Privacy of personal photos is one of the main concerns of smartphone owners, and on Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices, you can hide photos in several ways, from standard MIUI tools to third-party encryption applications, but not all methods are equally reliable: some folders remain accessible through the file manager, and passwords can be bypassed through resetting.
In this article, 5 working ways to hide photos on Xiaomi phones, including instructions for the latest versions of MIUI (14/15), we will discuss how to use the built-in Hidden Albums feature, archive photos in Notes, set a password to folders and even create invisible directories through ADB, a method that 90% of users do not know, and you will learn why some methods stop working after updates and how to avoid this.
Method 1: Built-in Hidden Albums feature in the Gallery
The easiest method is to use the standard MIUI tool, which is available on all Xiaomi smartphones starting with MIUI 12, but has limitations: hidden photos remain in the device’s memory and can be found through the file manager.
To activate the function:
- 📱 Open the Gallery app and select the photos you want (long press for multiple choices).
- 🔒 Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Hide.
- 🔐 Enter a password (if not installed, the system will prompt you to create it).
- 📁 Hidden photos will be moved to the Hidden Albums folder, which will only appear after you enter your password.
⚠️ Attention: this method does not encrypt files. USB or using a file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager) folder.hidden in the directory DCIM It's going to be visible. To hide it completely, you're going to need some extra software.
Method 2: Archiving photos in “Notes” with a password
Xiaomi’s Notes app allows you to create secure notes that you can add photos to, a method that works for a small number of snapshots (up to 50 pcs) because each file will have to be downloaded manually.
Instructions:
- Open your notes. → create a new note.
- Click on the + → Photo icon and select the images.
- Save the note, then click on three points → Block.
- Set a password or fingerprint.
| Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|
| 🔐 Double protection: password + encryption MIUI | 🐢 Slow loading with a lot of photos |
| 📱 Synchronization with Mi Cloud (optional) | 📁 File size limit (up to 50MB per note) |
| 🔍 Not visible in the Gallery or file managers | 🔄 When resetting the phone, notes will be deleted if synchronization is not enabled. |
💡 Useful tip: before archiving, reduce the size of the photo through an editor (for example, Snapseed or Lightroom".
Method 3: Create a hidden folder through a file manager
MIUI allows you to hide folders directly in Mi File Manager, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco models, but has a nuance: hidden directories remain available through a PC or other file managers (for example, Solid Explorer).
Step-by-step:
☑️ How to hide a folder in Mi File Manager
To return the folder back, go to Settings → Show hidden files.
⚠️ Note: If you use Google Photos or other cloud services, hidden folders can automatically upload to the cloud. DCIM/.hidden appliance.
How to completely remove the traces of the hidden folder?
Method 4: Third-party applications with encryption
For maximum privacy, use specialized programs such as KeepSafe, GalleryVault or Hide Something. They encrypt files and require a password at each login.
Top.-3 applications:
- 🔒 KeepSafe - encryption AES-256, backup to the cloud, masking as a calculator.
- 📁 GalleryVault – hiding photos / videos, blocking screenshots, false password for “covering".
- 🔐 Hide Something – Open Source, No Ads, Fingerprint Support.
📌 Key Conclusion: Third-Party Apps are More Reliable than Built-in Functions MIUI, Before installing, check reviews from the past 3 months — some programs have stopped supporting new versions of Android.
⚠️ Note: if you delete the storage app without first exporting the photo, the files will be lost without recovery. SD-card.
Method 5: Secret folder through ADB (for advanced)
This method is suitable for users with experience with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to create an invisible folder that no file manager without root rights will see, minus the complexity of the configuration and the risk of errors.
Instructions:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
- Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell mkdir /sdcard/.secret_folder
- Move the photo to the folder created: adb push C:\Photos\image.jpg /sdcard/.secret_folder/
- Hide the folder from the display: adb shell "echo '.secret_folder' >> /sdcard/.nomedia"
🔧 Technical detail: the folder will be visible only through ADB Or Root Explorer. To get the photo back, use the command:
adb pull /sdcard/.secret_folder/ C:\Saved_Photos\Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many users have trouble hiding photos on Xiaomi, and here are the common mistakes and solutions:
- 🔄 "Hidden albums disappear after update MIUI → Before the update, export the photo to the PC or the cloud. MIUI 14+ The function is stable, but there may be bugs in beta versions.
- 📱 Password from Notes is not restored → If you forget your password, the only way is to reset your phone (note data will be lost.
- 🔍 Hidden folders are visible through PC → Turn off the display of hidden files in Windows Explorer settings or use encryption (for example, VeraCrypt for a folder on your PC).
💡 Useful tip: if you often move photos between hidden and regular folders, create a shortcut for quick access. → Add to the main screen. The shortcut will work even after the reboot.