How to hide folders on Xiaomi: all the ways from standard to advanced

Hiding folders on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from wanting to keep personal data from prying eyes to the need to organize the chaos in the file system. Unlike iOS, where file hiding functionality is limited, the MIUI shell offers several built-in and third-party solutions. However, they are not all equally effective: some methods work only until the first reboot, others require additional security settings, and others can lead to data loss if used improperly.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to hide folders on Xiaomi devices (including the Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models) running MIUI 12-15. From standard file manager features to using archiving and third-party applications, you’ll learn the pros and cons of each method, as well as critical nuances that the manufacturer does not advertise, such as why dot-hidden folders can suddenly become visible after a system update, or how to circumvent the MIUI restriction on hiding files in the root directory.

1. Hiding folders through the standard MIUI file manager

The easiest way is to use the embedded Files (or File Manager on global firmware) – a method that does not require super-user rights (root) and works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later. However, it has a significant limitation: hidden folders will be visible in any other file manager (for example, Total Commander or FX File Explorer).

To hide the folder:

1. Open the Files app.
2. Go to the Category section → Local Storage (or Internal Storage).
3. Find the folder you want to hide and hold your finger on the icon until the context menu appears.
4. Select Hide (or Hide) The folder will disappear from the general list, but will remain accessible through the Hidden Files menu in the sidebar.

⚠️ Note: This method does not protect data from deletion or viewing through ADB (Android Debug Bridge.If someone connects your smartphone to your computer, hidden folders will be visible in the Explorer Windows/macOS.

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To return the hidden folder back, open the side menu in Files, select Hidden Files, hold your finger on the folder, and click Show.

2.Use the point at the beginning of the folder name (Hidden at the Android level)

This method works on all Android devices, including Xiaomi, and is based on the rules of the Linux file system, where files and folders whose names begin with a dot (for example,.secret) are hidden by default. However, in MIUI, this mechanism works unstable: after updating the system or resetting the settings, the folders can become visible again.

Instructions:

1. Open any file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to the folder that contains the target directory.
3. Click Rename and add a dot at the beginning of the name (e.g. Photos →.Photos).
4. Confirm the change. The folder will disappear from the standard view.

To see the hidden folders:

• 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files in the file manager settings (usually the option is called Show Hidden Files).
• 📁 In Mi File Manager, go to Settings → Additionally. → Show hidden files.

3. password folder archive (a reliable but inconvenient way)

If you need to not only hide a folder, but also password-protect it, encryption is the best option, which is for sensitive data (photos, documents, videos) that doesn't require frequent access.

How to do this:

1. Install an archiver with encryption support, such as RAR or 7-Zip (available on Google Play).
2. Open the archiver and select the folder to compress.
3. In the archiving settings, activate the Set password option and come up with a reliable code (it is recommended to use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols).
4. After creating the archive, delete the original folder (optional).

⚠️ Note: If you forget your password, you can’t restore access to files. Do not store your archives with a password in cloud services (such as Google Drive or Mi Cloud) without additional encryption, which increases the risk of data leakage.

4. Third-party applications for hiding folders

If you don't like the built-in methods, you can use specialized applications.

• 🔒 AppLock - blocks access to folders and applications with a password or fingerprint. Supports hiding folder icons in the interface.
• 📂 Hide Something – creates a secure storage for files and folders, masking them as innocuous system data.
• 🛡️ Vaulty – hides files and makes them inaccessible even through the use of a computer. ADB PC-connection.

Advantages of third-party applications:

• ✅ More secure (for example, Vaulty encrypts files to the standard) AES-256).
• ✅ The ability to mask for other applications (for example, calculator or weather).
• ✅ Additional features: backup, remote data erasure when stealing a device.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Risk of data leakage if the application is from an unreliable developer.
• ❌ Some apps require root rights to work properly.
• ❌ Can slow down the device when active encryption.

Study reviews and rankings on Google Play|Check the permissions (no access to the permissions) SMS/call)|Make sure the app is updated in the last few years 6 months|Test on unnecessary files before hiding important data-->

5. Hiding folders via.nomedia (for multimedia)

If you want to hide a photo or video folder from a gallery only, but leave it visible in the file manager, use the.nomedia file. This method does not protect data, but only prevents it from being displayed in media applications (for example, Google Photos or the standard MIUI Gallery).

How to create.nomedia:

1. Open the file manager and go to the folder you want to hide from the gallery.
2. Create a new text file and call it.nomedia (no extension!).
3. Save the file. Once you reboot the device or update the media library, the files in that folder will no longer appear in the gallery.

⚠️ Note: The.nomedia file does not hide the folder completely, it can still be found through any file manager, and some applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) ignore the file and continue to display media.

6 Advanced methods: root access and rights change

If you're willing to take drastic measures, you can hide folders at the system level by getting root rights, which gives you complete control of the file system, but it takes away the warranty and increases the risk of disrupting the stability of MIUI.

• 🔧 Changing the access rights (chmod) for folders, making them inaccessible even for system applications.
• 📌 Moving folders to protected partitions (e.g, /data/system).
• 🔄 Using Magisk Modules to Cloak Files.

Example of a command to change rights through ADB (requires root):

adb shell


su




chmod 000 /sdcard/SecretFolder

This command will make the SecretFolder folder completely unreadable, writeable, runable. To return access, use:

chmod 755 /sdcard/SecretFolder

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use of root rights can lead to a device blink (completely inoperable.

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Get root access on Xiaomi is only necessary in case of emergency. Most folder hiding tasks are solved by standard or third-party methods without risk to the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding folders on Xiaomi