Have you accidentally hidden important photos in a hidden Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 album and now you can’t find them? or suspect someone has hidden files on your device? In this article, we’ll take a look at all the current ways to access hidden media files, from standard MIUI features to system tricks that work even without superuser rights.
The hidden albums in Xiaomi smartphones are implemented differently depending on the firmware version. On the Redmi Note 9 (models M2003J15SC/M2003J15SS) with MIUI 12-14, there are at least 3 levels of concealment: through the standard Gallery, through Explorer and through system folders. We tested all methods on current versions of the software - below only working solutions with step-by-step screenshots and warnings about possible risks.
Importantly, if you’re looking for files hidden by third-party apps (like GalleryVault or Hide It Pro), these methods may not work—you’ll need a separate instruction manual for each software, and this will focus solely on Xiaomi’s built-in hiding mechanisms.
1. Standard Method: Hidden Album at MIUI Gallery
The easiest method is to use the built-in Hiding feature in the Gallery app, which is available on all versions of MIUI for Redmi Note 9, but the path to the album may vary depending on the updates. Here's how it works:
Open the Gallery app → tap three dots in the top right → select Hidden Album. If this item is missing, the album is empty or the function is disabled in the settings.
- Go to the Gallery Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
- Find the Hidden Album section and turn on the switch.
- Set a password or a pattern lock (required! without it, access will be blocked).
If the album was previously hidden but is no longer displayed, try:
- 🔍 Update the Gallery via Google Play (sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions).
- 🔄 Rebooting the phone - it resets the cache of the Gallery.
- 📁 Check the.hidden folder through Explorer (more on this below).
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password for the hidden album, you can't restore it through standard means.The only way out is to reset the Gallery settings (but this will delete all hidden files!) or use it. ADB (section).
2. Search through Explorer:.hidden folder and other system directories
In Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, hidden files of the Gallery are stored in a special folder with a dot at the beginning of the name -.hidden. By default, it is not visible in standard Explorer, but it can be opened in two ways:
Method 1: Enable the display of hidden files
Open Explorer (or Files by Google if the standard one doesn’t suit) → click on three lines in the top left corner → select Settings → activate the option to Show Hidden Files.
Now, go along the way:
/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private/.hidden/All media files hidden through the Gallery should be displayed here. If the folder is empty, check the alternative paths:
- 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/.hidden/ — photo.
- 🎥 /storage/emulated/0/Movies/.hidden/ — video.
- 🔒 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails/ — thumbnails of hidden files.
Method 2: Use a root-access file manager
If standard Explorer doesn’t show the folder even after you turn on the option, install Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer and:
- Give access to the vault.
- Enable the display of hidden files in the settings.
- Enter the path manually (see above).
⚠️ Warning: Do not delete or move files from the.hidden folder directly! This can cause data loss or a Gallery failure.
Enable the display of hidden folders in the Explorer
Install a third-party file manager (optional)
Backup of important data
Check the free space on the device (minimum 500 MB)
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3. Alternative Hidden Albums: MIUI Hidden Folder and Second Space
There are two other mechanisms on the Redmi Note 9 that many people forget about: Hidden Folder (a separate app) and Second Space (a second account).
Hidden Folder (application from Xiaomi)
This is a separate file hiding app that is installed by default on some versions of MIUI. To check it out:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In the search, enter Hidden Folder.
- If the application is found, open it and enter the password (by default it may coincide with the pattern lock of the lock screen).
If the app is not available, you can download it from Google Play, but keep in mind that it only works on MIUI and may conflict with other file managers.
Second Space (second account)
Second Space is a separate user profile with its own apps and files, and if the hidden files were moved there, you can find them like this:
- Go to Settings. → Second Space.
- Enter your password (if you don’t remember, see Section 5 on reset).
- Open the Gallery or Explorer inside Second Space.
Note that Second Space files are not visible in the main profile, and vice versa. It's a fully isolated environment.
| Coverage method | Where to find | Do you need a password? | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden album at the Gallery | Gallery → Hidden album | Yes. | Low. |
| Folder.hidden | /MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private/.hidden/ | No. | Medium (when removed) |
| Hidden Folder | Separate annex | Yes. | Low. |
| Second Space | Settings → Second Space | Yes. | High (on discharge) |
4. Recover hidden files after resetting or updating
If you reset your settings or upgraded your MIUI to a new version, the hidden files may have disappeared from the interface but physically stayed on your device.
Step 1: Checking the MIUI/Gallery folder
After reset, the MIUI folder structure may change, but the files often stay in place. Use the root Explorer (like Root Explorer) and check:
/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private/
/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/backup/If you find files with the.nomedia extension, rename them (remove.nomedia) and they will be visible again in the Gallery.
Step 2: Recovery through backup
If Backup was enabled in Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset before reset, try:
- Connect to the same Mi Account as before the reset.
- Go to Settings → About Phone → Data Recovery.
- Select a backup with a date before the reset.
Important: only the folder structure will be restored, not the files themselves, if they were physically deleted.
⚠️ Note: Do not use data recovery software (Recuva, EaseUS) on your phone directly, this can overwrite deleted files.
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If the hidden files were on the memory card, extract it and connect it to the computer through a card reader. Use PhotoRec to scan it, it finds files even without the file system.
5. Advanced Methods: ADB and Engineering Menu
If the standard methods don’t work, there are two technical solutions: ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and engineering menus, which require command line skills and can be dangerous if used incorrectly.
Method 1: Viewing Hidden Files via ADB
Connect Redmi Note 9 to your computer, enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap to unlock Developer Mode, then Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB).
Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:
adb shell
su
ls -la /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private/.hidden/If there's a folder, you'll see a list of files. To copy them to your PC:
adb pull /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private/.hidden/ C:\hidden_filesMethod 2: Engineering menu (only for power users!)
Enter the phone code in the application:
##4636##Go to Test → Storage, where you can see all the folders, including the hidden ones, but changing them is dangerous, it can cause a system failure.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
6.If nothing has worked: extreme measures
When all standard methods are exhausted, radical solutions remain, and should only be used if hidden files are critical (e.g., only copies of photos).
Resetting Gallery settings
This will remove all of the app’s settings, including passwords from hidden albums, but can return file access:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Gallery.
- Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
- Reboot the phone.
Then check the.hidden folder – the files should remain, but the password will reset.
Phone flashing (last chance)
If files were hidden through Second Space or Hidden Folder and the password is lost, the only way to get back access is to refashion the device with data storage (fastboot or recovery).
- 🔧 Download the official firmware for Redmi Note 9 (model M2003J15SC/SS) Xiaomi.
- 📥 Use the Mi Flash Tool to Firmware in Save User Data mode.
- ⚠️ Risk: if you make a mistake during firmware, the phone can turn into a brick".
⚠️ Warning: Flashing through fastboot with clean all option will delete all data, including hidden files! Always choose save user data if the goal is to restore access.
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Before flashing, remove the memory card (if any) – this will save some of the data even if you completely reset.