Where is the Explorer in the Xiaomi phone: step-by-step instructions with pictures

Have you just downloaded an important document or photo, but can't find where Explorer is stored on your Xiaomi? Or maybe after the MIUI update, the standard file manager suddenly disappeared from the desktop? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphones - the MIUI interface often hides system applications to "not clutter" the screen. But without access to Explorer, you can't manage files, transfer data or clear memory.

In this article, we will not only show you where Explorer is on Xiaomi’s phone on different versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS), but also reveal hidden ways to run it that work even if the icon is gone. You will learn how to return the file manager to the home screen, what alternative applications can be used, and why Explorer sometimes suddenly disappears after updating the system.

1. Standard location of the Conductor in MIUI

In most cases, the file manager in Xiaomi is simply called “Conductor” (or “Files” in newer versions of MIUI). Its standard location depends on the shell version:

• 📱 MIUI 12/13/14: The icon is located in the Tools folder on the home screen or in the menu of all applications, often hidden under the name Files).
• 🔄 HyperOS: In the new shell, Explorer is integrated into the Security application (Cleanup section) → Files).
• 📂 Old versions (MIUI 10-11): A separate Explorer app with a blue folder icon, which could be called Explorer on global firmware.

If you don't find an icon, try searching the system: scroll down the home screen and type in Explorer or files. The system will show all related applications, including hidden ones.

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO X3 Pro) The conductor can be replaced by Google Files, which is a common practice for global firmware, and to get back the standard manager, you have to roll back the firmware region.

2. How to return the Explorer to the main screen if it is missing

The Explorer icon often disappears after updating MIUI or resetting, and here are 3 proven ways to return it:

1. Through the menu of all applications Open a list of all applications (swipe up from the bottom of the screen), find "Conductor" or "Files", press the icon and drag to the main screen.
2. Restore through Settings Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, find “Conductor”, click Display on the home screen.
3. Reset Launcher Settings Press the empty space on the home screen → Home screen settings → Reset. This will bring back all standard icons, including Explorer.

Check the Tools folder on the home screen

Search the system (swipe down → enter "files")

Reboot your phone (sometimes the icon returns after the reboot)

Update MIUI Up to the latest version (in new firmware, bugs with display are corrected)-->

If none of these things worked, maybe the Explorer was manually disabled to turn it on.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find "Conductor" or "com.android.fileexplorer" (for MIUI) / "com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer" (for global firmware).
3. Click Enable if the application is disabled.

3. Alternative ways to open the Explorer without the icon

Even if the standard Explorer icon is not available, you can access the files using 5 alternative methods:

• 🔗 Through Security: Open the Security App" → Cleanup → Files (in HyperOS, this is the main way).
• 📎 From the "Recent" menu: Connect your phone to your PC USB, Select File Transfer mode – the system will automatically open Explorer.
• 🤖 Voice Assistant: Say “OK, Google, open files” or “Hey Mi, start Explorer” (works on the Internet). MIUI 13+).
• 🔧 Through storage settings: Settings → Warehouse → Click on any section (e.g. Images) → The system will redirect you to the guide.
• 💻 ADB-Command (for advanced): Connect your phone to your PC and execute: adb shell am start -n com.android.fileexplorer/.activity.FileExplorerTabActivity

Through the icon on the main screen

From the Security menu.

Searching the system

Voice assistant.

In other ways.-->

On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro), Explorer is integrated into the Gallery app to see all files:

1. Open the Gallery.
2. Slip three points in the top right corner.
3. Choose Show Hidden Files or Manage Files.

4.Why the Conductor may disappear and how to fix it

Xiaomi Explorer is missing for 4 main reasons:

If Explorer disappeared after upgrading to HyperOS, it's due to a new system architecture. In HyperOS, the file manager is moved to the Security app, and the separate icon may not appear.

1. Install the APK standard Explorer with APKMirror (look for Mi File Explorer).
2. Or activate Hidden Mode via the Engineering Menu: ##4636## → Phone Information → Select MIUI Mode → Version 1

5.The Best Alternatives to Standard Explorer for Xiaomi

If the standard MIUI file manager is not your thing (slow, uncomfortable or absent), consider 5 proven alternatives:

• 📂 MiXplorer is the most powerful manager for Xiaomi with support for Root, cloud storage and built-in text editor.Free but requires manual installation APK.
• 🔍 Solid Explorer – dual-panel interface, support FTP/SFTP And file encryption. 14-day-trial.
• ☁️ Google Files is a lightweight manager from Google with a memory cleaner function. POCO.
• 🛠️ FX File Explorer – Supports Root, SMB And integration with Termux. Perfect for advanced users.
• 🔐 Amaze File Manager – open source, no ads, with support OTG and ZIP-archive.

To install alternative managers:

1. Download APKs from official sources (e.g. F-Droid for Amaze or Solid Explorer).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Install APK and assign the new application to the default manager in Settings → Applications → By default.

💡

If you often work with files on a PC, turn on in Explorer FTP-To do that, open MiXplorer or Solid Explorer, swipe left, select. FTP You can now manage your phone files via Total Commander or FileZilla on your computer.

6. Hidden Xiaomi Explorer features you didn't know about

Standard Explorer in MIUI has several hidden features that will simplify the work with files:

• 🔒 Hidden folders: To hide a folder, pinch it → More. → Hide. You can go back to Explorer Settings. → Hidden files.
• 🔄 Quick Sort: In any folder, tap three dots. → Sorting → Choose by date, size or type.
• 📤 Package Submitting: Select a few files, click Share → The system will automatically compress them into ZIP.
• 🗑️ Recycle Bin: Deleted files go to the Recycle Bin (stored for 30 days) To clear: Three dots → Basket → Clean up.
• 📊 Storage analysis: In the main Explorer menu swipe left → Analysis → You will see the diagram of the occupied place by category.

On models with HyperOS in Explorer appeared the function "Smart cleaning":

1. Open "Security" → Cleanup → Files.
2. Click Smart Cleaning in the top menu.
3. The system will automatically find duplicate photos, large files and unnecessary APKs.

💡

Xiaomi Explorer has a built-in text editor and image viewer. To open the file in the appropriate mode, just tap on it - the system will automatically select the appropriate application.

7 How to Enable Root Explorer Mode Without Superuser Rights

On older versions of MIUI (before MIUI 12), Explorer had a hidden Root Explorer mode that allowed you to view system files without Root permissions. In newer firmware, this feature is disabled, but it can be activated via the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636###
2. Go to the phone information section.
3. Tap 5 times on the MIUI version until the message “You became a developer!” appears.
4. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
5. Activate the option of Developer Mode and USB Debugging.
6. Now open Explorer, swipe left and select Root (if the option doesn't appear, reboot the phone).

⚠️ Warning: Enabling Root Explorer mode without real Root rights only allows you to read system files. Any changes (deleting, editing) will cause the system to crash! Full access requires unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk.

If the Root option didn’t appear even after the developer mode was activated, try:

• Install MiXplorer – it supports Root access without additional manipulation.
• Use it. ADB-The command for forced inclusion: adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1 (requires a connection to the PC and enabled debugging USB).

FAQ: Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Explorer