How to open a conductor on a Xiaomi smartphone: all the ways for MIUI and HyperOS

Why users can’t find a guide on Xiaomi

The file manager (or guide) on Xiaomi smartphones often becomes a headache for new owners. Unlike Android in its pure form, the MIUI shell (and now HyperOS) hides standard system applications under a layer of branded design. Many users are used to the classic folder icon that says Files, but on Xiaomi it may not be on the home screen — and that’s fine.

Another common problem is that when you update your firmware or reset your settings, the Explorer app (com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer) disappears from the menu. It's not a system bug, but a feature of the MIUI/HyperOS interface, where standard utilities are often hidden in the depth of the settings. Moreover, on some models (such as the Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12), the Explorer is integrated into the Security app, which further confuses users.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to open Explorer on any Xiaomi smartphone, including HyperOS devices (2026), where to look for a file manager in the menu, how to add it to the home screen, and what to do if the Suddenly app disappears after the update.

Method 1: Standard launch through the application menu

The most obvious, but often ignored, method is to search for a Explorer in the general application list. On most Xiaomi devices (including Redmi, POCO, and Black Shark), the file manager is called Files or Explorer and has a yellow folder icon with a blue tag.

1. Swipe your finger up from the bottom edge of the screen to open the app menu.
2. In the search bar (at the top of the screen), enter the query: files or explorer.
3. If the search does not yield results, scroll through the list manually – the icon may be on the second or third page.

On HyperOS (like Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the menu interface has changed: apps are sorted by category, Explorer can be in the Tools or Systems section, and if it's not there, move on to the next way.

Check the search bar in the application menu

Scroll all pages manually

Look at the category "Tools" (HyperOS)

Try alternative names: "File Manager", "Explorer"-->

Method 2: Quick access through the notification panel

Few people know, but Xiaomi has a hidden gesture to quickly open the conductor directly from the home screen, which works on all versions of MIUI (starting with 11) and HyperOS, but requires pre-configuration:

1. Unlock your smartphone and swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification panel.
2. Find the Edit icon (pencil or three dots) and tap it.
3. In the list of fast switches, find the Files (folder icon) and drag it to the active area.
4. Now the conductor will be available with one touch from the notification curtain.

If the Fast Switch list does not have a Files icon, it means that the system conductor is disabled or removed, in which case use Method 5 (Recovery through Settings).

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On some models (e.g. POCO F5), quick access to the conductor can be configured by long-term clicking on the Settings icon in the notification panel.

Method 3: Adding a shortcut to the main screen

If you have a conductor on the system, but it's not easy to look for it on the menu, add it to the main screen.

1. Open the application menu (swipe up from the bottom edge).
2. Find the Files (or Explorer) icon.
3. Hold it with your finger and, without letting go, drag it to a free place on the main screen.
4. If the shortcut is not created, try an alternative method: click on the icon and select “Add to the home screen” in the context menu.

On HyperOS, the algorithm is slightly different:

• 📂 Find the Files app in the menu.
• 🖱️ Slip it and hold it. 1-2 seconds.
• 📱 In the menu that appears, select "Accumulate on the main screen".

Important: If the Files icon disappears or the "Application not installed" message appears when you drag and drop it, it means that the system conductor has been deactivated. Solution - see Method 5.

Method 4: Alternative access via "Security"

On some Xiaomi models (especially older versions of MIUI 10-12), the Explorer is integrated into the Security app (com.miui.securitycenter), which is designed to centralize file management and garbage cleaning, so that you can open the file manager through it:

1. Launch the Security app (shield icon).
2. In the lower menu, select the "Cleaning" or "Tools" tab.
3. Scroll down and find the Files or File Manager section.
4. Slip it, and a standard conductor will open.

If there is no tab with files in Security, try another way:

1. In the Security app, go to Settings → Additional features.
2. Activate the "Show File Manager" switch.
3. Return to the Home Security screen – a tab with files should appear.

Method 5: Restore the conductor through system settings

If the Explorer is missing after updating or resetting, it can be returned via hidden MIUI/HyperOS settings. This method works even if the application was disabled or deleted by mistake.

1. Open the "Settings" (cog icon).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Show all apps."
4. In the search bar, enter files or explorer.
5. Find the Files list (com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer) and tap it.
6. Click "Enable" or "Activate" (if the button is active).
7. Return to the main screen – the explorer should appear in the application menu.

If the Files app is not listed, it means that it was removed along with the system update.

• 🔄 Try resetting your settings through Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings (data will not be affected).
• 📥 Install an alternative explorer from Google Play (e.g. Files by Google or Solid Explorer).
• 🔧 If you are sure that the conductor should be in the system, check the integrity of the firmware through Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Verification of updates.

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If the Explorer is not in the list of applications, but resetting does not help - this is a sign of damaged firmware, in which case it is recommended to reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool (for power users only!).

Method 6: Using a voice assistant (for HyperOS)

On smartphones with HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14 Pro or Redmi K70 Pro), you can open the conductor using the voice assistant Xiao AI. This method is useful if you can’t find the application manually:

1. Activate the voice assistant by saying “OK, Xiao Ai” or pressing the home button (on some models).
2. Say “Open files” or “Run file manager.”
3. If the assistant doesn’t understand the command, try alternative language like “Show me my documents” or “Should open the guide.”

Voice method doesn't work on all regional firmware. If Xiao AI says it can't find the app, check:

• 🌐 Language of the system (must be Russian or English).
• 🔊 Is the voice assistant included in the settings → Voice assistant.
• 📱 Is the firmware updated to the latest version (in HyperOS, voice commands improve with each update).

⚠️ Attention: On European firmware (MIUI EU) Xiao voice assistant AI Often disabled by default due to limitations GDPR. To activate it, you need to manually install Chinese or global firmware.

Table: Comparison of ways to open a conductor on Xiaomi

Frequent problems and solutions

Even after successfully opening a Explorer, users are faced with common errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

• 🚫 "No folder access": This means that the explorer doesn't have permission to work with the storage. → Annexes → Files. → Permits and access to "Memory".
• 🔄 "Explorer is constantly restarted": Reset the app cache in Settings → Annexes → Files. → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📂 "No files on memory card": Go to the Explorer settings and activate the "Show hidden files" option. Also check if it is inserted correctly SD-map.
• 🔍 "No File Search: New versions of HyperOS have the search moved to a separate Search app. Use it to search for the contents of the files.

⚠️ Note: If after upgrading to HyperOS, the conductor stopped showing system folders (for example, DCIM or Download, it's not a bug. In the new shell, some directories are restricted by default. To get visibility back, go to Explorer Settings. → Additionally. → Show system files.

If none of the methods worked, you may have custom firmware installed on your device (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), where the standard Xiaomi conductor is replaced by a custom firmware. AOSP-In this case, use third-party file managers.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions