Where is the file manager on Xiaomi: search, configuration and hidden features

Have you just bought a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone and can't find where the file manager is stored? Or did the standard file application disappear after the MIUI update? This situation is familiar to many users - the firmware interface changes often and icons move through the menu. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to access the file manager, including hidden methods for different versions of MIUI (from 12 to 14) and smartphone models.

It’s important to understand that on Xiaomi, the file manager can be hidden not only in obvious sections like Tools, but also in system settings, and sometimes it has to be restored manually. We’ll also look at what to do if an application has been removed, how to return it via MIUI Hidden Settings, and which alternative file managers are better to install if the standard one doesn’t suit.

This article will be useful for both beginners and experienced users – here you will find instructions for all versions of MIUI, including MIUI 14 on Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and other current models from 2023-2026.

1. Standard method: Search through the main menu

The easiest method is to find a file manager through the standard app menu, which is called Files (or File Manager in English firmware) on most Xiaomi smartphones and has a characteristic document folder icon.

• 📱 Swipe your finger up from the bottom edge of the screen to open the app menu.
• 🔍 In the search bar (top of the screen), enter Files or File Manager.
• 📁 If the icon is found, click on it and the standard file manager will open. MIUI.
• 🔄 If the search does not give results, try to scroll through all the menu pages manually - sometimes the application will be "lost" among other utilities.

On some models (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi K60), the icon may be called File Manager or Explorer. If you use custom firmware (such as the Pixel Experience), the standard MIUI manager can be replaced with Files by Google, in which case it will have to be downloaded separately.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI European region (EEA) The default file manager is hidden due to Google's policy, in which case it can be returned via system settings (see Section 3).

2. Quick access through the notification panel

In the latest versions of MIUI 13/14, developers have added quick access to the file manager directly from the notification panel, which works on most modern models, including the Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO X5 Pro.

1. Swipe your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Swipe down again to turn the full panel around.
3. Find the Files icon (usually located in the bottom row next to the Camera and Gallery).
4. Click on it and the file manager will open.

If the icon is not present, it can be added manually:

• 🔧 Press on. ⚙️ Edit (or ⋮ → Change the order).
• 📱 Find the Files list and drag it to the active area.
• 💾 Save the changes.

On some models (such as Xiaomi 12S Ultra), fast access to the file manager can be disabled by default – check the settings of the notification panel in the Settings → Notification Panel → Quick settings.

3. Restore the file manager through MIUI settings

If the standard Files app is missing after an update or reset, it can be returned via hidden MIUI settings.This method works on all smartphones with MIUI 12-14 firmware, including Redmi 10, POCO M5 and Xiaomi 11 Lite.

Follow the instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Press on. ⋮ (three-point) → Show all applications.
3. In the search bar, type com.android.fileexplorer (this is the file manager’s system name).
4. If the application is disabled, click Enable.
5. If it is hidden, click Show (or Cancel Hidden).

After that, the Files icon will reappear in the app menu, and if this method didn’t work, try an alternative way through MIUI Hidden Settings:

Enable the display of hidden applications in the settings

Check for a file manager by searching com.android.fileexplorer

Update MIUI to the latest version (if available)

Reset the launcher settings (if the icon does not appear)-->

To access hidden settings:

1. Open the Phone app.


2 Enter the code ##6484## (MIUI Hidden Menu).




3. Go to the "System App Settings" section.




4. Find File Explorer and turn it on.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 with global firmware), the ##6484### code may not work. In this case, use the Activity Launcher app from Google Play to manually run hidden system components.

4.Alternative File Managers for Xiaomi

If the standard MIUI file manager doesn’t suit you (for example, due to limited functionality or advertising), you can install third-party apps.

If you are choosing between Solid Explorer and FX File Explorer, pay attention to the following nuances:

• 🔐 Solid Explorer is better suited for cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive).
• 🛠️ FX File Explorer is more convenient for users with root access, as it supports changing system files.
• 📱 MiXplorer is the only option for older models (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1), where new applications work with lags.

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If you work with files on Xiaomi often, add a file manager shortcut to the home screen: pinch the app icon in the menu and drag it to the desktop.

5. Access to files via computer (MTP and ADB)

Sometimes it's easier to manage files on Xiaomi through a computer, and there are two main ways to do that: MTP (like a flash drive) and ADB (for advanced users), and let's look at both.

Method 1: Connecting to MTP

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. Open this computer – your Xiaomi will appear as a removable disk.

Method 2: ADB control (requires USB debugging enabled)

1. Enable "Developer Mode":


Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times.




2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB Debugging.




3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm access.




4. Use ADB commands to work with files, for example:




adb pull /sdcard/Download/C:/Backup/ – copy files from your phone to your PC




adb push C:/Photo.jpg /sdcard/Pictures/ – upload the file to your phone

If Windows doesn’t see Xiaomi in MTP mode, try the following:

• 🔌 Use the original cable (not all) USB-cables support data transmission).
• 🔄 Restart your phone and computer.
• 🖥️ Install Mi drivers PC Suite from the official Xiaomi website.

⚠️ Note: When connecting through MTP Some files (for example, from a folder) Android/data) To see them, turn on the hidden files in the Windows Explorer settings (View) → Hidden elements).

6. Hidden functions of the MIUI file manager

The standard MIUI file manager has a few hidden features that many users are unaware of, and here are the most useful ones:

• 🔒 Hidden folders: To hide a folder, pinch it → More. → Hide. To see hidden files, click. ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files.
• 🗑️ Recycle Bin: Deleted files go to the bin and are stored there for 15 days. To clear it early: Recycle Bin → Clean up.
• 📊 Memory Analysis: In the Storage section, you can see which apps take up the most space and clear the cache.
• 🔄 Backup: The manager settings have a function to create a backup of important files on the Mi Cloud.

A new feature, Quick Sort, has been introduced on MIUI 14 firmware, allowing you to automatically group files by type (photos, videos, documents) to enable it:

1. Open the Files.
2. Press. ⋮ → Settings → Quick sorting.
3. Turn on the switch and select categories for automatic sorting.

If you often work with archives, the MIUI file manager has a built-in tool for unpacking.zip and.rar.

1. Find the archive in the manager.
2. Click on it → select Extract.
3. Specify the folder for unpacking.

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Hidden MIUI file manager features not only allow you to manage files, but also save space on the device (for example, through memory analysis and basket cleaning).

7. Solving File Manager Problems

Sometimes the file manager on Xiaomi doesn't work properly, like opening files, or giving out errors, or restarting all the time, and let's look at the typical problems and their solutions.

If the MIUI file manager is constantly giving the error “Application is stopped”, try the following steps:

1. Clear the application data: Settings → Applications → Files → Storage → Clear the data.
2. Update MIUI to the latest version: Settings → About Phone → System Update.
3. If the problem persists, install an alternative manager (see section 4).

On some models (e.g. Redmi 9 or POCO M3), after upgrading to MIUI 13, internal memory may be lost through the file manager, due to Google's policy to restrict folder access.

1. Open "Files."


2. Press ⋮ → Settings → Enable "Show internal memory."




3. Confirm access if a request arises.

FAQ: Frequent questions about file manager on Xiaomi