Hidden folders on Xiaomi smartphones are not only a way to protect personal files from prying eyes, but also an effective tool for organizing space. Unlike standard methods of archiving or moving files to the cloud, hidden directories remain on the device, but become invisible to most applications and users, especially for owners of Redmi, Poco and Black Shark, where the MIUI interface offers both built-in and hidden functions for working with files.
In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to create a hidden folder on Xiaomi, from standard MIUI tools to advanced methods using third-party apps and even without root rights. You’ll learn how to hide a folder with photos, documents or videos so that it can not be found by other users of your phone or most file managers, and how to return access to hidden data if you forget your password or path.
Important: All instructions are up to date for MIUI 14/15 (including global and Chinese versions) and are validated on Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, Poco F5/X5 and Black Shark 6. If you have an older firmware version, some menu items may differ - but the principles remain the same.
1. Standard method: hiding the folder through the “Files” (without password)
The simplest method, which does not require additional applications, is suitable for hiding folders with non-confidential data (for example, temporary files or backups), since it is not password protected.
Instructions:
- 📁 Open the Files app** (Blue folder icon) and go to Categories → Internal memory.
⚠️ Note: this method does not encrypt data. Hidden folders will be visible in any file manager with the option to display hidden files (for example, Solid Explorer or Solid Explorer). FX For strong protection, use password methods (see sections 3 and 4).
2. Hiding by renaming (for power users)
This is a good way for those who are willing to work with system folders and understand the risks, and the idea is to add a dot before the folder name (e.g.,.MyPhoto) to make MIUI hide it from the standard interface.
Step-by-step:
- Install a file manager with access to root folders (such as MiXplorer or Root Explorer).
- Go to /storage/emulated/0/ and find the target folder.
- Click Rename and add a dot to the beginning of the name:.NewFolder.
- Confirm the changes. The folder will disappear from the standard Files manager.
To get visibility back, rename the folder again, removing the dot. This method works on all versions of Android, but has limitations:
- ❌ Does not hide the folder from other file managers with the option “Show hidden files».
- ❌ Does not protect data with a password.
- ✅ Suitable for hiding service folders (e.g..thumbnails for sketches).
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If the folder is not renamed, check if it is used by the system, for example, the DCIM or Download directories cannot be hidden by standard methods.
3. Password protection: Secure folder app (built into MIUI)
MIUI has a built-in Safe Folder app that allows you to not only hide files, but also encrypt them with a password or fingerprint, a method that is more reliable than previous ones, since the data is stored in encrypted form.
How to set up:
- Open Settings → Applications → Secure folder.
- Click Create a Secure Folder and set a password (or use biometrics).
- Return to the Files app** and select the files/folders you want to hide.
- Press More. → Move it to a secure folder.
Advantages of the method:
- 📱 It works on all models Xiaomi, Redmi, Poco with MIUI 12+.
⚠️ Note: if you forget the password from the Safe Folder**, you will not be able to restore access to files. Xiaomi does not provide tools to reset the password without losing data. 1Password).
Install the latest version of MIUI| Backup important files | Remember password or save it in the manager | Check fingerprint (if used)
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4 Third-party apps: the best options for Xiaomi
If the built-in tools MIUI Not enough, you can use third-party apps. 7 Popular solutions and selected top-3, It works on Xiaomi without any conflicts with the system.
| Annex | Features | Cons | Link (Google Play) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hide Something | Encrypting AES-256, hiding files under “masking” (for example, as a calculator). | The commercial is free. | Download |
| Vaulty | Automatic concealment of photos / videos when added, cloud backup. | It takes a lot of permits. | Download |
| Calculator Vault | Masquerades as a calculator, supports a fake password for “false” access. | A complex interface for beginners. | Download |
How to hide the folder through Hide Something:
- Install the application and create PIN-code.
- Click + → Add a folder and select the target directory.
- Confirm the cover-up, the folder will disappear from the standard manager.
- To access, open Hide Something and enter your password.
⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Vaulty) may conflict with MIUI Optimizations. If after installation the phone starts to brake, disable optimization in Settings → Special facilities → Optimization MIUI.
What if the app doesn’t see hidden files?
5. Advanced method: Hiding through ADB (no root)
For users willing to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a way to hide a folder without superuser rights.This method is suitable for Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader, but does not require root.
Instructions:
- Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times on the line with the version, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm hide com.miui.gallery (replace com.miui.gallery with an app package if you want to hide its data).
- To hide a specific folder, use: adb shell "mv" /sdcard/My Dad. /sdcard/.My Dad"
To regain visibility, use:
adb shell "mv /sdcard/.MyFader /sdcard/MyFader"Important: ADB commands can cause system failure if entered incorrectly. Before experimenting, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
6. Hiding folders on a memory card (microSD)
If you use a memory card on Xiaomi, you can hide the folder on it by the same methods, but taking into account the features of MIUI:
- 📌 Through Files, it only works for folders in internal memory. SD-The option to hide the card may not be available.
⚠️ Note: If you remove the memory card and paste it into another phone or PC, hidden folders (with a dot at the beginning of the name) may become visible depending on the file manager settings).
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When working with hidden folders on Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and we have collected the most common ones and ways to solve them:
- 🔄 The folder is not hidden through Files: check if it is system (for example, Android, MIUI). Also make sure you have the latest version of the Files app** (update via Google Play).
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Always back up before hiding important data, and even built-in MIUI tools can crash when you update or reset your system.