How to Create a Hidden Folder on Xiaomi’s Desktop: 5 Proven Ways

Creating a hidden folder on Xiaomi’s desktop is a challenge that worries many users who want to protect their personal files from prying eyes. Unlike standard password archiving methods, hidden folders in MIUI allow you to hide content directly in the system interface without resorting to third-party cloud services. However, not everyone knows that Xiaomi’s firmware has both built-in tools for this and hidden features available through an engineering menu or ADB.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, from simple (through the standard file manager) to advanced (using the command line), pay special attention to the nuances for different versions of MIUI (from MIUI 12 to HyperOS), and also explain how to circumvent the system limitations if the hidden folder suddenly became visible after the update. If you are a user of Redmi Note 12, Poco X5 or Black Shark 5, the instructions will also fit for your model.

1. Hiding a folder through the standard MIUI file manager

The most obvious way is to use Xiaomi’s built-in File Manager, which supports folder hiding without additional apps, but with important caveats: files will remain accessible through Windows Explorer when connected via MTP, and will also be visible in some third-party file managers (such as Solid Explorer).

To hide the folder:

• 📁 Open Files (Icon on the desktop or in the application menu).
• 🔍 Go to the Local Storage section → Internal memory (or SD-map if the folder is there).
• 👆 Long press on the folder. → select Rename.
• 🔑 Add a dot to the beginning of the title (e.g..Secret Photos).
• 🔄 Return to the desktop – the folder will disappear from view.

Important: this method only works for folders in the root directory of internal memory, DCIM/.It will remain visible in some managers.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI Before HyperOS, hidden folders with a dot can be displayed again in the "Recent Files" section. To avoid this, turn off the history in the file manager settings: Settings → Showing recent files.

Make sure that the folder does not contain system files.

Make a backup copy of important data

Check the available space on the device (minimum 100 MB)

Turn off sync with Mi Cloud for this folder-->

2.Using the Protected Folder function in MIUI

Starting with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi added a built-in Private Folder feature that encrypts content and requires a password or fingerprint to access it, a method that is more reliable than simply renaming, since files will not be visible even when connected to a PC.

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Secure folder.
2. Create a password (or use biometrics).
3. Return to Files, select a folder → Move to a secure folder.
4. Confirm the action with a password.

Limitations of the method:

• 🔒 The folder will only be available through the Files MIUI (Not visible in Google Files or Total Commander).
• 📱 When resetting the phone to factory settings, the contents of the protected folder will be deleted without the possibility of recovery.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Re-authorization may be required.

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If the protected folder doesn't show up in the settings, check the firmware region. On some global versions of MIUI for Redmi, this feature is disabled. Solution: switch to MIUI EU or use a VPN with India region when setting up.

3. Hiding through the Engineering Menu (for Advanced)

For users who are ready to work with system settings, there is a way to hide the folder through the engineering menu (#4636##), which is suitable for devices on MIUI 13+ and requires activation of the developer mode.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1
4. Reset the device.
5. Now in the Files will appear the option to Hide the folder in the context menu (long press).

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB-Teams can lead to disruptions in work MIUI. Before execution, create a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

4. Third-party applications for hiding folders

If the built-in methods don’t work, you can use specialized applications from Google Play, which offer additional features: encryption, imitation of other applications (for example, a calculator), and even remote data erasure.

Top.-3 tested applications:

• 🔐 Hide It Pro (Audio Manager) – masquerades as an audio player, supports a password and fingerprint.
• 🗃️ GalleryVault – hides photos / videos, blocks screenshots inside the application.
• 🔒 App Hider – Creates a “secret desktop” with hidden folders and apps.

How to hide the folder through Hide It Pro:

1. Install the application and create PIN-code.
2. In the main menu, select Import Files.
3. Specify a folder to hide (e.g. /storage/emulated/0/Download/Secret).
4. Confirm the transfer – the original folder will be deleted and its contents encrypted in the application store.

Built-in secure folder MIUI

Rename the dot

Third-party annexes (specify which)

Engineering menu/ADB

I'm not hiding it.-->

5. Hiding a folder via TWRP (for root users)

If your Xiaomi has a custom TWRP recap on it, you can hide the folder at the file system level by changing its attributes, a method that is suitable for root-right users and requires caution.

Step-by-step:

1. Boot to TWRP (turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume up).
2. Select Advanced → File Manager.
3. Go to the directory with the folder (e.g. /data/media/0/).
4. Select the folder and click Change Attributes.
5. In the Permissions field, set 0000 (full cover).
6. Save the changes and reboot.

⚠️ Note: Change system folder attributes (e.g, /data/app) may lead to collapse MIUI. Use this method only for user data.

6. Alternative methods: password archiving and cloud storage

If you need not just to hide the folder, but to completely protect it from access, consider the following options:

• 📦 Password Archive: Use 7-Zip or RAR You have to unpack the files to view them.
• ☁️ Cloud Storages with Encryption: Mi Cloud (enable Confidential Album), Proton Drive or Cryptomator to Create Encrypted Containers.
• 🔗 Symbolic references: By means of ADB You can create a symbolic link to the folder in a place that is not accessible to the user (for example, /data/local/tmp).

Example of creating a password archive through 7-Zip on Xiaomi:

1. Install 7-Zip from Google Play.
2. Open the application, select the folder for archiving.
3. Enter the ZIP/AES-256 format and set a password.
4. After creating the archive, delete the original folder.

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For maximum security, combine methods: for example, hide the folder in a protected MIUI folder, and then pack it into an archive with a password, so even if access to the phone is leaked, an attacker will not be able to quickly get the files.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden folders on Xiaomi