How to hide albums in the gallery on Xiaomi Redmi: from standard features to hidden MIUI chips

Personal photos, bank card screenshots or work documents — Xiaomi Redmi often stores files that aren’t meant for prying eyes. But the standard MIUI gallery doesn’t always offer obvious ways to hide them. Many users mistakenly believe that it’s enough to move files to a folder with a dot at the beginning of the title (such as.private), but this doesn’t work on all versions of the firmware.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven methods, including built-in MIUI 14/15 features, third-party encryption apps, and even hidden file manager capabilities. We’ll focus on the nuances of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 13C, and POCO X5 models, where gallery interfaces may differ, and how to avoid the typical bugs that cause hidden photos to suddenly appear in the public domain.

Importantly, if you use Google Photos as your main gallery, some of the methods in this article won’t work — the app ignores the system’s hidden settings, and you’ll have to set up privacy directly on Google’s services.

1. Built-in Hidden Folders in MIUI (no root)

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi has added an official file-hiding tool, Hidden Folder, which does not require super-user rights and works on all current Redmi and POCO models. The main plus is that files are not only hidden from the gallery, but also encrypted with a password or fingerprint.

To activate the function:

1. Open the standard File Manager application.
2. Go to Categories → Images or find the folder with the photo manually.
3. Select the files/folders you need, click ⋮ (three-point) → Move it to a hidden folder.
4. When first used, the system will ask PIN-code.

Once moved, files will disappear from the gallery and will only be accessible through the Hidden Folder section of the file manager menu. Please note that if you delete the Files app, access to hidden data will be lost before it is re-installed.

Limitations of the method:

• 🔹 It does not work for files on SD-card (internal memory only).
• 🔹 Hidden files remain accessible via adb shell or root-access file managers.
• 🔹 When resetting the phone to factory settings, the hidden folder is cleared.

2. Hiding through gallery settings (alternative method)

If Hidden Folder is not available for some reason (e.g. on custom firmware), you can use the built-in settings of the standard Xiaomi gallery, which is less reliable, but does not require moving files.

Instructions:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Press three horizontal lines (☰) top-left.
3. Select the albums. → ⚙️ (Settings) → Hide the albums.
4. Check the folders you want to hide (such as Screenshots, Telegram, or custom folders).

After the change is applied, the albums will disappear from the main form, but will remain available:

• 📁 Through any file manager (e.g. Solid Explorer).
• 🔍 Phone Search (if you don’t disable indexing).
• 🖥️ When connecting to a PC in the file transfer mode.

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To prevent hidden albums from showing up in search results, go to Settings → Search → Excluded folders and add them manually.

3. Use of third-party applications (password protection)

If MIUI is not enough, it is worth considering third-party solutions, which offer additional features: AES-256 encryption, simulated file deletion ("panic mod") and even hiding from system scanners.

Top.-3 Proven applications for Xiaomi Redmi:

How to properly set up KeepSafe (Step-by-step):

1. Install the app and allow access to the storage.
2. Set the basic PIN and (optional) false PIN for the "distraction" album.
3. Import files via the + → Import button from the gallery.
4. Enable the option to Hide the app icon in the settings (to run through the browser at keepsafe://).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. GalleryVault) may conflict with MIUI Optimization. If the phone starts to brake after installation, turn off optimization in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → Developer settings → Shut down. MIUI Optimization).

4. Hiding through renaming folders (for advanced)

This method is suitable for users who do not want to install additional programs, the idea is to rename the folder with a photo by adding a dot to the beginning of the title (for example, the name is not used in the first place,.secret_photos). V Linux/Unix-systems (and Android is built on their basis) such folders are considered hidden.

How to do this:

1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (like FX File Explorer).
2. Find the folder with the photo (usually /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera).
3. Rename her in.hidden_camera (It's important!).
4. Reboot the phone.

The nuances of the method:

• 📌 It doesn't work on all versions. MIUI (into MIUI 14+ may be ignored).
• 📌 Files will remain available via adb pull /sdcard/.hidden_camera.
• 📌 Some apps (such as WhatsApp) can automatically create new folders. DCIM.

5.The.nomedia file is a classic way to hide

The.nomedia file is a signal for Android that the folder doesn't need to be scanned for media files. It doesn't encrypt data, but it excludes it from the gallery, music players and other media applications.

How to create.nomedia:

1. Open a file manager (e.g., Total Commander).
2. Go to the folder you want to hide (for example /DCIM/Screenshots).
3. Create a new text file and call it.nomedia (no extension!).
4. Restart your phone or manually update your media library through Settings → Storage → Clear Data (Media Storage).

Challenges and solutions:

• 🛑 Xiaomi Gallery Ignores.nomedia? Check if Show Hidden Files in File Manager Settings Is Enabled.
• 🛑 Are the files still visible? Delete the gallery cache: Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🛑 Not working. SD-For external drives, you need root or special applications like SD Maid.

⚠️ Note: The.nomedia file does not hide the folder from direct queries, for example, if someone knows the path. /DCIM/.hidden/photo.jpg, It can open a photo through a browser or file manager, and for complete privacy, combine this method with Hidden Folder or encryption.

6 Advanced methods: encryption and root access

If you need maximum cover-up (for example, for work documents or archives), consider the following options: they require technical skills but provide the highest level of protection.

Method 1: Encrypting a folder through Cryptomator

Cons: every time you view the photo, you need to decrypt the container.

Method 2: Hiding with Magisk and App Systemizer

• 🛠️ Install Magisk and App Systemizer.
• 🛠️ Use an alternative gallery (such as Simple Gallery) with hidden folder support.

Risk: Incorrect actions with Magisk can lead to a bootloop (a looped download).

Method 3: Change the file owner (root only)

su


chown root:root /sdcard/DCIM/secret/*




chmod 600 /sdcard/DCIM/secret/*

This command will make the files available only to the root user, and you can return access through chown with original rights.

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Any manipulation of root access cancels the Xiaomi warranty. Before experimenting, make a full backup through TWRP or Mi Flash Tool.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding albums on Xiaomi Redmi