How to return a hidden folder to Xiaomi: from simple ways to ADB-team

Hidden folders on Xiaomi smartphones are not just a way to hide personal files from prying eyes, but also a potential “time bomb.” Many users are faced with a situation where, after updating MIUI, resetting settings or random manipulation of the file system, important data suddenly disappears from view, and the problem is not always associated with deletion – often folders simply become invisible to the standard conductor.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods to return hidden folders to Redmi, POCO or other Xiaomi devices, from basic MIUI actions to ADB and third-party tools. We will focus on hidden system folders (such as MIUI or Android) that often disappear after rooting or failed access experiments. If you do not find your case in standard instructions, here you will find solutions for atypical scenarios.

Why folders are hidden on Xiaomi

Before you restore access, it is important to understand the cause of the problem. On Xiaomi devices, folder hiding can occur in several scenarios:

• 📱 Update MIUI: Newer firmware versions sometimes reset the file display settings, especially if the update was error-prone.
• 🔒 Change File Attributes: Applications (such as a gallery or file manager) can automatically hide folders with certain extensions (such as.nomedia).
• 🛠️ Rooting or System Modification: After obtaining root rights or installing custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), system folders such as the system folder often disappear. /data/media/0.
• 🗑️ File system errors: Partition damage /storage/emulated/0 (For example, after improper extraction SD-The cards can make folders invisible.

A separate category is hidden MIUI folders, which are created by the system for service purposes (for example,.miui,.thumbnails or.face) and they do not appear in a standard conductor, but occupy disk space.

⚠️ Note: If the folder disappeared after resetting to factory settings, there is a high probability that the files were physically deleted (MIUI → Recycle Bin) or use data recovery software (e.g. DiskDigger).

Method 1: Enabling the display of hidden files in a standard conductor

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI file manager, which can show hidden folders, but this option is often disabled by default.

Instructions:

1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
2. Go to the Categories tab (bottom of the screen) → press three points (⋮) top-right.
3. Select "Settings» → «Additionally».
4. Activate the “Show hidden files” switch.
5. Go back to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0) and check for folders with a dot at the beginning of the title (e.g..config or.data).

If the folders don't show up, try updating the file list by pulling the screen down (pull-to-refresh gesture). Also make sure you're viewing the correct memory partition - sometimes hidden folders are only visible in internal memory, but not on the back end of the file. SD-map.

Checked the display of hidden files in the settings of the Explorer|Updated file list (pull-to-refresh)|Both sections are considered (internal memory and SD-map)|Make sure the folder isn't in the basket. MIUI-->

Method 2: Using Third-Party File Managers

The standard MIUI Explorer doesn’t always work properly with hidden files, especially if they were hidden through ADB or root.

• 📁 Solid Explorer: Supports root access and displays system folders. In settings, enable Show hidden files and Show system files.
• 🔍 FX File Explorer: Can work with the FTPS and SFTP, useful for recovering folders on remote devices.
• 🛠️ Root Explorer (requires root): Allows you to change access rights (chmod) and file owner (chown).

Recovery with Solid Explorer:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open the side menu → “Settings” → “Display”.
3. Enable the options “Show hidden files” and “Show system files”.
4. Go to the root directory (/) and find the folder on the path /storage/emulated/0/name folder.
5. If the folder is found but does not open, try changing its attributes (long press → “Properties” → uncheck “Hidden”).

⚠️ Note: When using root managers, do not change the permissions for system folders (for example, /system or /vendor). This can result in bootloop (a looped boot) or loss of warranty.

Standard conductor MIUI|Solid Explorer|FX File Explorer|Root Explorer|Other-->

Method 3: Recovery through ADB (without root)

If the folder is hidden at the file system level (e.g., via an adb shell command), you can return it with a reverse command, which works even without root rights, but requires a connection to a PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.

Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.

cmd

adb.exe

adb shell


ls -la /storage/emulated/0/ | grep "name folder"

If the folder exists but is hidden, do:

adb shell "setprop persist.sys.sdcardfs 1"


adb shell "chmod 755 /storage/emulated/0/Folder name"

For the reset of the "hidden" attribute:

adb shell "mv /storage/emulated/0/.folder name /storage/emulated/0/folder name"

Once you have completed the commands, restart the device. If the folder does not appear, check it again through ADB Shell, as it may have been moved to another partition (e.g. /data/media/0).

Method 4: Change attributes with MIUI Hidden Settings

MIUI firmware has a hidden settings menu that allows you to control the display of system files, which is accessed through the code of the engineering menu or special applications.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636## Select Phone Information → Settings Menu.
2. Find File System Settings (or Storage Settings)
3. Enable the option "Show hidden files and folders".
4. Save the settings and restart the device.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP.
2. Select Mount and tick System, Data, and Internal Storage.
3. Go back to the main menu and select Advanced → File Manager.
4. Go to /data/media/0 (or /sdcard).
5. Find the hidden folder (the name starts with a dot) and highlight it.
6. Click on “Rename” and delete the dot at the beginning of the title (for example, rename.myfolder to myfolder).
7. Swipe for confirmation and restart the device.

If the file is damaged, in TWRP You can try to restore it using the Repair or Change File System (in the Wipe menu» → «Advanced Wipe.However, this method is risky - it can lead to the loss of other data in the partition.

⚠️ Note: Do not change files in folders /system or /vendor through TWRP, If you're not sure what you're doing, it can disrupt the firmware and require a complete flashing of the device.

What to do if the folder is not restored

If none of the methods worked, it's possible that the folder was physically deleted or that the data was corrupted.

1. Check the MIUI Recycle Bin: Open Files → Recycle Bin. Find the deleted folder and restore it (Restore button).
2. Use programs to restore data: 📱 On the phone: DiskDigger, Undeleter. 💻 PC: Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery (requires a connection to the dataset) USB mode MTP).

Check backups.

• If backup is enabled in Mi Cloud, check the archives in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
• For media files, look at Google Photos (automatic synchronization).

For system folders, you can use ADB:

adb shell "mv /storage/emulated/0/folder name /storage/emulated/0/.folder name"