How to hide a folder on Xiaomi Redmi: from standard features MIUI before ADB-team

Hiding folders on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from wanting to remove personal files from view to needing to protect sensitive data from prying eyes. Unlike iOS, where functionality is limited, MIUI offers several built-in and third-party solutions, but not all of them are obvious. For example, many people do not know that even without root rights you can hide folders through Files or Security, and with ADB to do this on a system level.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods - from the simplest (hiding through a point in the title) to advanced (using Termux or using the term). ADB). We will pay special attention to the nuances for different versions. MIUI (12-16) and Android (10-14), as the interface and options available may differ, and you will learn how to return hidden folders back and what to do if they are lost after the system update.

1. Hiding a folder through the built-in MIUI file manager

The fastest way is to use the standard File Application (or File Manager on global firmware), which works without additional programs and does not require superuser rights, but has a limitation: hidden folders will be visible in some third-party managers (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Manager).

Instructions:

• 📁 Open the Files app and go to Categories → Local Storage (or Internal Storage).
• 👆 Find the folder you want to hide and make a long click on its icon.
• ⚙️ In the menu that appears, select Rename (Rename).
• 🔤 Add a point at the beginning of the title (for example,.My Photos instead of My Photos).
• ✅ Click Ready – the folder will disappear from the main list.

To return the folder back, turn on the display of hidden files in the manager settings (⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files) and rename it, removing the dot.

⚠️ Note: Folders with a dot at the beginning do not appear in the gallery MIUI, But some messengers can see them (for example, Telegram when choosing files to send.

2.Using the "Private Storage" function in MIUI

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi added a built-in Private Storage (or Private Storage on global versions) feature that allows you to hide files and folders behind a password, a method that is more reliable than the previous one, since data is encrypted and not displayed even in third-party managers.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Private Storage
2. Create. PIN-code or pattern lock (other than unlocking the screen).
3. Return to Files, select a folder and click on the menu to Move to Private Storage.
4. Confirm the action with a password.

Access to hidden data will only be possible through the Private Storage section in the settings or through a special icon in the Files (if it is displayed).

3. Hiding through third-party apps: a review of the best options

If the built-in MIUI features are not enough, you can use third-party utilities, which offer additional options, such as false passwords (for disguise) or encryption. Below are proven applications that are compatible with Xiaomi Redmi:

• 🔒 Hide It Pro (Audio Manager) - Masquerades as an audio player, supports hiding folders, photos and videos.
• 🗃️ File Hide Expert – allows you to hide files without the Internet, but requires a lot of permissions.
• 🛡️ Andrognito 2 encrypts folders and creates "false" passwords to distract attention.+.
• 📱 Calculator Vault – imitates a calculator, but when you enter a special code opens a hidden storage.

Before installing, check reviews on 4PDA or XDA Developers — some applications may conflict with MIUI due to aggressive battery optimization. Also remember that after removing the application, hidden data may become unavailable!

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Before using third-party applications, disable the Optimization function MIUI for them: Settings → Annexes → Application management → ⋮ → Special access → Optimizing the battery → Select the application → No restrictions.

4. Advanced Method: Hiding Folders Through ADB

For users who are ready to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), There's a way to hide folders at the system level, and it doesn't require root rights, but if used incorrectly, it can cause a file system to crash. MIUI 13-16 based on Android 11-14.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Activate USB Debugging: Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm hide com.android.documentsui (this will hide the standard file manager, but leave access via ADB).
4. To hide a specific folder, use: adb shell "mv" /sdcard/Names Dad. /sdcard/.Names Dad"

To return the folder back:

adb shell "mv /sdcard/.Fanders /sdcard/Fanders"

⚠️ Note: Do not hide system folders (such as Android, MIUI, DCIM) — This can disrupt the camera, messengers or launcher. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

5. Hiding folders via Termux (no PC)

If you don't have access to a computer, but you want to try the "technical" method, you can use the Termux terminal, which emulates the Linux environment right on your phone and allows you to execute commands without ADB.

Instructions:

1. Install Termux from F-Droid (the version from Google Play is outdated).
2. Update: pkg update & pkg upgrade
3. Install termux-api to access the storage: pkg install termux-api
4. Go to /sdcard and rename the target folder: cd /sdcard mv Names.Falls

To return the folder, repeat the command, removing the dot. For convenience, you can create a script:

echo 'mv.Folders Names' > restore.sh


chmod +x restore.sh

6.How to return hidden folders after resetting or updating MIUI

One of the common problems is missing hidden folders after updating MIUI or resetting settings.

• 🔄 When updating through OTA Access rights are sometimes revoked /sdcard.
• 🧹 After resetting (Wipe Data), the folders with the dot at the beginning may not automatically appear.
• 🔐 If a Private Storage was used, the data remains encrypted and requires re-authorization.

Decisions:

1. For dot folders: Enable the display of hidden files in any manager (e.g. FX File Manager).
2. For Private Storage: Go to Settings → Privacy → Private Storage and enter your password.
3. If folders are missing after the update, check them through ADB: adb shell ls /sdcard

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Once you reset your Wipe All Data, the data in your Private Storage is permanently deleted. If you care about privacy, regularly copy the hidden files to your PC or to an encrypted cloud (such as Cryptomator).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When hiding folders on Xiaomi Redmi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

Another common mistake is hiding system folders (like Android/data) that can lead to:

• 🚫 Stop applications (for example, WhatsApp will stop downloading media).
• 🔄 Cyclical phone reboot (if the folder is hidden) MIUI).
• 📱 Loss of access to gallery or camera.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions