How to rename a folder on a Xiaomi smartphone: all the ways for MIUI 12-14

Why renaming folders to Xiaomi is different from other Android devices

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones have a unique file system that imposes restrictions on folders. Unlike pure Android, there are additional security rules related to Mi Account policy and integration with Mi Cloud storage. For example, system folders like MIUI or Android are locked for editing even with root rights, and some user directories are automatically synchronized with Xiaomi servers.

Another feature is the internal and external (if microSD is used), with folders on the memory card being renamed by different rules than in the internal storage, and since MIUI 12, the company has tightened control over the file system by adding digital signature verification for mission-critical directories, which means that even standard operations can end up with a Permission denied error, if nuance is not taken into account.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to rename folders to Xiaomi in 2026, including bypassing the restrictions of MIUI, working through a PC and using alternative file managers.

Method 1: Rename through the standard MIUI file manager

The easiest method is to use the File Manager, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones, which is suitable for renaming user folders in internal memory or on the user’s computer. SD-map, but does not work with system directories.

Instructions:

• 📁 Open the Files app (icon with yellow folder).
• 🔍 Go to the Device section or SD-map, depending on the location of the folder.
• 📂 Find the right folder and make a long press on her name.
• ✏️ In the menu that appears, select Rename.
• 🔤 Enter a new name (without special characters) and click OK.

If the Rename button is inactive or not, it means that the folder is protected by MIUI. In this case, try the alternative methods described below.

⚠️ Note: Do not rename the folder DCIM — This will cause the gallery and the camera to crash, and the system will automatically restore the original name, but temporarily the photos may become unavailable.

Method 2: Use of alternative file managers

Xiaomi’s standard File Manager has limited functionality. For advanced folder operations, we recommend installing third-party applications such as Solid Explorer, FX File Explorer or Total Commander. They allow you to bypass some of the limitations of MIUI, such as access to hidden directories.

Example from Solid Explorer:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the storage.
3. Go to the internal memory section or SD-map.
4. Find the folder, hold its name and select Rename.
5. Enter a new name and confirm.

Third-party managers have the advantage of supporting root access (root) if your smartphone is unlocked, which allows you to rename even system folders, but you need to be careful.

Method 3: Rename via PC (Windows/macOS/Linux)

If you can’t rename a folder on your phone, connect Xiaomi to your computer in file transfer (MTP) mode, which is especially useful for working with large directories or when you need to change several folders at the same time.

Step-by-step instructions for Windows:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. On the phone, select File Transfer mode in the Connection Notification.
3. On your computer, open this computer → find a Xiaomi device.
4. Go to the desired partition of memory (Internal storage or storage). SD-map).
5. Right-click on the folder and select Rename.
6. Enter a new name and press Enter.

⚠️ Note: When connecting to macOS, avoid using Android File Transfer to rename folders with Chinese or Japanese characters in a name.This can lead to the encoding of names into an unreadable format.

Method 4: ADB commands to rename system folders

If you need to rename a system folder (like MIUI or Xiaomi), the standard methods won’t work, and Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a command-line debugging tool, will help. This method requires USB debugging and is only suitable for advanced users.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode on Xiaomi: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the trusted device.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell


su




mv /sdcard/old name /sdcard/new name

Example: To rename the Download folder to Downloads, use:

mv /sdcard/Download/sdcard/Download/Download/Sdcard/Downloads

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If the su command does not work, then your Xiaomi has no root rights, in which case, you can not rename the system folder without unlocking the bootloader.

Method 5: Bypassing MIUI restrictions via TWRP (for advanced)

For users with an unlocked bootloader and TWRP Recovery installed, the most powerful method available is renaming folders directly through the recovery menu, which allows you to edit even those directories that are locked in the standard system.

Step-by-step:

• 🔧 Get in mode. TWRP (clamp down on power. + Volume up when switched on).
• 📁 Go to the File Manager section.
• 🔍 Find the right folder (for example, /data/media/0/MIUI).
• ✏️ Select it and select Rename.
• 🔤 Enter a new name and confirm (swipe for saving).

Warnings:

• ⚠️ Don't rename folders to /system — This will lead to bootloop (a looped download).
• ⚠️ Change of names in /data It can break the work of applications.
• ⚠️ Always make a backup through TWRP before editing.

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Use TWRP only if you understand the consequences. Wrong renaming of system folders can make your phone inoperable without flashing it.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When renaming folders to Xiaomi, users often encounter errors, and consider the most common ways to solve them:

Another common problem is that the folder disappears after renaming, which happens if the new name uses forbidden characters (/\: *?" <> |) or if the folder has been moved to a partition that is not available to the user, in which case, check the basket in the file manager or connect the phone to the PC to search for a lost directory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about renaming folders to Xiaomi