How to make a hidden album on Xiaomi: all the ways for MIUI 14 and 15

Hidden albums on Xiaomi smartphones are not just a handy feature, but a real lifeline for those who value privacy. In an era when access to the gadget can be obtained by outsiders (colleagues, relatives or even scammers through remote access), the ability to securely hide personal photos and videos becomes a critical skill. However, standard MIUI tools are not always intuitive, and some methods of hiding files remain a “secret” for most users.

In this article, we will explore all the current ways to create hidden albums on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from built-in Gallery features to third-party encryption applications. We will focus on the nuances of working with MIUI 14/15, where file hiding algorithms have changed, and you will learn how to get around common mistakes (for example, when hidden files suddenly become visible after an update) and what to do if access to the album is lost.

Why the standard way to hide files in MIUI is unreliable

Many Xiaomi users are used to hiding photos through the Hide in the standard Gallery, but this method has critical shortcomings:

• 🔍 Visibility in File Manager: Hidden files remain accessible through Explorer or ES File Explorer in the.hidden folder.
• 🔄 Reset after update: after major updates MIUI (13 to 14, for example, hidden albums can pop up in the main gallery.
• 📱 No password: Anyone who takes your phone will be able to find hidden files through a search.

In fact, in MIUI 15 The algorithm of hiding has changed, so that the files are not just moved to the.hidden folder, but are given a special nomedia attribute, which makes it difficult to detect them, but does not make them impossible. MTP Hidden files will be displayed in the folder DCIM/.hidden.

Method 1: Hidden Album through the standard MIUI Gallery

The easiest method is to use the built-in Hide feature in the Gallery app, which is suitable for MIUI 12-15 and does not require any additional software installation.

1. Open the Gallery app on your Xiaomi.
2. Choose the photo or video you want to hide (you can choose a few by holding your finger on the file).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hide.
4. Confirm the action by clicking Hide in the pop-up window.

To view hidden files:

1. In the Gallery, go to the Albums section.
2. Scroll down and click Hidden Albums (a password or fingerprint may be required if lock is set up).

Make sure the files are removed from the main gallery|

Check their absence in the Explorer (DCIM/.hidden folder)|

Try to find files through a search system (should not be available)|

Create a backup of hidden files on your PC-->

⚠️ Note: if you use the Mi Cloud cloud service, the hidden files are not synced to the cloud and will only remain on the device. If you reset your phone to factory settings, they will be lost unless you manually backup it.

Method 2: Create a hidden folder through Explorer (without root)

If you want to hide files not only from prying eyes, but also from standard multimedia scanners, you can create a hidden folder manually. This method works without root rights and is suitable for MIUI 14/15:

1. Open Explorer (or any other file application, such as Solid Explorer).
2. Go to the root directory of internal memory (/storage/emulated/0/).
3. Create a new folder with a name that starts with a dot, such as.mysecret.
4. Transfer the necessary files (photos, videos, documents) to it.
5. Create an empty.nomedia file in this folder (without extension) and this will prevent the folder from being scanned by the gallery.

To return the files to visibility, simply delete the.nomedia file or rename the folder by removing the dot at the beginning.

💡 A useful tip: if you want to completely eliminate the possibility of detecting hidden folders, use Solid Explorer with the function of Hidden folders. In the application settings, you can turn off the display of folders that begin with a dot, which will add another layer of protection.

Method 3: Encrypting files in the archive (maximum protection)

For those who are looking for the most reliable way to hide files, password archiving is the best way to do it, and this method ensures that without knowing the password, you can't view the content.

1. Install an archiver that supports encryption, such as RAR or ZArchiver.
2. Select the files you want to hide and add them to your new archive.
3. When creating an archive, select Set a password and set a reliable code (it is recommended to use at least 12 characters with numbers and special characters).
4. Delete the original files after you have created the archive.

⚠️ Note: If you forget your password, it will be impossible to restore access to files, even through specialized services).

Advantages of this method:

• 🔒 Full confidentiality: Files are protected AES-encryption.
• 📱 Cross-platform: the archive can be opened on any device.
• 🔄 Compatibility: Works on all versions MIUI Android.

Method 4: Third-party apps for hidden albums

If the built-in MIUI tools don't suit you, you can use specialized applications that offer additional features such as:

• 🔐 Encryption of files according to the standard AES-256.
• 👤 Two-factor authentication (password) + fingerprint).
• 📤 Backup to an encrypted cloud.
• 📱 Masking for the calculator (the application looks like a utility, but opens hidden files after entering the code).

Top.-3 Hidden Albums Apps on Xiaomi:

1. KeepSafe: Free version with basic features, file and video encryption, and the ability to create a false PIN for masking.

Hide It Pro (Audio Manager)

If none of the methods worked, the files may have been deleted by the system, in which case try data recovery software like DiskDigger or Recuva (you’ll need to connect your phone to your PC in Mass Storage mode).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with hidden albums on Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🚫 Files are visible in Explorer: Solution: Add a.nomedia file to the folder or rename it by adding a dot at the beginning (e.g.,.secret).
• 🔄 Hidden files appear after the update MIUI: Solution: after the update, re-hide files through the Gallery or transfer them to the archive with a password.
• 🔒 Forgot the password from the third-party application: Solution: If the application does not provide a recovery function (for example, via email), the only way is to reset its data through Settings → Apps, but it will delete all hidden files.
• ☁️ Hidden files sync with Mi Cloud: Solution: Turn off sync for Gallery in cloud settings or use third-party apps that are not integrated with Mi Cloud.