Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer users flexible interface settings, but standard features don’t always allow full privacy control. The ability to hide a folder on the desktop becomes relevant when you need to protect personal files from prying eyes — whether it’s photos, documents or work materials. However, MIUI does not have a built-in “make the folder invisible” option in one click, as in some custom firmware.
In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods, including hiding through system settings, using third-party applications and even manually editing configuration files for advanced users. How to keep access to files and what to do if the folder "disappeared" forever.The methods are suitable for most models - from the Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, but with versions taken into account. MIUI 12–14.
It is important to understand that hiding the folder ≠ If your goal is to protect against hacking or leakage, it is better to combine the methods from this article with encryption through Settings. → Password and security → Encrypting the phone. Now let's get to the practice.
1. Hiding the folder through "Personal Data" (without root)
The easiest way to hide a folder on Xiaomi is to use the built-in Personal Data feature (formerly called Second Space or Private Mode), a method that does not require superuser rights and works on all devices with MIUI version 12 and later.
How does it work? It creates a separate, secure profile where you can store files, applications, even entire folders, and when you activate the mode, they become inaccessible in the main space, and the downside is that the folder doesn't physically disappear from the desktop, but only moves to the protected area.
- 🔒 Step 1. Open the Settings. → Password and security → Personal data.
- 📱 Step 2: Set up a password or fingerprint to access.
- 📁 Step 3: Drag the desired folder from the desktop to the "Personal Data" section through the file manager MI File Manager.
- 🔄 Step 4: Return to the desktop – the folder will remain in place, but when you try to open the system will ask for a password.
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Note: If you forget your Personal Data password, you can only restore access through a reset (Settings → About Phone → Reset) that will delete all data in a secure space!
To completely hide the folder from the screen, combine this method with archiving (see section 3). Also note that in MIUI 14 the Personal Data interface has changed - it is now integrated with Google Smart Lock, so you may need to link a Mi Account account.
2.Use of a file manager with a concealment function
If the built-in MIUI options don't suit you, third-party file managers will come to the rescue, and applications like Solid Explorer, FX File Manager, or File Commander let you hide root-free folders by adding a dot to the beginning of a name (like.SecretFolder), a trick that works because of the Linux system's peculiarities: files and folders that start from a dot are not displayed by default.
Instructions for Solid Explorer:
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Note: Some Xiaomi system applications (such as Gallery or Music) can ignore hidden folders and display their contents in the media library. To avoid this, create an empty.nomedia file in the folder. To return visibility, simply delete the dot from the name. If the folder does not appear even after renaming, check the display settings in the file manager (Settings) → Show hidden files). ☑️ Preparation for folder hiding Make backup of important files Remember the exact name of the folder Check free space on the device Disable synchronization with the cloud: 0 / 4 3. Archiving folder to protected ZIP One of the best ways to hide a folder is to put it in a password archive, which is suitable for sensitive documents or photos that you want to restrict access to. V MIUI For this purpose, standard MI File Manager or third-party utilities such as RAR or 7Zipper. Step-by-step instruction: 📦 Select a folder on your desktop → Press More. → Squeeze. 🔐 Choose the format ZIP or RAR Set a password (minimum 8 characters with numbers and letters). 🗑️ After you create the archive, delete the original folder (it will stay in the basket for 30 days). 🔍 To return files, unpack the archive through MI File Manager → The advantage of this method is that it has dual protection, the folder is physically removed from the screen and its contents are encrypted, but remember that the archives take up less space, but if the file is damaged, it will be harder to recover the data. If you use cloud sync (such as Mi Cloud or Google Drive), the archive can automatically download to the network. → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization. Method Required Root Visibility on screen Protection from deletion Complexity Personal data (MIUI) ❌ No Remains (paroled) ✅ Tall. ⭐ Rename (point) ❌ No, it's gone. ❌ Low. ⭐⭐ Password archive ❌ No, it's gone. ✅ Medium ⭐⭐ Third-party launchers ❌ No, it's gone. ❌ Low. ⭐⭐⭐ Editing desktop_items.xml ✅ Yes, disappears. ✅ Tall. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4. Hiding through third-party launchers (Nova, Apex) If you don’t want to mess with files or archives, install an alternative launcher. Apps like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher let you hide folders and icons right in your desktop settings. This method does not require root rights and is reversible in one click. How to hide the folder in Nova Launcher: Install the launcher from Google Play and select it as the main one in Settings → Home screen → The default launcher. Keep your finger on the folder. → Choose Change. Turn on Hide the icon (some versions have to click on the eye icon in the upper right corner). Confirm the changes - the folder will disappear from the screen, but will remain in the application menu. To return the folder, open Settings Nova → Hidden applications and uncheck the item, note that when you remove the launcher, all hidden folders will be visible again. ⚠️ Note: Some launchers (such as Microsoft Launcher) sync settings to the cloud. If you hide a folder through such a launcher, it may become visible after resetting your phone or reinstalling the application. 💡Before installing the launcher, check its Google Play ranking and reviews for the past 3 months.Some apps contain ads or collect data about your files. 5. Advanced method: editing desktop_items.xml (For high-end users willing to take risks, there is a way to hide the folder by directly editing system files, which requires root rights and only works on unlocked devices. MIUI! Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Root Explorer) FX File Manager. Go on the way: /data/system/users/0/ Find the file. desktop_items.xml (or desktop_items_backup.xml). Back up the file (copy it elsewhere). Open up desktop_items.xml in the text editor and find the line with the name of your folder (see title parameter).="..."). Remove the entire block with folder data (from <item> before </item>) Or add the hidden attribute.="Save the file, restart the device. If after editing the desktop stopped working, restore the backup copy desktop_items.xml or reset the launcher settings through Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data. ⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 The path to the file may be different: /data/system_de/0/desktop_items.xml. Also, after you update the system, your changes will reset, you'll have to repeat the procedure. XML Desktop is empty?This means you have deleted the critical partition in the file.Restore backup desktop_items.xml Or reset the launcher settings through ADB-Command: adb shell pm clear com.miui.home If it didn't help, reinstall MIUI How to return a hidden folder if you forgot the method Situation: you hid the folder a month ago, and now you do not remember how. Don't panic -- there are universal recovery methods. Start with the simplest: 🔍 Check "Personal Data." Maybe the folder just moved into a secure space. 📂 Turn on the hidden files. MI File Manager Go to Settings → Show hidden files and look for folders with a dot at the beginning of the title. 🔄 Reset the launcher settings. To do this, clear the data of the com.miui.home application in Settings → Annexes. 📱 If you've used a Nova or an Apex, go back to your family. MIUI Launcher can bring back hidden items. If the folder has been deleted (for example, after archiving and cleaning the basket), try to restore it through applications like DiskDigger or Recuva (you will need a PC connection). Note that the chances of recovery depend on how much data was written to the device after deletion. For archives with a password you have forgotten, use utilities like RAR Password Unlocker (does not work with all types of encryption) In extreme cases, contact Xiaomi support – if you have a check about the purchase, they can help with unlocking Personal Data (but do not guarantee the safety of files). 💡Regularly check hidden folders for important files. MIUI You can reset your visibility settings, especially after you switch to a new version of Android. FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden folders on Xiaomi Can you hide a folder without third-party applications? MIUI There are two built-in ways: Move to Personal Data (parolied space) Add a point to the beginning of the folder name through MI File Manager (hidden from standard viewing). Both methods do not require additional software, but they have limitations: in the first case, the folder remains on the screen, in the second, it is easy to find it through the settings for displaying hidden files. MIUI The hidden folder reappeared? That's standard behavior. MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) Reset: Launcher settings (including hidden icons in the Nova/Apex). File access rights (can reset the "hidden" attribute in dot folders) Desktop configuration files (if you edited the file). desktop_items.xml). Solution: Repeat the concealment procedure after the update. Combine the methods (e.g. archiving) for reliability. + Can you hide a folder without being seen even on a PC? Yes, but you need to: Encrypt the folder through Settings → Password and security → Encrypt your phone (works at the file system level) Use apps like Secure Folder (from Samsung, but runs on Xiaomi via a file system). APK) Or Hide Something with invisible mode. Create a.nomedia file inside a folder and hide it through the folder. ADB-Command: Adb shell mv /sdcard/folder /sdcard/.When connected to a PC, such folders will not appear in Windows Explorer or Finder (Mac), but will remain accessible via a PC. ADB Will folder hiding work on Xiaomi with custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience)?> Most of the methods in this article are related to MIUI. On custom firmware (for example, LineageOS, Pixel Experience) algorithms are other: 📁 Use standard Android features to hide folders (such as Files) → Hidden folders). 🔐 Solid Explorer or Cryptomator is suitable for encryption. 🛠️ Setting up a launcher (for example, Lawnchair) will allow you to hide icons without root. Note that on custom firmware, the path to the desktop may differ (for example, /storage/emulated/0/Desktop instead /MIUI/Desktop). Can you hide a folder from a specific person, but keep it visible to yourself? Yes, it's good for this: User profiles. Create an additional profile in Settings. → System system → Multiplayer mode and hide folders only in it. Apps with guest mode. For example, Parallel Space allows you to create a clone of the desktop with stripped down rights. Smart launchers. Nova Launcher allows you to configure different sets of icons for different profiles (via the Nova Backup plugin). Cons: These methods do not protect against power users who may switch to your main profile or take advantage of your personal profile. ADB.