Where is the personal folder on Xiaomi: all the ways of access and hidden MIUI features

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the question: where is the personal folder that the system creates automatically stored? This hidden directory is designed to protect confidential files — photos, documents and videos — from prying eyes. However, standard file managers do not always display its contents, which causes confusion among users.

In this article, we will explore all possible ways to find a personal folder on MIUI shell devices (versions 12, 13 and 14), including hidden system paths, Files application settings, and alternative methods through ADB and third-party programs.

If you’re looking for more than just a folder location, but you want to figure out how to use it, restore deleted files, or transfer data to another phone, here are the answers. Instructions are relevant for Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/11, POCO F5/X5 and other Android 12-14 devices.

What is a personal folder on Xiaomi and why you need it

A Private Folder is a secure storage device built into the MIUI shell since version 12.

• 🔒 File Encryption: All data is stored in encrypted form and is only accessible after authentication (password, fingerprint or Face ID).
• 📁 Hiding from standard managers: The folder does not appear in Google Files, ES Explorer, or when connected to a PC.
• 🔄 Automatic Sync: Linking to a Mi Account allows you to restore access to a new device.
• 📱 Delete Protection: Files are not deleted when settings are reset (unless internal memory is formatted).

It's important to understand that a personal folder is not the same as a Secure folder in Google Photos or a Secure Folder on Samsung, but it's a unique MIUI feature that's integrated at the system level, and its main advantage is that you don't have to install third-party encryption apps.

However, this decision has disadvantages:

• ⚠️ When you lose your Mi Account password, it becomes impossible to recover data (even through support).
• ⚠️ Some models (e.g., POCO M3 or Redmi 9A) may not support the feature due to a simplified version of MIUI.

The standard way: where to look for a personal folder in MIUI

The easiest method is to use the built-in Files app (Files by Google is not suitable!).

1. Open the Files app (an icon with a blue folder).
2. In the lower menu, tap on the Categories section (or the Browser in older versions).
3. Scroll down to the Personal Folder block (on some devices, the Private Folder).
4. When you first log in, the system will ask you to create a password or use biometrics.

If the section is not on the list, check:

• 🔍 Update the Files app to the latest version via Google Play.
• 🔧 Make sure the feature is enabled in the settings: go to Settings → Privacy → Personal folder.
• 📱 Some models (e.g., Xiaomi Mi A3) don’t have a personal folder due to pure Android One.

Attention! If you see a folder but it's empty, it doesn't mean that the files are deleted. It may be hidden because of a sync failure with Mi Account. Try logging out and logging in again.

Hidden path to a personal folder: how to find through the file manager

For power users, there is an alternative way to access through system directories, and the personal folder is physically located along the path:

/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer/files/PrivateFolder/

To get there:

1. Use any file manager with access to root folders (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. If the folder is missing, you've never used the function.

Important nuances:

• 🔐 The files inside are encrypted. Without the right password, you'll see files with the.enc extension, but you won't be able to open them.
• 📎 When you copy encrypted files to your PC, they will remain inaccessible.
• ⚠️ Deleting or moving files directly can result in data loss!

Warning! Do not attempt to rename or change the PrivateFolder folder access rights via ADB or Root access, which can break encryption and make files unreadable even after you enter the correct password.

How to Restore Access to a Personal Folder After Resetting or Updating

One of the most common problems is the disappearance of a personal folder after:

• 🔄 Resetting (Hard Reset)
• 📱 Updates MIUI to the new version.
• 🔧 Fastboot or Recovery flashing.

In most cases, files are not deleted, but access to them is blocked.

1. Sign in to the same Mi Account you used earlier.
2. Open the Files app and try to log into your personal folder.
3. If the system requests a password but you don’t remember it, use the recovery function via email or SMS.

If the folder does not appear even after authorization:

1. Check if sync is disabled in the settings of the Xiaomi account.
2. Remove and reinstall the Files application.
3. Contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership of the device (check or IMEI).

💡

If you plan to reset your settings, pre-export files from your personal folder to your regular storage, and open each file and save a copy of it through the Share menu.

Alternative Access Methods: ADB and Root

For advanced users who are ready to work with the command line, there are methods of accessing through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Steps to view content through ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate USB Debugging in the developer settings.
2. Open the command line and type in: adb shell ls /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer/files/PrivateFolder/
3. If the folder exists, you will see a list of encrypted files with the.enc extension.

Limitations of the method:

• 🔒 Without Root rights, you will not be able to copy or modify files.
• 📛 Even with Root, decrypting requires knowledge of an algorithm that Xiaomi doesn't disclose.
• ⚠️ Wrong teams ADB They may disrupt the system.

💡

Use ADB only if you are confident in your actions. For most users, standard methods of access through the Files app are sufficient.

If you have Root access, you can try changing the folder rights, but it is risky:

adb shell


su




chmod -R 777 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer/files/PrivateFolder/

This command will make files readable, but does not guarantee their decryption.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with a personal folder, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

• 🔄 The folder does not open after the MIUI update: usually due to a change in the storage structure, the decision is to update the Files app to the latest version.
• 📵 SMS does not come to recover your password: check if the number is locked in the Mi Account settings. Try to restore access via email.
• 📂 Files take up space but don't show up: turn on the hidden files in the file manager settings. They may be marked as system.
• 🔐 Password cannot be set: Make sure the device has a screen lock (PIN, pattern lock, or biometrics enabled).

WARNING! If you use a personal folder to store WhatsApp or Telegram backups, remember: these files will not automatically be restored when you reinstall the apps. They need to be manually transferred back to standard directories.

Another common mistake is trying to copy encrypted files to another phone, and even if you transfer the PrivateFolder folder to a new Xiaomi device, the files will remain inaccessible without being tied to the original Mi Account and password.

How to transfer files from a personal folder to another phone

If you are planning to change your smartphone and want to save data from your personal folder, follow this algorithm:

1. Open your personal folder on your old device.
2. Select the files you need and click “Share”.
3. Choose the export method: Google Drive, Telegram, or local copying to another folder (such as Download).
4. On your new phone, download files and save them to standard directories.

Important nuances:

• 📲 If you transfer data to another Xiaomi, you can use the "Mi Mover" feature (available in the settings), which saves the structure of the personal folder.
• 🔗 When exported via cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud), files are automatically decrypted.
• ⚠️ Do not copy the PrivateFolder folder directly through the cable - the files will remain encrypted!

If you want to transfer data to a different brand of device (such as a Samsung or iPhone), the only reliable way is to export each file manually through the Share menu.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions