How to create an archive on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones have huge amounts of memory, but even they are not immune to overflowing storage. Often users are faced with the need to transfer a large amount of data or send a lot of photos through the messenger, where there are restrictions on the number of files, at such moments, archiving comes to the rescue, allowing you to compress information and combine it into one convenient package.

In Android, which runs the MIUI or HyperOS shell, this process isn’t always obvious to a beginner. Unlike desktops, where archiving is built into the default context menu, mobile devices often require specialized utilities or knowledge of the hidden features of a standard Explorer. Understanding how to package files correctly will save you time and traffic when transferring data.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to create archives on Xiaomi devices. We will look at the capabilities of built-in tools, the advantages of third-party applications and the nuances of working with various compression formats. You will learn to quickly free up space and structure your data using only your finger and screen.

Why you need to archive files on a smartphone

The main goal of creating an archive is to optimize storage and data transfer. When you combine dozens of documents or photos into a single file with the extension.zip or.rar, you significantly reduce their overall weight, which is critical if you need to send a package of documents through email, where there is often a limit on the size of the attachment, or through messengers, which can compress media files, losing the quality of the original.

In addition to saving space, archiving is a great tool for putting things in order. Instead of looking at disparate files deep in folders, you can group them by topic, date or project, which is especially true for users who use cloud storage, as one large file is often slower and faster to download than hundreds of smaller ones.

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Archiving is the best way to preserve the original quality of photos when transferring. The archived file is not automatically compressed by the messenger, unlike ordinary images in the gallery.

It's also important to note the role of archives in backing up, because by packing important configuration files or documents into a password archive, you're providing an extra layer of security, and even if the device falls into the wrong hands, without a password, accessing content is extremely difficult.

• 📦 Saving disk space by compressing data
• 🚀 Accelerating the transfer of large amounts of information
• 🔒 Ability to set a password for access to files
• 🗂 Grouping of disparate documents into a single logical block

Use of built-in file explorer

Many users don't know, but the standard File Manager app, which is preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones, already has basic archival functionality. You don't have to download third-party software right away. To take advantage of this feature, you need to select the files you want in the list, and you can do this by long-term clicking on one file, and then selecting the others through the checkmarks.

After you select the files, look at the bottom menu bar, and you need to have a "More" button (three dots) or a "Archive" button, and you click on it, and you can select a compression format, usually ZIP, and the creation process is instantaneous, and you'll see a new file with the appropriate extension in the same folder.

But you have to keep in mind that the built-in tool is limited, and it's great for making simple, simple things. ZIP-archives, but may not support the creation of formats with a higher compression ratio, such as 7Z password-protected RAR. If you need a more fine-tuning of compression parameters, you will have to turn to specialized applications.

The interface of the standard manager may vary depending on the version of MIUI. In some cases, the archiving button is hidden in the Change or Manage menu. Carefully study the available options when allocating objects so that you do not miss the desired function.

Installation and configuration of third-party archivers

For users who need advanced capabilities, the ideal solution is to install a specialized application from the Google Play store, which is led by ZArchiver, RAR from RARLAB and B1 Archiver. These programs provide complete control over the compression and unpacking process.

Once you install an application like ZArchiver, you need to give it permission to access the device's memory. Without that, it won't be able to see the files you plan to archive. Modern versions of Android strictly monitor access to the file system, so the first run will necessarily be accompanied by a request for permissions.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid installing dubious archivers with unknown names and low reviews. Such applications may contain ads or malicious code that will steal your personal data.

The main advantage of third-party archivers is that they support multiple formats, so you can not only create but also open RAR, 7Z, TAR, GZ, and many others, and they also allow you to break up large archives into pieces, which is convenient for transfer through file exchangers with a limit on the size of a single file.

Customization of the interface in these applications is usually minimal, but effective. You can choose the theme, interface language and default actions when you click on the archive. Most users leave the default settings, because the logic of the programs is intuitive.

Step-by-step instruction: creation ZIP-archive

Let's take a detailed algorithm of actions in the popular ZArchiver app, because it's the most complete way to get your files back on Xiaomi. First, open the app and go to the folder where your files are. You can press them long enough, and you can select several files from different folders if you add them to the list of allocated files first.

After highlighting, click on the menu icon (often looks like three dots or a scroll) and select “Compress.” The archive settings window will open, where you can change the name of the future file, select the compression format (leave zip for maximum compatibility), and set the compression method.

Archive name: MyDocuments.zip


Format: zip




Compression method: normal




Delete files after archiving: No

The Compression Method option affects process speed and final size. The Store option simply packs files without compression (very quickly), and Maximum will reduce the size as much as possible, but will spend more time and CPU resources. For most tasks, the optimal choice is Normal.

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ZIP is a universal standard: archives in this format can be opened on any computer or phone without installing additional programs.

Once confirmed, the archiving process will begin, and its speed depends on the amount of data and performance of your Xiaomi, and when completed, you will see a new file in the current directory, and can now be sent, copied to your computer, or uploaded to the cloud.

Working with RAR format and setting a password

RAR format often provides better compression for certain types of data, especially executable files and databases. However, it most often requires RAR application from the developer RARLAB. The creation process is similar to working with ZIP, but in compression settings you need to choose the appropriate format.

One of the most important functions of archivers is the ability to set a password, which makes the contents of the archive inaccessible without entering a key phrase. When creating an archive in the settings menu, look for "Set password" or "Set password." Enter a combination of characters that you can remember.

⚠️ Note: If you forget your password, it will be almost impossible to restore access to the data. Do not use too complex combinations unless you plan to store them in a password manager.

When you set a password, you can also select the option “Encrypt File Names” if this feature is activated, the user will not even be able to see the list of files inside the archive without entering a password.

Remember that password archives cannot be opened by standard means of some operating systems or online services without entering a key. Always alert the recipient of the file that the archive is protected, and pass the password on a separate communication channel.

Comparison table of compression formats

To make it easier for you to choose the right format for your tasks, we have prepared a comparative table of the main formats supported by Xiaomi smartphones, the differences lie in the degree of compression, speed and compatibility with other devices.

As you can see from the table, ZIP remains the king of compatibility, and if you send a file to a teacher, a colleague, or upload it to a government portal, you should choose this format, and RAR and 7Z formats are better used for personal archiving of large amounts of data, where every megabyte counts.

TAR.GZ is more common in the technical environment of Android and Linux, and can be encountered by the average user when downloading system files or firmware modifications, and is less convenient for everyday tasks due to the two-step unpacking process.

Archives Management: Unpacking and editing

Creating an archive is only half the task. You'll have to open it sooner or later. Xiaomi doesn't have a problem with that. When you try to open an archive, the system will suggest you choose an application. If you have a ZArchiver or an analogue installed, choose it.

Unpacking can be complete or selective. You can extract all files into the current folder, or you can select a specific document and open it directly. Many modern archivers allow you to view the contents of the archive as a regular folder, opening documents and pictures without first retrieving.

You can also edit the contents of the archive, you can add a new file to an existing archive or delete an extra one without unpacking the entire amount of data again, which saves time and space on the disk, just drag the file you want into the archive window or use the Add menu.

Remember to periodically check your archives for integrity, especially if they are stored for a long time. The "Test" function in the archiver menu will check check checksums and tell you whether the data is readable, which will save you from an unpleasant surprise when the desired file is unreadable at the most inopportune time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)