How to find a folder MIUI on a Xiaomi smartphone: 5 proven ways

MIUI is one of the key system directories on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, which store shell settings, themes, log files and temporary data. However, it is not easy to find: it is hidden from the user by default, and in some versions of the firmware access is limited even through the file manager. Why is this happening? The fact is that inadvertent changes in this folder can lead to interface failures or even a device "brick".

If you need to access MIUI files — for example, to back up themes, restore deleted data, or debug system errors — this guide will help you do this safely. We'll look at all the current ways, from standard conductor to ADB use and superuser rights. It's important to understand that not all methods are universal — their performance depends on the version of MIUI (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14+), the smartphone model and the bootloader's unlock status.

1. Where is the MIUI folder physically located on Xiaomi

The MIUI folder is located in the root directory of the device’s internal memory along the way:

/data/system/miui/

However, this path is not available through the standard Xiaomi Explorer – it can only be seen with root rights or through ADB Shell.

/sdcard/MIUI/

It stores user data: downloaded themes, wallpaper, backups of settings and cache of shell applications, and this directory is most often of interest to users, since it contains files that can be edited without risk to the system.

The /sdcard/MIUI/ folder structure usually includes the following subdirectories:

• 📁 theme – established themes and interface styles
• 📁 wallpaper – desktop wallpaper and lock
• 📁 backup – backups of settings MIUI
• 📁 debug_log — Log files for debugging (appear when the developer mode is enabled)
• 📁 sound_recorder — recordings from the recorder (in some versions)

If the MIUI folder is missing from the memory root, it doesn't mean it's not on the device, it's probably just hidden. In MIUI 14 and later, some of the system files are moved to protected partitions, and you can only see them through special tools.

💡

Before looking for a folder MIUI turn on the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings. In the standard file application from Xiaomi, this is done through the menu. ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files.

2. Method 1: Search through a standard Xiaomi Explorer

The easiest method is to use the File Manager application, which is suitable for accessing the user part of the /sdcard/MIUI/ folder, but does not give you permission to edit system files.

Instructions:

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Device (or Internal Memory) section.
3. In the upper right corner, click on the icon ⋮ (three dots) and select Settings.
4. Activate the option to show hidden files.
5. Go back to the root directory and manually find the MIUI folder (if it isn’t, try updating the file list with a swipe down).

If the folder doesn’t show up even after you have enabled hidden files, it could mean:

• 🔹 On your device is used MIUI version 13/14 with a modified data storage structure.
• 🔹 The folder has been deleted or moved to another section (for example, in the /data/media/0/MIUI/).
• 🔹 You have disabled rights to read system partitions (relevant for devices with a locked boot loader).

Method 2: Using ADB (without root)

If a standard Explorer doesn't show a folder, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a computer debugging tool that doesn't require superuser rights, but it gives you access to some system directories.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot Tools on PC.
2. Turn on the Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on this item.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
4. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode).
5. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell


ls /sdcard/MIUI/

If there is a folder, you'll see the contents of the folder. To copy the files to your computer, use:

adb pull /sdcard/MIUI/ C:\MIUI_Backup\

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 No access to /data/system/miui/ rootless.
• 🚫 Some files may be protected by Chmod 600 rights.
• 🚫 On devices with MIUI 14+ proof RSA-key at first connection.

Method 3: Access via Root Explorer (superuser rights required)

If your device is unlocked and root-enabled, you can use applications like Root Explorer, Solid Explorer, or FX File Manager to access the MIUI folder, including system partitions, in full.

How to do this:

1. Install Root Explorer from Google Play.
2. Open the app and give it root access (a request from Magisk or SuperSU will appear).
3. Go to /data/system/miui/ for system files or /sdcard/MIUI/ for user data.
4. To copy files, hold your finger on the folder and select Copy → specify the target directory.

Warnings when working with root:

⚠️ Note: Delete or modify files in /data/system/miui/ can cause the shell to lose functionality (e.g., the theme settings will disappear or the notification center will stop working!

Here is an example of the structure of the system folder miui (may vary depending on the firmware version):

💡

Even with root rights, it is not recommended to edit files in /data/system/miui/system_ui/ — This can lead to permanent interface artifacts or a reboot cycle.

5. Method 4: Search through TWRP Recovery

If you have custom recovery TWRP installed on your device, you can access the MIUI folder even without full root, a method that is useful if the phone is not turning on normally.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP.
2. Select Advanced → File Manager.
3. Go to /data/system/miui/ or /sdcard/MIUI/.
4. To copy files, connect your phone to your PC via USB and select Mount → Enable MTP.

Limitations:

• 🔸 V TWRP Some protected files (e.g., with 000 rights) are not displayed).
• 🔸 Without root, you can not edit system folders.
• 🔸 On new devices (Xiaomi) 12/13/14) TWRP may not support encryption /data.

Important: If you are using TWRP folder-backup MIUI, Keep a copy on the external media (SD-Storing the backup only in internal memory is useless, and when you reset the data, it will be deleted.

Method 5: Alternative methods (for power users)

If none of the above methods worked, you can try more advanced techniques:

• 🔧 Termux: Install Termux from F-Droid and execute the commands: pkg install root-repo pkg install tsu tsu ls /data/system/miui/ This will give temporary root access without fully unlocking the bootloader.
• 🔧 mount partition via Linux: On a PC with Ubuntu or Kali Linux, you can connect Xiaomi internal memory as a drive and view hidden files via GParted or Disks.
• 🔧 Extract via fastboot: For devices with a locked bootloader, you can create a userdata partition dump command: fastboot pull /dev/block/by-name/userdata userdata.img Open the image in DiskInternals Linux Reader.

These methods require deep knowledge and carry risks:

⚠️ Note: Incorrect use of fastboot or Termux may result in data loss or device lock (for example, if you accidentally format a partition!

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When you search for MIUI folders, you'll see some common errors.

If you are trying to find a MIUI folder to restore deleted themes or wallpapers, look for alternative sources:

• 🎨 Official Topics Directory: themes.c.mi.com (can be downloaded again).
• 🖼️ Backups in Mi Cloud: Check Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
• 🔍 Third-party backups: Apps like Swift Backup (requires root) can recover data from automatic copies.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions