How to create a folder on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: all ways + problem solving

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 remains one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but even experienced users sometimes have questions about basic operations. One of them is creating folders to organize files. MIUI (Xiaomi’s branded shell has its own features that are not always obvious.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to create folders on Redmi Note 9, from the standard file manager to third-party applications, focusing on common errors that prevent folders from being created or disappear after a reboot, and how to name a folder correctly so that it displays correctly in different applications, and why sometimes DCIM or Download behave differently than expected.

1. Method 1: through the standard MIUI File Manager

The most obvious and quickest method is to use the built-in file manager. On the Redmi Note 9, it's called Explorer** or File Manager (in the English version of firmware), you'll find it in the app menu or search the system (swipe down on the home screen).

Instructions:

• 📂 Open the “Conductor” and go to the Internal Memory section or SD-map (if installed).
• 📍 Select the folder you want to create a new one inside (such as Download or root directory).
• ➕ Click on three dots in the upper right corner (⋮) → Choose Create a folder (or New folder).
• ✏️ Enter the name (without prohibited characters: / \: *? " < > |) And press OK.

An important caveat: if you create a folder at the root of internal memory, its name must not match system directories (e.g. Android, MIUI, DCIM), otherwise the folder may not appear or be available for some applications.

Check the free space on the device|Make sure the folder name does not contain any prohibited characters.|Do not create folders in system partitions (e.g. system or data)|Restart your phone if the new folder doesn’t show up-->

2. Method 2: through the Gallery app (for photos and videos)

If you need to organize media files, it is more convenient to do it directly in the Gallery app, which is suitable for creating folders with photos and videos that will be automatically recognized by the system.

How it works:

• 🖼️ Open the Gallery and select the Albums section.
• ➕ Press the badge. + (usually) → Make an album.
• 📁 Please specify the name and add files to it (you can choose later).
• 💾 Click Save - the folder will appear in DCIM or Pictures.

Note that the albums created through the Gallery are physically folders in the phone’s memory, and can be seen in the Explorer along the path of Inner Memory/DCIM/.thumbnails or Pictures. However, not all file managers display hidden folders (those that start from a dot).

I create folders manually |Use cloud services |I store everything in Download |I don't sort at all-->

3. Method 3: Using third-party file managers

Xiaomi’s standard Explorer isn’t always convenient — for example, it doesn’t show hidden files by default and has limited functionality.

• 📱 Solid Explorer (paid, but with trial period)
• 📂 FX File Explorer (free, root-supported)
• 🔍 Total Commander (classic two-panel manager)

Example of folder creation in Solid Explorer:

1. Open the app and give access to the memory.
2. Go to the desired partition (for example, /storage/emulated/0/ is the root of internal memory).
3. Click on the + icon in the lower menu → Folder.
4. Enter the name and confirm the creation.

Third-party managers have the advantage of showing the full structure of the file system, including hidden folders (such as.nomedia, which blocks scanning of media files).

Method 4: Connecting to a PC (as a flash drive)

If you don't have enough space on your phone or you're more comfortable with a big screen, you can create a folder through your computer.

1. Connect the Redmi Note 9 to your PC via USB (use the original cable!).
2. On the phone, select File Transfer Mode (FTP or MTP).
3. Open this computer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) – the phone will appear as a removable disk.
4. Go to the desired section (for example, Internal storage) and create the folder in the standard way (right click → Create → Folder).

⚠️ Note: if the phone is not detected when connecting, check:

• 🔌 Cable (try another, preferably with data support).
• 📱 Connection mode on the phone (should be File System, not just charging).
• 🖥️ Drivers on PC (Windows may require Mi installation) PC Suite).

This method is convenient for mass file transfer, but has a limitation: some system folders (for example, the system folders are not used for the purpose of file transfer, Android/data) Can not be changed through a PC without root rights.

5. Method 5: Using ADB (for advanced users)

If you need to create a folder in a protected partition (for example, to modify the system), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires the inclusion of USB debugging and is suitable only for advanced users.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on this item.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell


mkdir /sdcard/NewFolder

Where /sdcard/ is the root of the internal memory and NewFolder is the desired name.

⚠️ Attention: creating folders in sections /system or /data/data If you don't have root rights, you'll get Permission denied. Don't try to get around the restrictions, it could disrupt the system.

💡

If the adb command is not recognized, download Google’s Platform Tools and add the path to the folder to the PATH environment variable.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even after successful folder creation, Redmi Note 9 users face a number of challenges.

If none of these methods worked, check the integrity of the file system.

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Choose to check and correct (if available).
3. Or connect your phone to your PC and execute the command in ADB:

adb shell fsck /dev/block/mmcblk0p1

⚠️ This command requires root rights and can lead to data loss if used incorrectly!

💡

If the folder is not created in any way, check the free space on the device (minimum required). ~500 MB) and integrity SD-cards (if you use them).

7. How to name the folder correctly: rules and restrictions

What could possibly go wrong with naming a folder? In fact, MIUI and Android impose a number of limitations:

• 🚫 Prohibited symbols: / \: *? " < > | — Using them will lead to an error.
• 📛 Name length: no more 255 symbols (including the path, /storage/emulated/0/The name of the folder may not work.
• 🔤 Register: Android is case sensitive (Folder and folder are different directories).
• 📁 System names: you can not use con, prn, aux, nul (Windows reserved if you connect your phone to a PC).

Recommendations on naming:

• 📌 Use Latin or Cyrillic without spaces (replace with or -).
• 🗃️ For media files, it is better to stick to standard folders: DCIM (Photos, Music (audio), Movies (video).
• 🔍 If the folder is not visible in the application, add at least one file to it – some managers do not display empty directories.

Example of correct names:

• ✅ Work_Documents_2026
• ✅ Photo vacation Sochi
• ❌ My files/documents? (contains prohibited characters)

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions