How to make a closed folder on Xiaomi: hide files from prying eyes

Want to hide personal photos, documents or videos from outsiders on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO? There are several built-in ways to create a private folder in the MIUI shell, from a standard Storage to hidden albums in a gallery. But not all of them are equally reliable. For example, hidden folders through a file manager are easy to find if you know where to look.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, from simple to advanced, including encryption and the use of third-party applications. Note: on new versions of MIUI 14/15, some functions moved to other sections of the menu.

If you need to not just hide files, but protect them with a password or fingerprint, read the section about secure MIUI storage. And for those who are afraid of accidental deletion, there is a way to archive in ZIP with a password.

1. Built-in "Secure Storage" in MIUI

The most reliable way to hide files on Xiaomi is to use built-in secure storage, which is encrypted and requires password authorization, PIN-Files from this repository are not displayed in a gallery or file manager without unlocking.

To activate:

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Secure Storage.
2. Click Start and set a password (or use a fingerprint/face).
3. Select files to transfer or click Add files manually.

⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from the secure storage, it will be impossible to restore access to files - even through resetting settings. Xiaomi does not provide tools to bypass this protection.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Full file encryption (even when connected to a PC, they are not visible).
• 👆 Integration with biometrics (fingerprint/facial recognition).
• 📱 It works on all smartphones with MIUI 12 and newer.

Disadvantages: you can't hide entire folders -- just individual files. For folders, use the following method.

2. Hidden folders in Xiaomi Gallery

If you want to quickly hide a photo or video, use a hidden album in the standard MIUI gallery. This method is suitable for temporary hiding - files are not encrypted, but become invisible in the main interface.

Instructions:

1. Open the gallery. → Albums.
2. Select files, press More (⋮) → Hide.
3. Confirm the action. The files will disappear from the main view.

To return the files:

• Go to the Gallery → Albums → Hidden.
• Select the files and click Show.

⚠️ Note: Hidden albums are visible when you connect your phone to your computer MTP. For complete privacy, use secure storage or archives with a password.

Where are the hidden files physically stored? They stay in the DCIM/.hidden folder (the point at the beginning makes it hidden in Linux/Android). To see it in the file manager, turn on the hidden files in the settings.

3. Create a folder with a dot (hidden folder in the file manager)

In Android (and MIUI), folders whose names start with a dot are hidden by default.This method works without additional applications, but files will remain accessible through a PC or some file managers.

How to create:

1. Open the files. → Internal memory.
2. Click + → Folder and call it, for example,.secret (required point at the beginning!).
3. Transfer the files to it.

To prevent the folder from appearing in the gallery, create an empty.nomedia file inside it:

1. Open the.secret folder in the file manager.


2. Click + → File and call it.nomedia (no extension).




3. Save it.

Now the files are in this folder:

• 👁️‍🗨️ Not seen in gallery or music players.
• 🔍 Not displayed in search MIUI.
• 💻 Visible when connecting to a PC (unless the display of hidden files is disabled).

4. Encrypting folders via ZIP with password

If you need to encrypt files, use password archiving, which is suitable for backups or sensitive documents. Xiaomi has a built-in ZArchiver archiver (installed separately from Google Play).

Step-by-step:

1. Install ZArchiver from Play Market.
2. Open the application and select files/folders for archiving.
3. Click Add to archive → ZIP → Set password.
4. Select the AES-256 encryption method (maximum protection).
5. After creating the archive, delete the original files.

Advantages:

• 🔐 Files protected by military encryption (AES-256).
• 📦 The archive can be moved to the cloud or to a flash drive.
• 🚫 Without a password, files cannot be restored.

⚠️ Note: If you forget your password ZIP-In the archive, it will be impossible to recover data. Store the password in the password manager (for example, Bitwarden or KeePass).

For unpacking:

1. Open the archives at ZArchiver.
2. Enter the password.
3. Press Extract.

💡

Use passwords that are at least 12 characters long with numbers, letters and special characters. Example of a strong password: k7#pL9@m2$vR!. Do not use dates of birth or simple combinations like 123456.

5. Third-party applications for hiding folders

If built-in MIUI features aren't enough, install specialized applications that offer additional features: false passwords, calculator masking, cloud backup.

Top.-3 Proven applications for Xiaomi:

How to use (for example, Hide Something):

1. Install the application and set a password.
2. Select Import Files and specify folders to hide.
3. Activate the Masking option (the app will look like a calculator).
4. To access, enter the password in the "calculator" and press =.

Warning: Some apps (like Vaulty) have been removed from the Play Market for collecting user data. Before installing, check the app's reviews and permissions in Settings → Apps.

💡

Third-party applications are convenient, but the risk of data leakage is higher than when using built-in MIUI functions. Before installing, check what permissions the program requests (access to contacts, SMS, geolocation should be alarming).

Comparison of methods: which way to choose?

The choice of method depends on your goals:

• 🔝 Maximum protection: Protected storage MIUI or ZIP password-wise.
• 📸 Hiding Photos/Video: Hidden Gallery Albums or a.nomedia folder.
• 📂 Hiding entire folders: a dot folder (.secret) or third-party applications.
• 🔄 Backup: ZIP-password-archive + Cloud (Google Drive, Mega).

If you often connect your phone to other people's computers, avoid methods with hidden folders (easy to find them).

For additional security:

• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI (In new versions, the vulnerability is fixed).
• 🚫 Turn off the debugging. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times, then additionally → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔑 Use different passwords for lock screen and secure storage.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Xiaomi users have problems trying to hide files, and consider common mistakes and solutions:

1.Hidden files are visible in the gallery

Reason: no.nomedia file, or gallery caches thumbnails.

• Create.nomedia in a folder with hidden files.
• Clear the cache of the gallery: Settings → Apps → Gallery → Storage → Clear the cache.

2. Forgot the password from the secure storage

It is impossible to restore access - Xiaomi does not provide tools to reset the password of the secure storage. The only way out is to reset the phone to the factory settings (but the files will be lost).

• Use the password manager (Bitwarden, 1Password).
• Save the password in an encrypted file on your PC.

3.The ZIP archive is damaged or not opened

Causes: broken encryption, file system errors, viruses.

• Check the archive on another device.
• Use 7-Zip on your PC for recovery.
• Do not interrupt the archiving process (especially with large files).

4.The third-party application does not hide files

Possible problems:

• The application is not given permission to access the storage (check in Settings → Apps → Permissions).
• The files are copied, not moved (the originals are left in place).
• Conflict with other programs (for example, antiviruses).

💡

Before using third-party applications to hide files, back up important data. Some programs may conflict with MIUI and cause file loss.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions