How to find a hidden album on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: all ways to access hidden photos and videos

Why Hidden Albums Are Not Shown in the Gallery

On Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 (as well as on other smartphones with a shell) MIUI) The hidden album function is implemented through the built-in Gallery app, but many users are faced with the fact that previously hidden photos and videos suddenly disappear from view - they are not in the main tape or in the.hidden folder through the file manager. MIUI Hidden Folder (embedded storage for confidential files) and data protection mechanisms.

The Redmi Note 9 uses two layers of file hiding: software (via the Gallery) and system (via the secure folders in the device’s memory). If you hide files through the standard Gallery, they move to virtual storage that is not displayed in Files without special access, and if you use third-party applications (such as KeepSafe or Vaulty), the files could be transferred to encrypted containers that MIUI does not automatically recognize.

An additional challenge is the MIUI updates. After upgrading to versions 13-14, the path to hidden albums may have changed, and the old methods of access (for example, through DCIM/.thumbnails) ceased to work. Below we will discuss the current ways that work on Redmi Note 9 with any version of the firmware.

Method 1: Access through the built-in MIUI Gallery

The easiest way is to use the Hidden Albums feature in the Gallery's standard app, which works if the files were hidden through it rather than through third-party utilities.

1. Open the Gallery app (icon with multi-colored squares).
2. Slip along three horizontal lines (menu) in the lower right corner.
3. Select "Albums" item.
4. Scroll down and find the Hidden section (may be called Private or Hidden in English firmware).
5. Access will require you to enter a password, fingerprint or pattern lock if you have set them.

If the "Hidden" section is not on the menu, it means:

• 🔍 You did not hide files through the Gallery (using a different method).
• 🔄 The function is disabled in the privacy settings (see Method 3).
• 📱 You have custom firmware installed (e.g. Pixel Experience) where MIUI-albums not supported.

⚠️ Note: If you reset your smartphone to factory settings, access to hidden albums through the Gallery will be lost. Files will remain in the device's memory, but you will have to search through the File Manager (see Method 2).

Method 2: Search through the File Manager (.hidden folder)

If the Gallery does not show hidden albums, the files could be moved to the.hidden system folder. It is hidden by default, but it can be accessed through Files (or Mi File Manager).

1. Open the Files app (an icon with a blue folder).
2. Go to the Categories section → Images or Videos.
3. Slip on the three-point menu in the upper right corner and select "Show hidden files".
4. Go back to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/) and find the.hidden or MIUI/hidden folder.
5. If you don't have a folder, check the paths: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/.hidden

Inside.hidden, you'll find folders with names like pic, video, or private -- these are your hidden files, and you can copy them, move them, or delete them like regular media.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete the.nomedia folders inside.hidden, which are responsible for hiding files from the media scanner. If you delete them, photos may reappear in the main Gallery.

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If the.hidden folder is empty, try enabling the system files in the Mi File Manager settings ("More").

Method 3: Through MIUI privacy settings

In MIUI 12-14, hidden albums are managed through the Privacy section. If previous methods have not worked, check the following settings:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Special permissions.
2. Find the "Hidden albums access" option.
3. Make sure that permission to work with hidden files is enabled for the Gallery application.
4. If the option is disabled, turn it on and restart the smartphone.

Also check the "Secure folder" (if activated):

• 🔒 Open the Settings. → Confidentiality → Secure folder.
• 📁 Enter your password (if requested) and check if your files are there.
• 🔄 If the folder is empty, but you remember that you transferred files there, try resetting it (option in the menu).

Important: If you used the Gallery’s Blacklist feature (available in some regional firmware), hidden files may have been moved to the folder. /MIUI/Blacklist. It does not appear in the standard file manager – you will need a Root right or a file manager. ADB-command.

Method 4: Using ADB to access system folders

If the hidden files are not in the Gallery or in the Files, they could be moved to secure system partitions, you would need an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and a computer to access.

1. Download Platform Tools from the official Android website.
2. Turn on USB debugging on your smartphone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 taps → For developers → USB debugging).
3. Connect the Redmi Note 9 to your PC and open the command prompt in the folder with adb.exe.
4. Execute commands in order: adb devices adb shell su ls /data/media/0/MIUI/hidden
5. If the folder exists, copy the files to your PC: adb pull /data/media/0/MIUI/hidden C:\HiddenFiles

If the su command is not working, then the device does not have Root rights, in which case try an alternative path:

adb shell ls /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.hidden

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Incorrect commands can lead to loss of data or damage to the system. If you are not sure about your actions, contact a specialist.

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ADB is the only way to access files hidden through system utilities (like Second Space or App Lock) without resetting your settings.

Method 5: Recover Hidden Files through the Cloud

If you sync hidden albums with Mi Cloud or Google Photos, you can restore them even after you reset your phone.

1. Open the Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
2. Check if the synchronization of "Gallery" or "Backup" is enabled.
3. If yes, go to i.mi.com and log in.
4. In the Gallery section, find the Hidden or Private folder.
5. Download the files back to the device.

For Google Photos:

• 📱 Open the Google Photos app.
• 🔍 Enter hidden or private in search.
• 📁 If files have been uploaded to the Archive, they will appear in the appropriate section.

Note: Mi Cloud only stores hidden files 30 days after deleting from the device, and if more time has passed, you can’t recover them.

What to do if hidden files are missing after the MIUI update

After updating the firmware (e.g. from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14), the path to hidden albums may have changed.

1. The MIUI/hidden folder has moved to Android/data/com.miui.gallery/hidden.
2. The files were encrypted with a new version of the Gallery (requires a password reset via Settings → Apps → Gallery → Storage → Clear data).
3. Hidden albums have become part of Second Space (MIUI's second desktop). Check: Settings → Special features → Second Space

If the files are missing after the update, try:

• 🔄 Reverse to the previous version MIUI via Fastboot (instructions at xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
• 📥 Recover data via Recuva or DiskDigger (you will need to connect your phone to your PC in mode) MTP).
• 📧 Contact Xiaomi with the model (Redmi Note 9) and version MIUI.

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After updating MIUI, always check for hidden files in /Android/data/com.miui.gallery/hidden folder – data from old storages are automatically transferred there.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden albums on Redmi Note 9