How to hide files on Xiaomi: secret folders, archives and applications

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer users a wide range of privacy protection options, from embedded tools to third-party solutions. However, not everyone knows that file hiding is possible not only with standard features like Secure Folder, but also through less obvious methods, from renaming extensions to creating encrypted containers. In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods, including those that work even without root rights or special applications.

Xiaomi is a regular update to MIUI, so some methods (like hiding through Personal Storage) may vary depending on the firmware version. We took this into account and provided the current instructions for MIUI 14/15, as well as universal solutions that work on any Android device. Importantly, before you hide files, make a backup — some methods (such as archiving with a password) can lead to data loss if you do not act correctly.

If you need to hide not only photos or documents, but entire applications, go to the end of the article, where we told you how to hide programs from prying eyes. And for those who are afraid of leaks through the cloud, we have prepared a separate section on how to turn off automatic synchronization of hidden files.

1. Built-in "Secure folder" function in MIUI

The easiest and most reliable way to hide files on Xiaomi is to use the built-in Secure Folder (formerly called Personal Storage) feature, which is available on all devices with MIUI 12 and later, including Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi 11/12/13/14 series. Files placed in this folder are not displayed in the gallery, file manager, or even when you connect your phone to your computer.

To activate the function:

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Secure folder.
2. Set a password (it is recommended to use a combination of numbers and letters) or a fingerprint.
3. Return to the Gallery or Files, select the files you want, click More → Move to the protected folder.

⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from the protected folder, it will be impossible to restore access to files without resetting the phone to factory settings (all data in the folder will be deleted). Also note that files from the protected folder are not backed up in Mi Cloud - they must be copied manually.

• ✅ Pros: does not require third-party applications, files are securely hidden from other users of the phone.
• ❌ Cons: no cloud backup, when resetting settings data is lost.

Set a password (not date of birth)

Save a backup of important files on your PC

Check that the function is enabled in the privacy settings

Do not share your password even with your loved ones.-->

2. Hiding files by renaming extensions

A little-known but effective way to hide files from prying eyes is to change the extension. For example, photo.jpg can be renamed photo.txt or photo.mp3. As a result, the file will not be displayed in the gallery or player, but will remain accessible through the file manager. This method works on any Xiaomi device, including the old models on MIUI 10/11.

Instructions:

1. Open Files (standard MIUI manager)
2. Find the file you want, click on the three dots next to it and select Rename.
3. Change the extension (for example, from.jpg to.bak or.dat).
4. Confirm the change.

To return a file to its original state, simply rename it back.This method is suitable for temporarily hiding files, but does not provide protection from power users who can view all files through Settings → Storage → Files.

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To prevent a hidden file from showing up even in the file manager, add a dot before its name (e.g..secretphoto.jpg). In MIUI, such files are hidden by default, but can be seen by enabling the display of hidden files in the manager settings.

3. Password archive (ZIP/RAR)

If you want to not only hide files but also password-protect them, the best way is to archive them in ZIP or RAR with encryption, a method that is suitable for sensitive documents, photos or videos that you want to transfer over the network or save to the cloud. On Xiaomi, you can use a standard file manager or third-party applications like RAR or ZArchiver to do this.

Step-by-step instructions for MIUI:

1. Select files in the File Manager.
2. Press More. → Squeeze.
3. Select the ZIP format (supports password) or RAR (you need to install RAR from the Play Market).
4. Set a password (minimum 8 characters, with numbers and letters).
5. Click OK and wait for the archive to be created.

⚠️ Note: If you forget your password, it will be impossible to restore access to files, even with specialized programs. MIUI, But you can view them through any archive.

• 🔹 RAR: Supports more secure encryption, but requires third-party software installation.
• 🔹 ZIP: built-in MIUI, but vulnerable to brute force attacks (if password is weak).
• 🔹 7z: The most secure format, but you need to install it for work 7-Zip.

4. Hidden folders through the file manager

MIUI has a built-in ability to hide folders from display in the file manager, which doesn't encrypt data, but makes it invisible to standard viewers, to hide the folder:

1. Open the files and find the folder you want to hide.
2. Click on the three dots next to her name and select Rename.
3. Add a dot before the folder name (e.g.,.SecretFolder).
4. Confirm the change.

Now the folder won't show up in the standard manager.

1. Open Files → Settings (three lines at the top) → Show hidden files.
2. Find the folder with the dot at the beginning and rename it back (remove the dot).

This is a good way to temporarily hide files, but it doesn’t protect them from power users who know about the existence of hidden folders. Also note that some system applications (such as a gallery) may ignore hidden folders and not display their contents.

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Hidden folders (with a dot at the beginning of the name) are not password protected and can be easily found by enabling the display of hidden files in the manager settings.

5. applications for hiding files (side of the decision)

If the built-in functions MIUI It's not enough, you can use third-party applications, and they offer additional features: encryption, masking for other programs (like a calculator), cloud backup, and even self-destructing files when you enter a password incorrectly.-3 Proven applications for Xiaomi:

• 🔐 Hide Something: creates secure storage with a password, supports camouflage as a calculator or a game.
• 📁 Calculator Vault: looks like a regular calculator, but after entering special code, opens hidden files.
• 🔒 KeepSafe: automatically hides photos and videos, offers backup to the cloud. PIN-code-cloak.

Check the app permissions before installing – some file hiding software requests access to contacts, messages, or geolocation, which can be a sign of spyware. Also note the reviews in the Play Market: if the app has less than 4 stars or few downloads, it is better to choose an alternative.

⚠️ Note: Some file hiding applications (such as AppLock) may conflict with system features MIUI, If you have stopped opening files after installing third-party software, try disabling conflicting features in Settings. → Annexes → Permits.

6. Hiding files through cloud services with a password

If you're afraid of losing hidden files when you reset your phone, you can upload them to the cloud with encryption, for example, Google Drive allows you to create encrypted archives (ZIP with a password), and Mega offers end-to-end encryption of all downloaded files, the main advantage of this method is access to files from any device and automatic backup.

How to hide files in the cloud:

1. Archive your password files (see Section 3).
2. Upload the archive to Google Drive, Mega or Dropbox.
3. Remove the originals from your phone (optional).
4. If necessary, download the archive back and unpack it.

⚠️ Note: Even if you delete files from your phone after uploading to the cloud, they may remain in the Recycle Bin MIUI To completely erase the data, manually clean the cart: Files → Basket → Clean up.

• ☁️ Google Drive: Archive-friendly, but doesn’t encrypt files by default.
• ☁️ Mega: End-to-end encryption, but limiting free traffic (20GB).
• ☁️ Proton Drive: Swiss service with high level of privacy, but paid.

7. Hiding applications and their data

If you want to hide not only files but also apps (such as instant messengers or banking programs), MIUI has a Hidden Apps feature that allows you to remove program icons from the main menu by leaving them accessible through search or a special gesture.

How to hide the application:

1. Press the app icon on the home screen with your finger.
2. Select Hide the app (or drag it to the Hidden folder).
3. Confirm the action.

To return the app:

1. Swipe down the main screen to open the search.
2. Enter the name of the hidden application.
3. Press his icon and select Show on the main screen.

For more reliable protection, you can use applications like Nova Launcher (with support for hiding icons) or App Hider, which mask programs as harmless utilities (for example, a calculator). → Annexes.

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Hiding apps doesn't delete their data. To completely erase information (e.g., messaging), you need to manually clear the cache and application data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about file hiding on Xiaomi