How to safely delete folder on the phone Xiaomi Redmi: all the ways

Deleting folders on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones only seems like a simple task – in practice, users are faced with secure system directories, hidden MIUI files and errors like “Inadequate rights” or “Folder is used.” In this article, we will discuss all working methods for deleting from a standard file manager to ADB commands, and explain why some folders can not be deleted without root rights and how to circumvent the limitations of MIUI 14/15.

We'll focus on hidden folders with app cache (e.g. com.miui.gallery or Android/data) — if they're deleted incorrectly, you can crash your camera or gallery. We'll also show you how to distinguish system directories from user directories so you don't mess with your phone. If you're trying to make room on a Redmi Note 12 or Redmi 10C, but the folder doesn't get deleted, you'll find a solution here.

1. Delete the folder through the standard MIUI file manager

The most obvious way is to use Xiaomi’s built-in file manager, which is suitable for deleting custom folders (such as photos, music, or downloads), but often blocks access to system directories.

Open the Files app → go to Device or Internal Memory. Find the folder you want, hold it with your finger for 2 seconds until the tick appears. Then click on the basket icon in the top menu. If the delete button is inactive, the folder is protected by the system.

• 📁 What folders can be deleted: Download, DCIM/Camera (If you have moved photos, Music, Documents.
• 🔒 Which folders are protected: Android, MIUI, system, any with the name com.* (appendices).
• ⚙️ Nyuance: MIUI 14+ some folders (e.g, Pictures/Screenshots) Disable only after synchronization with Mi Cloud is disabled.

⚠️ Note: If you delete the folder DCIM/.thumbnails If you get an error, it means that the gallery is still using thumbnails, close all apps through Recent and try again.

2. Delete via PC: Connecting the phone as USB-accumulator

If the MIUI file manager refuses to delete the folder, try connecting Redmi to your computer, which works even for some secure directories (such as Bluetooth or Alarms), but requires you to set up the connection correctly:

First, activate the file transfer mode (MTP):

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
2. On the Redmi screen, select File Transfer (not Charge Only!).
3. On your computer, open This computer → find the Xiaomi device in the Devices and Disks section.
4. Go to the desired folder and delete it in the standard way (Delete key or right mouse button → Delete).

If the folder is deleted but then reappears (e.g. Android/data/com.xiaomi.midrop), it means that the system application restores it, in which case only disabling the application through settings or removing root rights will help.

3. Enable debugging over USB for extended access

Deleting some folders (such as remnants of remote applications in /data/data) will require USB debugging (ADB), a method suitable for advanced users and requires pre-configuration:

Activate the Developer Mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click on the MIUI version 7 times until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Turn on USB debugging and confirm the permission.

Now connect the phone to the PC, install it. ADB-Drivers and check the connection with the team:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, you can start deleting folders through ADB (more about this in the next section).

⚠️ Warning: Do not turn on debugging by USB On phones with sensitive data, if you connect them to public computers (for example, in an Internet cafe), this can lead to the leakage of personal information.

4. Delete folders via ADB: commands for power users

With Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can delete folders that are not available through standard methods, such as clearing the cache of system applications or remnants of remote programs. Importantly, the wrong ADB command can cause MIUI to crash — use this method only if you are sure of your actions.

The main commands for working with folders:

adb shell


ls /sdcard/Folder name #Folder content check




Rm -r /sdcard/Folder name #Folder deletion (irrevocable!)

Examples of real ways:

• /sdcard/Android/obb – Game files (can be deleted if games are not in use)
• /sdcard/MIUI/sound_recorder — tape-recording.
• /sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails – Gallery miniatures (you can remove them, but they will be restored at the next gallery opening).

If the folder is in /data/data (e.g., application residues), root rights or commands will be required:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packet

To find out the name of the package, use:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"

adb pull /sdcard/ Name of the folder C:\Backup\

This will copy the folder to your PC, and you can restore it if necessary.-->

5 Why the folder is not deleted: common errors and solutions

Even after all the manipulation, some folders may not be deletionable, and consider typical scenarios and how to circumvent them:

• 🔄 The folder appears again after deletion: It is restored by the system application (for example, com.miui.player creates a folder). MIUI/music). Solution: Disable the application in the settings or delete it through ADB.
• 🔐 «Not enough rights": the folder belongs to another user (e.g. root) Solution: get root rights or use ADB with superuser rights (adb root).
• 📱 Phone freezes when deleted: Folder is currently being used by the system Solution: Reboot phone in Safe Mode (hold power button) → «Reboot in Safe Mode and try again.
• 🗑️ The folder is "empty" but not deleted: It may contain hidden files.Solution: use the command ADB ls -a, See all the elements.

Mi Cloud folders (e.g. MIUI/Backup) are particularly difficult to remove, and if sync is enabled, the system will restore them automatically.

1. Open your Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud
2. Turn off sync for an application associated with the folder (such as Gallery or Notes).
3. Delete the folder and restart the phone.

💡

If the folder is not deleted in any way, it is likely critical to MIUI, in which case it is best left or transferred to the memory card (if possible).

6.Alternative methods: root rights and third-party file managers

If the standard methods didn’t work, there are radical measures left to get root rights or use specialized applications. Remember: Xiaomi does not officially support rooting, and this may take away your warranty.

Method 1: Root rights + Root Explorer

Once you get root (for example, through Magisk), install a file manager with super-user support, such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer, where you can:

• Delete system folders (e.g. /system/app).
• Change access rights (chmod).
• Edit files in /data/data.

⚠️ Attention: Removal of folders in /system This can lead to a phone "brick" (unable to download). TWRP before such operations.

Method 2: Apps without root

Some file managers (such as FX File Explorer or Mixplorer) can work directly with ADB, allowing you to delete folders without manually entering commands.

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate ADB (as in Section 3).
2. In the manager settings, turn on ADB-access.
3. Go to the desired folder and delete it through the context menu.

7. How to free up space without deleting folders: alternative solutions

If the goal is to free up memory, rather than specifically delete the folder, consider safer ways to:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management, select an application (such as Gallery) and click Clear Cache.This will delete temporary files in the /data/data/name-pack/cache.
• 📱 Transfer to memory card: In the file manager, hold the folder → Cut out → cross over SD-map → Insert. Works for multimedia and documents.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move your files to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Yandex Disk, then delete local copies.
• 🔍 Search for Large Files: In the File Manager, click on three dots → Storage analysis. Delete unnecessary videos, APK file-book.

Redmi with MIUI 14/15 has a built-in Deep Cleanup feature:

1. Open Security (Icon with Shield)
2. Select Cleanup. → Deep cleaning.
3. Mark unnecessary files (such as Residual Files or Large Files) and click Clear.

This method is safer than manual folder removal, as MIUI automatically ignores system directories.

FAQ: Frequent questions about deleting folders on Xiaomi Redmi