How to view files on Xiaomi: from standard conductor to hidden folders

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi lines) store thousands of files, from gallery photos to system logs. But finding the right document or folder is not always easy: the MIUI interface hides some data, and the standard Explorer is limited in features. This article will help you understand how to view files on Xiaomi in all available ways, from basic to advanced.

We'll look at not only the obvious methods (like connecting to a computer), but also the little-known techniques: accessing hidden Android/data folders, viewing files through ADB, recovering deleted data. We'll focus on the nuances for the new models from 2023 to 2026, where Xiaomi tightened restrictions on access to system partitions. If you're looking for a specific file - for example, a screenshot, a downloaded document or an application cache - here you'll find the exact algorithm.

1. Standard MIUI Explorer: Where to look for files

Every Xiaomi smartphone has a Files Explorer (a blue folder icon) preinstalled, and it divides the data into categories: Images, Audio, Videos, Documents, etc. But there are pitfalls in this way.

To open a full list of files (including hidden system files), do the following:

• 📁 Open the Files app (if you don’t find it, check the Tools folder in the app menu).
• 🔍 Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Select Show Hidden Files (turn on the switch).
• 📂 Go to the Device tab → All folders will be displayed here, including Android, DCIM, Download.
• 🔒 Access to other applications folders (for example, Android/data/com.whatsapp) You may need root access or PC connection.

Important: in MIUI 14 and later, Xiaomi blocks access to some system folders even through Explorer. If you want files from /data/data/ (for example, saving games), you will have to use ADB or TWRP.

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If the MIUI Explorer brakes when opening large folders (such as with a photo), clear its cache in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Files → Storage → Clear the cache.

2. Connection to a computer: USB and MTP

The most reliable way to view all files on Xiaomi is to connect your phone to your PC via a phone. USB-But there's some nuances:

• 🖥️ Use the original cable (cheap analogues may not transmit data).
• 🔌 When you first connect, select File Transfer Mode (MTP) drop-down menu on the phone.
• 🔐 If the PC can’t see the device, install Mi drivers. PC Suite (official website of Xiaomi).
• 📁 On Windows, the phone will appear as a removable disk – open it through “This computer".

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ You can't look at the files. /data and /system rootless.
• ❌ Some files (e.g. screenshots from secure applications) can be encrypted.

Unlock the phone screen

Use the original cable

Select MTP mode in the notification curtain

Install Mi PC Suite drivers (if the PC can’t see the device)

Check the antivirus (it can block access)

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If your computer still can’t see Xiaomi, try:

1. Reboot both devices.
2. Connect the phone to another USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0).
3. Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Return to Additional Settings → For Developers → Debugging by USB.

3. Access to hidden files and system folders

Many important data (such as WhatsApp backups, game cache, or app configs) are stored in hidden folders, and can be seen in MIUI in two ways:

Method 1: Through the MIUI conductor

1. Open the Files app.
2. Click on three points → Settings → Enable Show hidden files.
3. You will now see folders with a dot at the beginning of the name (e.g..thumbdata or.nomedia).

Method 2: Total Commander or FX File Explorer

Third-party conductors (such as Total Commander or FX File Explorer) give you more freedom:

• 📲 Install the app from Google Play.
• 🔧 In settings, enable the display of hidden and system files.
• 🛡️ To access /data/data/ will require rooting ADB.

In MIUI 14+, access to the Android/obb folder (where additional game files are stored) is limited even to the user, and to copy files from there, you will have to use ADB or temporarily get root through Magisk.

4. View files through ADB (for experienced)

If you need to access system files (e.g. /data/data/com.android.providers.media/databases, where the media database is stored), Android Debug Bridge (ADB) will help.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB on your PC (download Google’s Platform Tools).
2. Enable USB debugging on your phone (see Section 2).
3. Connect Xiaomi to your computer and open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux).
4. Enter the command: adb devices If the device appears in the list, continue.
5. To view files in /data folder, use: adb shell ls /data/data To copy a file to PC: adb pull /data/data/com.example.app/file.db C:\Downloads\

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ADB allows you to bypass the limitations of MIUI, but it requires caution: the wrong commands can damage system files. Always backup before working with ADB!

Warnings:

⚠️ Note: Adb shell rm or adb shell mv commands can permanently delete critical files.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14+ some folders in /data They're encrypted. ADB You can’t read them without rooting.

5. Cloud storage and backups

If files have been synced to the cloud, they can be viewed without a phone connection. Xiaomi offers several options:

How to recover files from Mi Cloud:

1. Open your phone Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Choose Backup and Restore.
3. Click Restore and select the desired copy (the date of creation is specified).

Important: Mi Cloud backups are created automatically once a day, but only if the phone is connected to Wi-Fi and charging. To force backup, click Backup now.

Mi Cloud

Google Drive

Yandex Disc.

Cloud Mail.ru

Don't use the clouds.

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6. Recovery of deleted files

If you accidentally delete an important file, you can try to restore it. MIUI has a built-in shopping cart, but it only works for photos and videos:

• 🗑️ Open the gallery. → press three points → Basket.
• 🔄 Select files and click Restore (they will return to the original folder).
• ⏳ Files are stored in the basket for 30 days, then deleted forever.

To recover other types of files (documents, APKs, music) you will need third-party tools:

• 📱 DiskDigger (from Google Play) – scans internal memory for deleted files.
• 🖥️ Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery – Connecting your phone to your PC MTP.
• 🔧 7-Zip — Sometimes it helps to extract data from damaged archives (for example, Titanium Backups).

⚠️ Warning: the more you use your phone after deleting files, the lower your chances of recovery.New data overwrites old ones.

If the files were on the memory card, remove it and connect it to the PC through the card reader - so the probability of successful recovery is higher.

7. View files via TWRP (for advanced)

If your Xiaomi has custom recovery TWRP installed, you can view all files, including system partitions.

• 🔧 Data recovery after resetting.
• 📁 Copying files from /data rootless.
• 🔄 Backup of the section EFS (stored IMEI and serial numbers).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP.
3. Select Advanced → File Manager.
4. Go to the folder you want (e.g. /data/data/com.whatsapp/databases).
5. Click Select, select files and copy them to USB-storage SD-map.

Important: MIUI 14+ has its default /data encrypted, so that TWRP can read it, you need to enter the screen lock password (if it is set).

FAQ: Frequent questions about files on Xiaomi