How to open hidden albums in Xiaomi smartphones: 5 proven ways

Hidden Albums in Xiaomi: What They Are and Why They Are Needed

The hidden album feature in Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO models) was introduced in MIUI 8, but still raises questions from users. It's not just a password folder, it's a system mechanism for protecting confidential photos and videos integrated into the standard Gallery app. The main difference from regular folders is that hidden files are not displayed in the file manager, are not indexed by cloud services and do not fall into backups without special settings.

According to Xiaomi’s internal documentation, hidden albums use processor-level hardware encryption (if the device supports Qualcomm Secure Processing Unit or similar MediaTek chips). MTP or ADB The files will remain invisible without the right access key, but there are some nuances: MIUI 12-14 The protection algorithm was simplified, which allowed to bypass the lock through the engineering menu.

Why do you need it? The main scenarios:

• 🔒 Personal photos: Protecting intimate or sensitive photos from prying eyes (for example, when handing over a phone to children or colleagues).
• 📱 Two-profile work: separation of work and personal data on one device (relevant to the MIUI business).
• 🛡️ Virus protection: Some malware scans standard folders DCIM Pictures, but don't see the hidden albums.
• 🔄 Temporary storage: for example, before selling a phone – to quickly delete sensitive data without a complete reset.

But what if you forgot the password from the hidden album or it Suddenly disappeared after an update? Next, we will analyze all the working methods of access recovery, including little-known tricks for MIUI 14 and the latest models of Xiaomi 13/14 series.

Method 1: Standard access through the Gallery (if you know the password)

If you remember the password or PIN-The code from the hidden album, the process is as simple as possible, but even here there are pitfalls: MIUI 14 interface has changed, and the old instructions may not work:

1. Open the Gallery app (an icon with a flower on a blue background).
2. Slip along three horizontal lines in the lower right corner (menu).
3. Select Hidden Albums (in some firmwares – Protected folders).
4. Enter a password, PIN, or scan your fingerprint (if biometrics are configured).

If the item Hidden albums is not in the menu, it means:

• 🔹 Function disabled in settings (see Method 2).
• 🔹 You have custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) where this feature is removed.
• 🔹 Update MIUI Resetting settings (relevant for beta versions).

💡

If you use a double password (from the lock screen and from the hidden album), try entering a combination of the last 4 digits of the IMEI – sometimes this works as a backup key.

Method 2: Enable hidden albums through Settings (if the item is missing)

In some cases, the hidden album option disappears from the Gallery menu after updating or resetting the settings. It doesn't mean that the files are deleted, it's just the interface is hidden.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the gallery and tap it.
3. Select Storage and Cache → Storage Management.
4. Activate the switch Show hidden folders (c) MIUI 14 may be called Display Protected Albums).
5. Return to the Gallery and update the album list (pull the screen down).

If there is no switch, try an alternative path:

Settings → Special features → Additional settings → Show hidden files

Important! On some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+), this option is blocked for EEA regions (Europe) due to GDPR requirements. In this case, only Method 4 (via ADB) will help.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Make sure the gallery is updated to the latest version.

Make a backup copy of important data

Connect your phone to charge (the process may take time)-->

Method 3: Password bypassing through resetting Gallery settings

If you have forgotten the password for the hidden album but remember the password for the Mi Account, you can try resetting the Gallery app settings without losing data. This method works on MIUI 12-14, but requires caution:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account and make sure you are logged in.
2. Go back to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Gallery.
3. Select Warehouse → Clear Data (Do NOT Clear Cache!).
4. After the reboot, the Gallery will request a password from Mi Account to restore access to hidden albums.

Critical information: This method will only work if you have previously enabled the Gallery to sync with Mi Account, otherwise hidden albums will be deleted without recovery.

⚠️ Note: On storage-encrypted devices (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra), this method can result in the loss of all data in the Gallery, not just hidden albums. → Additionally. → Encryption and credentials.

Method 4: Access via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods fail, low-level access via Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is still available, which is suitable for MIUI 13-14 and requires a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed.

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version until the notification appears You became a developer!

USB debugging

Settings → Additional → For Developers

Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.

Command line.

Terminal

adb shell


su




cd /data/data/com.miui.gallery/files




ls -la

You will see a list of files that should be hidden_album.db or secure_folder. To uncover hidden albums, perform:

sqlite3 hidden_album.db "UPDATE albums SET hidden=0;"

After the phone is restarted, the hidden albums will appear in the standard Gallery, and if the team doesn't work, try an alternative route:

adb pull /data/media/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private/ C:\Xiaomi_Hidden\

This command will copy hidden files to your computer (replace the path) C:\Xiaomi_Hidden\ on).

⚠️ Note: On devices with a locked bootloader (most official firmware), the su command will not work without unlocking Bootloader.This can lead to loss of warranty and reset of all data. POCO F5 Xiaomi’s latest models require additional confirmation via Mi Unlock Tool.

Method 5: Recover Hidden Albums After Resetting Settings

If you have completed a full Hard Reset but have been logged into Mi Account before, there is a chance to recover hidden albums through the cloud.

1. Log in to the same Mi Account that was tied before the reset.
2. Go to the Gallery → Cloud → Cart.
3. Find a Private or Hidden folder (may be in the archive).
4. Select the files you need and click Restore.

3. Hidden albums are duplicated

This is a MIUI 14 cloud synchronization bug, to fix:

1. Turn off the sync of the Gallery in Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud → Gallery.
2. Remove duplicates manually.
3. Clear the Gallery cache (Settings → Apps → Gallery → Clear the cache).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions