How to see hidden folders on Xiaomi: all the ways for MIUI 14 and 15

Hidden folders on Xiaomi smartphones are a standard MIUI feature that hides system files and user data from accidental deletion. However, sometimes you need to access them: for backup, garbage removal or manual configuration of applications. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to display hidden files on Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi devices (including the models of 2023-2026 on MIUI 14/15).

It is important to understand that not all hidden folders are safe to edit, for example, system directories like /data/system or /miad can crash if you delete or change their contents. We will explain how to turn them on, but warn about the risks for each file category.

If you are looking for a specific folder (e.g..thumbnails for thumbnail cache or.nomedia for media files), there is a separate section in the article describing them. We will also look at cases where hidden files do not appear even after the appropriate option is enabled - this is a common problem on firmware with a modified file manager.

1. Standard method through the MIUI file manager

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI Explorer (Files app) and it supports the display of hidden folders on all current firmware versions, including MIUI 15 for Xiaomi 14 and Redmi Note 13.

Open the Files app** (the folder icon on the desktop or in the application menu).
Slip along three horizontal lines (☰) in the upper left corner to open the side menu.
Select the "Settings"** (cog icon).
Scroll down to the "Advanced" section and activate the "Show Hidden Files" switch.

After that, folders with a dot at the beginning of the name, such as.backup,.data or.miui, will appear in the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/).Please note that some system directories (for example, /data/data/) will still be unavailable without root rights.

Check the Files app version in Google Play| Update MIUI to the latest stable version|Reboot your smartphone |Remove the Files app cache in your settings

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Some firmware (especially global ones) may not have the "Show hidden files" option, in which case try alternative methods in the following sections.

2.Use of third-party file managers

If the built-in MIUI Explorer doesn't show hidden folders, install a third-party app. Best options for Xiaomi:

📁 Solid Explorer supports root, cloud storage and dual-panel mode. In the settings there is a separate switch for hidden files.
🔍 FX File Explorer - shows system folders even without root rights (partially). FTP-server.
🛠️ MiXplorer - optimized for MIUI, It supports archives and network protocols, free, but requires manual installation. APK.

Instructions for Solid Explorer:

Open the app and tap the menu icon (☰) top-left.
Select “Settings” → “Display settings”**.
Activate the option to “Show hidden files”**.
To access the system folders (/data/, /system/) you need root.

Built-in “Files»|Solid Explorer|FX File Explorer|MiXplorer|Other-->

Third-party managers have the advantage of having more sorting and search capabilities, such as MiXplorer, which allows you to filter files by date of change or extension, which is convenient for finding hidden debris.

3. Access via ADB (without root rights)

If you need to see hidden folders once (for example, for diagnostics), you can use ADB, a debugging tool from Google, which does not require root rights, but involves connecting your smartphone to your computer.

You'll need:

🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or certified).
📥 Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from the site) XDA Developers).

Instructions:

Turn on Developer Mode** on your smartphone: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap the build number 7 times.

adb shell ls -la /storage/emulated/0/

This command will display a list of all files and folders in the root directory, including hidden ones (with a dot at the beginning).

adb pull /storage/emulated/0/.name of folder/C:\path\on\computer

What if the ADB can’t see the device?

Make sure you have File Transfer (MTP) enabled in the notification curtain. If the drivers don't automatically install, download the Mi USB Driver from Xiaomi's official website. Also check if the antivirus or firewall is blocking access.

Important: you can't edit system folders without root permissions through ADB, just view their contents. Full access requires unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk.

4. Which hidden folders are safe to open (and which are not)

Not all hidden folders on Xiaomi are equally useful, and below is a table describing the most common directories and the level of risk when editing them.

folder	Appointment	Can I remove it?	Risk of change
.thumbnails	Gallery miniature cash	Yeah (makes room)	Low (miniatures will re-arrange)
.nomedia	Excludes folder from media scanning	No (only create)	Medium (files can be duplicated in the gallery)
.backup	Backup copies of applications and settings	Partially (remove only unnecessary backups)	High (Data loss during recovery)
/data/data/	User application data	No.	Critical (will cause applications to fail)
.miui	Theme and design settings of MIUI	No.	Average (resetting themes to standard)

Be especially careful with folders with the com prefix. (e.g. com.xiaomi.market) is application data, and deleting them is equivalent to clearing the cache through settings, but can lead to errors the next time you run the program.

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5. Problems with displaying hidden folders and their solutions

Sometimes even after you turn on the "Show Hidden Files" option, folders don't appear. Consider the reasons and ways to eliminate them:

🔄 File Manager Cache: Clear Files Application Data in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Files. → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
📱 Update MIUI: On some versions of the firmware (for example, MIUI 12.5 Enhanced) option hidden. Upgrade to the latest stable build.
🔒 Manufacturer restrictions: On devices for the Chinese market (China) ROM) You can block access to system folders. ROM.
🛡️ Antivirus or protection MIUI: Turn off “Privacy Protection”** in Settings → Confidentiality during the work with files.

If the problem persists, try using Total Commander with the Root Access plugin.This manager bypasses the MIUI restrictions and shows all folders, including /data/ and /system/.

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6. How to hide the folder back (if necessary)

If you manually created a folder and want to hide it (for example, for sensitive files), add a dot to the beginning of the title.

Open the folder that you want to hide.
Slip on its name and select "Rename"**.
Add a dot before the name (e.g. photos →.photos).
Confirm the change.

To keep the folder from showing up in the gallery, create an empty.nomedia file inside it, which will prevent MIUI from scanning it for media files, and you can do this through any text editor (for example, QuickEdit):

Open the folder in the file manager.
Create a new text file.
Save it with the name.nomedia (no extension).

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7. Alternative methods for advanced users

If standard methods don’t help, consider these options:

🌐 FTP-server: Configure access to FTP via Solid Explorer or MiXplorer, then connect from a stationary PC.

For devices running MIUI 15 and Android 14, some methods may not work due to tighter security policies, leaving only root rights or ADB with advanced commands.

How to unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi?

The procedure is officially supported by Xiaomi, but requires you to link your Mi Account to the device and wait 7-15 days (on some models). Detailed instructions: official website. Once unlocked, you can install TWRP and Magisk for full access.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)

❓ Why After Updating MIUI Hidden folders are gone again?

This is because MIUI resets some of the file manager settings after major updates.Solution: Open Files and turn on the hidden files display again in the settings. Clear the Files app cache in the settings. If it doesn't help, use a third-party manager (like Solid Explorer).

❓ Can you see hidden folders without a computer?

Yes, for this: Use a third-party file manager (see section 2). Install Termux and execute the command ls -a in the terminal. Some firmware uses the input * into the search bar of the built-in Explorer - this will show all files, including hidden ones.

❓ What to do if you can't see the folder DCIM/.thumbnails?

This folder contains a thumbnail cache for the gallery. If it doesn't show: Check if the hidden files are turned on. Use ADB or root conductor, because MIUI can block access to the gallery's system directories. Clear the Gallery app cache - the folder can be recreated automatically. Attention: removing the.thumbnails content will slow the gallery down before the cache is rebuilt.

❓ How to hide a folder without even a file manager seeing it?

You'll need root rights and an app like Root Explorer: Rename the folder by adding two dots (like..myfolder) to the beginning. Change the rootwire permissions (like chmod 000). Use encryption applications like Cryptomator or VeraCrypt. Without root rights, you can't hide the folder securely -- you can always find it through ADB or restore it from the backup.

❓ Why Xiaomi? 13/14 The hidden folder display does not work?

The new flagships (Xiaomi 13/13T/14) with MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14 have additional restrictions: Scoped Storage blocks access to some system folders. The built-in Explorer may not show hidden files even after the option is turned on. Solution: use ADB or third-party managers with SAF support. If you want full access, you will have to unlock the bootloader and get root.

Now you know all the ways to display hidden folders on Xiaomi, and the potential risks when working with them. Remember: edit system directories only if you are sure of your actions, this can lead to malfunctions in the smartphone. For most tasks (cleaning up garbage, backup), it is enough to access folders like.thumbnails or.backup, which are safe to open.

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