Where's the folder? Android/R Xiaomi Redmi smartphones: the full guide

Have you ever encountered a situation where an app requests access to an Android/R folder but you can't find it? Or have you noticed that after the MIUI update, some files have disappeared from the usual directories? This mysterious folder is one of the most hidden and little-known parts of the Xiaomi Redmi file system, but it plays a key role in the operation of many applications.

In this article, we will not only show you where to look for an Android/R folder on your Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 or other models, but also explain why it might not be in a standard file manager, how to access it without root rights, and what to do if it suddenly disappeared after resetting, and also examine the myths: can it really be deleted to free up memory and what consequences it will lead to.

What is Android/R folder and why do you need it?

The Android/R folder is a system directory that Android creates to store temporary files, cache and data related to the operation of applications. Unlike the Android/data folder (where user data of applications is stored), Android/R contains:

• 📁 Optimized versions APK — compressed copies of applications for quick download.
• 🔄 Kesh. Dalvik/ART — files that speed up the start of programs.
• 🔒 Secure data – information that applications access only through system calls.
• 📱 Files. OBB — Additional resources for games (sometimes duplicated here).

On Xiaomi Redmi smartphones, this folder is often hidden not only from the user, but also from the standard file manager. MIUI. The point is, MIUI It actively uses its own optimization mechanisms and some files from the Android/R It can be transferred to protected memory areas (/data/app or /system/priv-app).

Why does it matter? For example, if you're trying to move a game's cache through Titanium Backup or recover data after a reset, without access to that folder, many operations will not be possible. In addition, some applications (such as Lucky Patcher or GameGuardian) require write rights to Android/R to modify games.

Where to find a folder Android/R Xiaomi Redmi: 3 tested

So let's start with the bad news: 90 percent of the time, you won't find Android/R through standard MIUI Explorer. It's not a bug, it's a feature of the firmware. But there are workarounds. Let's go from the simplest to the most radical.

Method 1: Through a third-party file manager (without root)

The safest method is to use alternative conductors that can show hidden system folders.

• 📂 Solid Explorer (paid, but with trial period).
• 🔍 FX File Explorer (free, root-supported).
• 🛠️ MiXplorer (popular among Xiaomi users).

Instructions:

1. Install one of the listed managers (e.g. MiXplorer).
2. Open it and go to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/).
3. Enable the display of hidden files (in MiXplorer: Settings → Show hidden files).
4. Scroll down, the Android folder should appear. Go to it and find R.

If it's not, don't panic. It may be hidden at the kernel level. Go to the next one.

Method 2: ADB (for advanced users)

If the file manager doesn’t help, you can try accessing it via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that doesn’t require root rights, but requires connecting your smartphone to a PC.

Steps:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to unlock Developer Settings). Then go back to Settings → Additional → Developer → Debugging on USB.
2. Connect Redmi to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and type:

adb shell


ls /storage/emulated/0/Android/

If there's an R folder, you'll see it on the list. To copy its contents to a PC, use:

adb pull /storage/emulated/0/Android/R C:\Temp\Android_R

⚠️ Note: Not all versions MIUI allow you to view Android/R even ADB. If the command returns the Permission denied error, then access is blocked at the firmware level.

Method 3: Using root rights (risky!)

If the first two methods fail, the last option is to get root access, which will give you full control of the file system, but will take away your warranty and may disrupt MIUI.

How to do this:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (the official Xiaomi tool).
2. Install a custom recavery (TWRP).
3. Sweep through Magisk to get root.
4. Use Root Explorer or FX File Explorer with root access to go to /data/data or /storage/emulated/0/Android/.

⚠️ Note: New Redmi models (e.g. Note 12 Pro)+) Unlocking the bootloader can lead to the Widevine block L1, What will stop working Netflix, Disney+ and other services in HD-quality.

Why Android/R folders may not exist and what to do

You've looked at all the possible paths, but the Android/R folders aren't? The reasons may be as follows:

• 🔄 Update MIUI — new versions of the firmware (for example, MIUI 14) transfer some files to protected areas.
• 🧹 Cache cleaning – some “optimizers” (like Clean Master) delete the folder as “garbage".
• 📱 Features of the model - on Redmi with MediaTek chipsets (for example, Redmi) 9A) Storage structure may differ.
• 🔒 Security Policy: Xiaomi blocks access to system folders on some regional firmware.

What do I do?

1. Check out alternative paths: sometimes the folder is hidden here: /data/data/com.android.providers.media /storage/emulated/0/.android_r (point-to-point)

Create the folder manually:

Android/R

adb shell mkdir /storage/emulated/0/Android/R

But it only works if you have the rights to record.

Reset the settings:

Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings

How to Move or Reserve Android/R Content

If you need to save data from Android/R (for example, before resetting or firmware), follow this instruction:

1. Use it. ADB For copying: Adb pull /storage/emulated/0/Android/R C:\Backup\Android_R
2. For recovery: adb push C:\Backup\Android_R /storage/emulated/0/Android/R
3. Check the rights: after copying, set the correct permissions: adb shell chmod -R 755 /storage/emulated/0/Android/R

How to avoid problems:

1. Always backup before making changes.
2. Do not change files with the extension.odex,.oat,.vdex.
3. Use proven file managers (MiXplorer, Solid Explorer).
4. After any manipulations, restart the device.

💡

If you are not sure of your actions, it is better not to touch the folder. Android/R. In most cases, its contents are restored automatically, and manual intervention can lead to unstable operation of the system.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions