Have you ever encountered a situation where an important file disappears from your phone even though it takes up memory? Or tried to find a folder with MIUI backups, but the conductor stubbornly does not show it? Hidden files on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are not a bug, but a feature of the system. The manufacturer hides some of the data to protect against accidental deletion or change, but sometimes access to them is simply necessary.
In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to display hidden files, from standard Explorer settings to using ADB and third-party file managers, and focus on MIUI system folders (such as.miui or.thumbnails), which often contain backups, application cache and backup data, and find out why some files can be hidden by viruses and how to verify this.
Important: Not all hidden files are safe to delete or edit.android_secure It stores data from secure applications, and.data stores system settings, and errors in working with them can cause malfunctions. MIUI If you're not sure what the file is, you better not touch it.
Why are files hidden on Xiaomi Redmi?
On Xiaomi smartphones, files can be hidden for several reasons, and not all of them are obvious.
- 🔒 Systemic constraints MIUI: The operating shell hides folders with configuration files (e.g.,.miui,.backups) so that the user does not accidentally damage them.
- 📁 Explorer settings: By default, standard Xiaomi Explorer does not show files whose names begin with a dot (e.g.,.nomedia.
- 🦠 Virus or malware: Some programs hide their files to make it harder to detect. For example, folders with adware often disguise themselves as system files.
- 🔄 Backups and cache: Backup files (such as from Mi Cloud or Google Drive) can be hidden to save space in the main storage.
Fun fact: Xiaomi Redmi with MIUI 14+ firmware has a feature called Protected Folders, which not only hides files, but also blocks access to them without a password. If you activate this option, hidden files may be there — they will not even show the display of hidden data in the Explorer.
⚠️ Note: If you notice unknown hidden folders with names like.trash-1000,.system or random symbols, which may be due to infection with a virus. Check your phone with an antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Malwarebytes) before working with such files.
Method 1: Enable the display of hidden files in a standard MIUI Explorer
The easiest method is to use Xiaomi's built-in Explorer, which supports the display of hidden files, but this option is hidden in the settings. MIUI 12–14:
- Open the Explorer app** (the folder icon on the desktop or in the application menu).
- Slip along three horizontal lines (☰) in the upper left corner to open the side menu.
- Select the "Settings"** (cog icon).
- Scroll down and activate the “Show Hidden Files” switch**.
- Return to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/) and update the file list with the swipe down.
After that, you will see all folders and files that start with a dot (e.g.,.thumbnails, which stores thumbnails of images). Please note that some system folders (e.g., /data/ or /system/) will still be unavailable without root permissions.
Check the MIUI version (in the About Phone settings)
Update Explorer through Google Play
Reboot the phone.
Try another file manager (e.g. Solid Explorer)
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If you are using Redmi Note 10/11/12 or newer models, the Explorer may not have the option to “Show Hidden Files” in which case, try alternative methods from the following sections.
Method 2: Using Third-Party File Managers
The standard MIUI Explorer doesn’t always work well with hidden files, especially on older versions of firmware.
- 📂 Solid Explorer: Paid, but free trial period. Supports root, cloud storage and dual-panel mode. To show hidden files, open the side menu → «Settings» → «Display» → Enable "Show hidden files»**.
The advantage of third-party explorers is that they often show more system folders than standard Xiaomi Explorer. For example, through Solid Explorer you can access /data/media/0/ (where user data is stored) even without root rights.
| Annex | Support for root | Cloud storage | Two-panel mode | Free version |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid Explorer | ✅ | ✅ (Google Drive, Dropbox) | ✅ | ❌ (14 days of trial period) |
| FX File Explorer | ✅ | ✅ (OneDrive, Yandex Disk) | ✅ | ✅ (publicity) |
| MiXplorer | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ (free-of-charge) |
| ES Conductor | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ (lot of advertising) |
⚠️ Attention: When in use ES Explorer be careful – in the past, this application was recognized by antivirus as potentially dangerous due to aggressive advertising and data collection. For Xiaomi Redmi, it is better to choose Solid Explorer or MiXplorer.
Standard Conductor MIUI|Solid Explorer|FX File Explorer|MiXplorer|Other-->
Method 3: Viewing Hidden Files via ADB (for Power Users)
If you need to access system hidden folders (e.g. /data/data/) but no root permission, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that is suitable for Xiaomi Redmi with an unlocked bootloader or USB debugging enabled.
You'll need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
- 📱 Xiaomi Redmi smartphone with debugging enabled USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
Instructions:
- Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
- Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
- Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your Redmi.
- Command to view hidden files in the root directory: adb shell ls -la /storage/emulated/0/ Flag -a shows all files, including hidden ones.
- To copy a hidden file on a PC, use: adb pull /storage/emulated/0/.name file C:\path\on\PC
This method circumvents the limitations of MIUI, but requires caution, such as the adb shell rm -rf /data/ command will delete all user data without the possibility of recovery!
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
Method 4: Access to hidden files via TWRP (for hardwired devices)
If your Xiaomi Redmi has custom TWRP recovery installed, you can view and edit hidden files directly, even without root rights in the system.
Step-by-step:
- Turn off your phone and press the button combination to log in to TWRP (usually Power + Volume Up).
- In the main menu, select “Advanced” → “File Manager”.
The advantage of this method is that you can work with files even if the MIUI is not loading, for example, you can restore deleted photos from the.thumbnails folder or backup Titanium Backup.
⚠️ Attention: B TWRP It is not recommended to change files in folders /system/ or /vendor/ It can lead to a bootloop of the phone, and if you're not sure, you better copy the files to your PC and edit them.
Method 5: Search for hidden files through a computer (MTP and disk mode)
If Xiaomi Redmi doesn’t run a Explorer or you prefer to manage files from a PC, you can connect the phone in MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) or PTP mode. However, by default Windows and macOS do not show hidden Android files.
For Windows:
- Connect Redmi to your PC via USB by selecting File Transfer* (MTP) mode.
- Open “This Computer” and go to the phone folder.
- In the top menu of Windows Explorer, click “View” → tick “Hidden Items”.
For macOS:
- Connect your phone and open Android File Transfer (if not installed, download from the official website).
Limitation of this method: through MTP You will not see system folders (for example, /data/), only user storage (/storage/emulated/0/). You need full access. ADB root.
💡
If you often work with hidden files on Xiaomi Redmi, create a shortcut on your PC desktop with the explorer team. /n,/e,/select,"%USERPROFILE%\Desktop, but replace the path with \storage\emulated\0\. This will quickly open the folder of the phone with hidden files.
How to Recover Accidentally Deleted Hidden Files
If you have deleted a hidden folder (such as.nomedia or backup) and want to restore it, there are a few ways to do this:
- 🗑️ Basket MIUI: Xiaomi Explorer has a built-in cart where files are stored for 30 days. Open the Recycle Bin** in the side menu and check if there is a file in it.
- 🔄 Recovery via Mi Cloud: If sync was enabled, go to i.mi.com and check backups.
Importantly, the less you use your phone after deleting, the better the chances of recovery, and when you write new data, old files are overwritten.
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If you have deleted the system hidden folder (for example,.android_secure), Don't try to restore it manually, it can disrupt the application. → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge.