empty icons).
• 🔄 Slowing down some apps (e.g. Google Photos).

⚠️ Note: If after disabling MediaScannerReceiver stopped working messengers (no photos are displayed in chats), return the settings with the command: pm enable com.android.providers.media/.MediaScannerReceiver

Step 3: Automatic cleaning with Magisk module

For users with Magisk, there is a Thumbnail Cleaner module that:

• 🧹 Automatically cleans thumbnails when rebooting.
• 🛡️ Blocks the creation of new.thumb files.
• 📊 The statistics of the vacated place.

Installation:

1. Download the module (.zip) and move it to the phone’s memory.
2. Open Magisk Manager → Modules → Install from storage.
3. Select a file and restart the device.

What happens if you delete Thumbnails folder: myths and reality

There's a lot of conflicting information on the Internet about the consequences of removing thumbnails, and let's see what's actually going to happen.

The only real risk when removing Thumbnails is that the gallery and some applications will temporarily slow down until the system recovers the cache, but this takes no more than 5-10 minutes.

If you delete the folder and then notice problems, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📂 Open the gallery and wait until it rebuilt the preview.
• 🛠️ Clear the Media Storage application data in the settings.

Alternative ways to free up memory on Xiaomi

If cleaning Thumbnails hasn’t solved the memory shortage problem, try these methods:

1. Clearing the cache of all applications

MIUI has a built-in tool for mass cleaning:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Slip the cleansing (or release).
3. Select the Cash applications and confirm the cleanup.

This will free up from 500MB to 3-4GB, depending on the number of applications installed.

2. Delete unnecessary files via Files by Google

Files by Google can find:

• 🗑️ Duplicate photos and videos
• 🎬 Large files (for example, failed videos in the 4K)
• 📁 Temporary application files

Download it from Google Play and start the scan.

3. Transfer of files to memory card

If your Xiaomi supports microSD, transfer to it:

• 📷 Photo and video (folder) DCIM)
• 🎵 Music and podcasts
• 🎮 Game data (through Settings) → Annexes → Transfer to SD)

4. Disabling backup to the cloud

Services like Google Photos or Mi Cloud can create duplicate files.

• 📱 Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization of the gallery
• 📱 Google Photo → Settings → Backup and synchronization

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Regular cleaning of cache and transfer of media files to SD-A map or cloud will help avoid memory overflows. Set up automatic cleaning in Files by Google or CCleaner!

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Thumbnails folder on Xiaomi