How to find and open a conductor on Xiaomi smartphones: 7 proven ways

Have you bought a new Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone but can't find the built-in file manager? Or has the Explorer icon disappeared from the desktop after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many users - the manufacturer often hides standard utilities in the depths of the interface, and in new versions of the firmware their location changes without warning.

In this article, you will find the most current ways to access Explorer on all Xiaomi devices (including models from 2023-2026), and learn how to restore the icon on the home screen if it is missing. We will look at options for MIUI 14/15, older versions of the shell and even when the file manager is disabled by the system.

We warn you beforehand that some methods require changes in system settings. If you are a beginner, follow the instructions carefully so as not to disrupt your smartphone. For experienced users, we have prepared hidden commands to access the Explorer through ADB, which works even on locked devices.

1. Standard method: Search through the application menu

So, to start with the obvious, search through a list of installed programs, and 90 percent of the time, the conductor is simply hidden among other utilities.

Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen) and:

• 🔍 Enter the search query Explorer, Files or File Manager (in English firmware).
• 📁 Scroll the list manually – the conductor icon is usually blue or white with the folder image.
• 🔄 If the app is not located, try updating the list: pull the screen down for an update.

On MIUI 15 (2026), the Explorer can be called Files and reside in the Tools folder. In older versions (before MIUI 12), it was often placed in the Google folder — check it out too.

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO F5) The default conductor is disabled. To activate it, go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Conductor and press Enable.

2. Quick access via the phone's "Settings"

If the application search fails, try opening the explorer through system settings, which works even if the icon is hidden.

Follow the path:

1. Open the settings (cog on the desktop).
2. Go to the section About phone (About phone).
3. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version until you become a developer!
4. Go back to the main Settings menu and open a new section for developers.
5. Find the Local Installator option – it will open a Explorer with access to.apk files.

This method will not only show the hidden conductor, but also allow you to install APK-files without system warnings, useful if you often install applications manually.

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If the Developer For section is already activated but the Local Installer option is not available, update the firmware to the latest version. In MIUI 14.0.5+, this item is returned.

3. Restore the conductor icon on the desktop

A common problem with the MIUI update is that the conductor label disappears from the home screen, and you can return it in two ways:

Method 1: Through the Application Menu

• 📱 Find the Explorer in the list of applications (as in the first section).
• 🖱️ Press the icon and drag it to the desktop.
• 📌 If the shortcut is not fixed, first free up space on the screen (remove unnecessary widgets).

Method 2: Through the launcher settings

1. Click the empty space on the desktop → select Settings.
2. Go to Launcher Settings → Application shortcuts.
3. Find Explorer in the list and activate the switch.

4. Access to Explorer via Google Explorer (for global firmware)

On some Xiaomi models (especially for the European market), Files by Google is installed instead of a standard Explorer, which is less functional, but it can be replaced.

How to know if you have Files by Google installed:

• 🎨 Icon of orange color with white folder.
• 📊 The application description is indicated by Google LLC.
• 🔍 No features like Memory Analysis or Backup available in the original conductor MIUI.

To return the standard conductor:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Files by Google and click Delete (or Disable).
3. Restart your phone – a standard explorer will appear on the menu.

5. Hidden Ways: Access through ADB and System Commands

If the conductor is disabled at the system level (for example, after a failed update), it can be activated via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method for power users.

Step-by-step:

After preparation, execute the command:

adb shell pm enable com.android.fileexplorer

If the conductor still does not appear, try an alternative command:

adb shell am start -n com.android.fileexplorer/.FileExplorerActivity

For POCO models with custom firmware, another package may be required:

adb shell pm enable com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not change system files if you are not sure of your actions. Recovery from errors will require a complete reset).

6.Alternative File Managers for Xiaomi

If the standard conductor MIUI If you're not happy with it (or you can't restore it), consider third-party apps. They often offer more features: cloud storage, file encryption, FTP-server.

Top.-5 conductor (2026 year):

• 📂 Solid Explorer – dual-panel interface, support for cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox).
• 🔐 FX File Explorer - built-in archiver and access rights manager (root).
• ☁️ Total Commander – a classic conductor with support for plugins.
• 🛡️ Amaze File Manager is open source, no ads.
• 🔄 MiXplorer – optimized for Xiaomi, supports themes MIUI.

For the installation of an alternative conductor:

1. Download. APK-file from an official website (e.g. Solid Explorer).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access.
3. Install the file and assign the default right to Explorer in Settings → Applications → Default Applications.

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Side conductors may conflict with the standard MIUI manager. If after installation there are lags, disable the original application in the settings.

7 Problem Solving: The conductor does not open or issues errors

Sometimes Xiaomi Explorer doesn't work properly: it doesn't open files, it gives an error Stopped or restarts constantly.

Error 1: “The conductor is stopped”

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🗑️ Clear the app's cache: Settings → Annexes → Conductor → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📥 Update your Explorer via Google Play (if available).

Error 2: Files are not displayed on SD-map

• 🔌 Remove and insert the memory card again.
• 📁 Check the map format: Xiaomi supports FAT32 and exFAT, but not NTFS.
• 🔧 Format the card via phone: Settings → Warehouse → Memory map → Format.

Error 3: No access to system folders

The standard MIUI Explorer restricts access to folders like /system or /data.

• 🔓 Get root rights (not recommended for beginners).
• 🔧 Use a root-enabled conductor (such as Root Explorer).
• 📡 Get on the phone. FTP via an application like WiFi FTP Server.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi conductor