How to create a folder on Xiaomi Redmi: all the ways to MIUI 12/13/14

Creating folders on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a basic operation that helps organize the desktop, organize files in the device’s memory and save time searching for the necessary data. Despite the seeming simplicity, users often have questions: Why can’t you create a folder in a gallery, how to combine application icons, or where the system directories are stored in a gallery? MIUI. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods - from standard to hidden firmware functions.

The main feature of Redmi is that the interface MIUI Offers several mechanisms for working with folders at once: through the launcher (desktop), the built-in file manager, and also using third-party applications (MIUI 12/13/14) And the model of the smartphone, for example, on the Redmi Note. 12 The algorithm is a little different than Redmi. 10A because of the difference in the shell.

If you're just switching from iOS or another Android smartphone, some of the nuances may seem obscure, like why drag and drop folders don't automatically create folders, or how to return a randomly deleted directory, and we've covered these cases in separate sections so you can avoid typical errors.

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1. Creating a folder on the desktop (launcher) Xiaomi

The fastest way to organize applications is to create a folder right on the home screen or in the app menu, which works on all Redmi models, including Redmi. 13C, Note 12 Pro+ and older devices on MIUI 12.

The algorithm is simple:

1. Press and hold the icon of any application on the desktop.
2. Without letting go of your finger, drag it to another icon.
3. Release your finger – a folder with the default name (for example, “Apps”) will automatically form.

To change the folder name:

1. Tap the folder you created to open it.
2. Slip on the text field with the name (over the icons inside the folder).
3. Enter a new name and click Ready or OK.

Make sure apps are not blocked in Settings → Apps → Blocking apps

Turn off Easy Mode in Settings → Special Opportunities If Folders Are Not Created

Update the launcher to the latest version in Google Play (app) MIUI Launcher)

Check if the Child Mode is activated (it blocks changes to the desktop)-->

On some firmware (e.g, MIUI 14 for Redmi K60) folders are created with a delay — you have to hold the icon 1-2 seconds before it sticks to another. If nothing happens, try restarting your smartphone or clearing the launcher cache:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → MIUI Launcher → Storage → Clear cache

2.Folders in the File Manager: How to Create and Manage

If you need to organize files (photos, documents, music) rather than application icons, you will need a built-in file manager. MIUI. It allows you to create folders in internal memory and on SD-card (if connected).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Files app (the icon with the folder on the desktop).
2. Go to the section where you want to create a folder (for example, Internal Storage). → Download).
3. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Create a folder”.
4. Enter the title (e.g., “Working Papers”) and click «OK».

Important nuances:

• 📁 System folders (such as Android, MIUI) To see them, turn on the hidden files in the manager settings.
• 🔒 You can not create folders in the root directory / without root rights.
• 📱 On Redmi with MIUI 13 and newer folders in Download are sorted automatically by file type (images, videos, etc.).

For convenience, you can fix frequently used folders on the main screen of the file manager:

1. Hold your finger on the folder in the list.
2. In the menu that appears, select “Secure”.

Standard "Files" from MIUI|Google Files|Solid Explorer|Total Commander|Other-->

3. Hidden Opportunities: Folders in Gallery and Safe Place

V MIUI There are two special sections for storing sensitive files: Locked Albums in the gallery and Safe Place in the file manager.

Locked Albums (Gallery):

• 🔐 Open the gallery» → «Albums» → «Locked albums»
• 📂 Click on “Create an Album” and name it (for example, “Personal Photos»).
• 🔑 Set a password or use a fingerprint to access.

The files in these albums are not displayed in the main gallery and are not indexed by the system.

Safe Place (File Manager):

1. Open the Files» → «Safe place».
2. At the first launch, install PIN-code.
3. Press «+» at the bottom of the screen and select “Create a folder».

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If you forget the password from "Safe Place", you can reset it only through resetting (loss of all data!). PIN-code in a safe place or use Xiaomi Account to recover (if enabled).

The limitations of these folders:

• 🚫 You cannot move files to a “Safe Place” through the ADB or PC, only through the interface MIUI.
• 📵 Files from Locked Albums are not available for editing by third-party applications (e.g. Lightroom).

4. App folders: How to group icons into categories

If there are too many folders with applications on the desktop, they can be combined by topic or hidden. MIUI There are a few chips for that:

Automatic sorting:

1. Hold the empty space on the desktop.
2. Select "Screen settings» → «Categories of applications».
3. Activate the "Group Automatically" switch.

The system itself will create folders by categories: “Social Networks”, “Games”, “Tools”, etc.

Manual setting:

• 🎨 Change the color of the folder: open the folder → tap on her name → select the color from the palette.
• 🔄 Sort the icons inside the folder: click “Sort” (three-line icon).
• 👁️ Hide the folder: Hold it. → «Remove from the screen (it will remain in the app menu).

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Automatic grouping works only for apps installed from Google Play. APK-Manually downloaded files will have to be sorted by themselves.

On Redmi with two slots SIM You can create folders for quick access to applications tied to a specific SIM-For example, a separate folder for the working messengers on the second one. SIM.

5. Working with folders via PC (MTP and ADB)

If you need to create a folder on Xiaomi Redmi from a computer, connect your smartphone to the USB file transfer mode (MTP). After that:

1. Open "This Computer" on the PC.
2. Find the Redmi device in the list of connected drives.
3. Go to the appropriate section (e.g. Internal storage) → Pictures).
4. Right-click. → «Create» → «folder».

Restrictions on working through Windows/macOS:

• 🖥️ You can not create folders in system partitions (/system, /data) rootless.
• 📁 Folder names should not contain special characters: \ /: *? " < > |.
• 🔌 On some firmware (MIUI 12.5) when connecting to USB folders are created with a delay - wait for synchronization.

For advanced users, a method is available through ADB (For example, to create a folder in a protected partition):

adb shell mkdir /sdcard/ New folder

Attention: teams ADB They can disrupt the system. Use them only if you understand the consequences.

6. Problems in creating folders and their solutions

Sometimes users encounter errors when trying to create a folder, and consider the typical cases and ways to fix them:

If the folder does not open after creation:

⚠️ Warning: Check if your smartphone has third-party encryption software (such as AppLock or Vault) that can block access to folders, even system folders. → Annexes.

On Redmi with global firmware, sometimes changing the region to India or Europe helps in Settings. → Additionally. → Region – This resets some of the file system’s limitations.

7.Alternative methods: third-party launchers and file managers

If the standard instruments MIUI They don't suit you, you can use third-party solutions. They offer more folder-based capabilities.

Launchers:

• 📱 Nova Launcher: allows you to create folders with gestures, change their size and transparency.
• 🎨 Apex Launcher: Supports nested folders (folders inside folders).
• 🔧 Microsoft Launcher: Syncs folders with Microsoft account.

File managers:

• 📁 Solid Explorer: dual-panel interface, support FTP/Cloud.
• 🔍 FX File Explorer: Built-in root conductor.
• 🌐 Google Files: Automatic File Cleaning and Categorization.

To install a third-party launcher:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Press "Install» → «Open up».
3. Select it as the default launcher in the window that appears.

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If after installing a third-party launcher, widgets disappeared MIUI (For example, weather or steps, return the standard launcher: Settings → Annexes → By default. → Launcher.

FAQ: Frequent questions about folders on Xiaomi Redmi