Hidden folders on Xiaomi smartphones are not only a way to protect personal photos from prying eyes, but also an effective tool for organizing files. MIUI There are built-in mechanisms to hide data, but most users don't even know it exists. For example, did you know that Redmi Note 12 can create a folder that will only be visible after you type in? PIN-- The code of the system? POCO F5 There is a hidden section called "Private Album" that is not displayed in the gallery?
In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven ways to create a secret folder on any Xiaomi device – from standard features MIUI 14/15 You'll learn how to hide folders without root rights, how to protect them with passwords, and why some methods stop working after you update your firmware, and a unique way to hide a folder without even a file manager knowing the exact path.
1. Built-in function "Private album" in MIUI
The easiest way to hide photos and videos is to use the built-in Private Album tool, which is available in the Xiaomi gallery starting from the beginning of the year. MIUI 12.This feature does not require the installation of additional applications and works on all models - from the budget Redmi. 10A to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
To activate a private album:
- 📱 Open the standard Gallery app (not Google Photos!)
- 🔒 Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Private album
- 🔑 Set a password (it may be different from the PIN-phone-unlocking code)
- 📂 Select photo/video to hide or click Add manually
The main advantage of this method is that files disappear completely from the main gallery and do not appear in other applications (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram), but there is a caveat: if someone knows your password from a private album, they will be able to access all hidden files, and after resetting the phone to factory settings, all data from the private album will be deleted irrevocably.
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If you forget the password from the private album, it can be reset via Settings. → Passwords and security → Private album, but you will need to enter a pattern lock or PIN-phone-code.
2. Hiding folders through the file manager (no password)
If you just need to hide a folder from the eyes of the eye, but you don't have to password it, you can use the standard Xiaomi File Manager. MIUI It does not require the rights of a superuser.
Instructions:
- Open the File Manager (Folder icon on the desktop)
- Go to Device or Internal Memory
- Find the folder you want to hide and hold your finger on the name.
- In the menu that appears, select Rename
- Add a dot at the beginning of the folder name, for example:.MyPhoto
- Click Ready – the folder will disappear from the general list
Now, this folder won't show up in the standard file manager, but it's still available:
- 🔍 Search by name (if you know the exact name)
- 📁 In some third-party file managers (e.g. Solid Explorer)
- 💻 When connecting the phone to the computer through USB
Make sure there are no important system files in the folder|Make a backup copy of the data|Remember the exact name of the folder (with a dot)|Check the visibility of the folder in other applications-->
This is a good way to temporarily hide files, but it doesn’t provide strong protection, and if you need to securely hide sensitive data, you’d better use password methods (described below).
3. Create a hidden folder with a password through Second Space
Second Space (Second Space) function MIUI It allows you to create a completely isolated profile on your phone with separate apps, files and settings, and it's the perfect way to hide not only folders, but entire instant messenger accounts, banking apps and other sensitive data.
How to set up Second Space:
- Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space
- Click Create Second Space and follow the instructions
- Set a separate password, pattern lock or fingerprint to log in
- After creation, switch to Second Space (the icon in the notification panel)
- Create folders, transfer files and install the necessary applications
Advantages of this method:
- 🔐 Complete isolation: files from Second Space are not visible in the main profile
- 📱 Separate settings: you can install another wallpaper, sounds, applications
- 🛡️ Protection: A password is required to enter, which may differ from the main one
- 📴 Fast switching: changing space takes 2-3 seconds
Second Space has limitations, however:
- ⚠️ It takes up extra space on the phone (around) 1-2 GB)
- ⚠️ Some system applications are duplicated (e.g. Gallery)
- ⚠️ When you reset your phone, data from Second Space will be deleted.
Never tried.|I use it for work.|Hiding personal information.|I forgot what it was.|Another option-->
4. Hiding folders through password-archiving
If you need to not just hide the folder, but also protect its content from viewing, you can use password archiving, which works on all Xiaomi devices and requires no special knowledge.
Instructions:
- Install a file manager with archiving support, for example RAR or ZArchiver
- Select the folder you want to hide
- Select the option to Archive or Compress
- Specify the format ZIP or RAR (recommended RAR better defense)
- Check the box Set the password and come up with a reliable code.
- After creating the archive, delete the original folder.
Now your files are password protected and to view them, you need to:
- Open the archive in the file manager
- Enter a password
- Unlock files into a temporary folder
This method is more reliable than simply renaming a folder, but has its drawbacks:
- ⚠️ If you lose your password, the data will not be restored.
- ⚠️ The archive takes up extra space (albeit less than the original files)
- ⚠️ To view files, you need to enter a password every time
How to crack the password from RAR-archive?
5. Advanced Hiding Through Change of File Attributes (for experienced)
This is a method that's suitable for those who are willing to dig a little bit into the phone settings, and we're going to change the attributes of the folder so that it becomes invisible to standard applications. ADB-team.
If you have root rights:
- Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer
- Find the folder you want to hide.
- Keep your finger on the folder. → Properties → Change the permits
- Uncheck Reading and Writing for all users
- Save the changes – the folder will disappear from public access
If root rights are not available, you can use them. ADB:
adb shell
su
chmod 000 /sdcard/ Name of the folderTo return the folder back, do:
chmod 755 /sdcard/ Name of the folderThis method makes the folder completely invisible to most applications, including gallery and file managers.
⚠️ Warning: If you forget the name of the folder or the path to it, it will be extremely difficult to restore access.
| Coverage method | Root is required. | Password protection | PC visibility | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private album | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ⭐ |
| Rename (point) | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐ |
| Second Space | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐ |
| Password archive | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (but password-encrypted) | ⭐⭐ |
| Change of attributes | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
6. Third-party applications for hiding folders
If integrated functions MIUI You don't like it, you can use third-party apps.-3 tested:
1. AppLock (by DoMobile Lab)
- 🔒 Blocks access to folders and applications with a password or fingerprint
- 📂 You can hide files inside the safe"
- 🎭 Supports camouflage under a calculator or game
2. Hide It Pro (Audio Manager)
- 🎵 Masquerades as an audio player
- 📁 Hiding photos, videos, documents
- 🔐 Protection PIN-code-key
3. Vaulty
- 📸 Automatic concealment of screenshots and photos
- 🔄 Backup to the cloud
- 🚨 The Panic Button function for quick concealment
Before installing third-party applications, consider:
⚠️ Note: Some file hiding applications may collect your data. Before installing, check permissions in Settings → Annexes → Permissions and read reviews on Google Play.
Also remember that after deleting such an application, hidden files can disappear irrevocably if you do not make a backup.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When working with hidden folders, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:
1.The hidden folder became visible again after the update MIUI
This is because some updates reset the file system settings to avoid the problem:
- 🔄 Regularly check the visibility of hidden folders after updates
- 📁 Use multiple methods of hiding at the same time (e.g. renaming) + archiving)
2 Forgot the password from a private album or Second Space
If you forgot your password:
- For a Private Album: Reset It Through Settings → Passwords and security → Private album (required) PIN phone)
- Second Space: The only way to reset your phone is to factory-fabricated settings (data will be lost!)
3. Hidden files take up space but are not visible
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the phone memory is full, but hidden files are not displayed.
- 🔍 Use a file manager with hidden file search (e.g. Solid Explorer)
- 💻 Connect your phone to your PC and enable the display of hidden files in Windows Explorer
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The most reliable way to hide files on Xiaomi is a combination of archiving with a password + Second Space archives, which protects data from both random viewing and loss when you reset your settings.