Renaming folders on Xiaomi’s smartphone desktop seems like an easy task, but many users face unexpected difficulties. Depending on the version of MIUI, the device model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T) and the type of folder (system or user) the process may differ. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways, from standard tools to workarounds for stubborn folders that “don’t want” to change the name.
The thing about MIUI is that it's not exactly like Desktop on Windows. The folders on the home screen are shortcuts, not physical directories in the memory of the device. So renaming might require access to the file manager or even superuser rights. If you've been trying to click on a folder for a long time, but nothing has happened, don't be surprised: newer versions of MIUI 14/15 don't always work.
We tested all methods on devices with MIUI 12-15 (including global and Chinese firmware) and highlighted those that work consistently. If your folder was created automatically (for example, for screenshots or downloads), its renaming can be blocked by the system, as we will also discuss below.
1. Standard method: through a long press on the folder
The most obvious method works only for custom folders created by hand, and system directories (for example, DCIM, Downloads) will not be renamed this way.
Step instructions:
- Press and hold your finger on the folder on your desktop (at least 2 seconds).
- In the menu that appears, select "Rename" (or pencil icon).
- Enter a new name and click "Done" or OK.
If you don't have a "Rename" option, you're protected by the system, so you can move on to the following.
⚠️ Note: On some devices (POCO F4, Redmi 10C) A long press opens the delete menu, not the rename menu. To avoid accidental deletion, pre-backup the contents of the folder.
2. Rename through the file manager Mi File Manager
Xiaomi’s built-in file manager allows you to work with folders directly, including those that can’t be renamed through the desktop.
Open the Files app (yellow folder icon) and follow the steps:
- Go to the section "Internal storage" or "Internal storage".
- Find the folder you want to rename (use search if you can’t see it in the root directory).
- Click on three dots next to the folder name → select “Rename”.
- Enter a new name and confirm the changes.
If the folder is gray and doesn't have a three-dot menu, it's a system directory. ADB-Teams (more on this below).
Make sure the folder is not open in other applications
Check the available space on the device (minimum 100 MB)
Disable cloud sync (if folder in Mi Cloud)
Make a backup of important files-->
3.Using ADB to rename system folders
If the folder is not renamed by standard methods, the reason may be a restriction of access rights, in which case Android Debug Bridge (ADB) – a debugging tool that allows you to execute commands directly on the system – will help.
You'll need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
- 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to activate the developer mode).
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
Step-by-step:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission on the device screen.
- Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
- Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
- Use the command to rename (replace paths with current ones): adb shell mv /sdcard/ol'name /sdcard/new name
Example: To rename the Screenshots folder to Screenshots, the command will:
adb shell mv /sdcard/Pictures/Screenshots /sdcard/Pictures/Screenshots⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB You can crash the system. Don't rename the folders with Android names, MIUI, Systems are critical directories!
What if the ADB issues a “Permission Denied” error?
4. Third-party file managers with extended rights
If the built-in Mi File Manager refuses to rename the folder, try alternative apps.
- 📁 Solid Explorer supports root access and cloud storage. There's a 14-day trial.
- 🔍 FX File Explorer - user-friendly interface and built-in FTP-remote-control.
- 🛠️ Root Explorer – for root-enabled devices (caution: can damage system files!).
How to rename a folder through Solid Explorer:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Give access to the storage at the first start.
- Find the folder, hold its name → select “Rename”.
- If an error occurs, try enabling "Root Access" in the application settings (requires root).
Important: Some applications (e.g. ES Explorer) may request unnecessary permissions or display ads. We recommend Solid Explorer as the most secure option.
5. Features of renaming folders to SD-map
If the folder is located on the memory card, the renaming process may be blocked due to:
- 🔒 Protection against recording SD-map (check the physical switch on the adapter).
- 📛 Formatting the map in FAT32 (Limitation of length of file names).
- 🚫 Restrictions MIUI externally.
Decisions:
- Extract. SD-You can connect it to your computer through a card reader. Windows/macOS.
- Format the card in exFAT or NTFS (Warning: All data will be deleted!).
- Use it. ADB-path-finding SD-map: Adb shell mv /storage/1234-5678/ol'name /storage/1234-5678/new name (where) 1234-5678 — identifier SD-You can find it by the adb shell ls command. /storage).
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| I can't rename the folder to SD-map | Map formatted in FAT32 | Reformat to exFAT or use a computer |
| "File used" error | The folder is open in a gallery or other application | Close all applications through the multitasking menu |
| No "Rename" item on the menu | System folder or MIUI protected | Use ADB or root access |
| After renaming the folder disappeared | File system error | Restart the device or check the card on the PC |
6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Even experienced Xiaomi users sometimes face unexpected problems when renaming folders, and here are the most common cases and solutions:
Mistake 1: "Filename too long"
- 📏 Shorten the folder name (maximum 255 characters for exFAT, 256 for exFAT) NTFS).
- 🗑️ Remove extra subfolders or transfer some files to another location.
Error 2: "Permission denied"
- 🔑 Try renaming the folder via your computer (by connecting your smartphone in File Manager mode).
- 🛡️ Turn off "Personal Data Protection" in the settings MIUI (Settings → Confidentiality).
Error 3: The folder returns the old name after the reboot
- 🔄 This means that the folder is restored by a system process (for example, MediaProvider).
- 📱 Try renaming it via Safe Mode (click the power button). → "Restarting in Safe Mode").
adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MEDIA_SCANNER_SCAN_FILE -d file:///storage/emulated/0/This will speed up the appearance of files in the gallery.-->
7.Alternative solutions: archiving and creating a new folder
If you can't rename the folder, you can go around:
- Create a new folder with the desired name on the desktop.
- Copy all the contents from the old folder into the new one.
- Delete the old folder (if it is not system-based).
Applications are suitable for automating this process:
- 📦 ZArchiver – allows you to archive a folder in.zip and then unpack under a new name.
- 🔄 Total Commander – Supports batch renaming and folder synchronization.
The advantage of this method is that it works even for protected folders, since it does not affect the original directory, but creates a copy of it.
💡
If the folder belongs to a system application (such as Mi Video or Mi Gallery), renaming it can lead to errors in the operation of these programs, in which case it is better to leave the original name and use tags (tags) to organize files.