How to Find and Open Hidden Files on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide 2026

Have you ever encountered a situation where Xiaomi suddenly runs out of space when you haven't downloaded anything? Or searched for an important file but it disappeared from the folder? Most likely, the problem lies in hidden files and folders that the system or applications create in the background. In this article, we'll look at exactly where such files are stored on Redmi, POCO and Black Shark devices, how to safely open them and why some of them are better not to touch.

Hidden files on Xiaomi fall into two categories: system (created by MIUI or Android) and user (hidden by apps or you manually). The former often take up gigabytes of memory, but deleting them without understanding the consequences is dangerous - it can lead to malfunctions in the smartphone. The latter, on the contrary, is sometimes useful to find: for example, backups of.nomedia or messenger cache. Next, you will learn how to access such files through standard and advanced methods, including ADB and TWRP.

1.Why files are hidden on Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s Android shell, MIUI, is actively using hidden files to optimize the system’s performance, and these are the main reasons for their appearance:

• 🔒 Protecting system data: Files with.sys,.prop or folder extension /data/dalvik-cache hidden so that the user does not accidentally remove critical components.
• 📁 App cache: Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and social networks (TikTok, Instagram) hide media files in folders such as.thumbnails or.cache.
• 🔄 Backup copies: MIUI Creates automatic backups in /MIUI/backup/AllBackup, But they're not visible without the inclusion of hidden files.
• 🚫.nomedia files: These empty files signal Android that the folder does not need to be scanned on media (photo/video) and are often added to folders with documents or downloads.

Interestingly, on the POCO F5 and Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14+, hidden files can take up to 10-15 GB of storage if you don’t clean the cache for years, while the standard Explorer does not show them – you need to use special settings or third-party applications.

⚠️ Attention: Delete files from folders /data/app or /system without root rights will lead to a complete loss of functionality of the smartphone. Even with root access, it is recommended to create a backup through the TWRP.

2. Method 1: Enabling the display of hidden files in a standard MIUI Explorer

The easiest method is to use the File Manager built-in, but in the latest versions of MIUI (13-14), this option is hidden deeper than before.

1. Open the Explorer app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → select “Settings”.
3. Scroll down to the "Advanced" section and activate the "Show Hidden Files" switch.
4. Return to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/) and update the file list with the swipe down.

You will now see folders and files whose names start with a dot (e.g.,.config or.config.android_secure). Please note: some system folders (/data, /system) It will not be available without root rights.

Check the MIUI version (in Settings → About the phone)

Update "Conductor" via Google Play

Reboot your smartphone after turning on the option

Try an alternative conductor (e.g. Solid Explorer)

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On Black Shark 5 and other Xiaomi gaming smartphones, an additional step may be required: switching to Developer Mode (7 taps by build number in About Phone) and enabling the “Debug by USB” option for full access.

Method 2: Using ADB to access hidden folders

If you need to access system hidden files (like /data/data) but no root permission, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) will help.This method works on all Xiaomi devices, including Redmi 10 and POCO X4 Pro, but requires a PC connection.

Be prepared first:

• 💻 Install. ADB Tools on the computer.
• 📱 Turn on "Debugging by" USB" on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Assembly number (7 taps) → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC via the original cable.

Now run commands in the terminal (or cmd):

adb devices

(Your device should show up. If not, check the drivers.)

adb shell


ls -la /storage/emulated/0/

(This command will show all files, including hidden ones, in the main memory.)

To copy the hidden file to the PC:

adb pull /storage/emulated/0/.hidden_file C:\Downloads\

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If ADB can’t see the device, try disabling and enabling USB debugging on your phone again, and using a USB 2.0 port (not 3.0) on your PC.

⚠️ Note: Rm or delete commands via ADB Irreversibly delete files, even if they are critical to the MIUI. Always use ls first to view the contents of the folder.

Method 3: Root access and Total Commander

Root access is required for full control of hidden files, and can be obtained on Xiaomi devices through unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk, and then you can use Total Commander or Root Explorer to view /data, /system and other protected partitions.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires an account binding Mi).
2. Install custom TWRP receivers for your model (for example, this version will suit the Redmi Note 11).
3. Sweep Magisk through TWRP to obtain root rights.
4. Install Total Commander with the Root Access plugin.

Now in Total Commander:

1. Go to / (root directory).
2. Slip on three points → “Settings” → “Show hidden files”.
3. Select a folder (e.g. /data/data/com.android.providers.media) and copy the files you want.

5. Method 4: MIUI Hidden Settings (hidden menu)

Few people know, but MIUI has a secret settings menu where you can turn on hidden files even without root, which works on the POCO X3 Pro, Redmi K50 and other models with MIUI 12-14.

How to open it:

1. Open the phone application (call).
2. Enter the code: ##4636###.
3. In the menu that appears, select "Settings" MIUI" (MIUI Settings).
4. Scroll to the Explorer section and activate Show Hidden Files and Folders.

This method also allows you to display protected system folders (for example, /miad is an advertising module MIUI), but be careful: changing files here can disrupt the work of Xiaomi’s branded services.

Standard MIUI conductor

ADB via PC

Root + Total Commander

MIUI Hidden Settings (Secret Code)

Another option

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Method 5: Recover deleted hidden files

If you accidentally delete an important hidden file (such as.nomedia from a photo folder), you can try to restore it, and applications like DiskDigger or Recuva (via PC) will do this, but the odds depend on how long it has been since you deleted it and whether the smartphone memory was used.

Algorithm of action:

1. Stop using your phone immediately (do not install new apps, do not take photos).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and start Recuva in deep scan mode.
3. Select /storage/emulated/0/ and specify file types (e.g..* for hidden files).
4. Save the recovered files to your PC, not back to your phone.

For Xiaomi with root access, you can use TWRP:

1. Load into the Recovery (Off. → Hold. Power + Volume +).
2. Select "Mount" → tick /data.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and use ADB or Total Commander to search for deleted files.

⚠️ Note: Recovery of files from /data Root is almost impossible — MIUI It encrypts this partition by default. TWRP, odds of zero.

7. which hidden files can be safely deleted

Not all hidden files are equally useful, but here is a list of things that can be deleted without risk to the system (but with reservations):

• 🗑️.thumbnails folder: Photo/video miniatures, which will free up to 1-2 GB, but when the gallery opens next, they will be recreated.
• 📁.cache folders in apps: Instagram cache, Facebook or TikTok. Cleanup won't hurt, but the data will be re-downloaded.
• 📄.nomedia files: If they interfere with the display of media in the gallery, they can be deleted. They do not contain data, only instructions for Android.
• 🔄 folder /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/old: Old backups, only delete if you're sure they're not needed.

What can't be touched:

• 🚫 /data/dalvik-cache, /data/system — cause to malfunction MIUI.
• 🚫 /system — Any changes here require root and can "brick" the phone.
• 🚫 Files without extension in /data/data/ — It's an application database.

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Before removing any hidden file, back up via TWRP or ADB. Even the seemingly harmless.nomedia can be part of the application’s work.

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Working with hidden files on Xiaomi is fraught with errors, and here are the most common ways to prevent them:

• 🔌 Interruption ADB-session: If you copy files via adb pull, don't turn off the cable until the process is complete.Use the adb wait-for-device command to automatically reconnect.
• 🔑 Loss of root access: After update MIUI through OTA root often flies. Before the update, create a backup in the TWRP And save it on PC.
• 📱 Deletion of files from /sdcard via PC: When connected to USB Windows may not show hidden files. Always use adb shell ls. -la check out.
• 🔄 Ignoring backups: Before any manipulations /data Do backup with an adb backup or TWRP.

On Xiaomi 13 and other flagships with HyperOS (replacement of MIUI), access to hidden files may be different. For example, HyperOS does not have a classic Explorer - instead it uses Google Files, where the hidden file settings are hidden in Settings → File Settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions