How to Find and Open Hidden Folders on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to MIUI

Have you ever encountered a situation where an important file has "disappeared" from your Xiaomi, even though the phone's memory shows it's taking up space? Or tried to find system settings but the standard file manager stubbornly doesn't display them? Hidden folders on MIUI devices are not a bug, but a security feature. The manufacturer hides service directories so that users don't accidentally delete critical data or disrupt the system.

In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven ways to display hidden files and folders on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones POCO — standard-tool MIUI Advanced methods with the use of ADB. You will learn how to access system directories Android/data, MIUI or.thumbnails without root rights, and the risks involved. MIUI 12–14 (including global and Chinese assemblies).

Why Xiaomi is hiding folders and can they be opened safely?

MIUI hides some folders for three key reasons:

• 🔒 System File Protection: Directories like /system or /vendor They contain critical data for Android, and changing it can cause a device to break down.
• 🛡️ Privacy: Application folders (for example, Android/data/com.whatsapp) They store personal data -- chat rooms, cache, settings -- and they minimize the risk of leakage when you connect your phone to someone else's PC.
• 🧹 Optimization of the interface: MIUI hides technical files (e.g..nomedia or.thumbdata) to prevent users from uploading unnecessary information.

Can you safely open hidden folders? Yes, but with reservations:

• ✅ Safe: Viewing folders like this DCIM/.thumbnails (photo miniatures) or Download/.temp (time-file).
• ⚠️ Careful: Editing files in Android/obb (Game data can break applications.
• ❌ Dangerous: Delete or modify files in /system Rootless rights almost always lead to failures.

⚠️ Note: If you connect Xiaomi to your computer through USB, Some hidden folders may be displayed in Windows Explorer, but not in the file managers on the phone. MTP (Media Transfer Protocol).

Method 1: Enable the display of hidden files in the standard MIUI file manager

The easiest method is to use the built-in File Manager (a folder icon with a blue background). It supports the display of hidden elements, but the option is hidden in the settings. POCO on MIUI 12–14:

1. Open the Files app (or File Manager on global firmware).
2. Tap the three-point menu (⋮) top-right.
3. Select the Settings option.
4. Activate the Show Hidden Files (Show Hidden Files) switch.
5. Return to the root directory (/) and update the file list with the swipe down.

After that, hidden folders and files (which start with a dot, like.config or.miui) will become visible. Please note that some system directories (like /data) will still be unavailable without root rights.

Check the MIUI version (update the firmware if you are using MIUI 11 or older)

Restart your phone after you turn on the option

Make sure you look in the root directory (/) and not in the Internal Storage folder.

Try another file manager (see Method 2)-->

If the standard manager does not show hidden elements even after the option is turned on, the problem may lie in the manufacturer’s limitations, for example, on some POCO F3 or Xiaomi 12T models with Chinese firmware, access to system folders is blocked at the kernel level.

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

The standard MIUI File Manager has limited functionality, and for full access to hidden folders, we recommend installing one of these applications:

• 📁 Solid Explorer - supports Root access, cloud storage and dual-panel mode. the free version runs for 14 days.
• 🔍 FX File Explorer – can show hidden files without root, has built-in FTP-server.
• 🛠️ MiXplorer is a lightweight, open source manager that doesn’t require the internet to work.

Instructions for Solid Explorer:

1. Download the app from Google Play or APKMirror (if Play Market is not available).
2. Open the menu (swipe on the right or tap on the icon) ☰).
3. Go to Settings → General → Show hidden files.
4. Go back to the root directory and find folders with a dot at the beginning of the name (for example,.android_secure).

Third-party managers often bypass the limitations of MIUI. For example, FX File Explorer can enable system folders (/data, /system) to be displayed even without root, but only for read.

Standard (MIUI File Manager)

Solid Explorer

FX File Explorer

MiXplorer

Other-->

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (e.g, ES The conductor requests suspicious permissions (access to the SMS, Avoid them – use trusted managers from the list above.

Method 3: View hidden folders via PC (USB/MTP or ADB)

If you need to access hidden files from a computer, there are two reliable methods: USB (MTP) or ADB (Android Debug Bridge) connection. The first is easier, but not all folders are shown; the second requires configuration, but gives you full control.

Method 1: USB Connection (MTP)

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB-cable.
2. On the phone, select File Transfer mode in the connection notification.
3. On your computer, open this computer and find a Xiaomi device.
4. Enable the display of hidden files in Windows Explorer settings (View → Hidden Elements).

Method 2: Use of ADB (for power users)

ADB allows you to access all folders, including system folders.

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line: adb shell ls -la /sdcard/ This will show all files, including hidden ones.

Through ADB, you can copy hidden files on your PC by command:

adb pull /sdcard/.hidden_folder C:\backup\

Method 4: Unlock access to system folders via TWRP (for advanced)

If you want full access to hidden folders (for example, to back up or modify system files), you will need custom TWRP Recovery. This method is only suitable for users who are prepared for the risk of loss of warranty and possible failures.

Steps to install TWRP and access hidden folders:

1. Unlock Bootloader on Xiaomi via the official website (the process takes up to 72 hours).
2. Install TWRP for your model (download the image from twrp.me).
3. Load to the Recovery (Switch Off → Clip Power + Volume Up).
4. In TWRP, go to Advanced → File Manager.
5. Here you will see all folders including /data, /system and /efs (with IMEI settings).

The advantage of TWRP is the ability to back up hidden partitions (such as EFS or Modem) that cannot be copied by standard means.

• ⚠️ Delete or modify files in /system may lead to a device blink.
• ⚠️ Some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 12 on the Qualcomm Snapdragon) have anti-Rollback protection that blocks firmware rollback.

💡

Before you work in TWRP, create a full /data partition backup (Backup option in the main menu) that will save your data if something goes wrong.

Method 5: Termux commands for viewing hidden files (without root)

If you don't want to connect your phone to your PC or install TWRP, you can use Termux, a terminal emulator for Android, which lets you run Linux commands directly on your device.

Instructions:

1. Install Termux from F-Droid (the version from Google Play is outdated).
2. Launch the application and execute the command to update the packages: pkg update & pkg upgrade
3. Install termux-api for storage access: pkg install termux-api
4. View hidden files in the root directory: ls -la /sdcard/

To copy a hidden folder to an accessible location, use:

cp -r /sdcard/.hidden_folder /sdcard/Download/backup/

Termux does not require root rights, but some commands (e.g., access to /data/data/) will be blocked without them, but it is a secure way to view hidden files without risking damage to the system.

Table: Which hidden folders can be deleted and which can not

⚠️ Attention: Folder Android/data It contains application data (save games, WhatsApp cache, etc.) Deleting its content will cause resets in these applications. If you want to free up space, use the built-in Clear cache option in Android settings.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with hidden folders, Xiaomi users often face typical problems:

• 🔄 Folders disappear after rebooting: This happens if you have enabled the display of hidden files only in the file manager, but not in the system settings. ADB.
• 🔒 No access to /data Even with root: On new versions MIUI (13–14) Xiaomi blocks entry in /data The solution is to disable the check in Magisk (Disable DM-Verity module).
• 📱 Phone stopped turning on after changes: If you deleted files from /system, Try to reflash the device via Fastboot (instructions at xiaomiflash.com).

To minimize the risks:

• 🔄 Always back up before changing hidden files (use adb backup or TWRP).
• 📌 Do not change files with.prop,.ko or.img extensions – these are system configurations.
• 🛠️ Use built-in tools to clean the cache (Settings) → Memory. → Clean up).

💡

If you’re not sure what you’re doing, limit yourself to viewing hidden folders without changing them.Most of the problems with Xiaomi are due to deleting or editing system files.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions