How to create a folder on Xiaomi: all the ways for MIUI 14 and Android 13/14

Creating folders on Xiaomi smartphones is a basic operation that can cause questions for beginners because of the shell features MIUI. Unlike pure Android, it has its own nuances: hidden system directories, limitations on writing to certain sections and a unique file manager. Even experienced users sometimes face problems when trying to organize files in the Internet. /storage/emulated/0/ or SD-map.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to create folders on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO steerable MIUI 14 Android 13/14. You will learn how to work with built-in conductor, third-party applications, and how to bypass system constraints through ADB We'll focus on common errors, like when a folder is not created on a computer. SD-The card or disappears after rebooting.

The material will be useful to owners of new flagships (Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Redmi K70 Pro) and users of budget models (POCO M6 Pro, Redmi Note 12).

1. Create a folder through a standard MIUI conductor

The easiest way is to use the Files by Google file manager (or Files by Google if installed by default), which works on all Xiaomi devices without any additional applications.

Open Explorer (the folder icon on the home screen or in the application menu). At the top of the screen, select the section where you want to create the folder:

  • πŸ“ Internal memory – for files, mainly storage (/storage/emulated/0/)
  • πŸ’Ύ SD-map - if it is connected (path) /storage/XXXX-XXXX/)
  • ☁️ Cloud – for Mi Cloud or Google Drive (requires authorization)

Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Create β†’ Folder. Enter the title (e.g. Documents 2026) and confirm. Folder names in MIUI cannot contain characters /\: *? < > | - the system will automatically delete them.

⚠️ Note: If you create a folder on SD-In the card, make sure the card is formatted as a portable storage, not as an internal memory. MIUI Can restrict access to files after card extraction.

β˜‘οΈ Checking before creating a folder

Done: 0 / 4

2. Alternative file managers: Total Commander, FX File Explorer

Xiaomi’s built-in Explorer isn’t always convenient – for example, it doesn’t show hidden files by default and doesn’t support it. FTP-Alternative managers such as Total Commander or FX File Explorer offers more features:

  • πŸ” View hidden folders (such as.thumbnails or Android/data)
  • πŸ”„ Support for cloud services (Yandex.Disk, Dropbox)
  • πŸ“Ž Built-in archiver for ZIP/RAR
  • πŸ–₯️ Remote management via WebDAV or FTP

To create a folder with Total Commander:

  1. Open the app and go to the directory you want (e.g. /storage/emulated/0/Download/).
  2. Click on the + icon in the bottom panel or select Create β†’ Directory in the menu.
  3. Enter the folder name (e.g. Projects Work) and click OK.

The advantage of third-party managers is that they bypass some of the limitations of MIUI. For example, you can create a folder in /Android/obb/ using FX File Explorer, whereas a standard conductor does not allow this.

πŸ“Š What file manager do you use on Xiaomi?
Standard MIUI conductor
Total Commander
FX File Explorer
Files by Google
Other

3. creating folders through a computer (MTP, ADB, Fastboot)

If you want to create a folder for system purposes (like backups through TWRP), it's more convenient to do it from a computer. There are three ways to connect:

MethodTools requiredLimitationsExample of team
MTP (Media Transfer Protocol)USB cable, PC with Windows/macOS/LinuxNo access to system folders (/data/, /system/)Drag files in Windows Explorer
ADB (Android Debug Bridge)adb from Platform Tools, enabled debugging over USBDeveloper rights are required, but no root is required.adb shell mkdir /sdcard/ New folder
Fastbootfastboot, unlocked bootloaderFor system partitions only, high riskNot applicable to user folders

For most tasks, MTP is sufficient:

  1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB-cable.
  2. On your phone, select File Transfer Mode (not Charging).
  3. Open This Computer on PC β†’ Find a Xiaomi Device
  4. Go to the directory you want (e.g. Internal storage β†’ Download) and create a folder through the context menu.

⚠️ Note: When connecting through MTP Windows may not show some folders (for example, Android/data). It's a limitation of Android, not a bug. ADB root.

How to enable debugging by USB on Xiaomi
1. Go to Settings β†’ About Phone. 2. Click 7 times on the MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. 3. Go back to Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Developer. 4. Enable USB Debugging and confirm permission when connecting to your PC.

4. Features of working with SD-maps on Xiaomi

Xiaomi users often face problems when creating folders on the SD-It has to do with how you map. MIUI It's handling external drives. Here's the key:

  • πŸ”„ If the card is formatted as internal memory, MIUI It encrypts it and binds it to the device, and when it's extracted, the files will be unavailable on another phone.
  • 🚫 Some apps (such as WhatsApp) cannot store data on the Internet. SD, Even if it is connected as a portable storage device.
  • πŸ“ Folders created on SD via PC, may not be displayed in the conductor MIUI before rebooting.

To create a folder on SD-map:

  1. Format the card as a portable storage (Settings) β†’ Warehouse β†’ SD-map β†’ Settings β†’ Formatting as a portable).
  2. Use MIUI Explorer or Total Commander, which updates the file system cache correctly.
  3. Avoid long folder names (more than 30 characters) – this can cause mounting errors.

If the folder on the SD disappears after the reboot, check the mounting settings in /system/etc/vold.fstab (root required). Often the problem is solved by reformatting the card to FAT32 instead of exFAT.

πŸ’‘

Before formatting SD-Maps as internal memory make backup of data – the process is irreversible and will delete all files.

5 Automation: Creating folders via Tasker or Termux

For advanced users who want to automate folder creation, tools like Tasker or Termux can be used, for example, to set up a task that will create a folder with a current date each month for backups.

Example of Termux script (requires installation via F-Droid):

termux-setup-storage


mkdir -p ~/storage/shared/backups/$(date +%Y-%m)




echo "Folder created: ~/storage/shared/backups/$(date +%Y-%m)"

This script will create a folder of the form Backup/2026-05 in internal memory.

In Tasker, the algorithm would be:

  1. Create a new task (Task β†’ + β†’ File β†’ Make Dir).
  2. Specify a path, for example /storage/emulated/0/Auto-created/.
  3. Add a time trigger or event trigger (such as a Wi-Fi connection).

⚠️ Note: Termux uses different paths to storage than standard ones. ~/storage/shared/, not /sdcard/.

πŸ’‘

Automating folder creation is useful for backups, sorting downloads, or organizing files by date, but root rights are required to work with system directories (/data/).

6 Problem Solving: The folder is not created or disappears

If the folder is not created or disappears, check the following points:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
The folder is not created on SD-mapThe card is formatted as internal memory or damagedReformat as portable storage or check for errors (chkdsk on PC)
The folder disappears after rebootingMIUI clears cache or mounts SD with errorsTurn off optimization in Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Optimize MIUI
No permission to create a folder in /Android/data/Android (Scoped Storage) LimitationsUse ADB or root to bypass restrictions
MIUI Explorer does not show the folder createdFile system cache not updatedRestart your device or use a.nomedia file for hidden folders

For diagnosis, it is useful to check the logs through ADB:

adb logcat | grep -i "mkdir\|folder\|storage"

This will show the errors associated with creating catalogs.

If the problem persists, try resetting your storage settings (Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management β†’ Three Points β†’ App Resets).This won’t delete files, but will reset access permissions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about folders on Xiaomi

Can I create a folder in the system partition (/system/) without root?
No, folders in /system/ are protected from writing. Even with ADB without root, you'll get a Permission denied error. Changes need an unlocked bootloader and Magisk.
Why not? SD-The card does not create folders for some applications (for example, WhatsApp)?
This is a limitation of Scoped Storage in Android 11+. Apps can only save data to their allocated directories (/Android/media/). This can be bypassed via ADB command: adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true But this requires a reboot and can reset some settings.
How to hide a folder from a gallery, but leave access through a conductor?
Put an empty file called.nomedia in the folder, and the gallery and other media applications will ignore its contents, but the files will remain accessible through any Explorer.
Can I restore a folder that was accidentally deleted on Xiaomi?
If the folder was in internal memory, try programs like DiskDigger or Recuva (via PC connection). SD-You can use PhotoRec on Linux. Important: Do not write new files to your device until you recover!
How to transfer the folder with applications to SD-map?
MIUI does not support transfer APK-file SD. However, you can: Backup with Titanium Backup (root required) and Adoptable Storage. SD It's like internal memory, but it'll slow down the card. Move only the application data (if supported by the developer) to Settings. β†’ Annexes β†’ [Select an application] β†’ Warehouse β†’ Change.