Xiaomi smartphones offer users a convenient feature to hide personal photos and videos — a hidden album in the gallery. However, many people face the problem: how to find these files if you forgot the access path or after resetting? In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of viewing hidden media on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices, including models from 2020 to 2026.
The hidden album function is implemented differently depending on the MIUI shell version and the phone model, and it's a separate folder in the gallery, and it's a secure password section, and we'll look at the universal solutions that work on MIUI 12-14, and alternative ways for older versions, and it's important to understand that hidden files aren't deleted from the device, they're just moved to a secure memory area.
If you accidentally hid important photos or want to check if the phone has any "forgotten" pictures from the previous owner (when buying used), this guide will help.
1. Standard way through the Xiaomi Gallery
The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI shell tools. It is suitable for most modern models (Redmi Note 11/12, POCO X5/F5, Xiaomi 13/14) with current firmware versions.
Open the standard Gallery app (flower icon). In the bottom menu, tap the Albums section, then scroll up. Among the folders (Screenshots, Downloads, Cameras) should show the Hidden or Private folder (on firmware in English). If it's not, try pulling the screen down for updates.
If the folder is not visible, but you are sure that you have hidden the files:
- Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner of the gallery.
- Select "Settings" → "Showing Hidden Albums".
- Turn on the switch for display.
⚠️ Warning: Some firmware has a password-protected hidden album, and if you forget it, you'll need to reset it through Settings. → Passwords and security → Privacy. It will delete all saved passwords!
2. Search for hidden files through the file manager
If the gallery does not show hidden pictures, you can contact the file system directly. All media files on Xiaomi are stored in the /storage/emulated/0/Pictures or /DCIM folder. Hidden photos are usually moved to:
- 📁.Hidden - Standard Hidden Folder MIUI
- 📁.nomedia – files excluded from gallery scanning
- 📁 Private – alternative storage for some versions
To see these folders:
- Open Files (Standard Xiaomi Manager)
- Go to the Inner Memory → Pictures.
- Put three points on it. → "Show hidden files".
- Find folders with a dot at the beginning of the name (e.g..hidden).
If you don’t have a file manager from Xiaomi, install Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer – they show hidden directories by default.
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Copy important files from hidden folders into a regular storage (for example, in DCIM/Camera) so that they are displayed in the gallery without additional manipulation.
3. Use of Recovery Mode (for deleted files)
If you didn't just hide the photos, you could try to recover them through a shopping cart or specialized utilities, and MIUI has a built-in shopping cart where files are stored for up to 30 days:
Open the Gallery → Recycle Bin (the icon at the bottom menu). Select the files you want and click Restore. If the Recycle Bin is empty, try programs like DiskDigger or Recuva (require root rights for deep scanning).
For devices with an unlocked bootloader, you can use ADB to access raw memory partitions, but it is risky because incorrect commands can lead to data loss.
⚠️ Attention: Recovering deleted files after flashing or resetting to factory settings is almost impossible.
| Method of recovery | Root is required. | Chance of success | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI basket | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | No. |
| DiskDigger (without root) | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐⭐ | No. |
| Recuva/PhotoRec | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Data loss in error |
| ADB pull | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐ | High-pitched |
4. Access via privacy settings
Starting with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi added a separate partition to manage hidden data.
- Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy.
- Select "Hidden Albums" or "Private Safe" (in English firmware).
- Enter your password/fingerprint if requested.
All hidden media files will be displayed here, and there will be the possibility:
- 🔓 Unlock individual files for shared access.
- 🗑️ Delete hidden data irrevocably.
- 🔄 Exporting files to a regular gallery.
If the Privacy section is missing, your firmware does not support this function, in which case use the methods in the previous sections.
What if Touch ID for a hidden album doesn’t work?
5. Alternative galleries for viewing hidden files
The standard Xiaomi gallery doesn’t always show all the hidden files, and third-party apps can help:
- 📱 Google Photos – scans all media, including system folders. After installation, wait until indexing is complete (may take up to an hour).
- 🖼️ Simple Gallery - has a built-in search for hidden directories. In the settings, enable the option "Show hidden files".
- 🔍 A+ Gallery – supports passwords for albums and shows files from.nomedia.
Check the app's permissions before installing. Some galleries (like QuickPic) request access to contacts and location, which is redundant for simply viewing photos.
If you use Google Photos, please note:
Hidden files from.nomedia folders are not synced to the cloud.
To view them, you need to go to "Photos on the device" → "Folders from the device".
Turn off battery optimization for the app |Allow storage access |Enable hidden files in settings |Check if antivirus blocks folder access-->
6.Working with Hidden Albums on Older Versions of MIUI
On MIUI 10–11 firmware (relevant to Redmi Note 8/9, Mi 9/9T), the logic of hidden albums is different, using the Secure Folders feature, which requires a separate setup:
Go to: Settings → Special features → Privacy Protection → Secure folders.
Enter your password (the default is often the lock screen pattern lock) and you'll see all the hidden media files inside to return them to the general gallery:
- Highlight the files with a long tap.
- Click "Remove Protection" or "Export".
- Confirm the action with a password.
If you forget the password from the protected folders, the only way to reset it is to completely reset your phone through Settings → About Phone → Reset. This will delete all data, including hidden files!
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On MIUI 10-11, hidden files are physically moved to the encrypted /data/system/private partition, which cannot be accessed without a password or reset.
7. How to prevent accidental file hiding
To avoid problems with lost photos in the future, follow these tips:
- 🔐 Use cloud backups (Google Photos, Mi Cloud). Hidden files are not synced automatically - download them manually.
- 📂 Create a separate folder (like “Personal”) and eliminate it from the gallery scan by adding an empty.nomedia file.
- 🔄 Check the Recycle Bin section in the gallery regularly – files are stored there for a limited time.
- 📱 Set up a second user profile (in Settings) → System system → Multiple users) to store sensitive data.
If you often hide files, install the app -Calculator% (from the Xiaomi App Store) which masquerades as a calculator, but opens hidden storage after entering the password.
For models with SD-card 9A, POCO M3) You can set up automatic storage of hidden files on the removable drive. To do this, select "Default Storage" in the gallery settings" → "SD-map".