Where to look for a file manager on Xiaomi Redmi: all ways to access the file system

Have you just bought a new Xiaomi Redmi or upgraded your MIUI firmware and suddenly found that your usual File Manager has disappeared from your desktop? Or maybe you’re trying to find hidden system folders but the standard Files app doesn’t show them? This is a situation familiar to many Xiaomi smartphone owners – the manufacturer regularly changes the location of memory management tools, and in some firmware even removes default shortcuts.

In this article, we will not only show you where the Xiaomi Redmi File Manager is in 2026, but also reveal all the possible ways to run it – from the obvious to the hidden. You'll learn how to return the shortcut to the home screen, what alternative applications to install for advanced file management, and why sometimes a standard manager may not display system folders. ADB Forcing the opening of hidden memory sections.

1. Standard method: the Files app in the application menu

The most obvious way is to use the File application (aka File Manager or Mi File Explorer) that is pre-installed on all Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, but once the firmware update or resets, its shortcut may disappear from the desktop.

• 📱 Swipe your finger up from the bottom of the screen to open the app menu (or click on the All Apps icon if you have a classic launcher enabled).
• 🔍 In the search bar, type Files (without quotes) and the system will immediately show the application with the folder icon.
• 📁 Click on the icon – the Manager will open with categories “Downloads”, “Images”, “Audio” and others.
• ⚙️ To fix the shortcut on the desktop, hold the application icon with your finger and drag it to a free space.

If the search doesn't work, it might have been disabled to get it back:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select "Show all apps."
3. Find com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer (this is the system name of the File Manager).
4. Click "Enable" if the application is disabled.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) firmware MIUI 14 File Manager can be called Explorer instead of File. If the search doesn't work, try typing that word in.

2. Quick access via notification panel (hidden function)

Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden way to open the File Manager directly from the notification panel, which works on most Xiaomi and Redmi models, including the Redmi 10, Note 11 Pro and POCO X5:

• 📲 Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
• 🔘 Find the Cleanup icon (usually located in the top row of quick settings next to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth).
• 📁 You tap it, you open the memory cleanup menu, and at the bottom of the screen, you'll see the Files button (or File Management»).
• 🚀 Click on it - you will be taken directly to the File Manager, in the Category section».

This is convenient because it doesn't require a search through the app menu, but some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global for the European market) may not have a Files button, so try the following method.

3. Access via phone settings (alternative path)

If standard methods fail, file manager can be opened through system settings, a method that is particularly useful for Xiaomi users with custom firmware or after resetting to factory settings.

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Go to About Phone (usually at the bottom of the list).
3. Tap a few times on the MIUI version until the notification “You’ve become a developer!” appears (this unlocks hidden settings).
4. Return to the main Settings menu and select the new Developer section.
5. Scroll down and find the item “Memory” or “Storage”.
6. Click on “Other Apps” – here will be a link to the File Manager.

On some models (e.g. Redmi K50) the path may be slightly different:

Settings → Memory → Internal Memory → File Management

⚠️ Note: If you do not see the "Developers" section after repeatedly clicking on the version MIUI, Check if it's turned off in the security settings. Go to Settings. → Password and security → Lockdown and protection → Special features and enable the option "Developer Mode».

Make sure your phone is over 20 times charged%|Close all background applications to speed up work|Connect to Wi-Fi if you plan to download files|Check the memory space (less than 10% can cause errors)-->

4. Hidden system folders: how to see them

Xiaomi’s standard file manager often hides system folders (e.g. /data, /system, or /vendor), even if you have root rights.

Method 1: Enabling the display of hidden files

1. Open the File Manager.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Activate the “Show hidden files” switch.
4. Return to the root directory (click on the "..." at the top until you see /storage/emulated/0).

Method 2: Use of the ADB-Teams (for advanced teams)

If you need to access really hidden partitions (like /data/data), superuser rights and ADB will be required. Connect your phone to your PC and do:

adb shell


su




setenforce 0




ls /data

The system folders will then be available in any root-enabled file manager (e.g., Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).

5. Alternative file managers for Xiaomi Redmi

If the built-in File Manager doesn’t suit you (for example, due to limited functionality or advertising), consider installing third-party apps.

• 📂 Solid Explorer is a paid, 14-day trial, and supports cloud storage, FTP And it's perfect for big data.
• 🔍 FX File Explorer – Free with support for root and network protocols (SMB, WebDAV: Allows you to edit system files on rooted devices.
• ☁️ Files by Google is a lightweight Google manager with memory cleanup and duplicate search. Good for beginners.
• 🛡️ MiXplorer is free and ad-free, with support for design themes and plugins for cloud services.

To establish an alternative manager:

1. Download. APK-file from an official website (e.g. Solid Explorer) or from Google Play.
2. If you install from APK, allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Installation of unknown applications.
3. After installation, open the manager and provide access to the storage.

⚠️ Note: When using Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer on rooted devices disable the option “Contact as” R/W» For system folders, if you're not sure what you're doing, you can't edit your files incorrectly. /system or /vendor This may result in loss of warranty and the need to reflash through EDL-regime.

💡

If the alternative manager doesn’t see internal memory after installing it, restart the phone and check the permissions in Settings → Applications → Permissions Management → Storage. Sometimes the system blocks access to memory for new applications after the MIUI update.

6 Recovery of Remote File Manager

If you accidentally delete or disable the standard Files app, you can restore it without resetting. Here are two proven ways:

Method 1: Reinstall via APK

Download the original file manager APK for your version of MIUI from the official Xiaomi forum (e.g. XDA Developers) and install it manually. Redmi on MIUI 14 will fit the file:

com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer_6.0.1-240315.apk

Method 2: Recovery through ADB

If the application has been disabled but not removed, return it with the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer

After that, the shortcut will appear in the app menu, and if none of the methods worked, then you only have to reset (but this will delete all the data from the phone).

💡

Before resetting, be sure to back up via Settings → About Phone → Backup or using Mi Cloud. Data recovery after reset is impossible without a backup!

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Xiaomi Redmi users often encounter errors when working with the file manager, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If none of the solutions worked, check firmware integrity.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Check Updates”.
3. If you have an update, install it. This can fix the file manager errors.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions