How to Make an Invisible Folder on a Xiaomi Phone: All Ways in 2026

Hidden folders on Xiaomi smartphones are not only a way to keep privacy, but also to protect important files from accidental deletion or prying eyes. Unlike standard archiving methods, invisible folders remain accessible to the owner, but completely hidden from outsiders, especially for users who store work documents, personal photos or financial data on their phone.

In this article, we’ll break down all the current ways to create invisible folders on Xiaomi (including Redmi and POCO models) without having to get root permissions. You’ll learn how to use embedded MIUI features, third-party apps, and even system loopholes for maximum stealth. Importantly, some methods may differ depending on the firmware version, so we’ll point out features for MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS.

Before you start, check your shell version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI. This will help you avoid setting up errors. Also remember: hidden folders do not replace full encryption – for critical data, use encrypted archives or cloud storage with two-factor authentication.

1. Method: Built-in Hidden Albums feature in Xiaomi Gallery

The easiest method is to use the built-in media hiding feature in the standard Xiaomi Gallery, which requires no additional apps and works on all devices with MIUI 12 and later, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13.

To hide the folder with a photo or video:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Select the files you want to hide (hold your finger on the file to highlight a few).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hide.
4. Set a password or pattern lock (unless previously configured).

After that, the files will disappear from the main view of the gallery.

• 🔍 Go to the Albums. → Hidden albums.
• 🔐 Enter a password or use a fingerprint.
• 📁 Your files will appear in a separate hidden folder.

⚠️ Note: This method only hides media files (photos, videos, APK or other types of files, use other methods from this article.

2. Method: Create a folder with a dot at the beginning of the name (for power users)

This method works at the file system level and hides the folder from most file managers, including standard Xiaomi Explorer, based on a feature of Linux systems (and Android is built on its kernel), where folders with a dot at the beginning of the name are considered hidden.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager that supports hidden files, such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer.
2. Open the manager and go to the root directory of internal memory (/storage/emulated/0/).
3. Create a new folder and name it by adding a dot at the beginning, such as.secret or.myhiddenfiles.
4. Transfer the files to it.

To see the hidden folder:

• 🔧 Enable the display of hidden files in the file manager settings.
• 📂 The folder will appear as translucent (most managers).
• 🔍 In the standard conductor Xiaomi it will be invisible.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as messengers or cloud services) can automatically scan all folders, including hidden ones.

Install a file manager with support for hidden files

Backup of important data

Check the free space on the device

Turn off automatic file upload to the cloud-->

3. Method: Using the application "Calculator Vault" (masking under the calculator)

One of the most reliable ways to hide folders is to use safe applications that masquerade as standard utilities. Calculator Vault (or analogues like Hide It Pro) creates a virtual store that looks like a regular calculator, but opens up access to hidden files after entering special code.

How to set up:

1. Download Calculator Vault from Google Play.
2. When you first start, set a password (we recommend using a combination of 8+ characters).
3. In the interface of the "calculator" enter the password and press =.
4. In the menu that opens, select Import Files and add the folders you need.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔒 Double protection: the app looks like a calculator, and the files inside are encrypted.
• 📱 It works on all versions. MIUI HyperOS.
• 🔄 Automatic backup to the cloud (optional).

Disadvantages:

• 💰 The free version has a limited storage capacity (usually up to 1 GB).
• 🛠️ Requires regular updates for security.

Method: Password Archive (for documents and APK)

If you want to hide not only media files, but also documents, APKs, or other types of data, the best option is to create a password-enabled archive, which is a reliable method, because even if you find an archive, its contents will not be available without a password.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. Install an archiver that supports encryption, such as RAR or 7-Zip.
2. Select files/folders that need to be hidden.
3. In the archiver, select the option Add to the archive.
4. Set the ZIP format with encryption or RAR with password.
5. Create a strong password (we recommend using a password generator).
6. After creating the archive, delete the original files.

Security advice:

• 🔑 Use a password at least 12 characters long with numbers, letters and special characters.
• 📌 Keep your password separate from your archive (e.g., in an encrypted note in Google Keep).
• 🔄 Regularly update your archives by adding new files.

⚠️ Attention: Some versions MIUI automatically unpack ZIP-archives when opened through a standard conductor. To avoid this, use a format RAR or 7z header-encrypted.

💡

If you often work with archives, set up automatic encryption in RAR by default. To do this, go to Settings → Set a default password and enter a master password.

5. Method: Use of Second Space (Dual Space in MIUI)

The MIUI’s Second Space feature allows you to create a completely isolated user profile with separate apps, files and settings, ideal for those who want to not just hide a folder, but create a completely hidden sandbox on their phone.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space.
2. Click Create a Second Space and follow the instructions.
3. Set a separate password or pattern lock to log in.
4. In the second space, create folders and transfer the necessary files to them.

Features of Second Space:

• 🔄 You can quickly swipe between your fingerprint spaces (on supported models).
• 📱 The second space has separate: 📁 Folders and files 📱 Installed annexes 📞 Contacts and communications
• 🔒 Complete isolation: files from one space are not visible in another.

⚠️ Note: When you reset your phone to factory settings, Second Space will be deleted along with all data.

💡

Second Space is the only way to hide not only files, but also installed applications (for example, instant messengers or banking programs).

6. Method: Hiding through ADB (for advanced users)

If you're willing to use a developer tool, you can hide the folder through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to your computer, but gives you maximum control over file visibility.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable Developer Mode on Xiaomi: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers. Activate Debugging on USB.

ADB

official website of Android

adb shell


chmod 700 /sdcard/ Name of the folder

This will make the folder available only to the owner.

chmod 755 /sdcard/ Name of the folder

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 Full control over access rights.
• 🛡️ The folder will be hidden from most file managers.

Risks:

• 💥 Incorrect commands can disrupt the system.
• 🔌 Requires a connection to the PC.

Comparison of all methods: which one to choose?

Each of these methods has its pros and cons. Below we have compiled a comparison table that will help you choose the best option depending on your needs.

Selection recommendations:

• 📸 To hide photos and videos, the built-in function of the Gallery is enough.
• 📂 For documents and APK It is better to use the archives.
• 🔒 Second Space is suitable for maximum privacy (including applications.
• 💻 If you are an advanced user, try the method with ADB.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden folders on Xiaomi