How to Hide a Folder on Xiaomi’s Desktop: From Standard Features to Secret Methods

Why Xiaomi users want to hide folders on their desktop?

Xiaomi’s desktop is the first thing that strangers see when they pick up your phone, not only app shortcuts, but also personal folders with photos, documents or work files. According to a MIUI Community survey, 68% of users have tried to hide sensitive information on the home screen at least once, but not all of them have succeeded the first time.

Unlike iOS or pure Android, the MIUI shell offers several built-in ways to hide folders, from basic to advanced. However, many of them work in an obscure way or require knowledge of hidden settings. For example, the Secure Storage feature is not available on all models, and the Hidden Folders option in Explorer is often ignored by users. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for MIUI 12-14, including those that are not documented in the official help.

It is important to understand: hiding a folder ≠ If you need to not just remove the icon from the screen, but protect the data from access even when you connect to a PC, additional measures will be required, which will also be discussed below.

Method 1: Built-in Hidden Folders in MIUI Explorer

The easiest and safest method is to use Xiaomi’s regular tools.Hidden Folders is available in Explorer (Files app) on all devices with MIUI 12 and later, including Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5 and flagship Mi 11/12/13.

To hide the folder:

1. Open the Files app (yellow folder icon).
2. Go to Categories → Folders or find the desired folder through the Internal Drive.
3. Press three points. ⋮ Next to the folder and select Hide.
4. Confirm the action by entering a password or pattern lock (if requested).

After that, the folder will disappear from:

• 📂 Conductor (section “Folders")
• 🖥️ Desktop (if there was a label)
• 🔍 Search MIUI (will not be displayed in the results)

To return the folder back, go to Files → Settings → Hidden folders and enter the password. This will show all hidden elements with the ability to restore them.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global for European Region) folder hiding function can be disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings → Special facilities → Functions MIUI → Show hidden folders and turn on the switch.

Method 2: Rename the folder to ".number" (for power users)

This is a file system-level method that's suitable for those who are willing to dig a little bit into the settings, and the bottom line is that MIUI by default hides all folders and files that start with a dot (like.config or.data), and we can use that for our own purposes.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (file transfer mode).
2. Open the folder on your computer and rename it by adding a dot at the beginning (for example, Personal →.Personal).
3. If the folder is on the desktop, first move it to the root directory of internal memory (/storage/emulated/0/).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Does not require a password or ROOT-rights.
• 📱 It works on all versions. MIUI Android.
• 🖥️ The folder is not visible even when connecting to the PC (unless you turn on the display of hidden files).

Disadvantages:

• 🔍 The folder will be visible in some file managers (e.g. Solid Explorer) if you enable the display of hidden elements.
• 📲 The label on the desktop will disappear forever (you will have to create again after the name is returned).

This is especially useful if you want to hide the folder not only from prying eyes on your smartphone screen, but also when you connect to your computer. However, remember that system applications (such as a gallery) may not see the files in such folders.

Method 3: Use of a "Secured Space" (Second Space or App Lock)

If you don’t just want to hide the folder, but completely isolate it from the rest of the system, use the “Second Space” or “App Lock” feature, which is available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 8 and later.

Option 1: Second Space (complete isolation)

Second Space creates a separate user profile with its own desktop, apps, and files to hide the folder:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space.
2. Create a new space and set a password for it.
3. Move the folder to the files inside Second Space.
4. Return to the main space, the folder will disappear from view.

Option 2: App Lock (Access Lock)

If a folder is opened through a specific application (such as Gallery or WPS Office), you can block access to it:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Blocking applications.
2. Select the application through which the folder is opened (for example, Files).
3. Set a password or pattern lock.

Both have their pros and cons. Second Space is more reliable, but requires switching between profiles, and App Lock is easier to use, but does not hide the folder itself - only restricts access to it.

Method 4: Hiding through Archiving (ZIP with Password)

If you want to not only hide the folder, but also protect its contents, you can archive it in ZIP or RAR with a password, which is universal and works on any device, including Xiaomi.

How to do this:

1. Install an archiver (such as RAR or ZArchiver from Google Play).
2. Open the archive and find the folder you want to hide.
3. Select the option "Add to archive" and set a password.
4. Delete the original folder (pre-regard that the archive is successful!).

Advantages:

• 🔐 100% protection – no files can be removed without a password.
• 📱 It works on all smartphones, including POCO and Black Shark.
• 💾 The archive can be transferred to a cloud or flash drive.

Disadvantages:

• ⏳ Repeat the process every time you change files.
• 📂 Inconvenient for frequent editing (you will have to unpack and archive again).

💡

Use the 7-Zip archiver (available on Google Play) – it supports strong AES-256 encryption, which is almost impossible to crack by brute force.

This method is ideal for long-term storage of confidential documents, but not suitable for folders that need quick access.

Method 5: Remove the shortcut from the desktop (if the folder is not needed in plain sight)

If you don't want to hide the folder itself, but just remove the icon from your desktop, you can just remove the shortcut. The folder itself will remain in your phone's memory, but it won't appear on the home screen.

How to do this:

1. Press and hold your finger on the folder shortcut.
2. At the top of the screen will appear the Remove button (or the basket icon).
3. Drag the label there, it will disappear.

To get the folder back:

1. Open the Explorer (Files).
2. Find the folder in the internal drive or on SD-map.
3. Click on it and hold it, then select Create a shortcut.

⚠️ Note: Deleting the shortcut does not delete the folder itself, it remains in the device's memory. However, if you delete the folder through Explorer, the files will be permanently erased (unless you use the basket).

This method is the fastest, but also the most unreliable – the folder is easy to find through Explorer or MIUI Search.

What if the hidden folder is still visible?

Sometimes, after one of the methods is used, the folder continues to appear on the desktop or in the explorer, and here are the possible reasons and solutions:

• 🔄 Cash not updated: Reboot your smartphone - sometimes MIUI Not immediately apply changes to the file system.
• 📂 The folder in the root directory: If the folder is in the /storage/emulated/0/, Some methods (like renaming) may not work. Move it to a subfolder (like Download).
• 🔧 Explorer Error: Update the Files app via Google Play or clear its cache in Settings → Annexes → Files. → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🛠️ Castom firmware: On unofficial versions MIUI (For example, xiaomi.eu, some features may not work properly. Try resetting Explorer settings.

If the folder is visible when connecting to the PC:

• 🖥️ Turn off the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings Windows/macOS.
• 🔒 Use encryption (for example, via VeraCrypt for PC).

💡

If you used the method of renaming it “.folder”, but it is still visible – check whether the mode of displaying hidden files in your file manager (for example, in Total Commander or FX File Explorer) is enabled.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding folders on Xiaomi