How to create a new folder on a Xiaomi smartphone: 5 working ways

Organizing files on a Xiaomi smartphone is a challenge that every user faces. Over time, photos, documents, downloads from instant messengers accumulate in the device’s memory, and without a folder system, finding the desired file becomes increasingly difficult. Unlike computers where folder creation is intuitive, on Android smartphones (especially with a proprietary MIUI shell), this process can cause questions.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to create folders on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO — From standard tools to hidden features and third-party solutions, we will focus on the nuances associated with versions. MIUI 12/13/14 Android 11/12/13, Common errors that prevent users from organizing files.

If you’ve ever tried to create a folder through Gallery or Downloads but nothing worked, this is the guide for you.We’ll also reveal why folders sometimes “disappear” after a reboot and how to avoid it.

1. Standard method: via the MIUI file manager

The most reliable and versatile method is to use Xiaomi's built-in file manager, which is pre-installed on all the brand's devices and supports all the necessary functions for working with folders.

1. Open the Files app (blue-labeled folder icon). If it's not on the home screen, search through App Search (swipe down the desktop).

2. Go to Device or Internal Memory – here the root directory of the smartphone is displayed.

3. In the lower right corner, click on the + icon → select Folder.

4 Enter the folder name (e.g. Work papers or vacation photos) Use Latin or Cyrillic, but avoid special characters like /, *,? - these can cause errors when saving.

5. Click Ready or Create. A new folder will appear in the current directory.

If you don’t see the + button, update the Files app via Google Play or check permissions: go to Settings → Apps → Files → Permissions and enable access to Storage.

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO s MIUI for POCO The file manager interface may be different. If no Create buttons, try a long press on the free space in the file list - the New folder option will appear in the context menu.

2. Create a folder through the Gallery app

Many users try to create folders right in the Gallery, but they face limitations, because MIUI separates the display of files from the physical storage of files, and in the Gallery you can only sort photos by album, but not create real folders in the device's memory.

But there is a workaround:

1. Open the gallery and select the photos you want to move.
2. Click More (three dots) → Move.
3. In the file manager window that opens, go to the directory you want (for example, DCIM or Pictures).
4. Click Create a folder (if the option is available) or first create a folder through the file manager (method 1), and then move the files there.

It's important to understand that the albums in the Gallery are virtual collections, not physical folders. If you delete a file from an album, it will remain in your smartphone's memory. To delete a photo completely, you need to do it through Files or the Recycle Bin in the Gallery.

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To quickly find a folder in the file manager, use a search (magnifying glass icon). Type a part of the name — for example, "vacation" for the folder "Vacation Photos from 2026".

3. Use of third-party file managers

If a standard MIUI manager seems inconvenient, you can install alternative applications, which often offer advanced features, such as cloud sync or FTP support.

• 📁 Solid Explorer is a paid, but free trial period. Supports dual-panel mode and folder encryption.
• 🔍 FX File Explorer is free, open source, and allows you to set up access rights (root).
• ☁️ Total Commander – a classic manager with support for plugins for cloud storage.

Instructions for Solid Explorer:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the storage.
3. Go to the Internal Storage section.
4. Click on the icon + in the lower menu → Folder.
5. Enter the name and confirm the creation.

The side managers are useful if you need:

• 🔒 Create folders with a password (for example, for confidential documents).
• 📎 Work with ZIP-archives without additional applications.
• 🌐 Connect to network folders (SMB, WebDAV).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party managers, disable battery optimization for them in Settings → Annexes → Special access → Battery optimization: Otherwise, the application may not save changes to folders after closing.

4. Create folders via PC (USB or Wi-Fi)

If you don’t have enough space or it’s more convenient to work with a large screen, you can create folders through your computer. To do this, connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB or Wi-Fi (via FTP).

Method 1: USB.

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer with a USB-Type C cable.
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. On PC, open This computer – your Xiaomi will appear as a removable drive.
4. Go to the Internal Storage folder and create a new directory through the context menu (right click → Create → Folder).

Method 2: Wi-Fi (FTP)

1. Install the application on the smartphone FTP-server (e.g. WiFi) FTP Server).
2. Then, open it and connect to it. IP-address via a file manager on a PC (e.g. Total Commander or WinSCP).
3. Create a folder in the right directory.

The advantage of this method is that it can work with files without physically connecting the cable, which is convenient for regular backup, but the speed of transfer over Wi-Fi is lower than over USB 3.0.

5. Automatic folder creation through applications

Some applications (such as instant messengers or file downloaders) can create folders automatically, and consider Telegram and Download Manager:

Telegram:

• 📥 By default, all downloaded files from chats are saved to Internal Storage. → Telegram.
• 📂 To change the save path, go to Telegram Settings. → Data and memory → Download folder.
• 🔄 Here you can create a new folder right in the application interface or select an existing one.

Download Manager (Download Manager):

• 🌐 When downloading files from the browser MIUI Select a folder to save.
• 📁 Click Select folder → Create a new one and give a name.
• 🔒 The folder will be created in Download or in the root directory.

Automatic folder creation is convenient for sorting content by source, for example, you can configure separate directories for files from WhatsApp, VK and Email.

6. Problem Solving: Why a folder is not created

Sometimes users encounter errors when creating folders, and consider the typical causes and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: The Create button is inactive or not

• 🔄 Solution: Update the Files app via Google Play.
• 📱 Check if the Child Mode or Guest Mode is included in the Settings → Special facilities.
• 🔧 Reset the application settings: Settings → Annexes → Files. → Warehouse → Clear the data.

Problem 2: The folder is created, but disappears after the reboot

• 🗃️ Reason: The folder was created for SD-A card that has not been installed after rebooting.
• 🔌 Solution: Remove and paste the memory card again or format it into FAT32 PC.
• 📲 If the folder is on internal memory, check it through the PC – it may be a display error in the MIUI.

Problem 3: You can’t create a folder in the root directory

• 🚫 Reason: Limitations MIUI or Android for system partitions.
• 🛠️ Solution: Create folders inside Download, DCIM or Documents.
• 🔓 Get root rights for full access (not recommended without experience).

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If the folder is not created by any method, check the free space on the device. The minimum reserve for file operations is 500 MB. Free up memory by deleting unnecessary files or transferring them to the device. SD-map.

7. Optimizing folder structure on Xiaomi

It's half the battle to create a folder, and it's important to organize it well so you don't get lost in hundreds of files. Here are some tips for Xiaomi:

Example of optimal structure:

Internal Storage/


├── DCIM/




│ ├── Camera/ # Photos and video from the camera




│ └── Screenshots/ # Screenshots




├── Download/ # Downloads from the browser




├── Documents/




│ ├── Work/ # Working files




│ └── Personal/ # Personal Documents




├── Music/ # Audio files




└── Telegram/ # Files from the messenger

Advice on organization:

• 📌 Use prefixes in folder names to sort (for example, 1_Work, 2_Personal).
• 🔍 Check the Download folder regularly – it clogs the fastest.
• ☁️ Set up automatic backup of important folders in Google Drive or Mi Cloud.
• 🗑️ Remove duplicate files with apps like Files by Google.

To automate sorting, use apps like Automate or Tasker, for example, you can set a rule: "All photos from WhatsApp move to a folder. Social_Media».

FAQ: Frequent questions about folders on Xiaomi