Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco often face the need to manage files: transfer photos to your computer, clear the cache of messengers or install applications from the computer. APK-But the standard shell interface MIUI The new HyperOS doesn’t always have an obvious Explorer icon on the desktop, which is confusing for users who are used to the open file system of other brands.
In fact, the file manager is present in the default system, but it can be hidden in the Tools folder or replaced by a system-wide restriction of access to the Android/data folder in new versions of Android. Understanding how to properly open file access and what tools to use is critical to making the device work effectively.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at all the ways you can call a conductor, from standard methods to hidden engineering menus, and we’ll also look at bypassing the security restrictions introduced in Android 11, 12, 13 and 14.
Standard ways to run a file manager
The most obvious but often overlooked method is to search for the System App Explorer (or Files). In Xiaomi shells, this app is usually preinstalled and called File Manager. The icon is a yellow folder. If you don't see it on the home screen, it's likely put in the Tools system folder.
You can use global search to run quickly, swipe down the center of the home screen to open the Google or MIUI Search search bar, and type in the word "Files" or "Files." The system will prompt you to launch the desired application instantly, which is the fastest way if you forget where you hid the icon.
It’s also worth noting that in some regions or firmware versions, the standard application may be simply called Files and have a Google color folder logo, but the functionality is similar, but Xiaomi’s system explorer often has advanced capabilities to work with archives and hidden folders within its ecosystem.
📊 What is your default file manager?
System Yellow (Mi File Manager)
Google Files
Third-party (Total Commander, ES)
I don't know/Not using.
If a standard application has been removed by the user or is not in the build (which happens in some global versions without Google services), the system may suggest downloading an analogue the first time you try to open a file of a certain format.
Access to hidden Android 11-14 folders via Explorer
Since Android 11, Google has imposed strict restrictions on access to Android/data and Android/obb folders, which are designed to keep apps from reading other programs, but for gamers and advanced users, this has become a problem: the cache of games, mods and saves is no longer displayed in normal mode.
To access these directories in Xiaomi’s standard Explorer, you need to perform a special algorithm of actions. When you go to the Android folder, you will see an empty directory or a message about the restriction of access, at which point a pop-up will appear on the screen with the “Allow” or “Use this folder” button.
Click on the confirmation button. The system will switch you to a special selection mode, where the data folder will be highlighted. At the bottom of the screen, a blue "Use this folder" button will appear. Once you click and confirm in the second window, access will be open. Importantly, this access must be confirmed again only when the conductor application is fully reinstalled or the phone resets.
What if the “Use this folder” button is not active?
Sometimes the system blocks a repeat request. In this case, try to clear the Explorer cache through the application settings or temporarily install a third-party file manager (for example, Files by Google), open access through it, and then return to the standard. It is worth considering that in recent HyperOS updates, the algorithm may slightly differ visually, but the logic remains the same: the system requires explicit user permission to access sensitive areas of memory. Without this step, viewing content is impossible by any standard means. Using the CIT hidden test menu for memory diagnostics Few people know that there is a hidden CIT engineering menu in smartphones (Customer Test), which allows you to check the deep memory state of other components. Although it is not a full photo copying guide, it is useful for diagnosing file system errors. To log in to the menu, you need to open the standard Phone app and dial the code ##6484##. The menu will open automatically. Here you can find the Internal Storage section, which displays technical information about disk partitions, often unavailable in normal settings. ⚠️ Note: Do not change the settings in the menu CIT, It's an engineering tool, and a wrong command can cause sensor calibration resets or other system errors. ☑️ Diagnosing Memory Through Memory CITEnter the code ##6484## Find the Internal Storage section Check the status SMART (If available, compare the amount with the stated settings: 0 / 4 To the average user, this method may seem unnecessarily difficult for simply viewing files, but it is an indispensable diagnostic tool if the phone has begun to report memory damage or incorrect display of free space. Xiaomi’s regular conductor is good for basic tasks, but often lacks features for advanced work: working with the root (Root), FTP-In these cases, installing a third-party application becomes a necessity. One of the most popular solutions is Total Commander. It's a classic two-panel file manager that's perfect for copying large amounts of data between folders. It supports plugins, LAN and cloud. Another great option is Material Files, which has a modern Material Design design and a fully open license. It often uses Root Explorer or Solid Explorer to handle system files as a superuser (requires Root). The latter is notable for its beautiful interface and built-in file encryption. When you install these applications, the system will request advanced permissions that need to be provided for proper operation. App Best for Having Advertising Root Support MI File Manager Basic Tasks, Waste Cleanup There (built-in) No Total Commander Copying, Plugins, LAN No Through Solid Explorer Plugin Beautiful interface, encryption No (free) Yes Files by Google Place Clearup, file transfer No Choice of a specific application depends on your needs. If you just need to transfer a photo to your computer, the standard one will suffice. If you're planning to modify a system or work with archives of complex structures, third-party software will be an indispensable assistant. USB And Wi-Fi, sometimes it's inconvenient to manage files right on your smartphone screen, especially if you want to flip gigabytes of data, and in this case, the easiest way to connect your phone to your computer is through a computer. USB-cable. After connecting, select the mode "File Transfer" in the notification curtain» (MTP). You'll see a Xiaomi device on your computer in My Computer, and you'll have access to internal memory and SD-It basically turns your smartphone into a flash drive, Windows Explorer or macOS will allow you to do any kind of thing: copy, delete, rename. Alternatively, more modern way is to use Wi-Fi. In standard Xiaomi Explorer, there is a PC Access feature. Go to the menu (three bars or dots) and select this item. The phone will show the address, for example, ftp://192.168.1.5:2121. Enter this address in the address bar of any conductor on your computer (not in your browser) and you will have wireless access to your phone's file system. ⚠️ Warning: Make sure that both your computer and phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Solution: Explorer does not open files or crashes Users sometimes face a situation where the Explorer application stops responding, crashes when trying to open a specific folder or does not see the connected USB drive. Most often, it's an overflowing cache or a permission conflict. The first thing you need to do is clear the cache and the application data. Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications, find Explorer (or File Manager) and select Clean» → «Clear the cache. If that doesn't work, try Clear all data, but keep in mind that sorting settings and favorites inside the conductor will reset. Another common problem is the mounting error of external drives. If you've connected USB-flash-drive OTG, If your phone doesn't see it, check the file system format. FAT32 exFAT. Format NTFS It may require additional drivers or third-party applications to read. In rare cases, it helps to reboot the device in safe mode to eliminate the influence of third-party optimizer applications or antiviruses that can block access to the file system. If this does not help, there may be a physical malfunction of the memory controller, which requires contacting the service. 💡Most Explorer problems are solved by simply cleaning the app’s cache or updating the system to the latest version. MIUI/HyperOS. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Where to find the hidden folder.thumbnails and can it be deleted? The.thumbnails folder is on the way DCIM/.thumbnails. It contains miniatures of your photos for the gallery. You can delete it, it will make room, but the next time you open the gallery, the phone will regenerate the preview, which will temporarily increase the load on the processor and the battery. Why don't I see the WhatsApp folder in the Explorer on Android 11 and later? Due to Android security restrictions, the WhatsApp folder has been moved.It's now on the Internal Storage path. → Android → media → com.whatsapp. The old root memory path is no longer used for newer versions of the app. How to enable the display of hidden files (with a dot at the beginning)? In standard Xiaomi Explorer, click on the three dots (menu) in the top corner, select Settings and activate the Show Hidden Files switch. Files starting with a dot will become semi-transparent. Can files deleted through Explorer be restored? Standard conductor does not have a basket (in some versions) MIUI It has been around, but it works in a limited way). If a file is deleted past the recycle bin, you need specialized utilities like DiskDigger to recover, and success depends on whether the data has been overwritten with new information. Is it safe to use a Root-enabled Explorer? Using a full-rights Explorer gives you access to the entire system. It's safe if you know what you're doing. However, accidentally deleting system files in the system or data folders can make it impossible to boot your phone.