How to rename a folder on a smartphone Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

Why Xiaomi Redmi can’t just rename a folder and what to do

Xiaomi Redmi smartphone owners often face an unexpected problem: when trying to rename a folder through a standard MIUI file manager, the system emits an error or simply ignores the action. It is all about the features of the Android file system and the MIUI security policy, which limits access to system partitions even for the user, but this does not mean that the task is impossible, you just need to know the workarounds.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods to rename a folder to Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and other models: from simple actions in the file manager to using ADB and connecting to a PC. And also find out why some folders can not be renamed at all — even with root rights — and how this relates to the work of MIUI system applications.

Before you start, check:

• 🔍 Version MIUI: In new firmware (e.g., MIUI 14), the file access algorithm has changed.
• 📁 Folder type: System directories (e.g., /Android/data/) require a special approach.
• 🔒 Access Rights: If the folder is created by another application, permission may be required.

Method 1: Rename through the standard MIUI file manager

The most obvious method is to use Xiaomi’s File Manager, which works for most user folders, but has limitations:

⚠️ Warning: If the folder is in /storage/emulated/0/Android/ or is associated with a system application, the file manager MIUI will block renaming. In this case, proceed to the 3–5 methods.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Files app (Blue folder icon).
2. Go to the Device or Internal Memory section.
3. Find the folder and hold your finger on its name for 1-2 seconds.
4. In the menu that appears, select Rename.
5. Enter a new name (without characters /: *? " < > |) and press OK.

If the Rename button is inactive:

• 🔄 Try copying the folder to another location (e.g., to the SD- card), renaming it there, and then returning it back.
• 📱 Reboot your phone — sometimes resetting the file manager cache helps.
• 🛠️ Update the Files app through the Play Market (if available).

Method 2: Use of third-party file managers (Solid Explorer, FX File Manager)

The standard MIUI manager often limits file activities, so power users prefer alternatives like Solid Explorer or FX File Manager, which support root access (if any) and more flexible rights settings.

How to rename a folder through Solid Explorer:

1. Install the app from the Play Market and open it.
2. Provide all the permissions requested (access to memory, media files).
3. Go to the Internal Storage section.
4. Find the folder you want to rename and click on the three dots (⋮) next to the name.
5. Select Rename, enter a new name and confirm.

If the folder is not renamed even through a third-party manager:

• 🔐 Check if it is blocked by an app (e.g., a gallery or messenger).
• 📎 Try copying the contents of the folder to a new location, creating a folder with the desired name, and pasting files there.
• 💻 Connect your phone to your PC – sometimes it works where there are errors on the phone.

💡

If the folder contains media files (photos, videos), open Settings → Applications → Gallery before renaming and clear the cache. This will prevent failures when updating thumbnails.

Method 3: Rename via PC (Windows, Mac, or Linux)

Connecting Xiaomi Redmi to your computer is one of the most reliable ways to rename a folder, especially if there are errors on the phone. This will require a USB- cable (preferably original) and an enabled file transfer mode (MTP).

Step-by-step instructions for Windows:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. On the phone in the notification panel, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. On your computer, open Explorer (Win + E) and find your Redmi in the This Computer section.
4. Go to the Internal Storage folder.
5. Find the desired folder, right-click and select Rename.
6. Enter a new name and press Enter.

If the folder is not renamed:

• 🔌 Try another USB- cable or port — connection issues may block access.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone and PC, then try again.
• 🛡️ Disable antivirus on your PC – some programs (e.g., Avast) block changes to connected devices.
• 📋 Check if the folder name is occupied by another file (e.g., DCIM or Download may be protected).

⚠️ Warning: Don’t rename system folders like Android, MIUI or system over a PC, which can cause MIUI malfunctions and even device blinks (loss of performance).

Enable MTP mode on your phone |Use the original USB-cable |Deactivate antivirus on PC |Check free space on your phone |Return important files-->

Method 4: Use of ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work and the folder is critical (e.g., contains application data), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires USB debugging enabled and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions for renaming through ADB:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version until you become a developer!. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate Debugging on USB.

Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the device.

command-line

terminal

adb devices

Make sure your Redmi is listed.

adb shell mv /sdcard/old name /sdcard/new name

Examples of teams for different cases:

• 📁 Rename the folder on the SD-map: adb shell mv /storage/1234-5678/old /storage/1234-5678/new
• 🔍 View the contents of the folder before renaming: adb shell ls /sdcard/ old name
• 🚫 If the folder is busy, close all applications that use it first.

⚠️ Warning: Commands ADB run with user rights, but some system folders will still be unavailable without root. Don't use sudo or try to increase privileges - this may violate security MIUI.

Method 5: Root access and applications like Root Explorer

If none of the previous methods worked, the last option is to get root rights, which gives you complete control over the file system, but it is not warranty and can disrupt MIUI. Use this method only if you understand the risks!

How to rename a folder with root:

1. Get root access on your Redmi (for example, via Magisk or TWRP).
2. Install a root-enabled file manager, such as Root Explorer or MiXplorer.
3. Open the manager and give him root rights.
4. Go to the desired directory, hold the folder and select Rename.
5. Enter a new name and confirm.

What to know before using root:

• 🔓 Warranty Loss: Xiaomi does not provide support for root devices.
• 🔄 Brig risk: Mistakes can make your phone inoperable.
• 🛡️ Security: Root opens access to system files, which increases vulnerability to viruses.
• 📱 Updates MIUI: Once root is received, some OTA- updates will no longer be installed.

If you do decide to root, follow the instructions for your Redmi model on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums. For most tasks (including renaming folders), Magisk is enough – it allows you to hide root from some applications (for example, banking).

💡

Root access is a last resort, and 90% of the time, you can rename a folder to Xiaomi Redmi without it using methods 1-4.

Why some folders can not be renamed even from root

Even with full permissions, you may encounter folders that cannot be renamed or deleted, which is due to the way Android and MIUI manage system partitions:

Reasons for blocking:

• 🔗 Symbolic links: Some folders (e.g., /sdcard/0/) are links to real directories in /data/media/0/.
• 📌 Edit as read-only: Partitions like /system or /vendor are mounted in read-only mode, even for root.
• 🤖 Application usage: Folders like /Android/data/com.whatsapp/ are used by applications, and renaming them will cause malfunctions.
• 🔐 SELinux policies: MIUI enforces strict security rules that block changes to critical directories.

What to do if the folder is not renamed:

• 🔍 Check its properties using ADB: adb shell ls -lZ /path/to/folder Note attributes (e.g. drwxr-xr-x) and SELinux context.
• 📋 If the folder belongs to an application, try removing that application first.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone in Safe Mode (hold the power button → Reboot Safe Mode) and try again.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When renaming folders to Xiaomi Redmi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

Tips for avoiding problems:

• 📌 Always back up important data before renaming it.
• 🔤 Use short names without spaces or special characters.
• 📁 Do not rename folders created by system applications (e.g. MiuiGallery or MiuiBrowser).
• 🔄 If the error repeats, check the phone for viruses — some malware blocks access to files.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions