How to create a folder on Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways + secret MIUI chips

Creating folders on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you encounter the nuances of the MIUI shell. Unlike “pure” Android, there are tricks: hidden options in the file manager, restrictions on system partitions and even the ability to create folders right on the desktop without additional applications. If you tried to do it through standard means and nothing came out, this article is for you.

We will discuss all the current ways to create folders on Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11, POCO X5 and other models from 2020-2026, including little-known MIUI chips. Particular attention will be paid to the problems faced by users: why a folder is not created in the root directory, how to circumvent the restrictions on writing to system partitions and what to do if the file manager “does not see” an external memory card.

Whether you want to simply organize your photos in a gallery or set up a complex document storage structure, there’s a solution here: All the instructions are tested on the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 (including global and Chinese firmware) and adapted to the features of Redmi with different versions of Android (from 11 to 14).

1. Method 1: Create a folder through a standard MIUI file manager

The most obvious, but not always intuitive, method is to use the built-in File Manager (a white-tick blue folder icon) which is stripped down in MIUI compared to Google Files, but is ideal for basic operations, and the key is to know where to look for the options you need.

To create a folder:

1. Open the Files app (if it is not on the desktop, search through the system search).
2. Go to the Device section (for internal memory) or SD-card (for external storage).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Create a folder.
4. Enter the title (e.g. Documents 2026) and press OK.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14+ When creating a folder in the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/) You may have a "can't create a folder" error, which is due to Android security policies. 12+. Solution – Create folders within existing directories (like Download or Documents).

Are there rights to write to the selected section?

Is there enough space on the drive (minimum 50 MB)

Is the "Read Only" mode for SD-map

Is the File Manager Updated to the latest version?-->

If the folder doesn't show up after you've created it, upgrade the screen to swipe down or restart the Files app. In rare cases, cleaning the manager's cache in the app's settings helps.

2. Method 2: Using Google Files for Extended Features

Google Files (or simply Files by Google) offers more flexible tools for working with files than the standard MIUI manager. It is free, weighs less than 10 MB and can:

• 📁 Create folders in any partition (including the root directory on Android 11)+)
• 🔍 Find duplicates and clean up garbage automatically
• 📱 Manage files on SD-map MIUI
• 🔄 Sort files by type and date in one click

Instructions for creating a folder:

1. Install Google Files from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and select the Overview or Memory section of the device.
3. Put it on the badge. ➕ at the bottom of the screen and select Folder.
4. Please use the name (emojis can be used, for example). 📸 Photo Vacation) and click Create.

💡 Useful tip: Google Files has a Category feature that automatically groupes files by type (images, videos, documents).You can move the entire group to a new folder in one tap, saving time on manual sorting.

Standard MIUI Files

Google Files

Total Commander/Solid Explorer

Other-->

3. Method 3: Creating a folder on the desktop (for application icons)

If you don't want storage for files, but a grouping of application icons (like the social network folder for VC, Telegram and Instagram), MIUI does it differently than other shells. It doesn't have the classic drag-and-drop-and-drop-and-drop-and-drop-and-drop-and-drop-and-drop-and-drive menus instead.

Step-by-step:

1. Press and hold the icon of any application on the desktop.
2. In the menu that appears, select Create a folder (or New folder in MIUI 15).
3. Drag other icons (you can add up to 16 apps to one folder).
4. Click on the folder name (the default New folder) to rename it.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14+ The folders on the desktop automatically get color lighting depending on the wallpaper. If you don't like this effect, you can turn it off in the theme settings: Topics → Wallpaper settings → Effects of icons → Color of folders.

Method 4: Creating folders via PC (for advanced users)

If you need to create a complex folder structure (for example, for backups or working with ADB), it is more convenient to do this through a computer. Connect Redmi to your PC via USB and use any file manager (Windows Explorer, Total Commander, Far Manager).

Important nuances:

• 🔌 Connect the phone in file transfer mode (MTP) (Selected in the notification curtain when connected USB).
• 📂 In Windows Explorer, your Redmi will appear as a removable drive (e.g., Redmi Note 12 Pro).
• 🔒 Some system folders (such as Android or MIUI) will not be available for editing.
• 💾 To work with SD-card it must be pre-mounted in the settings of the phone: Settings → Memory. → SD-map → Settings → Format as internal (Warning: This will remove all data from the card!).

Critical information: On Android 13+ (MIUI 14+) phones, when connecting to a PC via USB, you may need to unlock the screen to access files. If the screen is locked, Windows Explorer will not see internal memory.

5. Method 5: Automatic folder creation using scripts (for geeks)

If you need to create dozens of folders with a specific structure (for example, to organize projects or archives), you can automate the process using scripts. On Xiaomi Redmi, this works through Termux (Linux emulator) or ADB.

Example of a script for creating nested folders:

#!/bin/bash

Script for creating folder structure for photos by year



base_dir=”/sdcard/Pictures/Archive




years=("2020" "2021" "2022" "2023" "2026")




months=("01_January"02_February"03_March"04_April"05_May"06_June"




"07_July" "08_August" "09_September" "10_October" "11_November" "12_December"





mkdir -p "$base_dir"




for year in "${years[@]}"; do




for month in "${months[@]}"; do




mkdir -p "$base_dir/$year/$month"




done




done




echo "Folder structure created in $base_dir"

To run this script:

1. Install Termux from the Play Market.
2. Enter the commands pkg update & pkg upgrade pkg install nano nano create_folders.sh Insert the script above, save (Ctrl)+O and exit (Ctrl)+X).
3. Make the script executable: chmod +x create_folders.sh
4. Launch it:./create_folders.sh

⚠️ Note: Scripts in Termux only have access to folders that are allowed for the application (/data, /system) Root rights will be required, which will cancel the warranty on Redmi.

💡

If the script doesn’t work, check the path to SD-Some of the firmware on the map. MIUI The internal memory is not installed as /sdcard, how /storage/emulated/0. Clarify the current path with the echo team $EXTERNAL_STORAGE Termux.

6. Solving common problems when creating folders

Even in the simple folder operation on Xiaomi Redmi, users encounter errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods helped, check:

• 🛡️ Is Guest Mode not enabled (limits access to files).
• 🔄 Is the system currently being updated (blocks the recording to disk).
• 📱 Is Safe Mode Activated (disables third-party file managers).

💡

On the phones with MIUI Global Stable folder problems are less common than in Chinese (China) ROM) Firmware due to differences in security policies.

7. Secret MIUI chips for working with folders

The MIUI shell hides a few useful features that few people know about:

1. Quick folder creation from the gallery: Open the Gallery app. Select some photos/video. Slip on More → Move to a new folder. Name the files automatically copied to a new folder in the DCIM directory.

Folder encryption:

In MIUI 14+, you can protect your folder with a password:

1. Open the files. → Personal.
2. Choose to Create a Private Folder.
3. Set a password (other than locking the screen).

⚠️ Note: If you forget your password, it will be impossible to restore access to files in a private folder – even through resetting settings!

Automatic sorting by folder:

Include in Settings → Special Features → Smart file classification. The system will offer to transfer similar files (such as screenshots) to separate folders.

Another hidden possibility is to create folder shortcuts on the desktop.

1. Open the files and find the folder you want.
2. Press and hold her icon.
3. In the menu, select Create a shortcut.
4. The shortcut will appear on the desktop (but this is not the folder itself, but only a link to it).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions