How to Create a Hidden Folder on Xiaomi: All the Working Methods

Hidden folders on Xiaomi smartphones are not just a way to hide personal files from prying eyes, but also an effective tool for organizing workspace, POCO The company and other brands often face the need to hide photos, documents or videos without resorting to archiving or deleting. MIUI They do not always offer obvious solutions to this problem.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods for creating hidden folders, from built-in firmware capabilities to using third-party applications. Particular attention is paid to methods that work without root rights, since most users prefer not to risk the warranty and stability of the device, you will learn how to return access to hidden data and what pitfalls can arise when using a method.

It's important to understand that hiding folders is not the same as encrypting them. If your goal is to protect against hacking or leakage, consider additional security measures, such as passwords to archives or encrypted containers.

Before proceeding with the instructions, check the version. MIUI Some methods may not work on older versions of firmware (below). MIUI Update the system through Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI, if necessary.

1. Built-in "Hidden Albums" feature in the Gallery

The easiest way to hide your photo and video folders is to use the built-in Hidden Albums feature in the standard Gallery app, which requires no additional software installation and works on all devices with a high-end image. MIUI 12 and newer.

To hide the folder:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Find the folder you want to hide and open it.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hide the album.
4. Confirm the action by entering a password or pattern lock (if requested).

After that, the folder will disappear from the main interface of the Gallery, but will remain accessible through the Hidden Albums section, which is located in the application menu (three horizontal lines in the upper left corner). To return the folder back, repeat the same actions and select Show album.

Limitations of the method:

• 📁 It works only for media files (photos, videos).
• 🔒 Does not hide folders from other file managers (for example, ES Conductor or Total Commander).
• 📱 Requires a password or pattern lock to access hidden albums.

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If you want to hide the folder not only in the Gallery, but also in other applications, use the method with a dot at the beginning of the title (described below).

2. Hiding the folder by renaming (point at the beginning of the title)

This method works at the file system level and is suitable for hiding any folders - with documents, downloads, backups, etc. The essence is to add a dot before the folder name (for example,.My Documents). These folders are not displayed in most file managers, including the standard file manager. MI Conductor.

Instructions:

1. Open any file manager (for example, MI Conductor or Solid Explorer).
2. Find the folder you want to hide and hold the name to call the context menu.
3. Select Rename and add a dot before the name (e.g.,.SecretFiles).
4. Confirm the name change.

Now the folder will become invisible in the standard interface, so to see it again, turn on the display of hidden files in the file manager settings:

• V MI Conductor: press three points → Settings → Enable Show hidden files.
• In Solid Explorer: ☰ → Settings → Hidden files.

Important: this method does not protect data. The folder can be easily detected by enabling the display of hidden files. If you need to not only hide but also protect the folder, use encryption methods (described below).

3. Use of the "Second Space" application

Xiaomi offers a unique feature called “Second Space” that allows you to create a separate work profile with your own applications, files and settings, a method that is ideal for hiding not only folders, but entire applications, messages and contacts.

How to set up Second Space:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space.
2. Click Create Second Space and follow the instructions on the screen.
3. Set a separate password or pattern lock to log in to the second profile.
4. Once created, go to Second Space and transfer the files to the folders in that profile.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔐 Complete File Isolation: Second Space folders are not visible in the main profile.
• 📱 The ability to hide not only files, but also applications, SMS, call-up.
• 🔄 Quickly switch between profiles through the notification panel.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Takes up additional space on the device (up to) 1-2 GB for system files of the second profile).
• ⏳ It takes time to set up the initial setup.

4. Hiding folders with archivers (ZIP/RAR password-wise)

If you want to not only hide the folder, but also protect its contents from outsiders, the best solution is to archive with a password, which is suitable for all types of files and does not require root rights. RAR or ZArchiver, as they support encryption.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ZArchiver from Google Play.
2. Open the app and find the folder you want to hide.
3. Hold the folder, select Add to the archive.
4. In the archive settings, select the format ZIP or RAR.
5. Set the Encrypt Files checkbox and set a strong password.
6. Click OK and wait for the archiving to be completed.
7. Delete the original folder (pre-regard that the archive is successful!).

To access the files:

1. Open ZArchiver and find the archive you created.
2. Enter the password when you request it.
3. Remove the files to the right place.

⚠️ Note: If you forget your password, you can't restore access to your files. Store your password in a safe place (for example, in the Bitwarden or KeePass password manager).

5. Third-party applications for hiding folders

If built-in methods MIUI You don't like it, you can use specialized applications, and we tested some of the popular solutions, and we selected two of the most reliable ones:

1. AppLock (by DoMobile Lab)

• 🔒 Allows you to block access to folders and files using a password or fingerprint.
• 📁 Supports folder hiding in cloud storage (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
• 📱 Has the function "Pretend mode" - shows fake files when entering the wrong password.

2. Hide Something (by Locker Team)

• 🗃️ Hiding folders by transferring them to a secure application storage.
• 🔐 Encrypts files using AES-256.
• 📎 Supports backup of hidden data to the cloud.

How to use Hide Something:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Set the main password at the first start.
3. Press. + and select folders or files to hide.
4. Confirm the transfer of data to a secure storage.

⚠️ Note: Some folder hiding applications may conflict with MIUI Optimization is Xiaomi’s built-in optimization service. If the device starts to brake after installing the application, add it to the exceptions: Settings → Annexes → Application management → ☰ → Special access → Optimizing the battery.

How to Recover Access to Hidden Folders

If you have hidden the folder by one of the methods described and can’t find it now, use this instruction:

1. For hidden albums in the Gallery:

• Open the gallery. → Click on three horizontal lines in the upper left corner.
• Select Hidden Albums and enter your password.
• Hold the folder and click Show the album.

For folders with a dot at the beginning:

• Open the file manager and enable the display of hidden files (see the instructions above).
• Find the folder (it will be translucent or with a gray icon).
• Rename it, removing the dot.

For Second Space:

• Swipe your finger down the notification panel and click on the user icon.
• Select Second Space and enter your password.
• Copy the files back to your main profile.

For password archives:

• Open the archive in ZArchiver or RAR.
• Enter the password and extract the files to the desired folder.

For third-party applications:

• Open an application that has hidden the folder (for example, Hide Something).
• Find the file in the secure storage and click Restore or Export.

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Before removing the folder hiding app, be sure to export all data back to the main storage, otherwise files can be lost without recovery.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with hidden folders, Xiaomi users often face typical problems, and consider the most common ones and how to solve them:

1.The folder is not hidden after the renaming

• 🔹 Make sure that there is only one dot before the folder name (e.g.,.Secret, not.Secret).
• 🔹 Check if the hidden files are displayed in the file manager settings (if so, turn it off).
• 🔹 Restart the device – sometimes changes only apply after a reboot.

2 Second Space is not working.

• 🔹 Make sure the feature is supported by your model (available on most devices with a MIUI 10 and newer).
• 🔹 Check if it is disabled in the settings: Settings → Special facilities → Second Space.
• 🔹 If Second Space suddenly disappeared, try resetting: Settings → Memory. → Cleanup → Resetting Second Space settings.

3. Forgot the password from the archive or application

• 🔹 For ZArchiver and RAR: You can't recover your password. If you have a backup of your files, retrieve them from there.
• 🔹 For AppLock or Hide Something: Try resetting your password via the linked email (if the feature is supported).
• 🔹 In extreme cases, reset the device settings (but this will delete all data!).

4. Hidden files are visible in other file managers

• 🔹 Turn off the display of hidden files in the settings of a specific manager.
• 🔹 Use encryption techniques (password archives or Second Space) to hide).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions