Xiaomi Hidden Folders: Where to Look and How to Access Them

Have you ever encountered a situation where Xiaomi doesn't have enough space but you can't see large files in a standard file manager? Or have you tried to find backups but they seem to have disappeared? Most likely, the data you need is hidden in one of the hidden MIUI folders, special directories that the system hides from the user by default, and these folders contain everything from app cache to system logs, backups and even deleted photos (in some cases).

In this article, we will not only show you where to look for hidden folders on Xiaomi, but also explain how to securely access them, what can be deleted to free up memory and what not to touch. We will pay special attention to the differences between models on MIUI 14 and MIUI 15, as well as the nuances of root access. If you are a user of Redmi, POCO or the flagship Xiaomi 13/14 series, this guide is suitable for all devices.

Why Xiaomi is hiding folders from the user

At first glance, it may seem that the manufacturer is making life difficult by hiding files, but in fact, there are logical reasons for this:

• 🛡️ Protecting system files: Deleting or modifying some folders (e.g, /system or /vendor) This can cause the phone to not load.
• 🗑️ Preventing accidental deletion, in folders like /data/data data of applications is stored - their cleaning is equivalent to resetting the program.
• 🔍 Hiding technical information. Logs of the system (/data/log) or (/data/tombstones) It's just developers.
• 📱 Android Compatibility: Google requires you to hide certain directories for security purposes (e.g, /data/adb).

But there's a downside to this: hidden folders accumulate debris -- cache, temporary files, remnants of deleted applications -- for example, the /data/local/tmp folder can weigh a few gigabytes, even though the user can't even see it, which is why being able to work with hidden directories helps to free up space on Xiaomi without resetting to factory settings.

Where are hidden folders on Xiaomi: the main ways

All hidden folders on Xiaomi are divided into two types:

1. System – created by Android and MIUI, needed for the operation of the OS (for example, /system or /data).
2. Custom – created by applications (for example,.thumbnails for sketches of photos or.nomedia for hiding media files).

Here are the key directories that most users are interested in:

It is important to understand that the paths of the /data or /system Without them, you will only see a portion of the hidden folders, the ones in the user partition (for example, at the root of internal memory or on the user partition). SD-map).

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If you are looking for deleted photos, check the /MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private folder – sometimes backups remain there, even if files are erased from the gallery.

How to enable the display of hidden folders on Xiaomi

By default, the MIUI file manager does not show hidden directories. To see them, you need to follow several steps. Instructions are relevant for MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO F5, Xiaomi 13T and other models from 2022-2026).

Open the standard Files (the folder icon on the desktop)

Click on three dots in the upper right corner

Select "Settings"

Activate the switch to show hidden files"-->

If you use a third-party file manager (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Manager), the algorithm is similar:

1. Open the app menu (usually a swipe on the right or a button in the top corner).
2. Find the "Settings" or "Display Options" section.
3. Enable the option to “Show hidden files” (sometimes called “Show hidden files”).

Once activated, folders with a dot at the beginning of the name (e.g.,.backup,.data,.thumbnails) will appear at the root of the internal memory, and can be viewed, copied, or deleted (if you are confident in your actions).

⚠️ Note: Some folders (for example,.android_secure) They contain encrypted application data, and deleting them can lead to errors in the operation of programs, even if they are not system-based.

How to access system hidden folders (without root)

Most hidden folders in the /data or /system partition are not available without superuser permissions, but there are a few legal ways to look at them:

• 🔧 Through ADB (Android Debug Bridge. Connect your phone to your PC, enable Debugging by USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 Once to unlock the developer menu, then use the command: adb shell ls. /data/data This will show a list of folders with application data.
• 📁 Through backup. In settings. → Additionally. → Backup create a local copy, then unpack it on your PC – there will be some system files.
• 🌐 Through cloud services. Some folders (e.g, /MIUI/Backup) They automatically sync to Mi Cloud. Check them out through the web version of the cloud.

Full access will still require unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk (root), but this will void the warranty and may lead to update issues. Read more about the risks in the next section.

What can be safely removed from hidden folders

If the goal is to make room, focus on the following directories (the paths are indicated relative to the root of the internal memory):

To clean the cache of all applications, you can immediately use the built-in function:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top corner and select "Sort by size."
3. Open each major app (e.g. Facebook, TikTok) and click Clear Cache.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders called com.android. or com.xiaomi. MIUI. Cleaning them can cause the phone to lose functionality (e.g., stop calling or Wi-Fi).

How to Recover Deleted Files from Hidden Folders

If you accidentally erase important data from a hidden directory, the chances of recovery depend on the type of files and the time that has elapsed since the deletion:

• 📷 Photos/Video: Check the folders /MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private or /Pictures/.recent. Also try programs like DiskDigger (requires root for deep scanning).
• 📄 Documents: If your files were in the cloud (Mi Cloud or Google Drive), check the service cart (stored for 30-60 days).
• 🎮 Game data: To restore progress, a backup from /Android/obb or account binding (e.g. Google Play Games).

For system files (such as those deleted from /data/data), root-free recovery is almost impossible, and only factory resets will help (but this will delete all data on the phone).

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If you regularly clean hidden folders, set up automatic backup to Settings → Additional → Backup. This will allow you to recover data even after accidental deletion.

Frequent errors when working with hidden folders

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that lead to Xiaomi malfunctions.

1. Deleting /data/dalvik-cache without rebooting, which causes the system to fail to reassemble the cache, and the phone goes to bootloop.
2. Clean /data/system. This is where you store your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, account settings, and when you delete it, the phone will lose all the stored networks and may require you to log in again.
3. Changing the chmod for system folders, for example, if you manually set 777 permissions for /system, this will create a security breach.
4. Ignore backups before cleaning. Always backup Settings → Additional → Backup, even if you plan to delete only the cache.

If after manipulating hidden folders, the phone began to brake or overheat, follow the following steps:

1. Restart your device (sometimes the system recovers critical files automatically).
2. Check the free space in Settings → Storage. If it is out, clear the cache through Settings → Apps.
3. If the problem persists, reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Reset settings).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions