How to view hidden files on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: all working methods

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is one of the most popular smartphones of the brand, but even years after its release, users are faced with the need to access hidden files. Whether it is.thumbnails system folders with thumbnails, app cache in /data/data, or MIUI backups that are not displayed by default. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, from standard conductor settings to advanced methods with ADB and root access.

It's important to understand that hidden files on Android fall into two categories: The first are user data (like folders with a dot at the beginning of a name like.nomedia), which are easy to show through settings; the second are system partitions that are protected by MIUI rights. These will require additional tools to view them. We'll look at both options with a focus on security — wrong actions with system folders can lead to a firmware failure or loss of warranty.

Why files are hidden on the Redmi Note 7

Hidden files and folders on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 appear for several reasons, and not all of them are related to user actions.

📁 Systemic constraints MIUI: The firmware hides critical folders (for example, the software, /data or /system) This includes Mi Cloud backups and temporary update files.
🔒 Application settings: Some programs (such as gallery or instant messengers) create folders with a dot at the beginning of the name (.thumbnails,.whatsapp) that are not displayed by default.
🛠️ Manual Hiding: Users or third-party file managers (such as Solid Explorer) can manually hide files through visibility settings.
📱 File system errors: After incorrect extraction SD-Maps or update failures may make some files invisible to the system.

The Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 10–14 is most often hidden:

📂 App cache folders (/data/data/com.package.name)
🖼️ Image miniatures (.thumbnails)
🔄 Logs of the system (/data/log)
📱 Backup copies of Mi Cloud (MIUI/backup)

⚠️ Note: Folders with the prefix com.xiaomi. or com.android. on the way /data/data/ They contain application data, and if you delete or change them without root, they can cause software to fail.

Method 1: Enable the display of hidden files in a standard MIUI Explorer

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI Explorer (Files app) which supports the display of hidden folders without installing additional software, but with limitations: system partitions (/data, /system) will remain unavailable.

Instructions:

Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner → select “Settings”.

Limitations of the method:

❌ Doesn't show system folders (/data/data, /system).
❌ Does not work for files hidden through root or ADB.
✅ Suitable for viewing user hidden data (for example, Telegram cache in.telegram).

Open the Files app

Go to the "Settings" conductor

Enable the option "Show hidden files"

Check the visibility of dot folders (e.g..thumbnails)

Do not modify files in com.xiaomi folders without backup-->

Method 2: Using Third-Party File Managers

If standard MIUI Explorer is not suitable, you can install alternative file managers with advanced features.

Annex	Support for root	Displaying system folders	Features
Solid Explorer	✅	⚠️ Partially (requires root)	Two-panel mode, cloud storage
FX File Explorer	✅	✅ (root)	Built-in FTP-server, archiver
Root Explorer	✅	✅	Paid, specialized for root access
MiXplorer	✅	✅ (root)	Free, supports SMB and WebDAV

The recommended algorithm for Solid Explorer (free version available on Google Play):

Go to “Display Settings” → turn on “Show hidden files”.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Root Explorer can request superuser rights when you first run them. Don't root files to managers from unverified sources, which is a risk of malware infection.

Standard Files from MIUI

Solid Explorer

FX File Explorer

MiXplorer

Another (I will write in the comments)-->

Method 3: Viewing Hidden Files via ADB (without root)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a debugging tool that allows you to interact with the Android file system through a computer. On Redmi Note 7, you can view hidden files without root rights, but with restrictions: only folders that the current user has permissions are available.

Step-by-step:

Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.
Connect your phone to your PC: Use the original USB Type-C cable. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.

Install ADB on your computer

Download the Google Platform Tools.
Unpack the archive and open the command line in this folder (Shift + PCM → Open the PowerShell window here).
Follow the commands to view files: adb devices (Should display Redmi Note 7) adb shell ls -a /sdcard/ (Shows all files, including hidden ones, in internal memory)

Examples of useful commands:

📂 Viewing hidden folders in /sdcard/DCIM: adb shell ls -a /sdcard/DCIM/
📄 Viewing the contents of a file (e.g.,.nomedia): Adb shell cat /sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails/.nomedia
📥 Copying a hidden file on a PC: adb pull /sdcard/.hidden_file C:\Downloads\

💡

If the adb device command doesn’t show your Redmi Note 7, install Xiaomi USB Drivers from the official website. Also check that the developer settings have enabled the option “Allow debugging over USB” (sometimes it is reset after the MIUI update).

Method 4: Full access with root rights

Superuser rights (root) allow access to all system folders on Redmi Note 7, including /data/data (where application data is stored) and /system (firmware).

⚠️ Loss of warranty: Xiaomi cancels warranty if root is detected.
⚠️ Risk of “bricking”: Incorrect changes in the /system This can make your phone inoperable.
⚠️ Problems with updates: MIUI may refuse to be installed on the modified firmware.

If you are prepared for the risks, follow the instructions:

Unlock the bootloader: Go to Mi Unlock and download the utility. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account. Launch Mi Unlock Tool on PC, connect your phone in Fastboot mode (press Power + Vol− when the phone is off).
Install custom recovery (TWRP): Download TWRP for Redmi Note 7 (model lavender) from twrp.me.Sweep through fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img

Get root with Magisk

Download the latest version of Magisk (.zip) and transfer to your phone.
In TWRP, select “Install” → specify the Magisk file → swipe for confirmation.
After the reboot, install the Magisk Manager application for rights management.

You can now use Root Explorer or MiXplorer to view all folders, including:

📁 /data/data — Application data (e.g. com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).
📁 /system — firmware.
📁 /vendor — drivers and binary files.

⚠️ Note: Modifying files in /system or /vendor This can lead to bootloop. Before any edits, back up through the TWRP (Backup" option»).

What if the root phone doesn’t turn on after receiving the root?

If after firmware Magisk or changing system files Redmi Note 7 stuck on the logo MI (bootloop), follow the following steps: 1. TWRP (clamp down the Power + Vol+). 2. Select "Wipe» → «Advanced Wipe» → mark Dalvik / ART Cache and Cache → swipe. 3. Refuse Magisk (if it's causing the problem) or restore the backup. 4. If it doesn't help, run the full firmware. MIUI via fastboot (instructions at xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).

Method 5: Viewing Hidden Files on PCs via MTP

If you’re uncomfortable with ADB or root, you can connect Redmi Note 7 to your computer and use Windows/macOS Explorer to access hidden files.This method works for user data (like dot folders), but won’t show system partitions.

Instructions for Windows:

Connect your phone to your PC via USB and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
Open “This Computer” → find the Redmi Note 7 device.
Go to “View” → mark “Hidden elements”.
You will now see folders with a dot (e.g..thumbnails or.nomedia).

Limitations:

❌ He doesn't. /data or /system.
❌ Some folders (e.g, Android/data) They may be empty due to restrictions. MIUI.
✅ Suitable for copying hidden user files (e.g. Titanium Backup backups).

For macOS, use Android File Transfer (the official software from Google) and enable the display of hidden files via the terminal:

defaults write com.google.AndroidFileTransfer ShowHiddenFiles -bool true

💡

MTP is the safest way to view hidden user files, but it doesn’t give you access to system partitions. /data or /system requires ADB or root.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When working with hidden files on Redmi Note 7, users face typical problems, and let's look at the most common and ways to fix them.

Problem.	Reason.	Decision
Hidden files are not displayed in the Explorer	Settings reset after the MIUI update	Re-enable the option “Show hidden files” in the settings of the application “Files”
ADB does not see the device	Drivers not installed or debugging over USB is disabled	Install Xiaomi USB Drivers and check the developer settings
No access to /data/data, even from root	MIUI blocks access via SELinux	Use Magisk to change SELinux policy (Enforcing → Permissive option)
After receiving root, banking applications do not work	SafetyNet detects changes to the system	Install MagiskHide Props Config and activate root hiding for specific applications

If you encounter an error not described above, check:

📱 Version MIUI: Some functions may differ in MIUI 12 and MIUI 14.
🔄 Firmware updates: After the update, you may need to reconfigure ADB root.
🛠️ Logs of error: B TWRP or ADB Detailed logs can be obtained for diagnosis.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Can I view hidden files on Redmi Note 7 without a computer?

Yes, it is enough to enable the display of hidden files in the standard MIUI Explorer or install a third-party file manager (for example, Solid Explorer). However, you can not do without a PC to access the system folders (/data, /system) - you will need ADB or root.

How to recover hidden files if they are missing after the MIUI update?

If files disappeared after the update, check: /sdcard/MIUI/backup folder — there may be backups; Explorer settings — perhaps reset the display of hidden files; Recycle Bin in the Files app (Basket tab). If the files were in system folders (for example, /data/data), their recovery without root is impossible.

Is it safe to delete the.thumbnails folder on the Redmi Note 7?

The.thumbnails folder contains thumbnails of images and videos to speed up the loading in the gallery. Deleting it won't hurt the system, but: The gallery will take longer to load when you first open. The folder will automatically recover over time. To clean up the thumbnail cache, you'd better use the gallery settings: Settings → Clear the cache.

How to hide files back after viewing?

To return files or folders to the status of "hidden", just add a dot at the beginning of the name. For example: Rename myfolder to.myfolder. Use a file manager with a hiding function (in Solid Explorer: long press). → «Hide"). For system files (/data) need ADB or root: adb shell mv /sdcard/folder /sdcard/.folder

Can I access another user's files on the Redmi Note 7?

On Redmi Note 7 (as on any Android device), each user's files are isolated. Access to the other profile is only possible: With root rights (but this violates security policy); through a backup created by the profile owner. Attention: Attempts to bypass user isolation can lead to device lockdown or legal consequences (if it is a foreign phone).