Why it’s important to know the structure of Xiaomi’s storage
The internal memory of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is organized according to unique rules that differ from “pure” Android. The manufacturer modifies the standard file system through the MIUI shell, adding hidden folders for system needs, backups and app cache. Without understanding this structure, you risk removing critical data when cleaning up memory or not finding saved files when you need them.
For example, photos from messengers by default are not saved in the DCIM/Camera, Android/data/com.whatsapp/media — This article will take a look at all the key folders in Xiaomi's storage, including hidden directories that are not displayed in the standard file manager. MIUI 14 and MIUI 15, and hybrid storage models (e.g. Redmi Note) 12 Pro+ memory-expandable).
Basic Structure of Storage: What the User Sees
When you connect a Xiaomi smartphone to a computer or open the built-in file manager (Files), you will see a standard set of folders, but many of them are just the tip of the iceberg.
- 📁 DCIM — Photos and video from the camera (including Camera folders, Screenshots, MIUI for screenshots with system elements).
- 🎵 Music – audio files recognized by the player by default (including ringtones in Ringtones).
- 📄 Documents – files downloaded through a browser or saved from office applications.
- 📥 Download – everything you downloaded from the Internet (including: APK-files if installation from unknown sources is permitted).
- 🤖 Android – system folder with application data (most subfolders are hidden without root).
Important: folder MIUI The root of the storage contains the logs of the system (debug_log), Update files (ota) and backups. Deleting these files may cause crashes on the next update MIUI.
Hidden folders and system data: what can not be deleted
About 30-40% of Xiaomi’s internal memory is occupied by hidden files that are not displayed in standard Explorer, which can only be seen through ADB, root Explorer (such as Root Explorer), or special applications like FX File Explorer with superuser mode enabled.
| folder | Way | Appointment | Risk of removal |
|---|---|---|---|
| cust | /cust | Files customization firmware (wallpaper, sounds, fonts) | Resetting themes to the factory |
| MIUI | /MIUI/extra | Additional system modules (e.g. GameTurbo) | Failure to play mode or gestures |
| lost+found | /lost+found | Recovered files after file system failures | Data loss in the next crash |
| metadata | /metadata | Encryption Metadata (if enabled) | Inability to decrypt user data |
It is especially dangerous to interfere with the /data folder, where:
- 🔑 Encryption keys (/data/misc/keystore) — When removing the smartphone will require reset to factory.
- 📱 Application data (/data/data) — here lie the save of games, the cache of messengers and program settings.
- 🔄 Update files (/data/ota_package) — Removal will interrupt the installation process.
What happens if you delete /data/local/tmp?
Where are the files of specific applications stored
Each annex in MIUI creates his folder in /Android/data/[package_name] or /Android/obb/[package_name]. Here are examples of popular programs:
- 📸 Instagram: /Android/data/com.instagram.android/cache (cache), /Android/media/com.instagram.android (photo-saved).
- 💬 WhatsApp: /Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media (media), /Android/data/com.whatsapp/files (backup).
- 🎮 Genshin Impact: /Android/obb/com.mihoyo.GenshinImpact (gamefiles, ~15 GB).
- 📺 YouTube: /Android/data/com.google.android.youtube/cache (offline video).
For instant messengers (Telegram, Viber), the path to media files can be changed in the application settings. For example, in Telegram go to Settings → Data and memory → Download folder and select Internal Memory/Telegram or SD-map.
adb shell pm path com.package.nameReplace com.package.name with a program ID (e.g. com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).-->
How to find and clean the cache without harming the system
Cash in MIUI is divided into three types:
1. Dalvik cache (/data/dalvik-cache) – optimized files to speed up the launch of applications.
2. Application cache (/Android/data/*/cache) – temporary program files.
3. System cache (/cache) - data for updates and recovery.
Only the app cache can be cleaned safely.
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select a program (such as Chrome).
- Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
Select the application in "Settings"
Press "Storage" → "Clear the cache"
Do not use the “Clear Data” option (delete accounts)
Reboot the smartphone after cleaning 5+ applications-->
For deep cleaning (for example, before selling your phone), use the recovery mode:
- Turn off your smartphone.
- Press Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
- Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (not to be confused with Wipe Data!).
💡
Cleaning the cache through Recovery only removes system debris and does not affect user data.
Work with SD-map and hybrid storage
Xiaomi models with memory card support (for example, Redmi Note 12 5G or POCO X5 Pro) allow you to expand storage, but with limitations:
The card is formatted as a portable (FAT32/exFAT) or internal (Adoptable Storage) storage.
When you choose Internal Storage, the card is encrypted and tied to the device - it will not be read on another smartphone.
To move applications to SD-map:
- Insert the card and select Settings → Storage → SD card.
- Press Three Dots → Storage Settings → Format as Internal.
- After formatting, go to Settings → Applications, select the program and click Storage → Change → SD Card.
⚠️ Note: Not all applications support portability SD. System Programs (Google Play Services, MIUI Launcher) and anti-cheat games (PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty remain in internal memory.
How to Recover Deleted Files in Xiaomi
If you accidentally delete photos or documents, use the Built-in Recycle Bin Utility (Files → Recycle Bin), which stores files for 30 days before being permanently deleted.
- Open the Files → Recycle Bin.
- Select the files you need and click Restore.
- Specify a folder to save (for example, DCIM/Camera).
If the basket is empty, try third-party tools:
DiskDigger (Scans internal memory at a low level)
Recuva (requires root or PC connection)
MIUI Hidden Settings (allows you to enable the display of hidden files)
⚠️ Note: When recovering files, DO NOT save them to the same partition of memory from which they were deleted! SD-Map or cloud to avoid overwriting data.
For models with encrypted storage (starting with Xiaomi 12 on MIUI 13+), recovery is possible only if you have a backup in the Mi Cloud or through TWRP with decryption.