How to Find Hidden Folders on Xiaomi Android: A Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi smartphones based on firmware MIUI They hide a lot of system folders and files from users, from app cache to OS configurations, to protect data and prevent the accidental deletion of critical items, but sometimes access to these folders is necessary: For manual garbage cleaning, recovery of deleted files or system modification, in this article we will discuss all the current ways to display hidden directories on Redmi devices, POCO Black Shark without the risk of damaging the firmware.

It's important to understand that not all hidden folders are equally useful. /data/data/ contains personal data of applications (save games, settings of messengers), and /system/ — System files that can be changed to make the device blink, and we'll show you how to securely access the right folders without affecting critical partitions.

The instructions in the article are relevant to MIUI 14/15 (including global and Chinese versions) and work on all modern models: from the budget Redmi Note 12 before Xiaomi's flagships 14 Ultra. If your device is running Android 13/14 With a shell from another manufacturer (for example, HyperOS on new models), some methods may differ – we will mention this too.

Why Xiaomi is hiding folders and can they be opened safely?

Firmware MIUI By default, it hides three types of folders:

• 🔒 System directories (/system/, /vendor/) — contain OS files that require root rights to be modified.
• 📁 Application folders (/data/data/com.package.name/) — Here you can store settings, cache and database programs.
• 👁️ Hidden user files (starting from a dot, such as.thumbnails) are usually service data that is not intended for manual management.

The main reasons for concealment:

1. Protection against accidental deletion. Deletion of files from /system It can make the phone inoperable.
2. Privacy: Application folders can store authorization tokens, chat history, and other sensitive information.
3. Compatibility: Some files (such as.nomedia) are hidden so as not to appear in a gallery or music player.

⚠️ Attention: Opening access to folders /data/data/ or /system/ No root rights are possible on stock firmware. All methods below work only for user hidden files (e.g..config,.cache) or folders on an external memory card.

If you need to access system partitions, you will need to unlock the bootloader and install a custom recap (for example, a custom recap, TWRP). However, this will void the warranty and may result in data loss.For most tasks (cleaning the cache, recovering files) there will be enough methods described below.

Method 1: Enable the display of hidden files in the standard MIUI file manager

The easiest way is to use Xiaomi's built-in File Manager, which can show hidden folders, but it's hidden in the settings.

1. Open the File Manager application (the icon with the folder on the desktop or in the application menu).
2. Tap the three-point menu (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Scroll down and activate the Show Hidden Files switch.
4. Return to the root directory (/) and you will see folders whose names start with a dot (e.g.,.backup,.thumbdata).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Doesn't show system folders (/data/, /system/).
• 🔄 After updating MIUI tuning may reset.
• 📱 It only works for internal memory and SD-Cards (if connected as a portable storage).

If you don’t have the option to show hidden files in your menu, you’re using an outdated version of File Manager, upgrade it via Google Play or install an alternative manager (discussed below).

Method 2: Use of third-party file managers (Solid Explorer, FX File Explorer)

The standard manager from Xiaomi is limited in functionality. For advanced access, we recommend using third-party applications:

Step-by-step instructions for Solid Explorer (similar to other managers):

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the storage.
3. Tap the menu icon (☰) → Settings → Display.
4. Activate options: Show hidden files Show system files (if any)

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⚠️ Note: Some managers (e.g., managers, FX File Explorer) when you enable the display of system files can show empty folders /data/ or /system/. This is normal – without root rights, access to their content is blocked at the Android kernel level.

To work with root folders will require:

1. Unlock the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock).
2. Install Magisk to manage superuser rights.
3. In the file manager settings, activate the Root Access option.

💡

If you just need to clear the app cache, use the built-in Settings menu. → Annexes → [Select an application] → Warehouse → Clear the cache. It's safer than manually deleting files from the cache. /data/data/.

Method 3: Viewing hidden folders through PC (ADB or MTP)

If you can't turn on the phone to display hidden files, you can connect the device to the computer.

Option A: Through MTP (Media Transfer Protocol)

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB-cable.
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. On your computer, open Explorer (Win + E) and go to the phone section.
4. In the address bar, enter: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache Then copy the desktop.ini file from there and paste it into the root of the phone's memory. This will temporarily turn on the display of hidden files.

The problem is that it works unstable on MIUI 14+ due to protocol limitations MTP.

Option B: Through ADB (Android Debug Bridge)

A more reliable way to use ADB. Instructions:

1. Install Platform Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on the phone to debug. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version number → Go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Open the command line in the adb folder and execute: adb shell ls -la /sdcard/ This will show all files (including hidden files) in the internal memory.

To copy the hidden folder on the PC:

adb pull /sdcard/.hidden_folder C:\destination\

⚠️ Note: Adb shell rm or adb shell mv commands to delete/move files in system folders (/data/, /system/) You can't do it without root rights. Trying to do it will lead to a Permission Denied error.

Method 4: Search for hidden folders through Total Commander + plugin

Total Commander is one of the few file managers that can work with root folders without Magisk, if you use a special plugin.

1. Install Total Commander from Google Play.
2. Download the plugin TC Root Plugin.
3. Open Total Commander, tap the plugin icon (puzzle) → Choose Root Plugin.
4. Provide root access (if the phone is rooted) or use the mode ADB (PC connection required).
5. Now you can view the system folders: 📁 /data/data/ — file 🛠️ /system/ — system-file 🔧 /vendor/ — drivers and configurations

Advantages of the method:

• 🔍 Full access to the file system (if root is available).
• 📱 It works without a PC connection (unlike a PC). ADB).
• 🔄 Supports a quick view bar (like in Far Manager).

Disadvantages:

• 🚫 Without root, it will only show user hidden files.
• 🔧 The plugin may not work on MIUI 15 due to tightening security policies.

💡

If you just need to find lost photos or documents, use apps like DiskDigger or Recuva (via PC) that scan memory at a low level and recover files even without access to hidden folders.

Method 5: Manually create a.nomedia file to hide/display folders

If you don't want to find it, but rather hide it from a gallery or music player, use the.nomedia file. This method works the other way around: if you remove.nomedia from a hidden folder, its contents will be visible in media applications.

Instructions for creating.nomedia:

1. Open any file manager (enable hidden file display as in Method 1).
2. Go to the folder you want to hide (for example, /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/).
3. Create a new text file and call it.nomedia (no extension!).
4. Restart your phone or update the data in the gallery (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the data).

To display a previously hidden folder:

1. Find and delete the.nomedia file from it.
2. Update your media base with the Rescan Media app (available on Google Play).

Where.nomedia files usually hide:

• 📷 /DCIM/.thumbnails/ — photo-picture
• 🎵 /Music/.albumart/ — album-cover
• 📥 /Download/.temp/ — download-file

What to do if hidden folders are not displayed?

If none of the methods worked, check the following points:

If you are trying to access system folders (/data/, /system/) rootless, remember:

On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12+ Android 11+ access to these sections is completely blocked at the kernel level, even through ADB. The only way is to unlock the loader and install a custom recavery (TWRP), that voids the guarantee.

For most tasks (cleaning the cache, recovering files) there is enough access to user hidden folders on the computer. /sdcard/. If you need system files, consider alternative methods:

• 🔧 Use Magisk to get temporary root (without unlocking the bootloader on some models).
• 📱 Backup with adb backup (not working on all versions) MIUI).
• 🖥️ Connect to your phone via scrcpy and use the terminal to view files.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden folders on Xiaomi