Hidden albums on Xiaomi smartphones are one of the most talked-about topics among Redmi 5 owners. Many users are faced with a situation where photos suddenly disappear from the gallery, although the device’s memory shows that files take up space. The reasons can be different from accidental hiding through standard MIUI functions to firmware failures or actions of third-party applications.
In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to find hidden albums on Redmi 5, including methods through system settings, file manager and other tools, ADB-We'll focus on the nuances of working with teams and even recovering deleted data. MIUI 9-14, as the interface and feature layout changed with updates, and if you suspect that photos are not just hidden, but deleted, there is a section at the end of the article on recovery through DiskDigger and Recuva.
Before you start searching, make sure that the problem is not cloud storage. Often users confuse hidden albums with photos uploaded to Google Photos or Mi Cloud, but not synced back. Check the DCIM/.thumbnails folder - sometimes thumbnails are saved there, even if the originals "disappeared."
1. Standard method: Hidden Albums folder in MIUI
The easiest method is to use the built-in hide-of-album feature in MIUI firmware. On Redmi 5, it runs from MIUI 8, but the menu layout changed. Here's how to find hidden photos in the official way:
Open the Gallery app (flower icon) in the upper right corner, click three dots (⋮) and select Settings. Depending on the firmware version, the path may be different:
- 📁 MIUI 9–11: Gallery settings → Hidden albums. This will show you a list of hidden folders. To show you an album, hold your finger on it and select Display.
- 🔍 MIUI 12-14: The path has changed → Privacy → Hidden albums, you might need to enter a password or a fingerprint.
- 🔒 If there is no item, then the hidden albums are disabled in the security settings. → Passwords and security → Confidentiality → Hidden albums and activate the function.
If you don't see hidden albums in the gallery but are sure that photos are there, check the.nomedia folder. Some apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram) create folders such that media files do not appear in the gallery. Use any file manager (like Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer) and enable the display of hidden files in the settings.
💡
If you forget the password for a hidden album, try resetting it through Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Security. Sometimes, linking to a Xiaomi account helps.
2. Search through file manager: where are hidden photos stored
If the standard method didn't work, it's time to dig deeper into the device's file system, and hidden albums in MIUI are usually stored in one of three folders:
- /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private/ are private albums.
- /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails/ – miniatures (sometimes remain even after the originals are deleted).
- /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/.hidden/ - hidden photos from some versions of MIUI
To see these folders:
- Open Mi File Explorer (or any other manager, such as FX File Explorer).
- Press three lines (☰) in the upper left corner and select Settings.
- Activate the option to show hidden files.
- Take one of the paths above and check the contents.
If the folders are empty but you're sure they were, try the extension search. If you search for the file manager, type.jpg or.png, and it will show all the images on the device, including the hidden ones.
Enable the display of hidden files | Check the folder /MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private/| Search for extension *.jpg| Check folder.thumbnails-->
3.Use of ADB: for advanced users
If previous methods have failed, you can try ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for those who are willing to connect a smartphone to a computer and execute several commands. Importantly, the method requires on-line debugging over USB and may not work on all versions of MIUI due to security limitations.
Instructions:
- Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to unlock Developer Settings, then go back to Additional Settings → Developer).
- Connect Redmi 5 to your PC and confirm debugging permission.
- Download ADB Tools and open the command line in the folder with adb.exe.
- Enter the commands in turn: adb shell su ls /data/media/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private/ If there's a folder, you'll see a list of files. To copy them to a PC: adb pull /data/media/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private/ C:\hidden_photos
If the su command doesn't work, then the device doesn't have root rights, in which case ADB will only help you view the list of files, but not copy them, and the alternative is to use TWRP and manually flash the module to access /data.
What if ADB can’t see the folder?
4.Recovering deleted photos: if the album is not just hidden
If you suspect that the photos were deleted rather than hidden, you'll need data recovery tools. On Redmi 5, there are two ways to do this:
Method 1: Through DiskDigger (without root)
Method 2: Through Recuva (on PC)
Importantly, the less you use your phone after you delete a photo, the better the chances of recovery. New data rewrites old data, so immediately after you lose files, turn off the Internet and do not install apps.
💡
Recovering deleted photos is only possible until the disk space has been overwritten with new data, and the faster you start the process, the better the chances of success.
5 Password Problems: How to Unlock a Hidden Album
A common situation: a hidden album is found, but when you try to open it, MIUI requires a password that you have forgotten.
| Type of lockdown | Method of unlocking | Is a reset required? |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI password | Reset via Settings → Passwords and Security → Password Reset (requires a tied Mi Account) | No. |
| Fingerprint. | Add a new fingerprint to Settings → Fingerprint | No. |
| pattern lock | 5 failed attempts → Will you be able to get a password? (needs to) PIN-code or Mi Account) | No. |
| Third-party software (e.g. GalleryVault) | Remove the application through Settings → Apps or reset its data | Yes (data loss) |
| Encrypting a folder | Full reset only (Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset) | Yes. |
If you don't remember the Mi Account password, restore it through Xiaomi's official website.Be careful: after 5 failed attempts to enter the password, the album may be locked forever.
💡
If a hidden album is blocked by a third-party app (like KeepSafe or Hide It Pro), try reinstalling it. Sometimes this resets the password to a standard one (like 1234 or 0000).
6.Alternative methods: cloud copies and backup data
If the search on the device itself failed, check the cloud storage. Even if you didn't turn on the sync consciously, some apps (like Google Photos or Mi Cloud) could automatically upload your photos.
Where to look:
- 🌐 Google Photos: Go to photos.google.com and check the Archives or Cart folder.
- ☁️ Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → gallery.
- 📤 Telegram or WhatsApp: Check Telegram Images or WhatsApp Media folders in the file manager.
If you've ever done a backup through the Mi PC Suite, connect your phone to your computer and check the backup folder. It's usually on the way:
C:\Users\Your name\MiPhone\Backup\Device name\You can recover data from the backup via the same Mi PC Suite (download from the official Xiaomi website). Select the date of the backup and tick the Gallery or Multimedia.
💡
Cloud copies can store photos even after they are deleted from your phone. In Google Photos, files stay in the shopping cart for 60 days, in Mi Cloud - 30 days.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When searching for hidden albums, users often make the same mistakes. Here's what you shouldn't do to make things worse:
⚠️ Warning: Do not perform a Hard Reset without a backup! this will delete all data, including hidden photos, that could be recovered.
- 🚫 Delete.nomedia folders: Some people recommend deleting these files so that the photos can be displayed again in the gallery.
- 🔧 Using memory cleaners: Applications like Clean Master or CCleaner can delete temporary files needed to recover.
- 🔄 Update MIUI without backup: after major updates (e.g., with MIUI 11 on MIUI 12) folder structure may change and hidden albums may be “lost".
If you suspect a virus is causing the problem, scan the device through Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light.Some Trojans hide files and demand a ransom for their return.