Where and how to find documents on Xiaomi phone: a complete guide

Lost an important document on a Xiaomi smartphone? Do you know where to look for saved PDF, Excel or text files? The problem with finding files on MIUI devices is common: the system hides part of the folders, and the built-in file manager does not always show all the results. In this article, we will discuss how to find documents on Xiaomi - from standard methods to hidden functions and restore deleted files.

We're going to look at all the storage spaces we can get: internal memory, Mi Cloud, external drives, even system folders that don't normally show up, and if you delete a file, we're going to teach you how to restore it with minimal loss, and the instructions are for everything from the Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Important: Search algorithms depend on the version of MIUI. If you have old firmware (below MIUI 14), some features may not be available. Update the system before you start searching, this will increase the chances of success.

1. Standard search through file manager

To start with, the most obvious one is the built-in file manager from Xiaomi, which is installed on all devices by default and can search documents by name, type and date of creation.

Open the Files app (Blue folder icon). In the bottom panel, select the Category tab, then tap on Documents. Here, the system automatically collects all files in.pdf,.doc,.xls,.txt, and others. If you don't have the right document, use the search bar at the top of the screen.

• 🔍 Name search: Enter the full or partial file name (e.g., “contract” or “report").
• 📁 Filter by folder: click on three dots in the upper right corner → Show folders to see which directory the file is stored in.
• 📅 Sort by date: tap on the calendar icon to display documents from new to old (or vice versa).

If the file is not located, check the display settings: sometimes MIUI hides system folders. To do this, go to Settings in the file manager → Show hidden files and turn on the option.

💡

If a document is downloaded from the internet, check the Download folder – often files are saved there by default, even if you chose a different location.

2. Search through the system menu "Search"

Xiaomi is equipping its smartphones with a global search that looks not only for apps but also for files, a method that works faster than a file manager if you remember at least part of the document title.

Swipe down the home screen to open the search bar, type in a keyword (e.g., "passport" or "receipt"), and the system will show results from:

• 📄 Local files (internal memory and SD-map).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud (if synchronization is enabled).
• 📎 Annexes (e.g., annexes, WPS Office or Google Drive).

Please note: global search does not always find files in deep nested folders (e.g. Android/data/...).If the document does not appear, move on to the next method.

3. Search in hidden and system folders

MIUI hides some of the folders from the user to "do not download the interface." However, many documents (especially those downloaded from messengers or mail) go there.

1. Open the files. → Internal memory.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Show hidden files.
3. Go back to the root directory and check the following folders: 📂 Android/data — Here you can store files from applications (for example, documents from Telegram or WhatsApp). 📂 MIUI/Backup — backups of the system, sometimes containing documents. 📂 Download – Standard folder for downloads. 📂 Documents – created automatically to store user files.

If you are looking for a document from a specific application (for example, a passport scan from Sberbank Online), go to Android/data/app package name. The name of the package can be found through Settings → Applications → Application Management → [app name] → Additional.

4. Search in Mi Cloud and other cloud services

If the document is missing after resetting or replacing your phone, check Mi Cloud, Xiaomi's cloud storage, which automatically syncs files if the feature is enabled, to find documents:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Make sure that the file sync slider is active.
3. Put it on the files. → Select the Documents category.
4. Use search or date filters to find the file you want.

If there is nothing in the Mi Cloud, check out the other clouds.

• ☁️ Google Drive: Open the app and check the Recent section.
• 📱 Yandex.Disk: go to the folder Autoloads – there often get documents from the mail.
• 💬 Telegram: Saved Messages chat can have saved files.

💡

Mi Cloud only stores files 30 days after deleting from the device, and if the document is deleted long ago, you can't restore it through the cloud.

5. Search via PC (if the phone is not visible as a drive)

Sometimes it's easier to connect Xiaomi to your computer and search for documents through Windows Explorer or macOS Finder, but here's a caveat: by default, Xiaomi smartphones don't show up as removable drives due to MIUI policies.

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. If the computer does not see the device: 🔌 Check the cable (better to use the original cable). 🔄 Reboot both devices. 🛠️ Install Mi drivers PC Suite from the official website.

Once connected, open this computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) and go to the folder of the phone.

• 📁 Internal storage (internal memory).
• 📁 SD card (if you have a memory card).
• 📁 Download, Documents, Android/data.

Connect the original USB-cable|Select a regime MTP phone-on|Install Mi drivers PC Suite (if necessary)|Check the visibility of the device in the Conductor|Open hidden folders (in Windows visibility settings)-->

6. Recovery of deleted documents

If a document has been deleted, you can try to restore it. Xiaomi has a built-in Recycle Bin, where files are stored for 30 days.

1. Open the Files → Recycle Bin.
2. Find the right document and tap on it.
3. Select Restore - the file will return to the original folder.

If the cart is empty or more than 30 days have passed, use third-party recovery utilities.

• 🛠️ DiskDigger (does not require root rights to restore photos and documents).
• 🔍 Recuva (works over a PC if the phone is connected as a drive).
• 📱 Dumpster (alternative shopping cart for Android).

⚠️ Warning: the more you use your phone after deleting a file, the lower your chances of recovery.

For maximum chance of success:

1. Turn off mobile internet and Wi-Fi immediately (to avoid automatic synchronization).
2. Do not install new applications or save files.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and use Recuva in deep scan mode.

7. Search for documents from specific applications

Some documents are stored inside applications and not displayed in the file manager.

If the document is found but not opened, check:

• 📌 File extension (sometimes) MIUI Changes it to.bin or.tmp).
• 📌 Access rights (file can be blocked for editing).
• 📌 Integrity (damaged files won’t open – try recovering via PC).

⚠️ Note: documents from banking applications (e.g. Sberbank or Tinkoff) are often protected, and cannot be simply copied, but use the built-in export function.

FAQ: Frequent questions about finding documents on Xiaomi