Modern Xiaomi smartphones have a complex file structure, where a lot of system and user data is by default hidden from the owner’s eyes. This is not to confuse the user, but to protect the integrity of the Android operating system and the shell of MIUI or HyperOS. Accidental removal of critical components can lead to unstable device operation or complete system failure.
However, advanced users often need access to hidden directories to clean up garbage, back up messenger data, or fine-tune the interface. Standard Explorer often hides these elements by requiring special browsing mode activation. In this article, we will look at all the ways to access hidden content, from regular funds to using third-party software.
Understanding the file system directory structure allows you to manage your internal storage more efficiently, so you can find lost documents, hidden photos, or remnants of deleted applications, and it's important to be mindful of this process, because interfering with system partitions requires caution.
Why do you hide files in Android and MIUI?
The main reason for hiding files is data security. Android is based on Linux, where access rights are strictly regulated. User applications should not have free access to system libraries and configuration files, so that virus software or errors in code can not disrupt the smartphone.
The second aspect is the cleanliness of the interface: if the user saw all the temporary files, caches and logs generated by the applications, the file manager would turn into a chaotic pile of incomprehensible folders, making it difficult to find personal photos or documents, and by hiding technical debris, developers make navigation easier for ordinary users.
A third factor is the optimization of work: many hidden files are temporary and are deleted automatically after the application is finished, and constant visual contact with them can create the false impression of a lack of memory or overcrowding storage, although physically this data weighs little and is only needed momentarily.
⚠️ Warning: Interference with system folders marked as hidden can cause application settings to reset or operating system errors. Always back up before deleting unknown files.
How to enable the display of hidden files in a standard Explorer
The Explorer app on Xiaomi smartphones has a hidden feature that allows you to see files and folders that start with a dot. This is a standard hide marker in Linux-like systems.
The process of enabling is simple, but the interface may not be obvious to beginners: You need to open the Explorer app, which is usually located in the Tools folder. Then you should go to Files or Everything to see the directory structure, not just the document types.
Next, you need to find the settings menu, which is often hidden behind a three-dot icon or swipe. Depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, the location of the switch may vary slightly. Once the slider is activated, all hidden objects will become visible, but will have a translucent icon indicating their status.
☑️ Algorithm for Including Hidden Files
It is worth noting that this method only shows user hidden files, system partitions that require root rights will remain unavailable for viewing and editing through the standard interface, and will require more powerful tools to work with them.
Use of Third-Party File Managers
If you don't have enough functionality from a standard application, specialized file managers come to the rescue, with Total Commander, Solid Explorer, and FX File Explorer leading the way, providing more flexible display settings and often having root-rights support built in.
The advantage of third-party software is that it can sort, filter, and batch rename files. You can set the default hidden elements to not turn on the option again each time. In addition, such managers often show the real size of folders, including nested hidden caches.
- 📁 Total Commander is a classic two-panel interface, ideal for copying large amounts of data and working with archives.
- 🔒 Solid Explorer – modern design, support for folder encryption and convenient connection of cloud storage.
- 🛠️ FX File Explorer is a powerful tool for advanced users with support for network protocols and plugins.
When you install these applications, the system can request permission to access all files, which is a requirement for the correct display of the memory content, and after installation, just go to the application settings and activate the "Show hidden files" box.
Why are third-party managers better than standard managers?
Finding the hidden folder.thumbnails and cleaning the cache
One of the heaviest hidden folders on any Android smartphone is.thumbnails, which is located on the path of DCIM/.thumbnails and stores thumbnails of all images and videos viewed. Over time, this directory can grow to several gigabytes, quietly eating precious space.
Deleting the contents of this folder is safe for your personal photos — the originals will stay in place. However, the system will recreate the thumbnails the next time you open the gallery, so there will be no radical vacation of space if you continue to actively use media files.
To access this folder, you need to enable the display of hidden files in any of the ways described above. Once you go to the DCIM directory, you will see a folder with a dot at the beginning of the name, inside you can have files with the.jpg or.tmp extension that can be painlessly deleted.
| folder | Location. | Can I remove it? | What does it contain? |
|---|---|---|---|
| .thumbnails | DCIM | Yes (temporary files) | Photo and video miniatures |
| .cache | In the application folders | Yes. | Temporary data of the annexes |
| .android | Root of memory | No. | Google System Data |
| .MIUI | Root of memory | No. | MIUI shell settings |
💡
For quick cleaning of the thumbnail cache, you can rename the folder.thumbnails to.thumbnails_old, And then you create a new blank file called.thumbnails, which prevents you from automatically creating new thumbnails before you reboot the gallery.
Working with system files and Root access
To view and edit truly system files located at the root of the file system, normal user rights are not enough. You need to activate root rights (superuser), which gives you full control of the device, but also removes many security mechanisms.
Getting root rights on modern Xiaomi smartphones is a complex process that requires unlocking the bootloader, which is officially only possible after waiting for 7 days (168 hours) after the account is tied.
If you do, then the best way to manage files is with Root Explorer or MT Manager, which can mount the system partition into write mode, allowing you to change critical configurations, and be careful that removing one extra file can make the system unbootable.
⚠️ Note: After obtaining root rights, banking applications and services Google Pay (Mir Pay) cease to work).
In the context of working with system files, the adb command is often mentioned. It is an Android debugging bridge that allows you to manage files from a computer. For advanced users, it is a powerful tool that does not require root rights on the device itself to read some logs and files.
adb pull /sdcard/Android/data/com.telegram.messenger/files /pc_backup/telegramThis command, for example, copies telegram files from phone to computer, and it's safer to work through adb, because you don't run the risk of accidentally deleting the system file right on your device, and all actions can be monitored from a large screen.
Frequent problems and solutions when working with hidden files
Users often find themselves in a situation where they can’t open or delete hidden files after they’ve displayed them, most often because the file is busy with the process or the application that created it is actively working in the background, in which case a smartphone reboot or a forced stop of the corresponding application will help.
Another common problem is that hidden folders disappear after a system update, and when you switch from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14 or HyperOS, the path structure may change, for example, access to the Android/data folder in new versions of Android (11+) is limited even for file managers without special permissions.
- 🔄 Reboot – The first action if files are not deleted or opened.
- 🔍 Search by name – use the Explorer search function if you can’t find the folder visually.
- 📂 Path check – make sure you are looking for a file in internal storage, not on the back end. SD-map or vice versa.
If you're trying to hide your files from prying eyes, using the dot at the beginning of a name is not the most reliable method. Anyone who knows how to turn on the display of hidden files will immediately see your data. For real protection, use the Hidden Album feature in the Gallery or third-party safe apps with a password.
💡
Hiding files by renaming (add a dot) is visual cloaking, not encryption. Use special secure folders for sensitive data.