Where is the root folder in Xiaomi: full access to the system

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to access the system files of the device, which is required to remove excess system debris, replace fonts, deep customize the interface or install modified versions of applications. However, by default, the Android operating system hides this data from the user to prevent accidental damage to important components.

The concept of a root folder in the context of mobile devices is often confused with a regular file storage directory. In fact, we are talking about a partition /system or /data that is not accessible without special permissions. A standard file manager simply won't show you these folders, even if you turn on the display of hidden elements.

To see the true structure of a file system, you need to understand the difference between an internal storage and a system partition. The average user works in emulating internal memory, whereas the root of the system is the foundation on which the entire phone runs. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to find the right paths and whether it is worthwhile to get full administrator rights at all.

Difference Between Internal Memory and System Partition

Many users mistakenly believe that the MIUI or Android folder they see when they connect their phone to their computer is root, but it is actually just user space allocated by the system to store photos, documents and app cache, and it is open by default and requires no additional manipulation.

The real root directory, often denoted by the symbol /, contains critical operating system files. It houses drivers, system libraries, and firmware configuration files. Once there, the user has the theoretical ability to change any setting of the phone, from the logo when booting to the processor frequency.

⚠️ Warning: Direct interference with system partition files without a backup can cause the smartphone to stop booting (bootloop) or lose some functionality, such as a camera or sound.

Android uses a Linux-based file system, which means that access rights are strictly regulated, that regular applications and user processes operate with limited privileges so that a virus or bug can't destroy the system, which is why standard Explorer doesn't show the way to the root.

💡

The system partition is hidden from the user for the sake of the stable operation of the smartphone, and not to limit the capabilities of the owner.

What are Root Rights and Why Do They Need It?

Root is a term derived from the name of a superuser on Unix-like systems. Rooting (or rooting) is the process of removing the restrictions that a manufacturer imposes on access to a file system, and after that, you become the full owner of the device with administrator rights.

Why do ordinary users take this step? Most often it is necessary for:

• 📱 Completely remove Xiaomi system applications that cannot be removed by standard methods.
• 🎨 Deep customization of the interface, including changing system fonts and animations.
• 💾 Installation of specialized software for data backup and energy management.
• 🚀 Overclocking the processor or, conversely, its undervoltage to save battery.

But there is a price to pay for the enhanced features: Root rights violate security integrity; banking applications and services like Google Pay (or Google Wallet) can refuse to work if they see interference; and the manufacturer’s warranty in case of software failures can be canceled.

How to open access to system files on Xiaomi

If you have decided that you need access to the root folder, the first step is to unlock the bootloader.Without this procedure, setting superuser rights is impossible. Xiaomi officially allows unlocking, but requires waiting for 7 days (168 hours) after the account is attached.

The process of obtaining rights is usually as follows:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock utility on PC.
• 📥 Installation of custom Recovery, for example, TWRP.
• ⚙️ Archive firmware with access rights (most commonly used by Magisk).
• 🔄 Reboot the device and check for Root through the application.

Once a rights manager (such as Magisk Manager or SuperSU) is successfully installed, the system can authorize access requests. When you run a Root-enabled file manager, it will ask permission to access the system partition. Once confirmed, you can navigate the path /system, /data, and other hidden directories.

⚠️ Note: When you get Root rights, Verified Boot may be compromised, resulting in warnings when you start your phone or loss of use of certain protected features. NFC.

Best File Managers with Root Support

Xiaomi's standard Files Explorer doesn't work with superuser rights. You need to install a third-party application to access the root folder. There are several proven solutions on the market that work consistently on MIUI and HyperOS shells.

A comparison of popular file managers is presented in the table below:

It is recommended to use Solid Explorer or Root Explorer for secure file editing, which have a clear interface and warn before changing system parameters. MT Manager is more suitable for advanced users who are engaged in modifying system applications.

💡

Use the "Read Only" function in the file manager by default. Enable the record only when you edit a particular file to avoid accidental deletion.

Safe navigation through system folders

Once you get to the root directory, you'll see a lot of folders with obscure names. The most important for modifications is /system. This is where the files that are responsible for the appearance and basic functionality lie. /data contains the data of all the installed applications and user settings.

When you work with files, be careful. If you decide to replace a file, such as a system font or a logo image, always save the original. Name a copy of the original filename.bak and put it in the same folder, which will quickly restore the functionality in case of an error.

The structure of the key directories is as follows:

• 📂 /system/app — It stores system applications that cannot be removed without Root.
• 📂 /system/fonts — front-fabricator.
• 📂 /data/local/tmp — a temporary folder often used to run scripts.
• 📂 /vendor — section with drivers and settings of specific iron.

⚠️ Note: Never delete files from folders /system/bin or /system/xbin, If you don't know exactly what they're responsible for, it can cause the phone to be completely inoperable.

Alternatives to Root: ADB and Wireless Debugging

Obtaining superuser rights isn't the only way to interact with the system. For many tasks, such as removing system debris or setting global themes, it's enough to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) debugging, which is safer because it doesn't violate the integrity of the system partition or require unlocking the bootloader.

To work with ADB, you will need a computer and an installed set of Platform Tools. By connecting your smartphone over USB with debugging enabled, you can send commands to remove applications. For example, the command to remove the system application looks like this:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.package.name

This method allows you to hide the application for the current user without physically removing it from the partition. /system. It's safer, because even if something goes wrong, resetting the settings to the factory will put everything back in place, ADB It allows you to make full data backups and install applications with increased privileges without a full-fledged Root.

Recovery of the system after errors

Working with root files always carries risks. If after editing the phone stopped loading, stuck on the logo or went into a cyclical reboot, you should not panic. Having an unlocked bootloader gives you the advantage of being able to enter recovery mode.

If you have customized Recovery installed (like TWRP), you can go into it by clicking the button combination at start (usually Volume Up + Power). From the recovery menu, select Wipe and clear the cache (Dalvik / ART Cache), often to help solve loading problems after modifications.

In more serious cases, you'll need to flash the device, using the official Mi Flash Tool and the downloaded Fastboot stock firmware, which will completely clean the phone and return it to factory status, removing all Root rights and modifications.

💡

Always have the right stock firmware for your model on hand before you start any experimentation with system files.