Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI They hide system files and folders by default, which is protection against accidental deletion of sensitive data, but sometimes users need to access files like this to back up, remove debris, or manually configure the system. If you connect your phone to a PC, but you don't see the hidden data, the problem is not the cable, but the display settings. In this article, we'll look at all the working methods, including the standard tools. Windows/macOS, ADB-Teams and Specialized File Managers.
Many people mistakenly think that hidden files on Xiaomi can only be seen through root access. In fact, most of the system data is accessible without superuser rights - you just need to know where to look. We will look at the methods for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14), and also explain why some folders can remain invisible even after all the manipulations.
Why hidden files don’t show up when you connect to a PC
When you connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB, you only see a portion of the file system, which is due to several factors:
1. default MIUI settings: The operating shell hides system folders (e.g. /data, /system) and files with a dot at the beginning of the name (e.g..thumbnails,.nomedia).
2. Data Protocol: In MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) mode, Windows and macOS do not show hidden elements without additional settings. PTP mode (for photos) is even more limited.
3. Access rights. Some folders (e.g. /Android/data) require an unlock confirmation when you first connect. If you click Cancel, access will be restricted.
⚠️ Note:.nomedia files are not displayed in the gallery, but are visible in the file manager, and their removal can lead to garbage in the library.
To see hidden data, it's not enough to just turn it on to your PC, you also need to configure the smartphone itself, and we'll talk about this in the next sections.
Method 1: Configure the display of hidden files on a PC (Windows/macOS)
Before you change your phone settings, check the display settings on your computer. In Windows and macOS, hidden files are not shown by default.
For Windows 10/11:
- Open the Explorer (Win + E).
- Go to the View tab → tick Hidden elements.
- Uncheck Hide Protected System Files (in the Settings menu → Change folder settings).
For macOS:
- Open the Terminal (Command + Space → enter "Terminal").
- Enter the command: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES
- Re-launch Finder: Killall Finder
After these actions, the hidden files will become visible, but only if they are not locked at the MIUI level.If the folders are still not displayed, move on to the next method.
Enable the display of hidden elements on the PC
Connect Xiaomi in File Transfer Mode (MTP)
Unlock the phone screen and confirm access
Check for drivers (for Windows)-->
Method 2: Enable the display of hidden files via MIUI File Explorer
The MIUI file manager allows you to display hidden data directly on your phone, which works without connecting to a PC, but changes will also apply when synchronizing with your computer.
Instructions for MIUI 12/13/14:
- Open the Files app (folder icon).
- Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
- Activate the switch to show hidden files.
- Confirm the action in the dialog window.
Now, when you connect to a PC, hidden folders (such as.config,.cache) will be available, except for system directories (/data, /system), which require root access.
⚠️ Note: In some Xiaomi firmware (for example, for POCO F3 on MIUI 12.5 Enhanced) option hidden. If it is not in the settings, update the Files app via Google Play.
If you need system files, but you don’t want to root, use them. ADB-The commands (mode 4) allow access to a portion of the protected data without risking loss of warranty.
Method 3: Use of third-party file managers (Solid Explorer, FX File Explorer)
The standard MIUI File Explorer is limited in functionality. Third-party managers (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) offer advanced features, including access to hidden and system files.
How to set up Solid Explorer:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Open the menu (swipe right) → Settings → Hidden files.
- Select to show all hidden files.
- Connect your phone to your PC and select Solid Explorer as your USB handler.
Advantages of the method:
- 🔍 You can see files with the "hidden" attribute (.nomedia,.thumbnails).
- 📂 Access to folders /Android/obb and /Android/data rootless.
- 🔄 Synchronization with cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox).
Disadvantage: System folders (/data/data) will still be unavailable without superuser rights, requiring ADB or TWRP to view them.
How to get root access on Xiaomi without losing data?
Method 4: Viewing Hidden Files through ADB (without root)
ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a debugging tool that lets you execute commands on your phone from a computer, and it allows you to access some hidden folders without getting root permissions.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
- 📱 Included debugging by USB Xiaomi.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 🛠️ Utility. ADB (download from the official website).
Step-by-step:
- Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version.
USB debugging
Settings → Additional → For Developers
Connect the phone to the PC and confirm access (on the screen of the smartphone will appear a request).
Command line.
Windows
Terminal
macOS/Linux
adb.exe
adb shell ls -la /sdcard/This will display all files (including hidden ones) in the root folder of the storage.
adb pull /sdcard/.hidden_file C:\destination\The adb shell command "ls -R | grep\."\" recursively finds all hidden files and folders on the device, but it can take several minutes to execute.
⚠️ Note: Do not delete or edit files in folders /system or /vendor through ADB — This can cause a system failure. For safe operations, use only /sdcard/.
💡
If the adb device command doesn’t show your phone, update the drivers via the Mi PC Suite or install Universal ADB Driver manually.
Comparison of methods: what way to choose
Each of these methods has its pros and cons, and in the table below we compare them by key parameters:
| Method | Root is required. | Visibility of system files | Difficulty | Risk to the system |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC settings (Windows/macOS) | ❌ No. | ❌ Only custom hidden files | ⭐ Very simple. | ❌ No risk. |
| MIUI File Explorer | ❌ No. | ❌ No system folders. | ⭐⭐ Just | ❌ No risk. |
| Third-party file managers | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Partially (without). /data) | ⭐⭐ Just | ❌ No risk. |
| ADB-team | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Restricted access | ⭐⭐⭐ Middle-Average | ⚠️ Low (with caution) |
| Root + TWRP | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Full access | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hardly. | ⚠️⚠️⚠️ High-pitched |
For most tasks (cache cleaning, backup) MIUI File Explorer or Solid Explorer is enough. If you need system files, but you don't want to root, try ADB. Full control only gives unlocking the bootloader, but this is an extreme case.
💡
To view hidden files on Xiaomi via PC, you just need to turn them on in MIUI settings and on your computer. System folders require ADB or root access, but changing them can disrupt the phone.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after all the settings, hidden files may not show up. Consider typical errors and how to fix them:
Problem 1: The PC can’t see the phone in MTP mode.
- 🔌 Check the cable (use the original cable) USB Type-C).
- 🔄 Switch the connection mode on the phone (swipe down) → USB file transfer).
- 🖥️ Update drivers via Mi PC Suite.
Problem 2: Hidden files are visible on the phone, but not on the PC.
- 📁 Make sure that the PC has enabled the display of hidden elements (see Method 1).
- 🔄 Reconnect the device or reboot both devices.
- 🛠️ Try another file manager (e.g. Total Commander).
Problem 3: ADB does not recognize the device.
- 🔧 Check if the debugging is included USB.
- 🔄 Adb kill-server and adb start-server
- 📥 Set up Mi. USB Driver from the official website.
If none of the methods worked, your firmware may have limitations, in which case only unlocking the bootloader or installing custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) will help.