Where to look for hidden folders on Xiaomi: a detailed guide with pictures and commands

Have you ever encountered a situation where Xiaomi or Redmi are running out of space, but standard cleaning methods are not helping? Or maybe you need to find saved passwords, MIUI backups or system application logs? Hidden folders on Xiaomi's Android store a lot of useful information, from messenger cache to firmware configuration files. But by default, they don't show up in the file manager.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 working ways to find hidden directories on Xiaomi, POCO and Black Shark smartphones, from simple MIUI settings to ADB and third-party utilities. You’ll learn which folders are safe to open and which ones are best not to touch so as not to disrupt the system. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14 (2026).

Why hidden folders are not visible on Xiaomi

The MIUI operating system (Android shell from Xiaomi) hides system and service directories by default for three reasons:

• 🔒 Security: To prevent users from accidentally deleting critical files (e.g, /data/dalvik-cache or /system/priv-app).
• 🧹 Convenience: Hidden folders with cache, logs and temporary files that are not needed in everyday use.
• 🛠️ Virus protection: Many malware masquerades as system folders (e.g.,.thumbnails or.nomedia).

But sometimes you need to access these folders, like:

• 📁 To restore deleted photos from the folder DCIM/.thumbnails.
• 🔧 For manual cleaning of the application cache in /data/data/.
• 📱 For the transfer of backup copies MIUI from /MIUI/backup/.

⚠️ Note: Delete or modify files in folders /system, /vendor or /data without root rights can cause a device to blink (completely inoperable). Before any manipulation, back up through Settings → The phone. → Backup.

Method 1: Enabling the Display of Hidden Files in MIUI

The easiest method is to activate hidden element displays through the standard MIUI file manager, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices without any additional software.

Instructions:

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) top-left.
3. Select "Settings" (cog icon).
4. Activate the "Show hidden files" switch.
5. Return to the root directory (/) and you will see folders with a dot at the beginning of the title (e.g..config,.data).

Method limitation: some system folders (e.g. /data or /system) will remain unavailable without root rights. MIUI 15 may require password/fingerprint confirmation when the hidden files are first displayed.

Make sure the file manager is updated to the latest version|

Check the free space on the device (at least 10% of the total) |

Disable Battery Optimization for File Manager (Settings → Applications → Files → Battery)|

Create a backup copy of important data-->

Method 2: Using Third-Party File Managers

If the standard MIUI manager doesn’t show you the folders you want, try alternative applications, which often have advanced features for working with hidden files and system directories.

Top.-3 File Manager for Xiaomi:

How to find hidden folders in Solid Explorer:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → "Settings".
3. Go to “Display Settings” → turn on “Show hidden files”.
4. Return to the root directory and open the /storage/emulated/0/ folder, and hidden directories will appear.

⚠️ Attention: Apps like ES File Manager or File Manager+ Download file managers only from Google Play or verified sources (for example, XDA Developers).

💡

If you need to work with hidden files often, add a folder to Favorites in the file manager. This will save time on the next search.

Method 3: Search for hidden folders through ADB (no root)

For advanced users who want to access system folders without root rights, the method will be suitable through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is an official tool from Google that allows you to execute commands on a device via a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB Xiaomi.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Installed drivers ADB and Fastboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
2. On your smartphone, go to Settings → About phone and tap on the “MIUI version” 7 times to activate “Developer Mode”.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “Debugging by USB”.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and in the command line (terminal) do:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, enter:

adb shell ls -la /storage/emulated/0/

This command will display all files and folders, including hidden ones (with a dot at the beginning of the title).

To copy the contents of the hidden folder to your computer:

adb pull /storage/emulated/0/. folder C:\Xiaomi_Backup\

⚠️ Note: Adb shell rm or adb shell mv commands can permanently delete files. Do not execute them without fully understanding the consequences. For safe operation, use the adb shell ls command to view the contents.

Method 4: Getting root permissions to access all folders

If you want full access to system folders (e.g. /data/data/ or /system/app), root rights are required. This is a risky procedure, but it opens up all the possibilities for working with the file system.

How to get root on Xiaomi:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (link). This erases all data!
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP) for your model.
3. Ride Magisk (a popular root rights manager) through TWRP.

After getting root, you can:

• 🔍 View all folders in the file manager (for example, /data user-data).
• 🗑️ Remove system applications (debloatize) MIUI).
• 📝 Edit build.prop or hosts files.

Cons of root rights:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• ❌ Unable to use Google Pay, banking apps and certain games (due to SafetyNet).
• ❌ Risk of blinking in case of incorrect actions.

💡

Root rights give you maximum control over the device, but deprive you of official Xiaomi support.

Method 5: Search for hidden folders via PC (MTP and Total Commander)

If you prefer to work with files on a large screen, connect Xiaomi to your computer in MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) mode and use Total Commander or Far Manager.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. On your smartphone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Open “This Computer” → find a Xiaomi device in the “Devices and Disks” section.
4. Right-click. → "Open in a new window".
5. In the address bar, enter \storage\emulated\0\ and press Enter.
6. In the View menu, turn on the Hidden Items option.

For extended access, use Total Commander:

• Install Total Commander.
• Connect your phone and select "MTP Device" on the network.
• In settings (Configuration → Panel content) enable "Show hidden / system files".

The advantage of this method is that you can copy hidden folders to your PC for backup or analysis, for example, it's so convenient to extract error logs from your computer. /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log/.

What hidden folders can be safely opened on Xiaomi

Not all hidden directories are equally useful, but here is a list of folders that can be viewed and edited without risk to the system:

Critical folders that can’t be edited without root:

• /system – MIUI and Android system files.
• /vendor – drivers and configurations of iron.
• /data/data – user data of applications (without root access only to your files).

If you accidentally deleted an important folder, try to restore it through MIUI Backup (Settings → About Phone → Backup → Restore) or programs like DiskDigger (for photo/video).

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden folders on Xiaomi