Creating folders on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is a basic but extremely useful feature for organizing files, applications and workspace. Many users face chaos on the internal drive, when photos, documents and downloads are mixed in one pile. This article will help you understand how to structure data on your device using built-in tools and third-party solutions.
The Redmi Note 5 (codenamed whyred) features a proprietary MIUI shell that offers several unique ways to manage folders. We'll look not only at standard methods through the file manager and desktop, but also at hidden features that most users don't even know about. For example, did you know that MIUI allows you to create secure folders with a password right in the gallery without resorting to third-party applications?
This article will be useful for both newcomers and experienced Xiaomi owners, and here you will find step-by-step instructions with visual cues, comparisons of methods in terms of speed and convenience, and answers to frequent questions. DCIM or how to transfer them to SD-So we're going to start with the simplest thing, which is to create a folder through a standard file manager.
1. Create a folder through the standard file manager MIUI
File Manager (or File Manager) in the MIUI โ It's a universal tool for folders and files, and it supports cloud storage, local drives, and even more. FTP-servers, to create a new folder:
- Open the Files app (an icon with a yellow folder).
- Go to Local Storage or Internal Memory.
- Select the directory where you want to create a folder (such as Download or root partition).
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Create โ Folder.
- Enter the title (e.g., Work Papers) and click OK.
If the folder doesn't appear immediately, update the screen with a swipe down. MIUI 12/13 The interface may be slightly different โ instead of three dots, the icon may look like a different interface. โฎ or โ๏ธ.
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Use Latin characters in folder names if you plan to connect your phone to your computer. Cyrillic can cause encoding problems in Windows.
2. Organization of folders on the desktop (for applications and shortcuts)
The Redmi Note 5 desktop folders help you group your applications into categories (social media, games, utilities), which not only saves space, but also speeds up access to the right programs. Here's how to do it:
- ๐ฑ Drag one app to another and hold on 1-2 A few seconds before the black circle appears.
- ๐ Release your finger โ the system will automatically create a folder with the proposed name (for example, Games).
- โ๏ธ Click on the folder name to rename it (for example, on Social Networking).
- โ Drag other apps into the folder to add.
To delete a folder, just drag all the applications from it back to the desktop, and the folder itself disappears automatically. Interestingly, MIUI allows you to create nested folders on your desktop, drag and drop one folder to another, but the depth of nesting is limited, no more than 2 levels.
Files.|All on the home screen.|Use search.|Other-->
3. Hidden Opportunities: Secure Folders in the Gallery
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 offers a unique feature - secure folders in the standard Gallery, which allows you to hide personal photos and videos from prying eyes without installing additional applications.
- Open the gallery and go to the album All photos.
- Select the photo/video you want to hide and click More โ Move to a protected folder.
- When you first use it, the system will ask you to create a password or use a fingerprint.
- Confirm the action โ the files will disappear from the main gallery.
To access hidden files:
- Open the Gallery โ click on three dots โ Protected folder.
- Enter your password or use biometrics.
What to do if I forget the password from the protected folder?
Important: Secure folders are not encrypted at the file system level. When you connect your phone to your PC via MTP, hidden files will be visible in /Pictures/.Hidden. For complete privacy, use third-party solutions like KeepSafe or Vaulty.
4. Create folders via PC (when connected via USB)
If you're more comfortable managing files through your computer, Redmi Note 5 supports file transfer (MTP) connectivity, which allows you to create folders directly from Windows/macOS:
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
- ๐ฑ On the phone screen, select File Transfer Mode (not Charging!).
- ๐ Open this computer on your computer. โ Find the Redmi Note 5 device.
- ๐ Go to the appropriate section (e.g. Internal storage) โ Download).
- ๐ฑ๏ธ Right-click. โ Create โ folder.
When creating folders through PC, consider:
- ๐ซ Do not create folders in system partitions (Android, MIUI, Data may be disrupting the phoneโs operation.
- ๐ After the blackout USB Update the list of files in the Files MIUI, click on the update icon (โป).
- ๐ Avoid special symbols (*,?,:, |) In the name, they can cause errors.
Enable USB debugging in Developer Settings |Use the original cable |Unlock the phone screen |Select File Transfer Mode-->
5.Use of Third-Party File Managers
If standard MIUI files seem limited, consider alternatives:
| Annex | Advantages | Deficiencies | Link to Play Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid Explorer | Two-panel mode, cloud storage, FTP | Paid version after 14 days | Download |
| FX File Explorer | Built-in archiver, access to root | Advertising in the free version | Download |
| Total Commander | Plugins for Expanding Functions, Support for LANs | Outdated interface | Download |
For example, in Solid Explorer, creating a folder takes 2 clicks:
- Open the application and go to the desired section.
- Click on + in the lower menu โ Folder.
- Enter the name and click Create.
Third party managers also allow:
- ๐ Search files by content (not just by name).
- ๐ Sync folders with Google Drive or Dropbox.
- ๐ View detailed information about files (hash, permissions).
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Partition file managers often support the Recycle Bin feature, which allows you to recover accidentally deleted files โ unlike the standard MIUI application.
6. Common Problems and Their Solutions
When you're working with folders on Redmi Note 5, you're going to have a common bug, and here's how to fix them:
โ ๏ธ Attention! If the folder is not visible in the Gallery but is visible in the Files, check for the.nomedia file at its root. This file hides the contents from the media scanner. Delete it so that the photo/video will reappear in the gallery.
Problem 1: You can't create a folder on SD-map.
Solution: Go to Settings โ Warehouse โ Settings SD-Select Internal Memory (if the card is formatted as portable storage, the record may be limited).
Problem 2: The folder disappeared after the MIUI update.
Solution: Update Files app via Play Market. Some versions of MIUI 11โ12 have had a file manager cache reset, causing temporary folders to disappear.
Problem 3: You canโt rename the folder, there is an error โInadequate rightsโ.
Solution: The folder can belong to a system application (e.g. Android/data/com.microsoft.office). Use the Root Explorer (superuser rights required) or transfer the files to another location.
7.Folder structure optimization: tips from experts
Chaotic file structure slows down the phone and makes it harder to find, and here are the tried-and-true organization patterns:
- ๐ธ Photo/Video: Camera/2023_Summer - for camera photos; Screenshots/Work is for screenshots; Telegram/Memes for media from messengers.
- ๐ Documents: PDF/Receipts; Excel/Budget budget_2026; Scans/Passport.
- ๐ต Music: Playlists/Training; Podcasts/Technology.
Experts recommend:
- ๐๏ธ Once a month, clean the Download folder โ it is clogged with unnecessary files.
- ๐ Use cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) to back up important folders.
- ๐ For frequently used files, create shortcuts on the desktop (in MIUI This is done by holding the file. โ Labeling).
01_Work.
02_Personal.
03_Archives