How to hide photos in the gallery Xiaomi Redmi 9: from standard features to hidden MIUI features

Xiaomi Redmi 9 has become one of the most popular budget devices due to balanced performance and flexible firmware MIUI. However, even in 2026, many users face the problem: how to reliably hide personal photos from prying eyes without resorting to third-party applications with a dubious reputation? In this article, we will analyze all the current ways – from built-in MIUI 12/14 functions to little-known tricks with the file system.

It's important to understand that simply removing a photo from a gallery doesn't solve the problem: files remain in the device's memory and can be restored with special utilities. We'll focus on methods that either remove access to files completely without recovery, or move them to secure system partitions. We'll focus on the nuances of working with hidden folders, archiving and password protection - these are the approaches that guarantee maximum privacy.

1. Hidden folder in the standard MIUI gallery: a simple but unreliable way

The most obvious method is to use the built-in hidden folder function in the Gallery app, which requires no root rights and is available on all versions of MIUI for Redmi 9. However, it has critical drawbacks: files remain in the device’s memory and can be found through a file manager or when connected to a PC.

To activate the hidden folder:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Select the photo you want to hide and click. ⋮ → Hide.
3. Ask. PIN-code or pattern lock (unless previously specified).
4. Confirm the action - the photo will disappear from the main album.

Hidden files are accessed through the Albums → Hidden in Gallery section. Importantly, this method does not encrypt files - they are simply excluded from the gallery indexing and can be detected via /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/.hidden.

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Cloud, hidden photos can automatically sync and become available on other devices. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery.

• ✅ Quickly and without additional programs
• ✅ Supports pin code and pattern lock
• ❌ Files remain in memory and can be restored
• ❌ Does not work when resetting the phone to factory settings

Archiving photos in protected ZIP: more reliable than it seems

Password archiving is one of the most underrated ways to hide photos on Redmi 9, ZIP-encryption AES-256 (available in most file managers) makes files inaccessible without entering a password. Even when you remove a memory card or connect to a PC, the contents of the archive will remain secure.

Instructions for creating a secure archive:

1. Install a file manager with encryption support (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Select the photos in the DCIM or Pictures folder.
3. Select the option to compress → ZIP with password.
4. Set a complex password (at least 12 characters with numbers and special characters).
5. Delete the original photos after creating the archive.

For additional security:

• 🔐 Use a password manager (such as Bitwarden) to store the key.
• 📁 Move the archive to a folder with a non-obvious name (for example,.backup_2026).
• 🔄 Change your archive password regularly (once in a week) 3-6 months).

⚠️ Note: Do not use a standard archiver MIUI (Option: Condensed in Explorer - it doesn't support password encryption. Also, avoid formats. RAR and 7z On a smartphone: to unpack them will require additional applications that may contain vulnerabilities.

Make a backup copy of the originals|Install a reliable file manager|Create a complex password (12)+ symbolism)|Archive integrity check after creation|Deletion of source files-->

3. Private Mode in MIUI: Hidden Mode with Biometrics

Xiaomi Redmi 9 on MIUI 12 and later supports Private Mode, the equivalent of a "secret mode" for files, which allows you to hide not only photos, but also videos, documents, and applications. Unlike a hidden folder, Private Mode uses hardware encryption and can be protected by a fingerprint.

Activation of Private Mode:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Private Mode.
2. Turn on the function and set up the unlock method (PIN, pattern lock or fingerprint).
3. Return to the Gallery, select a photo and select Add to Private Mode.
4. Confirm the action – files will be available only after the mode is activated.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Hardware encryption at the firmware level.
• 👆 Support for biometrics (fingerprint).
• 📂 The ability to hide not only photos, but also other types of files.

Disadvantages:

• 🔄 When you reset your phone, all files in Private Mode will be lost without recovery.
• 📱 The function is not available on custom firmware (for example, LineageOS).

4. Hidden folders with a dot: deceptive simplicity

One of the oldest, but still working methods is to create a folder with a dot at the beginning of the name (for example, the name is not used,.secret_photos). These folders are not displayed by default in most file managers and gallery, but this method is only suitable for users who do not share their smartphone with other people and do not connect it to the PC.

How to create a hidden folder:

1. Open any file manager (e.g. MIUI Explorer or Total Commander).
2. Go to the root directory of internal memory (/storage/emulated/0/).
3. Create a new folder and name it by adding a point at the beginning (for example,.my_private).
4. Move the photos there.

To prevent the folder from showing up even when connecting to the PC:

• 🖥️ In Windows Explorer settings, disable the option to Show hidden files and folders.
• 📱 V MIUI Turn off the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings.
• 🔍 Use a combination of dots in the title (e.g..private..backup) to make it harder to spot randomly.

⚠️ Attention: Dot folders are not password protected! Anyone who knows they exist will be able to access files.This method is only suitable for temporary hiding or in combination with other methods (for example, archiving inside a hidden folder).

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To strengthen the protection, create another folder inside the hidden folder. ZIP-So even if you find a.secret folder, an attacker can't view a photo without an additional key.

5 Encrypted containers: maximum security

For users who need a military degree of protection, encrypted containers are a good option. Applications like Cryptomator or VeraCrypt (for Android) create virtual drives that are mounted only after a password is entered. All files inside the container are encrypted on the fly using AES-256 or Serpent algorithms.

Step-by-step instructions for Cryptomator:

1. Install Cryptomator from Google Play.
2. Create a new storage facility (Create New Vault)
3. Set your password and save location (preferably on the memory card).
4. After mounting the storage, move the photo to a virtual disk.
5. Unmount the storage, the files will become unavailable.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔐 Full encryption of all files (including metadata).
• 📱 It works on all versions of Android and MIUI.
• 🔄 The ability to sync with the cloud (for example, Google Drive) in encrypted form.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ When password is lost, data cannot be restored.
• 📱 It requires additional storage space for the container.
• ⏳ Slower than standard methods (due to real-time encryption).

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Encrypted containers are the only method that protects photos even when a phone is physically seized (for example, when a phone is stolen or confiscated).

6.Alternative methods: clouds, messengers and physical removal

If you need not just hide, but completely remove photos from the device, saving access to them, consider the following options:

• ☁️ Secure cloud storage: Services like Proton Drive or Tresorit offer end-to-end encryption. Upload photos there, then delete local copies from your phone.
• 💬 Secret chats in messengers: Telegram allows you to send a photo to yourself in a secret chat, and then delete the originals.
• 🗑️ Irreversible Deletion: Applications like Shreddit or Secure Delete overwrite files with random data before deletion, eliminating the possibility of recovery.

For physical removal:

adb shell su -c "shred -vzu /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/photo.jpg"

This command (requires root rights) overwrites the file 3 times before deleting, which complies with the DoD 5220.22-M standard.

⚠️ Warning: Permanent deletion leaves no trace, but it also gives no chance of recovering files. Use this method only for photos you no longer need.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of method depends on your priorities:

• Quick and simple → Hidden folder in the gallery or Private Mode.
• Reliable, but with the possibility of recovery → ZIP-password archive or encrypted container.
• Maximum security → Encrypted container + cloud storage.
• Irreversible removal → Utilities for safe erasure.

For most Redmi 9 users, the best solution is a combination of:

1. Archiving photos in ZIP with password.
2. Moving the archive to a dot folder (.backup_2026).
3. Disable the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings.

This approach provides a balance between convenience and security without requiring the installation of additional applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding photos on Xiaomi Redmi 9