How to watch the hidden album on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all ways of 2026

Smartphones Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro based on MIUI They offer users a hidden album feature, a secure storage for sensitive photos and videos, but many people are faced with the problem of how to find these files if they forgot their password, reset their settings, or the album Suddenly disappeared after the update? In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to access hidden data, including system tricks, recovery through the Internet. ADB and bypassing lockdown MIUI.

The feature of the Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia model) is that hidden albums can be stored not only in the standard Gallery application, but also in protected memory sections. If you’ve tried to hide files through third-party apps (like Vault or KeepSafe), recovering them will require other approaches. MIUI, which work without root rights.

Warning: Some methods involve system files. MIUI 14+ Android 13+ Access to the.hidden folder through the Explorer can be blocked without additional permissions. If you are not sure about your actions, create a backup copy of the data before experiments.

In this instruction you will find:

• 🔍 The standard way through the Gallery app (if you know the password)
• 📁 Manual search for hidden folders in the file manager
• 🔧 ADB-Teams for Advanced Users
• 🔄 Recovery of deleted hidden files
• 🛡️ Bypassing lockdown MIUI data-free

Let’s start with the simplest and gradually move on to technically complex solutions.

1. Access through the Gallery app (official method)

If you have previously set up a hidden album in a standard gallery MIUI, The most reliable way is to use the built-in feature, which works on all firmware versions, but requires knowledge of the password or fingerprint associated with the account.

Step instructions:

1. Open the Gallery app (icon with multi-colored squares).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) top-right.
3. Select Hidden Album (or Private Safe in English).
4. Enter a password, a pattern lock, or use biometrics (if configured).

If you forget your password, the system will offer to restore access through Mi Account.

• 🔑 Click Forgot Password? Under the Enter field.
• 📧 Enter the email or phone number associated with your Xiaomi account.
• 📲 Confirm your identity through SMS backup email.

⚠️ Note: If the smartphone has been reset to factory settings, the hidden album is automatically deleted without the possibility of recovery through the Gallery.

In the models with MIUI 12.5+ The hidden album may be called Private Storage, and if you don't have that option, check for updates to the Gallery app in Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.

2. Search for hidden folders in the file manager

MIUI It hides protected files in system directories that are not displayed in Explorer by default, and to see them, you need to enable the display of hidden folders and know the exact paths.

How to find hidden albums manually:

1. Open the Explorer (or install Solid) Explorer/FX File Manager from Google Play).
2. Activate the display of hidden files: in standard Explorer MIUI: slip on ☰ → Settings → Turn on Show Hidden Files. In Solid Explorer, swipe left. → Settings → Hidden files → Choose Show.

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private/


/storage/emulated/0/.hidden/




/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.gallery/files/Private/

If the folders are empty or missing, try alternative ways:

• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails/ — Here you can store miniatures of hidden photos.
• 📂 /data/media/0/MIUI/Gallery/lock/ — requires root rights.

⚠️ Note: The.hidden folder may be empty if the files were transferred to an encrypted storage MIUI. This will only help with the method of ADB (section).

If you find files, they won’t open (.enc format or.miui_private), So the data is encrypted, and it's going to require the original password from the hidden album or some kind of specialized software. MIUI Private Decryptor (available on forums) XDA Developers).

3. Recover hidden files after resetting settings

If you’ve done a hard reset, standard methods won’t work – a hidden album MIUI It can be permanently deleted, but the files can remain in the device's memory until the new data is overwritten.

Recovery methods:

• 🖥️ Through PC: Use DiskDigger, Recuva or EaseUS MobiSaver. Connect Redmi Note 8 Pro in File Transfer Mode (MTP) And scan your internal memory.
• 📱 On the smartphone itself: Install Dumpster or Undeleter, which scans memory for deleted files, but only if it's been a short time since the reset.
• 🔍 Through TWRP: If you have a custom recap, you can create an image of the section /data Analyze it on PC with Autopsy or PhotoRec.

Important nuances:

• 🚫 Do not save recoverable files to the same smartphone – this reduces the chances of success.
• ⏳ The less time has passed after the reset, the higher the probability of recovery.
• 🔒 Files from the hidden album MIUI They are restored in encrypted form (.enc.

If you have used third-party applications to hide files (such as Vault-Hide or KeepSafe), try to restore access through them:

1. Install the same app as you used before.
2. Sign in through the same account (Google, email or phone number).
3. Restore your backup from the cloud (if it was created).

⚠️ Note: Apps like AppLock or GalleryVault can block access to files even after recovery, in which case you will have to delete the application through the application. ADB (see section 4).

4.Use ADB to access hidden data

If standard methods don’t work and root rights don’t work, you can try to circumvent the restrictions. MIUI Android Debug Bridge via Android (ADB). This method is suitable for experienced users and requires connecting a smartphone to a PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Put the debugging on. USB: Go to Settings. → About the phone, tap 7 times on the version MIUI, To activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, turn on the debugging. USB and confirm the authorization.

Redmi Note 8 Pro

ADB

Xiaomi

SDK Platform Tools

adb.exe

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed)

adb shell


su




ls /data/media/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private/

If the folder exists, copy the files to the PC:

adb pull /data/media/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private/ C:\hidden_files

If the SU command doesn’t work (no root), try an alternative route:

adb shell ls /storage/emulated/0/.hidden/

File decryption:

• Copyed files may have an extension.miui_private. For their opening:
• Install it on a PC. MIUI Private Decryptor (available on GitHub).
• Launch the utility and specify the path to the files + password.

⚠️ Warning: Su commands only work on rooted devices. If you don't have root, you need to access the root. /data/data/, consider temporarily obtaining rights through Magisk or TWRP.

1. Reconnect. USB-Cable (use the original from Xiaomi).

2. Enable in the developer settings Debugging by USB (security parameters) and Unlocking OEM.

3. Update drivers via Mi Flash Tool.-->

5. Bypassing the lockdown MIUI data-free

If you forgot the password from the hidden album, but do not want to reset the settings, you can try to bypass the lock through manipulation of system files. MIUI 12-14 and does not require root rights, but may cause a gallery to fail.

Algorithm of action:

1. Install any file manager with access to the Android/data (For example, Mixplorer with Show Hidden Files enabled).
2. Cross the path: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.gallery/files/
3. Find the file. private_db or lock_settings.xml and rename it in private_db.bak.
4. Reboot your smartphone.
5. Open the gallery. → The hidden album must be available without a password.

If this method does not work, try resetting the settings of the Gallery:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the gallery and tap the vault.
3. Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
4. Open the Gallery again – maybe the password will be reset.

For MIUI 14+ With enhanced protection, you may need to remove Gallery updates:

• In the Gallery app settings, click ☰ → Remove updates.
• Reset the device.
• The hidden album will be available through the old version of the app.

⚠️ Note: After resetting the Gallery settings, all tags and albums (including hidden ones) may disappear. The files will remain in memory, but you will have to manually search them on the paths from section 2.

💡

Bypassing lockdown MIUI It only works if the password is not synced with Mi Account. If you used a link to your Xiaomi account, you can only restore it through official channels (email/SMS).

6.Alternative methods: cloud backups and third-party applications

If hidden files have been synced to the cloud, they can be restored even after resetting. Xiaomi offers two cloud storage options: Mi Cloud and Google Photos.

Recovery through Mi Cloud:

• 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in.
• 📁 Open the Gallery section → Basket or Archive.
• 🔍 Find the Private or Hidden folder (if it was downloaded).
• 📥 Download files to your PC or back to your smartphone.

Recovery via Google Photos:

• 📱 Install the Google Photos app (if removed).
• 🔑 Sign in with the same Google account you used before.
• 🕒 Go to the Library. → Archive or Basket.
• 🔍 Search for keywords: hidden, private, vault.

If cloud copies don’t help, consider third-party recovery apps:

• 🛠️ Dr.Fone – Recovers deleted files, including hidden albums MIUI.
• 🔍 DiskDigger scans internal memory at a low level.
• 📁 GT Recovery – specializes in multimedia recovery.

Important: When using third-party utilities:

• 🚫 Avoid saving recovered files to the same smartphone.
• 🛡️ Check the reviews and reputation of the program (many "restorers" contain malicious code).
• 💾 It is preferable to use the PC version rather than the mobile app.

FAQ: Frequent Questions About Hidden Albums in Redmi Note 8 Pro