How to go to the Android folder on Xiaomi: all ways to access system files

The Android folder on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO, and Black Shark) is a hidden system directory that stores app data, cache, OTA updates, and temporary files, and may be needed to clean up garbage, manually update firmware, or recover deleted data. However, by default, the folder is hidden from the user — it is not visible in the standard MIUI file manager or when connected to a computer.

In this article, we will discuss the 5 proven ways to open the Android folder on Xiaomi – from simple (via file manager settings) to advanced (using ADB and recovery mode). Also, you will learn which files can be deleted without risk to the system, and which are strictly forbidden to touch. Instructions are relevant for all versions of MIUI (including MIUI ZXXXPH0004QXZ and HyperOS) and models of smartphones released after ZXQPH0005QPHXXXXXXXX.

1. Method: through the standard file manager MIUI

The fastest method is to use Xiaomi's built-in file manager, which allows you to enable the display of hidden folders without additional software.

Open the Files app (Blue folder icon).
Slip along three horizontal lines in the upper left corner (menu).
Select Settings → Additionally.
Activate the switch to show hidden files.
Return to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/) and you will see the Android folder.

⚠️ Warning: In some versions of MIUI (e.g., MIUI 12.5 for the European region), the option is hidden deeper. If it is not in Additional, try the path: Settings → About → Version MIUI (tap 7 times to unlock the developer mode, then go back to the file manager settings).

What to do in the Android folder through the file manager:

📁 View the contents of the data subfolders (application data), obb (additional game files), media (multimedia).
🗑️ Remove the application cache from Android/data/<package_name>/cache (e.g., to clean up the space).
🔄 Copy backups from Android/backup.
⚠️ You cannot delete files from Android/ota — this may interrupt the update process MIUI.

📊 What file manager do you use on Xiaomi?

Standard MIUI

Google Files

Solid Explorer

FX File Manager

Other

2. Method: Connecting to a computer (Windows/macOS/Linux)

If you need to copy files from the Android folder to your PC or, conversely, download data there (for example, firmware for manual updates), use a USB connection. Importantly, the smartphone must be unlocked, and Xiaomi drivers are installed on the computer (you can download from the official website mi.com).

Step-by-step:

Connect your smartphone to your computer through USB-cable (preferably original).
On the phone, select the file transfer mode: File Manager or MTP (in the dropdown notification).
On PC, open This computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) – the device will appear as a removable disk.
Go to the Internal Memory folder → Android.

computer OS	Drivers.	Features of access
Windows 10/11	Requires Mi PC Suite or ADB Driver	Can request permission to access files (let me use your phone)
macOS	Android File Transfer (official software from Google)	Android folder is visible, but some files may not be copied
Linux (Ubuntu/Fedora)	Drivers of mtp-tools and libmtp	Use gMTP or Nautilus to view the game.

⚠️ Warning: If the Android folder doesn't show up when you connect to your PC, check:

🔌 Cable – Some cheap cables only support charging, not data transmission.
📱 On the phone in Settings → Connection and Sharing → USB File Transfer Mode is selected.
🖥️ Antiviruses are disabled on PCs (they can block access to system folders).

💡

If you want to copy large files (such as firmware), use a USB 3.0 cable and a port on a computer with high speed support, which will speed up the process by 5-10 times.

3 Method: Using ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., on HyperOS smartphones or enterprise devices), you can access the Android folder via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires you to turn on the developer mode and install ADB on your computer.

Instructions:

Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Tap the build number 7 times until a notification appears You became a developer!.
Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable: Debugging by USB Unlock OEM (if you plan to modify the system)

Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.

adb shell


ls /storage/emulated/0/Android

This will display the contents of the folder.

To copy files from phone to PC via ADB:

adb pull /storage/emulated/0/Android/folder on pc

⚠️ Warning: Commands ADB with root rights (e.g., su) may disrupt MIUI or cause warranty loss. Do not use them without a clear understanding of the consequences.

Install Platform Tools from Google| Enable debugging by USB on your phone | Connect the original USB- cable | Check the connection with the adb devices | Download the backup data-->

4. Method: via TWRP Recovery (for unlocked bootloader)

If your Xiaomi has an unlocked bootloader and a custom TWRP recovery installed, you can access the Android folder even if the system isn't booting.This method is often used to recover data after a reset or install firmware.

How to enter the folder through TWRP:

Turn off the phone.
Press Volume Up + Power to Enter Recovery.
From the TWRP menu, select Advanced → File Manager.
Go to /data/media/0/Android.
To copy files, connect your phone to your PC and select Mount → Enable MTP.

⚠️ Warning: In TWRP, the Android folder can appear as /data/media/0/Android or /sdcard/Android — that's OK. Don't change files to /data/data/ unless you're sure they're there!

What if TWRP doesn’t see internal memory?

If the File Manager displays a "Unable to mount /data" error, the partition is encrypted. Solution: 1. Enter the password/pattern lock to TWRP (if requested). 2. Connect the phone to your PC and copy the data via ADB: adb pull /data/media/0/Android 3. If it doesn't help, format /data (loss all data!).

5. Method: Third-party file managers (Solid Explorer, FX)

The standard MIUI file manager has limitations — it doesn’t show some system files even when the hidden folder mode is turned on, and third-party applications like Solid Explorer or FX File Manager will help.

How to set up Solid Explorer to access Android:

Install Solid Explorer from Google Play.
Open the application and provide all the permissions requested.
Slip on the icon ☰ (menu) → Settings → Access to the root directory.
Enable the option to show hidden files.
Go back to the root directory and open the Android folder.

Advantages of third-party managers:

🔍 Root access support (if the phone is rooted)
📎 Built-in archiver for.zip and.rar.
🌐 Connecting to cloud storage (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
🔄 Ability to back up folders directly to the cloud.

⚠️ Warning: Some file managers (e.g., ES Explorer) may contain advertising software. Use verified applications from the official store.

Which files in the Android folder can be deleted and which can not

The Android folder contains critical data for the system and applications to work. Incorrect deletion of files can cause crashes, loss of data or inability to update MIUI. Below is a table with allowed and prohibited actions.

Folder/file	Can I remove it?	Effects of removal	When you need it.
Android/data/<package>/cache	✅ Yes.	The application cache will be cleared (data not affected)	Freeing up space, speeding up the application
Android/obb	✅ Yes (only your files)	Additional game data (e.g. graphics packages) will be deleted	If the game stops working or you need to vacate the space
Android/media	✅ Yes.	Downloaded media files (music, videos from apps) will be deleted	Cleaning up garbage after using messengers
Android/ota	❌ No.	MIUI updates will be interrupted, brick is possible	—
Android/backup	⚠️ Partially.	Remove backup copies of applications (can only be restored through them)	If the copies are outdated or take up a lot of space

🔹 Safe actions:

🧹 Delete the cache from Android/data/<package>/cache (e.g., Facebook, Instagram).
🗑️ Clean up the Android/media/com.whatsapp/ folder (media files from WhatsApp).
📦 Removal of old updates from Android/data/com.xiaomi.market/update/ (if not needed).

🔹 Dangerous actions (can break the system):

🚫 Delete files from Android/ota (updates MIUI).
🚫 Modify files to Android/data/com.android.providers.settings/ (system settings).
🚫 Uninstalling folders with unknown package_name (may disrupt applications).

💡

Before deleting any files from your Android folder, back up via MIUI Backup or TWRP. This will allow you to restore the system in case of an error.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When working with the Android folder on Xiaomi, users encounter typical errors, and let's analyze the most common and ways to fix them.

🔸 Problem: The Android folder doesn't show up even after you turn on hidden files.

Decision:

Check if access to files is disabled in Settings → Applications → Files → Permissions.
Restart your phone – sometimes MIUI resets the display settings.
Use ADB to check for folder: adb shell ls /storage/emulated/0/

🔸 Problem: When you connect to a PC, the Android folder is empty or files are not copied.

Decision:

Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original).
Enable Developer Mode and activate Debugging over USB.
On PC, install Mi PC Suite or Google USB Driver.
Use Solid Explorer with FTP- Server to transfer files over Wi-Fi.

🔸 Problem: After deleting files from Android/data, the application stopped working.

Decision:

Reinstall the app through Google Play.
Clean the application data into Settings → Applications → [Name] → Storage → Clear the data.
Restore deleted files from backup (if any).

📊 Have you had any problems accessing the Android folder?

Yeah, I haven't seen a file.

Yeah, I couldn't copy the files.

Yes, after deleting the files, the smartphone was bugged

No, it worked fine.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

❓ Can I open an Android folder without root permissions?

Yes, all of the methods in this article (except the TWRP section) work without root, but some actions (such as changing files to /data/data/) require superuser rights.

❓ Why does the Android folder take up so much space?

The main space eaters in this folder are 🎮 Game.obb files (can weigh 1–2 GB each). 📸 WhatsApp cache in Android/media/. 🗑️ Old updates MIUI in Android/ota/ (can be deleted if you don't plan to roll back). Clear these folders manually or with applications like SD Maid.

❓ How to recover deleted files from Android folder?

If you accidentally delete important data: Immediately disconnect your phone from the Internet (to prevent files from overwriting). Use recovery software: DiskDigger, Recuva (on PC) or Undeleter (on Android). If the files were in Android/data/, try to restore through a backup of MIUI Backup. ⚠️ The chances of recovery are higher if the time has passed since deletion.

❓ Can I transfer the Android folder to the SD- card?

Some subfolders (e.g., Android/obb) can be transferred to the SD- card using applications like FolderMount or Link2SD (root required), but system files (e.g., Android/data) cannot be transferred, which will cause errors in the application.

❓ Why did the Android folder become unavailable after the MIUI update?

This is due to the change in access rights in newer versions of MIUI (especially HyperOS). Solutions: Reset the file manager settings (Settings → Applications → Files → Storage → Clear Data). Use ADB to check for the folder (see Section 3). If it doesn't help, reset the phone to factory settings (data will be deleted!).