How to delete hidden files on Xiaomi Android smartphones: 5 proven ways

Hidden files on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones take up precious space in memory, slow down the system and may contain remnants of deleted applications, cache or even malicious elements. Unlike regular files, they do not appear in standard Explorer, but they can be detected using special tools or commands. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for finding and removing hidden files on MIUI – from simple ways through embedded settings to advanced techniques using ADB.

It is important to understand that not all hidden files are safe to delete, some of which are critical to operating systems (e.g.,.nomedia or Android/data folders), we will explain in detail which files can be deleted without risk and which should not be touched, and you will learn how to distinguish system debris from useful hidden data and avoid errors during cleaning.

Why do hidden files appear on Xiaomi?

Hidden files on Xiaomi are not always caused by viruses or crashes, but are usually created by:

📱 System MIUI — To store temporary data, logs (.log), configurations (.conf) or backups.
🎮 Games and applications – many programs (for example, PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact saves cache in hidden folders like com.tencent.ig.
🔄 Software updates – after installing updates, temporary files remain in folders like /cache or /data/local/tmp.
🛡️ Antivirus and Optimizers – Xiaomi’s Security App Can Create Hidden Scan Reports.

Most of these files are harmless, but over time they accumulate and take up gigabytes of memory. For example, the thumbnails folder can weigh up to 1-2 GB, even though the user does not see it. And the cache of games like Call of Duty Mobile sometimes reaches 5-7 GB and does not clear automatically.

📊 How often do you clean up hidden files on your smartphone?

Once a month

Only when memory ends

Never cleaned.

Using automatic cleaning.

Method 1: Viewing hidden files through a standard MIUI Explorer

The easiest method is to enable the display of hidden files in Xiaomi’s standard Explorer.This works on all devices with MIUI 12/13/14 (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.).

Open the Files app** (Folder icon).
Tap on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
Activate the switch to show hidden files.
Go back to the root catalogue (/storage/emulated/0/) and check the folders: 📁 Android/data — cache; 📁 DCIM/.thumbnails — photo/video sketches; 📁 Download/.temp — time-loading; 📁 MIUI/backup — backup.

Now you can manually delete files that you don't need, but be careful not to touch folders with names like system, vendor, etc., which can cause MIUI to crash.

Delete the.thumbnails folder (sketch)

Clear Download/.temp (Temporary Files)

Remove old logs in MIUI/debug_log

Clear the cache in Android/data/<packet>/cache (Remote applications only)-->

⚠️ Note: If you see files with the.apk or.zip extension in folders like /data/local/tmp, Do not remove them during the update. MIUI. This could interrupt the firmware process.

Method 2: Use a file manager with root rights (for advanced ones)

If your Xiaomi has an unlocked bootloader and Magisk (root rights) installed, you can use powerful file managers like Root Explorer or Solid Explorer, which allow you to access system partitions where most of the garbage is hidden.

Instructions:

Install Root Explorer from Google Play.
Provide root access at the first start.
Go to the root directory (/) and open folders: /data/local/tmp # Temporary update files /cache # System cache /system/lost+found # Remains after crashes
Delete unnecessary files, but do not touch them: 🚫 /system, /vendor — critical system files; 🚫 /data/data — Application data (may break programs).

With root rights, you can also clean Dalvik-cache (folder) /data/dalvik-cache), But after cleaning it up, it's recommended that you restart the device.

What if after deleting files, the smartphone began to slow down?

If Xiaomi started to work more slowly after cleaning the hidden files, try: 1. Reboot the device (long hold of the power button → Reboot). 2. Clear the cache in Settings → Apps → App Management → Cash. 3. Run the Security App and perform Deep Cleanup. If the problem remains, important system files may have been deleted. In this case, only a factory reset will help (Settings → About Phone → Reset).

MIUI has a hidden menu for advanced system setup where you can clear hidden cache and temporary files.This method does not require root rights and works on most devices (including Redmi 10, POCO F4, Xiaomi 12 Lite).

How to open MIUI Hidden Settings:

Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636###

⚠️ Note: Not all codes work on new versions MIUI 14+. If ##4636### doesn't work, try the alternative code: ##2664### It opens the battery test menu, which also has the option of cleaning the cache.

Method 4: Delete hidden files via ADB (without root)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool to control your smartphone through your computer, which is suitable for removing hidden files that you can’t access through Explorer.

Step-by-step:

Download ADB Tools on PC.
Turn on USB debugging on Xiaomi: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to become a developer) → Additional settings → For developers → Debugging on USB.
Connect your smartphone to your PC and open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) in the adb folder.
Follow the commands: adb devices # Check the connection adb shell # Go to the shell of the smartphone ls -la /sdcard/ # View hidden files on the memory card rm -rf /sdcard/.thumbnails # Delete sketches (example)

Through ADB, you can remove:

🗃️.thumbnails,.face (sketch and facial recognition data);
📂 /data/local/tmp (temporary update files);
📄.log,.tmp in application folders.

💡

Before deleting files via ADB, back up your important data. the adb pull /sdcard/Backup/ ~/Desktop/ command will copy the Backup folder from your phone to your desktop.

Method 5: Automatic Cleaning with Security App

Xiaomi’s built-in Security App can find and remove hidden debris, including:

🗑️ Residual files after uninstallation of applications;
📁 Duplicate photos and videos;
🔍 System process cache;
📊 Large files (>50 MB that have not been used for a long time.

How to start a deep cleaning:

Open the "Security" (Shield icon).

Important: Security does not delete critical system files, but it can skip some hidden folders (like game cache).

Table: Which hidden files can be deleted and which can not

File/folder type	Can I remove it?	Effects of removal	Recommendation
.thumbnails	✅ Yes.	Photo/video sketches will be recreated	Remove once every 1-2 months
Android/data/<package>/cache	✅ Yes (for remote applications only)	Cash will be restored at the next launch of the program	Cleaning after uninstallation of games
/data/local/tmp	✅ Yes.	Temporary update files	Remove after successful MIUI update
MIUI/debug_log	✅ Yes.	Logs of the system (not critical)	Cleaning up when memory is lacking
/system, /vendor	❌ No.	System failure, inability to load	Don't touch without root and backup.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden files on Xiaomi

Can I delete the Android/obb folder? It takes up a lot of space.

The obb folder contains additional data for games and applications (such as graphics for Genshin Impact or Call of Duty), which can only be deleted for games that you have uninstalled. If the game is still installed, removing obb will lead to launch errors.

After the hidden files were cleaned, the photos were lost.

Most likely, files from the DCIM or Pictures folder were deleted. Try: Check the Recycle Bin in the Gallery app. Use the data recovery software: DiskDigger, Recuva (root required). If photos are synced with Google Photos or Mi Cloud, check the cloud.

How to disable the creation of hidden files (e.g.,.thumbnails)?

It is impossible to completely disable the creation of hidden files, but you can reduce their number: 📷 Turn off creating thumbnails in the settings "Gallery». 🎮 Limit the game cache in the application settings (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Cash). 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through “Security».

Why is the memory not freed after the hidden files are deleted?

This can happen for several reasons: 🔄 Files are still busy with system processes (reboot your smartphone). 🗑️ Only the file shortcuts are removed, and the data itself remains (use) ADB or root manager). 📊 Memory fragmented (perform optimization in "Security»).

Can I delete hidden files on Xiaomi without a computer?

Most of the methods in this article do not require a PC: 📱 Standard conductor MIUI (method); 🛡️ Annex "Security"** (Method 5); 🔍 Hidden menu ##4636## (method 3). ADB root managers are only needed for deep cleaning of system partitions.