How to find other (hidden, system, remote) files on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Have you ever encountered a situation where Xiaomi suddenly loses files, takes up memory unknown data or just need to find hidden system documents? In the MIUI operating system, some files are hidden by default from the user - this is done to protect the system from accidental changes. However, sometimes access to them is necessary: whether it is recovering deleted photos, cleaning the cache or searching for configuration files of applications.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working ways to find other files on Xiaomi, Redmi smartphones, POCO Black Shark – from simple conductor settings to use ADB-All of the methods have been tested on the MIUI 12-15 and relevant for 2018-2026 devices, and important: some actions require root or unlocked bootloader rights, we will warn you about this in advance.

Before you start, make sure your device has enough battery life (at least 30%) and important data backed up.

1. enable the display of hidden files in the standard MIUI Explorer

The easiest way is to use a built-in conductor. MIUI (Files app. By default, it hides system folders and files with a dot at the beginning of the name (e.g.,.thumbnails or.android_secure). To see them:

1. Open the Files app** (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Slip along three horizontal lines in the upper left corner (menu).
3. Select Settings → Show hidden files.
4. Confirm the action by moving the slider to the right.

After that, folders will appear in the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/):

• 📁.Backups – backups of applications;
• 📁.Data from certain games and programs;
• 📁.thumbnails – thumbnails of images and videos;
• 📁 Android → data - cache and application settings.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete or change files in folders Android/obb and Android/data — This can cause app crashes. If you need to free up space, use the built-in cleaning function in Settings. → Memory.

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To quickly find a specific file, search in Explorer (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner). Enter a part of the file name or its extension (for example,.jpg or.apk).

2 Search via Total Commander or FX File Explorer

The standard MIUI Explorer has limitations – it doesn’t show some system partitions (e.g. /system or /vendor).

• 📱 Total Commander (with Root Access plugin);
• 📱 FX File Explorer (supports root and ADB);
• 📱 Solid Explorer (paid, but with free trial period).

Instructions for Total Commander:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Start it and give access to the memory.
3. In the top panel, select the root section (/).
4. Go to /storage/emulated/0/ for user files or /data/ for system files (root required).

FX File Explorer allows you to connect via ADB without superuser rights:

1. Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times on build number, then go back to Additional settings → For developers).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. V FX File Explorer select Remote → ADB enter IP-Device address (usually 127.0.0.1:5555).

Install Total Commander or FX File Explorer|

Enable the display of hidden files in the settings |

Provide root access (if required)|

Create a backup copy of important data-->

3.Use ADB to access system partitions

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a tool for interacting with a device via the command line, which allows you to view files even without root, but with restrictions.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS;
• 📋 Installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers;
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Enable debugging over USB (see previous section).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
4. Go to the shell of adb shell: adb shell
5. Use commands to navigate: ls /storage/emulated/0/ # View user files cd /data/data/# Go to the application data folder ls -a # Show all files, including hidden files

⚠️ Note: Without root rights, you will not be able to view the contents of folders in /data/data/ — The system will return the Permission denied error. Full access requires unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk.

4. Search for deleted files using DiskDigger

If you accidentally delete photos, videos or documents, you can try to restore them.

1. Install DiskDigger from Google Play.
2. Run the scan (select Basic for non-root files or Full with superuser rights).
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours).
4. View the files found and save them to a memory card or the cloud.

The likelihood of successful recovery depends on:

• 🕒 Time since the removal (the less, the better);
• 📱 Device activity (if new files were written to the phone, they could overwrite deleted data);
• 🗃️ File system type (on F2FS chances are lower than ext4).

DiskDigger does not recover files from system partitions (/system, /vendor) – only from user memory (/storage/emulated/0/).

Yes, photos |

Yes, papers or notes |

Yes, contacts or messages.|

No, I always make backups |

No, I never lost.-->

5.Analysis of busy memory using Storage Analyzer

Sometimes files aren't visible in the explorer, but they take up space on the device. To find them, use memory analysis tools, such as:

• 📊 Storage Analyzer & Disk Usage (Shows Large Files and Folders);
• 📊 Files by Google (Cleanup tab»);
• 📊 SD Maid (requires root for deep scanning).

Example of Storage Analyzer:

1. Open the app and give access to the memory.
2. Select the section to scan (usually /storage/emulated/0/).
3. Wait for the diagram of occupied space.
4. Slip on large blocks (like the Android/data folder) to see the details.

Typical memory eaters on Xiaomi:

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If the Files app shows that the memory is full but you don’t see the large files, check the Android/obb (game data) and MIUI/Backup (backups).

6 Access files via TWRP Recovery

If your Xiaomi device is unlocked and custom recovery TWRP is installed, you can view files even when the system is broken.

• 🔄 The phone is getting stuck in bootloop (cyclical reboot);
• 🚫 Not included. MIUI;
• 🔍 You need to copy the data before resetting.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP.
3. Select Mount → System (if you want to view system files).
4. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
5. Navigation: /data/media/0/ – user files; /data/data/ – application data; /system/ – system files.

Mount → Enable MTP

⚠️ Attention: B TWRP Files with Cyrillic names will not be displayed - they will be shown as?????.jpg. To avoid data loss, rename them to the Latin alphabet before copying.

7. Search for files via computer (MTP and Fastboot)

If the phone turns on but you can't find files through Explorer, connect it to your PC in MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) mode.

1. Connect Xiaomi to USB.
2. On your phone, select File Transfer Mode (if requested).
3. On PC, open Explorer (Win + E).
4. Go to this computer. → [The name of your device].
5. Enable the display of hidden files: Click View → Hidden Items (Windows 10/11).

If the phone is not turned on, but the bootloader is unlocked, you can extract files via Fastboot:

1. Install. EDL-drivers for your model.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
3. Use the command to create a dump of the userdata partition (where user files are stored): fastboot pull /dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/userdata userdata.img
4. Open the resulting userdata.img file in DiskInternals Linux Reader or 7-Zip.

This method requires technical knowledge and is only suitable for advanced users, and MTP or ADB is sufficient for most tasks.

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Regime. MTP It doesn't show system folders (/data, /system) — You need root or to access system partitions. TWRP.

FAQ: Frequent questions about file search on Xiaomi