Finding built-in applications in the MIUI or HyperOS shell can be a real puzzle, especially for those who have moved from other brands or upgraded to a new version of Android. Users often ask where to find a Explorer on a Xiaomi phone, since after a system update, the icon can disappear from the desktop or be renamed. This is the standard behavior of the system aimed at optimizing the interface, but it creates inconvenience when managing files.
The integrated file manager is a key tool for working with the device’s memory, allowing you not only to move photos and documents, but also to clear the cache, manage archives and connect to cloud storage. If you can’t find this important component, you shouldn’t panic or rush to the service center – most likely, the program is simply hidden in the Tools folder or disabled in the settings.
In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to locate a standard file application. We will look at standard search methods, paths in the system menus and ways to restore remote components. Understanding the structure of the file system will help you effectively manage the space on your smartphone.
Standard ways to search for the “Conductor” application
The first place to look is the folder with system utilities, and most Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices have a separate desktop folder called Tools (or Tools in English) that often hides standard applications that the manufacturer considers secondary but necessary for the job.
If you don't have one on your desktop, try a global search. Swipe down the center of the screen (or click the menu button, depending on the type of navigation) to open the search bar. Type the word "Files" or "Conductor." The system will instantly show the application if it's installed. Often it's called Files with a yellow folder icon.
In some cases, the shortcut may just be removed from the desktop, but the app itself remains in the system. To check this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Scroll through the list or search inside the settings. If you find Explorer or Mi Files there, then the program is active and you just need to return the shortcut.
- 📂 Check the Tools folder on the home screen.
- 🔍 Use the search bar throughout the phone.
- ⚙️ Look for all installed apps in the settings list.
- 📱 Look at the All Apps menu (swipe up).
Configure the display through the menu “Hidden applications”
The MIUI shell has a powerful privacy feature that allows you to hide applications from prying eyes. It may have been hidden by accident or by the previous owner of the device. To check this, open the Security app (green zipper icon) that is on every phone of the brand.
Inside the security menu, scroll down to Hidden Apps. You may need to enter a password or fingerprint if the security feature is enabled. If the switch opposite Explorer is active, the system hides its icon. Disable this option to return access to files.
There is also an alternative way to log into this section through the theme settings, but the path through Security is the most direct.Hiding system gates can lead to confusion, so it's a good idea to keep this list under control.If you haven't set a concealment password, the system can use the default screen unlock password.
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from the hidden applications section, you can only reset it completely by resetting your phone settings, which will delete all data.
How to Create a Hidden Folder for Photos
Including the system component in the settings
On the new versions of Android (13 and 14) in the HyperOS shell, Xiaomi has implemented a new file manager called Mi Files. The old Explorer can be deactivated or replaced. To check the status of system components, go to Settings → Apps → All applications.
In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select "Show System Processes." Now you can find "Conductor," "Files" or "Download Manager" in the list. If you see an application but it doesn't work or open, try clicking on it and select "Run" or "Enable."
Sometimes, after major firmware updates, default settings are reset and file associations may get lost. Make sure that the system Explorer is chosen to open certain types of files (such as.apk or.zip) rather than a third-party application.
☑️ Checking system settings
Table: Comparison of Xiaomi file managers versions
Users are often confused about the names as file managers have changed over the years, and here is a table that helps you identify which Explorer is installed on your device.
| Title of the annex | Type of system | Substantive function | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| The File Manager (Mi File Manager) | Old MIUI | Basic file management | It's obsolete. |
| Files (Files by Google) | Global ROM | Waste cleaning and search | Often pre-installed |
| Mi Files | HyperOS / MIUI 14 | Modern interface, cloud | Up-to-date standard |
| Downloads (Downloads) | System kernel | Viewing downloaded files | Always active. |
| File Manager (Third) | sideways | Extended rights (Root) | Requires installation |
As you can see from the table, depending on the software version and firmware region, the main application may be different software. On devices with global firmware, often the default is “Files by Google”, which completely replaces the functionality of the old Xiaomi Explorer.
What to do if the conductor is removed or not started
If you can't find an app with standard methods, it may have been removed by the user or damaged by a system failure, in which case you can install an alternative. Google Play offers a lot of free analogues, such as Total Commander, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer.
However, if you need a native interface, you can try to restore it through a system component update: go to Get Themes or Google Play, search for Mi File Manager from Xiaomi Corporation and click Update or Install.
If an application is present but crashes when it is launched, you need to clear its data. Go to Settings → Apps → All Applications → Explorer → Memory. Press the Clean button and select Clear All. This will return the application settings to factory settings.
- 📥 Download the original APK verified.
- 🔄 Update the app via GetApps or Play Market.
- 🗑️ Clear the data and cache in the application settings.
- 🛡️ Check your phone for viruses through “Security».
⚠️ Warning: When installing a Explorer from third-party sources (not from the Play Market), always check the developer’s digital signature to avoid infecting the device.
💡
Use the Cleanup function in the built-in conductor once a week - this will free up space and speed up the phone without installing unnecessary programs.
Working with the file system through a computer
If you can't find a conductor on the screen, and you need urgently files, you can use the computer. USB-On the smartphone screen, you'll see a request for connection mode — select "File Transfer» (MTP).
On your computer, open "My Computer," find your device, and go to internal memory, and here you'll see the same folders that the Explorer would display: DCIM (photo), Download (download), MIUI (system data), which is full access to the file system without having to search for an app on the phone.
This method also allows you to copy important data before resetting if the system is unstable. Remember that some system folders on your computer may require advanced permissions, but user data will always be available.
💡
Connecting to a PC is the most reliable way to access files if the built-in conductor on the phone is damaged or deleted.