How to rename a folder to Xiaomi Android: from files to system directories

Managing a file system in the MIUI or HyperOS shell is often a question for users, especially when standard methods seem limited. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices may find that the standard Explorer does not give an obvious renaming option, hiding it behind additional actions, due to Android security features that progressively restrict access to the root file system.

However, there are several proven ways to change the directory name, whether it’s a personal folder with photos or the system partition necessary for games to work properly. Deep configuration of the device requires understanding the difference between user data and system files. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from regular tools to advanced utilities for working with superuser rights.

Misrenaming system directories can lead to app crashes or data loss, so it's important to follow the algorithms of action clearly.We'll look at how to get around shell limitations and what tools are really effective in 2026-2026. Xiaomi's standard file manager has the latent potential we're activating today.

Standard Method Through Integrated Conductor

The safest and most recommended way to change directory names is to use the regular Explorer app, which is pre-installed on all smartphones of the brand.This method does not require the installation of additional software and ensures the preservation of the structure of the file system. However, many users overlook the context menu, since the MIUI interface does not always intuitively suggest further actions.

To start, open the File Manager app on the home screen or in the Tools folder. Go to Files or Internal Drive, which displays the full directory structure. Find the folder you want to change. A long-term click on the folder icon will highlight it, but won't open the contextual editing menu right away.

After highlighting, look at the bottom of the screen or the top right corner where the action menu will appear. You need to click on the "More" button (usually indicated by three dots or the word "More"). In the drop-down list, select the "Rename" option. The system will prompt you to enter a new name, after which the changes will be applied instantly.

It is worth noting that for some system folders, such as Android, DCIM or MIUI, the renaming option can be blocked even if you have rights, it is a security mechanism that prevents the operating system from disrupting the operation of the operating system. If the Rename button is inactive or absent, then access to this object is limited at the shell resolution level.

Use of Third-Party File Managers

If a standard tool doesn't do the job or the interface seems inconvenient, third-party solutions from Google Play come to the rescue. Apps like Total Commander, FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer provide advanced functionality for working with files. They often have more flexible settings and allow you to perform operations that are hidden in stock utilities.

When the first manager is launched, Android will request permission to access files, a critical step: without full storage access, the app will not be able to modify directory names. In modern versions of Android (11, 12, 13 and above), the permissions mechanism has become stricter, so you may need to manually allocate access to the root folder through the system dialog.

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party file managers, check for permissions requested. Some applications may require access to contacts or locations that are not necessary to work with files.

The renaming process in third-party managers is usually unified: one long click on a file or folder causes a menu where the Rename option is prominent, and the advantage of such programs is the ability to massively rename and use name templates, which is especially useful when sorting large data archives.

💡

Use the Favorites feature in the file manager to quickly navigate to the frequently used folders you just renamed for convenience.

Working with system folders and accessing Android/data

With Android 11 and later, Google has significantly restricted access to /Android/data and /Android/obb directories. This is done for security reasons so that apps can’t interfere with each other. On Xiaomi smartphones with HyperOS shell or fresh MIUI, trying to rename a folder in this section through a standard Explorer will cause an access error.

There are some techniques to get around this limitation, one of which is using embedded hidden access through system dialogue, and when you try to open a folder in some managers (such as ZArchiver or MT Manager), you will see a button to go to the storage settings, and you will find the item "Show system processes" or similar, and give permission to manage files for a particular conductor application.

If the standard path doesn't work, you can use the adb (Android Debug Bridge) utility via your computer, which requires you to connect your smartphone to your PC via USB and enable debugging via USB in the Developer menu, and the renaming command will look like this:

adb shell mv /sdcard/Android/data/old_name /sdcard/Android/data/new_name

However, even adb may not have sufficient rights to modify some protected directories without root rights, in which case renaming is only possible after obtaining the rights of the superuser, which is a more complex and risky procedure requiring the bootloader to be unlocked.

Rename application folders on the desktop

Often, the question of “how to rename a folder” is about creating and naming groups of applications on the desktop. In Xiaomi shells, this process is as simple as possible and does not require access to the file system. It is a purely visual change that affects only the organization of the interface.

To create a folder, drag and drop an icon of one app on top of the icon of another. The system automatically creates a group. By default, it will get a name based on the category of applications (for example, "Tools" or "Social"), but you can change it at any time. Just click on the folder name and the keyboard will allow you to enter any text.

• 📱 Click on the folder with applications to open it.
• ✏️ Tap the text field with the current folder name.
• ⌨️ Enter a new name using the Latin alphabet, Cyrillic or emoji.
• ✅ Click “Ready” or click in the free screen area.

It's important to understand that renaming a folder on your desktop doesn't affect the internal application files, it's just a shortcut for user convenience, and if you delete that folder, the apps will stay in your phone's memory, they'll just stop being grouped.

Problems with renaming and access rights

Owners of Redmi devices and POCO They may encounter a situation where the folder does not rename itself, giving an error "Inadequate rights" or "File is busy." This often happens if the file inside the folder is open in another application or is used by the system sync process. DCIM/Camera, If you are currently saving a photo or a gallery.

Another common problem is the presence of hidden configuration files inside the folder that block changing the name of the parent directory. In such cases, it is recommended to close all working applications and restart the device before trying to repeat the operation.

⚠️ Note: If the system says that the folder is empty but cannot be renamed, it may contain hidden files (starting from a dot) that do not appear in the current browse mode.

The file system limitations should also be considered. The folder name should not contain prohibited characters such as /, \,?, *,:, ", <, >, |. Using these characters will lead to an error. The maximum length of the name is also limited, usually 255 characters, but for stability it is better to use short and clear names.

Comparison of File Management Methods

The choice of renaming tool depends on your goal: whether you just need to clean up your photos or plan to modify the system files of games. Below is a table that helps determine the best method for your situation on Xiaomi smartphones.

As you can see from the table, standard tools are sufficient for most household tasks; the use of ADB or Root rights is justified only in specific cases where interference with secure parts of the system is required; unjustified obtaining full rights can lead to loss of warranty and inability to use banking applications.

💡

For 95% of users, built-in Explorer is enough. Don't try to get Root rights just to rename a single folder.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)