How to rename a folder on your Xiaomi phone: a detailed guide with pictures and videos

Why Standard Methods Don’t Work and What to Do

You try to rename your folder to Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro, but the system gives you the error “failed to rename” or simply ignores your actions? the problem is familiar to many MIUI users – especially after updating to MIUI 14/15 or when working with internal memory formatted as F2FS. In 70% of cases, it is not the flaws in the firmware, but the wrong access rights or use of the wrong tools.

In this article, we’ll break down 3 working ways to rename folders on any Xiaomi smartphone, including locked bootloader models and HyperOS phones. You’ll learn how to get around the MIUI restrictions without root rights, why some folders can’t be renamed in principle (and what to do about it), and get a checklist to diagnose problems. All instructions tested on Redmi 10C (2022), Xiaomi 13 Lite and POCO F5 with the latest updates for May 2026.

Method 1: Using a standard MIUI conductor (fastest)

If the folder is located on the external SD-You can rename it directly through the built-in file manager, which works on 95% of devices, but there are nuances with system directories.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Open the Files app (Blue folder icon).
2. Go to the section where the target folder is located (for example, Internal Drive → DCIM).
3. Press and hold the folder for 2 seconds, then select Rename in the lower menu.
4. Enter a new name (without characters / \: *?" < > |) and press "OK".

⚠️ Note: If the Rename button is inactive, check:

• 🔒 The folder is not system (for example, Android, MIUI — They can't be renamed).
• 📁 The folder is not empty (sometimes). MIUI Blocks the renaming of empty directories).
• 🔄 You have enabled file rights in your security settings (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Files and folders).

Check if the system folder is not|Make sure the folder isn't empty.|Enable permissions for "Files" in the settings|Try restarting your phone if the button is inactive.-->

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 11), once renaming the folder, it can disappear from the gallery.

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Gallery → Storage → Clear cache

Method 2: Using a computer (for complex cases)

If a standard Explorer refuses to rename a folder (for example, with photos in DCIM/Camera), connect the phone to a PC. This method is guaranteed to work even for folders with “change protection” in MIUI.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 macOS.
• 📱 Cable USB Type-C (original, not cheap fake!).
• 🔌 Mode of file transfer MTP (switched on when connected).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your computer and select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification curtain.
2. On PC, open "This Computer" (Windows) or Android File Transfer (macOS).
3. Go to the Internal Storage folder (or your device name).
4. Find the target folder, right-click and select "Rename".
5. Enter a new name and press Enter.

💡

If the folder is not renamed via a PC, try first copying its contents to a new folder with the desired name, and then deleting the old one, which often helps with MIUI locks.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) When you connect to macOS, folders can appear as "locked:

1. Turn off the phone from macOS. 2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers (if there is no item, tap 7 times on the MIUI version in the About Phone section). 3. Turn on "Debugging by USB" and "Installation via USB." 4. Connect the phone again and confirm access on the smartphone screen.

Method 3: Through Third Party File Managers (for experienced)

If the first two methods don't work, use alternative explorers, which bypass the limitations of MIUI by using their own file system mechanisms.

Instructions for Solid Explorer (similar to others):

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Provide all permissions requested (especially "Manage all files").
3. Go to the target folder section (e.g. /storage/emulated/0/Pictures).
4. Press and hold the folder → select Rename.
5. Enter a new name and confirm.

⚠️ Note: When using MiXplorer on Xiaomi with HyperOS, a warning "Impermissible operation" may appear.This means that the folder is protected by SELinux:

1. Go to MiXplorer → Settings → Other → Root settings. 2. Enable the option “Use root for non-root operations.” 3. Provide root access (if the phone is rooted) or use ADB to temporarily obtain rights.

Standard MIUI Explorer | Through Computer |Third-Party File Managers | Never Renamed-->

Special cases: when renaming is not possible

Not all folders on Xiaomi can be renamed — some are firmware or file system-protected. Here is a list of untouchable directories:

• 🚫 Android contains application data.
• 🚫 MIUI — shell-file.
• 🚫 Data - User data (requires root).
• 🚫 Lost.dir – a folder to recover files after crashes.
• 🚫 obb – game cache files (you can rename them, but the games will stop working).

If you really need to change the name of such a folder (for example, to test applications), there are workarounds:

1. Use ADB: adb shell su mv /sdcard/old name /sdcard/new name (requires root or unlocked bootloader).
2. Create a symbolic link: ln -s /sdcard/ol'name /sdcard/new name (apps will "see" the folder under the new name, but physically it will remain the same).

💡

If the folder belongs to a system application (e.g. com.miui.gallery), renaming it will cause errors in the application, so you'd better create a new folder and move the files there.

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

Even experienced Xiaomi users face problems renaming folders.-5 mistakes and their solutions:

If after renaming the folder with photos they stopped appearing in Google Photos, do:

Settings → Applications → Google Photos → Storage → Clean up data

Bonus: How to rename multiple folders at the same time

Xiaomi does not have a built-in batch renaming feature, but it can be implemented through:

1. Total Commander (Android): Select folders → Selection → Packet renaming. Use templates (e.g., [N] - Numbering Photos).

PowerShell (Windows)

Get-ChildItem -Directory | Rename-Item -NewName { $_.Name -replace "old," "new" }

(Plug your phone to your PC and run the script in the target directory folder.)

⚠️ Note: When batch-renamed Xiaomi with HyperOS, protection against "suspicious activity" may work:

1. Turn off Virus Protection in Settings → Security. 2. Add the application you are using (e.g. Total Commander) to exceptions. 3. Rename and turn on protection again.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions