How to create a folder on your Xiaomi phone: 5 ways to MIUI and HyperOS

Foldering on Xiaomi smartphones is a basic operation that helps organize files, applications and desktop. Despite the apparent simplicity, users often have questions: where to look for the folder creation function, why it disappears in new versions of MIUI or HyperOS, and how to return the usual interface. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, from the classic method through Explorer to the hidden capabilities of the shell.

Xiaomi is a company that updates the interface regularly, and the location of options can change. For example, MIUI 14 has disappeared the button "Create a folder" in some menus, and HyperOS has completely redesigned the logic of working with files. We took all these nuances into account and collected universal instructions that work on models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra. If you encounter that standard methods do not work, there are alternative solutions in the article.

1. Create a folder through the standard Xiaomi Explorer

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Explorer (aka File Manager) which works on all versions of MIUI and HyperOS, but with slight differences in the interface.

Open the Files app (an icon with a blue folder). If it's not on your desktop, search the system (File Manager or Explorer). At the top of the screen, select the section where you want to create a folder: Internal memory, SD-Map or cloud storage Mi Cloud. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner (or the More button) and select Create folder.

Enter the folder name (you can use Latin, Cyrillic and characters, but avoid /:?? < > |). Click Create. Ready - folder will appear in the current directory. If the option to Create a folder is missing, you are in viewing mode (for example, in the Images or Audio section) - go to Categories → All files.

• 📁 For MIUI 12-13: folder creation button can be hidden behind a long tap in a free place in the list of files.
• 🔄 For HyperOS: the interface is simplified – look for an icon + lower-right.
• 🚫 Limitation: In the root directory of internal memory, you can not create folders - only in subdirectories (for example, Download or Documents).

⚠️ Note: If you connect your phone to your PC through MTP And you create folders through Windows/macOS, They may not appear in Xiaomi Explorer before the device is restarted. MIUI.

2. Organization of folders on the desktop (for application icons)

Xiaomi desktop folders are used to group app icons, a method that is not related to the file system, but is useful for organizing the interface.

Press the icon of any app and drag it to another icon. Automatically create a folder called Unnamed folder. Click on the folder name to rename it. To add new apps, just drag them to the folder. To delete the folder, pull out all the apps, it will disappear automatically.

The logic is a little different with HyperOS: folders are created the same way, but when opened, they are displayed as a “stop” of icons with a preview inside. To change the color of the folder, click on it → Edit → select one of the suggested shades. This feature is only available on flagship models (Xiaomi 13/14 series, MIX Fold).

• 🎨 Color schemes: in MIUI 14 can be selected from 8 colors in HyperOS – from 12.
• 📱 Limitation: Up to 16 apps can be placed in one folder (up to 9 in older versions).
• 🔒 Secret trick: if you drag a folder to the dock panel (bottom line), it will be fixed and will be available on all desktops.

3. Create folders via PC (Windows/macOS/Linux)

If you are more comfortable managing files through a computer, you can create folders on Xiaomi using Windows Explorer, Finder (macOS), or any Linux file manager.

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) connection mode.
3. Open This PC (Windows) or Finder (macOS) – your Xiaomi will appear as a removable drive.
4. Go to the directory you want (e.g. Internal storage → Download) and create the folder in the standard way (right click → Create → Folder).

Important: Some folders (such as Android, MIUI, or DCIM) can be hidden or locked for editing. Do not change their contents to avoid disrupting the system. If the folder does not appear on the phone after you create, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 In Xiaomi Explorer, click Update (round arrow in the upper right corner).
• 🔌 Disconnect and reconnect USB-cable.

⚠️ Note: When connecting through MTP File transfer speed is limited ~10-15 MB/s. For large amounts of data (for example, transferring movies), it is better to use OTG-USB adapter or cloud storage.

4.Use of third-party file managers

If Xiaomi's standard Explorer seems inconvenient, you can install alternative apps. They offer advanced features: cloud sync, FTP-server, access to root folders (with root rights) and even encryption:

• 📂 Solid Explorer – support for two panels, cloud storage, archiver.
• 🔍 FX File Explorer - built-in FTP/HTTP-server, access to system files.
• 🛡️ MiXplorer – open source, support for plugins (for example, for Mega or WebDAV).
• 🌐 Total Commander – a classic manager with support for plugins.

To create a folder in a third-party manager:

1. Open the application and give access to the storage (all files management permission).
2. Go to the right directory.
3. Click on the + or New folder icon (in Solid Explorer, the button in the bottom menu).
4. Enter the name and confirm the creation.

In MiXplorer and Solid Explorer, you can create folders with a password: select the option "Encrypt folder" when you create it. This is useful for storing sensitive data (document scans, photos).

Install the app from the official store (Google Play or GetApps)

Grant permission to access files in Settings → Applications → Permissions

Turn off battery optimization for the file manager (otherwise it may close in the background)

Backup important data before mass operations-->

5. Create folders through ADB (for power users)

If you need to create a folder in a protected system directory (for example, /system or /data), Root rights and tool will be required ADB (Android Debug Bridge.This method is only suitable for advanced users, as incorrect actions can lead to a device bribing.

Connect your phone to your PC, turn on Debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 once you hit the version → return to → For developers → Debugging by USB). Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) enter:

adb shell


su




mkdir /path/k/folder




chmod 755 /path/k/folder

Replace the /path/k/folder with a real path, for example, /sdcard/My documents, chmod team 755 It sets the read/write rights for the owner and the read/do for the rest. Without root rights, you can only create folders in the same way. /sdcard (internal memory or SD-map.

⚠️ Attention: Change of system folders (/system, /vendor) without root rights or through the wrong commands ADB You can always check the tracks and backup through the boot. TWRP before experimentation.

6. Automation of folder creation (Tasker, MacroDroid)

If you regularly need to create folders on a schedule or under certain conditions (such as when connecting to Wi-Fi), you can automate the process using applications like Tasker or MacroDroid.

1. Install MacroDroid from Google Play.
2. Click + → Add macros.
3. As a trigger, select a Wi-Fi Connection (or other event).
4. In the actions, select File System → Create a folder.
5. Indicate the path (e.g, /storage/emulated/0/Backups/) and the folder name (you can use variables, for example, Backup_%DATE%).
6. Save the macro and activate it.

In Tasker, the logic is similar, but with more flexible settings, such as creating a folder when:

• 📅 Connection of the charger.
• 📱 Installation of a new annex.
• 🔋 Battery discharge to a certain level.

Automation is useful for backups, sorting uploaded files or creating temporary folders (for example, for screenshots), the main thing is not to overload the system with unnecessary triggers so as not to put the battery down.

💡

If you work with folders on Xiaomi often, add the Explorer widget to the desktop. To do this, press the free space on the screen → Widgets → find Files and drag it. This will speed up access to frequently used directories.

7. Problem Solving: Folders are not created or disappear

Sometimes users find that folders that are created disappear, do not appear or cannot be deleted.

If folders disappear after the MIUI update, try:

1. Reset the Explorer settings (Settings → Applications → Files → Reset).
2. Install an alternative file manager (e.g. Solid Explorer).
3. Check the free space on the device (if the memory is less than 1 GB, the system can delete the cache and temporary folders).

💡

If folders are not created by any method, check the file system for errors. To do this, connect the phone to your PC and run disk check (in Windows: right-click on the drive → Properties → Service → Check).

FAQ: Frequent questions about folders on Xiaomi