How to open ZIP-File on Xiaomi phone: all the ways from standard to advanced

Why Xiaomi can’t unpack the archive and what to do about it

You downloaded an important document, photos or firmware in ZIP format, but Xiaomi smartphone (be it Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or flagship Xiaomi 14) stubbornly refuses to open it? The problem is familiar to many users - despite the built-in tools, archives sometimes behave unpredictable. In 70% of cases, it is not the correct system settings that are to blame, but the lack of rights to access the Download folder for the standard archiver.

In this article, we will not only look at basic methods of unpacking through Files and Explorer, but also at alternative solutions, from third-party applications to working with archives through ADB (for advanced users), and focus on common errors like “File failed to extract” or “Archive corrupted” — with specific ways to fix them. If you have ever encountered that MIUI “does not see” ZIP or offers strange encoding file names, here you will find the answers.

Before you go to the instructions, check two key points:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: in old assemblies (below) MIUI 12) the standard archiver is malfunctioning. Update the system to Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI.
• 🔒 Permissions: Open Settings → Annexes → Application management → Files and make sure the application has access to storage.

Method 1: Standard Archiver in the Files app

The most obvious method is to use the MIUI-built solution, which supports ZIP, RAR (view only), and 7z (partially), and the interface is minimal, but the functionality is limited: for example, you can not select a folder to extract or unpack only individual files from the archive.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Files app (Blue folder icon).
2. Go to the folder where ZIP is saved (usually Downloads or Downloads).
3. Slip through the archive - a preview of its contents will appear.
4. Press the Remove button in the upper right corner.
5. Choose Extract All or tick individual files.
6. Confirm the action – the files will appear in the same folder where the archive is located.

⚠️ Note: If files have incorrect names after extraction (e.g., characters instead of Cyrillic), the problem is the encoding of the archive).

Free space on the phone (at least 10% of the archive)

Battery charge above 20%

Completely downloaded archive (check the file size)

Power saving mode is turned off (may interrupt the process)

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Method 2: Conductor Unpacking (for MIUI 13 and later)

MIUI 13 and more recently has an alternative way to work with archives through Explorer, a file management system application that has the advantage of being able to unpack ZIP directly into a selected folder, not just the one where the archive is located.

How to do this:

1. Open the Explorer (icon with the image of a yellow folder and a magnifier).
2. Find it. ZIP-file and make a long press on it.
3. In the menu that appears, select Extract to...
4. Specify the target folder (such as Documents or Images).
5. Confirm the action - the process will begin immediately.

🔹 Feature: Unlike the Files application, you can unpack the archive without previewing its contents, which speeds up the process for large files (for example, firmware 2 volumes).+ GB).

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If ZIP-The file does not open either through Files or Explorer, try to rename it by removing special characters from the name (for example, replace "#" with.

Method 3: Third-party archivers - RAR, ZArchiver, 7Z

Xiaomi’s built-in tools are suitable for basic tasks, but if you need to:

• 🔐 Unpacking password files (ZIP coded).
• 📂 Retrieve files to any folder, including external drives (SD-map, OTG-flash-drive).
• 🔄 Work with multi-volume archives (e.g, part1.rar, part2.rar).
• 🌐 Properly display file names in Cyrillic or other languages.

We tested three of the most reliable apps.

📌 Recommendation: For most Xiaomi users, ZArchiver is the best choice.It is free, contains no advertising and correctly works with Cyrillic file names (relevant for archives created on PCs).

Method 4: Unpacking ZIP via PC (for large archives)

If the archive weighs several gigabytes (for example, firmware for Xiaomi or data backup), unpacking it directly on the phone is inconvenient - the process can take hours or interrupt due to lack of memory.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode in the Notification Curtain).
2. Copy. ZIP-file on a computer (for example, on a desktop).
3. Use any archiver for PC: 🖥️ Windows: WinRAR, 7-Zip, PeaZip. 🍎 Mac: The Unarchiver, Keka. 🐧 Linux: unzip (terminal) or File Roller.

After unpacking, transfer the files back to your phone.

⚠️ Note: When copying large files (>4GB to phone via MTP (Standard connection protocol) errors are possible:

• 🔌 Use it. OTG-adapter.
• 📁 Transfer files in parts (for example, archive them in the ZIP 2GB).
• 🌐 Upload files to the cloud (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) and download directly to your phone.

Method 5: ADB-Teams for Advanced Users

This method is suitable if:

• 🔧 You need to unpack. ZIP to system folders (for example, to modify firmware).
• 📱 Phone is not turned on, but there is access to recovery or fastboot.
• 🔒 The archive is password protected, and standard applications do not recognize it.

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Fastboot (you can download from [the official Android website](https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools)).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the assembly number → return to → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Commands for unpacking ZIP via ADB:

adb push archive.zip /sdcard/ # Copy archive on phone


adb shell




su




cd /sdcard/




unzip archive.zip -d /sdcard/ Unpacked files/ # Unpacked into specified folder

🔹 Important: If the unzip command doesn't work, then your device doesn't have a binary. Solution: download Termux from F-Droid and install the unzip packet with the command:

pkg install unzip

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Use ADB only if you are confident in your actions. Incorrect commands can lead to data loss or system failure.

Solving errors when unpacking ZIP on Xiaomi

Even with the right settings, Xiaomi users face typical problems, including the most common ways to fix them:

⚠️ Attention: If you downloaded ZIP From an unverified source (such as a torrent tracker or forum), check it for viruses with Dr.Web or Malwarebytes before unpacking. MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about working with ZIP on Xiaomi