How to create a folder on a Xiaomi smartphone: all the ways to MIUI 14/15

Creating folders on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task – as long as you don’t face the limitations of shell. MIUI Or unusual scenarios, like why you can't create a nested directory in some folders, why does the Mi File Manager behave differently than third-party applications, and what if the system gives you a "No permissions" error when you try to organize files?

In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven ways to create folders on Xiaomi (including Redmi models, POCO Black Shark, and the latest versions MIUI 14/15 Android 13/14, We'll also uncover hidden settings that are not covered in the official documentation, and we'll focus on common errors, like when a folder is created but disappears after a reboot or doesn't appear in a gallery.

Whether you need to organize photos, hide sensitive documents, or optimize applications, you'll find a solution for your problem. POCO F5 Xiaomi 13 Ultra, we will separately note the nuances for flagship devices with extended rights MIUI Pro Mode.

1. Create a folder through the standard file manager Mi File Manager

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Mi File Manager app (or Files in Russian firmware). MIUI The folder button is hidden behind the long tap, and the other ones require proof of license:

1. Open the Files app (the icon with the blue folder).

2. Go to the section where you want to create a folder (for example, Internal Memory). → download or SD-map).

3. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Create → Folder (or tap on the free space and hold for 2 seconds).

4. Enter the folder name in Latin or Cyrillic (avoid characters /, \, *,?, ", <, >, | — they are forbidden in MIUI).

5. Press OK or checkmark.

⚠️ Note: If the Create button is inactive or absent, check:

• 📁 Access Rights: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Files. → Rights and turn on Warehouse.
• 🔒 Secure folder: B MIUI 14+ some directories (for example, MIUI Or Android) is locked for change. Trying to create a folder there will lead to the error "Operation not allowed".
• 📱 Guest mode: In the guest profile, folder creation is limited. Switch to the main account.

Nana POCO X5 Pro and Xiaomi 12T s MIUI 15 File Manager interface updated: folder creation button is now located on the bottom panel (Icon) +). If you have a different version of the shell, the path may be different – see the table below.

2. Create a folder on the desktop (for application icons)

If you want to group app icons (not files), folders are created right on the desktop. MIUI, but with limitations:

• 📱 Maximum 16 applications in one folder (in MIUI 15 to 24).
• 🔄 Self-Sort: Folders are automatically arranged alphabetically (disabled in Settings) → Desktop → Sorting applications).
• 🎨 Color of folder: Depends on the subject of design (in POCO F4 GT can be adjusted manually).

Instructions:

1. Press and hold the app icon on your desktop.
2. Drag it to another icon and a folder with an automatic name (such as “Applications”) will appear.
3. Tap the folder name to rename it (up to 12 characters).
4. Add other apps by drag and drop.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Pad 6 and other tablets with MIUI For Pad, creating folders on the desktop works differently: you need to hold the icon for 3 seconds, and then select "Create a folder" in the context menu).

The secret trick: To quickly open all applications from the folder in multitasking mode, hold the folder itself and select Open All. This feature is only available on devices with 8+ GB of RAM (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Black Shark 5 Pro).

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If the folder on the desktop accidentally deleted, restore it through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Restore the labels.

3. Create a hidden folder (for confidential files)

V MIUI There's a built-in Private Folder feature that allows you to hide files from prying eyes, but it only works for media files (photos, videos) and documents. You need a workaround to create a full-fledged hidden folder with any content.

Method 1: Through a "Secure folder" MIUI

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Secure folder.
2. Create a password or use a fingerprint.
3. Click Add files and select the ones you want to hide.
4. The system will automatically create a hidden directory along the way: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.privatefolder/files/

Limitations:

• 🚫 You can’t create nested folders inside a Private Folder.
• 📁 Files are only available through the Secure folder menu, not displayed in Mi File Manager.
• 🔄 When resetting the folder is deleted without the possibility of recovery.

Method 2: Manually create a hidden folder (for advanced)

If you need a completely hidden folder (invisible even to file managers), follow these steps:

1. Install a root access explorer (such as Root Explorer or FX File Manager).
2. Go to the root directory (/) and create a folder with a dot at the beginning of the title (e.g..secret).
3. Assign rights to the folder 700 (Only the owner can read/write/do: chmod 700 /sdcard/.secret
4. Hide the folder from scanning media by creating a.nomedia file inside.

⚠️ Note: On devices without an unlocked bootloader (e.g., Xiaomi 13 Lite with factory firmware), this method will not work - you will need to unlock Bootloader, which will void the warranty. Alternative: use encrypted archives (e.g., use encrypted archives, 7-Zip password-wise).

4. Create a folder through ADB (system directories)

Sometimes you need to create a folder in the system partition (for example, for mods or custom firmware). ADB (Android Debug Bridge.This method is suitable for experienced users and owners of devices with an unlocked bootloader.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times according to version, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: Adb shell
3. Create a folder (for example, in the /sdcard): mkdir /sdcard/NewFolder or in the system section (root rights required): su mkdir /system/my chmod daddy 755 /system/my dad

Typical errors and decisions:

• 🔌 "device unauthorized: Confirm debugging on the smartphone screen.
• 🚫 "Read-only file system": Unmount the partition to write: adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system
• 📁 "No such file or directory": Check the correct path (in the MIUI The paths may differ, for example, /storage/emulated/0/ instead /sdcard/).

⚠️ Warning: Changing system folders can lead to bootloop (looped-in boot). 12S Ultra and other flagships with dual firmware (A/B) This is especially risky - before experimenting, create a backup through TWRP.

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Use it. ADB A mistake in the command can make the phone inoperable.

5. Create a folder through third-party file managers

If the standard Mi File Manager is not satisfied, alternative applications (e.g. Solid Explorer, FX File Manager or Google Files offer advanced features:

• 🔍 Two-panel mode (convenient for copying files).
• 🔒 Encrypting folders (for example, in Solid Explorer you can create a password-encrypted archive).
• 📂 FTP-server: access to files from the PC over the local network.
• 🔄 Cloud Sync (Automatic folder backup in Google Drive or Mi Cloud).

How to create a folder in Solid Explorer:

1. Open the application and give access to the storage.
2. Go to the appropriate section (for example, internal memory). → DCIM).
3. Press on. + In the lower menu and select the new folder.
4. Enter the name and click Create.

Comparison of popular file managers for Xiaomi:

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI Global some managers (e.g, ES Explorer) may conflict with system services, causing increased battery consumption. To avoid this, after installation, disable the auto-run of the application in Settings → Battery → Consumption management.

6. Automatic folder creation (for photos, downloads, etc.)

MIUI You can set up automatic folder creation for certain types of files, for example, you can divide photos by date, downloaded files by extension, or music by artist. → Warehouse → Self-sorting files (starting with MIUI 14).

How to set up auto sorting:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → Self-sorting files.
2. Turn on the Automatic Organization switch.
3. Select categories to sort: 📷 Photo: By date (2026-05), place (Moscow) or source (Camera, WhatsApp). 🎵 Music: By albums or genres. 📄 Documents: By type (PDF, DOCX).

Apply

⚠️ Note: Self-sorting can slow down the file manager on devices with less than 6GB of RAM (e.g. Redmi Note 11).If the feature starts to slow down, disable it or limit sorting to new files (Settings) → Additionally. → Sort only new ones).

Hidden Opportunity: On Xiaomi 13T and POCO X6 Pro MIUI 15 has an undocumented function to create smart folders that automatically update to the rules that are given:

1. Open Files and go to Categories.
2. Hold any category (e.g. Images) for 3 seconds.
3. Select Create a rule and set up filters (e.g. Size) > 10MB or Date: Last week).

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Self-sorting only works for files created AFTER it is turned on, and old files will have to be hand-distributed.

7 Problem Solving: The folder is not created or disappears

If you encounter errors when trying to create a folder, use this troubleshooting instruction:

Problem 1: The “Create a folder” button is inactive

• 📌 Reason: Insufficient rights or system directory selected.
• 🔧 Solution: Check the rights in Settings → Annexes → Files. → Rights. → Storage. Try creating a folder in another partition (like not Android, but Download).Reboot your phone, sometimes resetting the Mi File Manager cache helps.

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

• 📌 Reason: The file system is corrupted or the folder is created in a virtual partition (for example, /mnt).
• 🔧 Solution: Verify the integrity of the storage through Settings → Warehouse → Check and clean. Create a folder in /sdcard/ (internal memory or SD-If the problem recurs, reset the cache via Recovery (does not delete data).

Problem 3: Error "Even with root"

• 📌 Reason: MIUI Blocks changes to system partitions even for root users.
• 🔧 Solution: Use Magisk to get full root (not enough of a regular su). mount the partition before changes: adb shell su mount -o Rw, remount / If you need to change /system, temporarily shut down dm-verity.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi with dynamic partitions (e.g. Xiaomi 12 and newer), some system folders are protected AVB Modifying them without turning off the check will lead to a brick (inoperability) of the device. XDA Developers.

8. Optimization of work with folders: tips for MIUI

To make it easier to manage folders on Xiaomi, use these tips:

• 🔍 Quick search: In Mi File Manager, you can search folders by name, date of creation or size. Use filters: name: folder size:>10MB
• 📁 Color tags: In Solid Explorer, you can assign color folders for visual sorting (e.g., red for work, green for personal use).
• 🔄 Synchronization with PC: Set up FTP-server in the file manager to manage folders from the computer over the local network.
• 🔒 Password protection: B FX File Manager can be created with a password ZIP-file.
• 📱 Gestures: On POCO F5 And Xiaomi 13 supports gestures for folders on the desktop: Swipe down the folder to open in full screen. Swipe left to archive content.