How to watch a hidden album on Xiaomi smartphones: 5 working ways

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer users a hidden album feature, a secure storage for sensitive photos and videos. However, not everyone knows how to access it, especially if the password is lost or the feature is activated accidentally. In this article, we will examine all official and alternative methods of viewing hidden media on Redmi, Poco, Mi devices and other lines of the brand.

The hidden album feature in MIUI works at the system gallery level and does not require additional applications to be installed. However, its implementation varies depending on the firmware version and device model. If you are faced with a situation where photos "disappeared" from the main gallery, do not panic - most likely, they are simply moved to a secure storage.

It's important to understand that a hidden album is not just a folder marked "hidden," but a full-fledged privacy mechanism. MIUI encrypts such files, so standard file managers (like ES Explorer or Total Commander) won't see them, but there are legal ways to get around this restriction without root rights or hacking the system.

We have tested all methods on current versions of MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 (including global and Chinese builds), as well as on devices with HyperOS. Instructions will be suitable for most models released after 2018, including Xiaomi 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12/13, Poco F5/X5 and others.

1. Standard method through MIUI Gallery

The easiest method is to use the built-in gallery feature, which works if you know the password for a hidden album or have never set it.

Open the standard Gallery app (an icon with a colorful flower). In the bottom menu, tap the Album tab, then scroll up. At the top, above the photo folders, the Hidden Album section (sometimes signed as a Private Album or Secured Files) should be displayed.

If there is no section, try:

• 🔍 Check if the function is disabled in the gallery settings (path: Gallery) → Settings (⚙) → Hidden album).
• 🔄 Update the Gallery app via Google Play or App Store MIUI.
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes the section disappears due to a temporary failure.

At the first login, the system can request the creation of a password (PIN-If the password is already set but you have forgotten it, go to the section about resetting.

2. Search for hidden files through “Security” (MIUI Security)

MIUI firmware has a separate Security app that manages all of the protected data, including the hidden album, which is suitable if the gallery does not display the private file section.

Instructions:

1. Open the Security app (icon with shield and tick).
2. Go to Privacy or Privacy (the name may be different).
3. Select Hidden Album or Protected Media Files.
4. Enter a password (if requested) or confirm access via biometrics.

If there is no hidden album section in the Security menu, then:

• 📌 The function is disabled in the system settings (see the next section).
• 🔧 Your version. MIUI It uses a different mechanism (e.g. Second Space).
• 🛠️ Firmware modified (castom or regional assembly).

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If you don’t remember if you set a password for a hidden album, try entering the standard combinations: 1234, 0000 or a pattern lock in the form of the letter “Z”.

3. Reset the password of the hidden album (if you forgot)

If you lose your password to a hidden album, you can reset it through your Mi Account, which only works if:

• 📱 Xiaomi account is active and tied on the device.
• 🔄 Smartphone connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔐 Reset function not disabled in security settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Gallery → Albums → Hidden Album (or through the Security app).
2. On the password entry screen, tap on the link Forgot the password? or Reset the password.
3. Choose the recovery method: via Mi Account (SMS/email) or answer to the control question (if configured).
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to confirm your identity.
5. After successful authentication, the system will prompt you to set a new password.

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Account is not tied or the device is not connected to the network, the password reset will not be possible. In this case, only the factory reset remains, but this will delete all data on the phone!

On devices with MIUI 14+ and HyperOS, when you reset your password through your Xiaomi account, the system can request additional confirmation via email or SMS, even if you are already logged in to your phone, a measure of protection against unauthorized access.

4.Alternative access via Second Space

MIUI's Second Space feature allows you to create an isolated workspace with your own applications and data. In some firmware versions, the hidden album is automatically linked to Second Space, and access is only possible from there.

How to check:

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Second Space (or Settings) → Accounts. → Second Space in New Versions).
2. If the function is active, switch to the second profile via the notification bar (user icon in the upper right corner).
3. In the second space, open the Gallery and check for a hidden album.

If Second Space isn’t set up but you suspect a hidden album might be there, try creating a new profile:

• 🔧 Go to Second Space settings and click Create.
• 📱 Follow the setup wizard (you can skip account binding).
• 🔍 After creation, check out the gallery in a new space.

⚠️ Warning: Deleting Second Space without backup will lead to the irretrievable loss of all data in it, including hidden files!

5. Viewing hidden files via PC (without root)

If none of the above methods worked, you can try connecting your smartphone to your computer and scanning the memory manually, which does not guarantee success (since the files are encrypted), but sometimes helps to find “forgotten” media.

Instructions for Windows/macOS:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (select file transfer mode or MTP notice-curtain).
2. Open the Explorer (This computer) and go to the folder of the phone’s internal memory.
3. Enable the display of hidden files: 🪟 In Windows: View → Hidden elements (checkmarks). 🍎 On Mac: Finder → Settings → Additionally. → Show all files.

Internal Storage/DCIM/.thumbnails


Internal Storage/Pictures/.nomedia




Internal Storage/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private




Internal Storage/Android/data/com.miui.gallery

If you find files with.nomedia,.enc, or.miuiprivate extensions, they're probably hidden media, but you can't open them without special tools, you need to decrypt them.

Connect your phone to MTP mode

Enable the display of hidden files

Check out DCIM and Pictures folders

Search files with extensions.nomedia,.enc

Do not delete unknown files without backup

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Extreme measures: resetting and data recovery

If access to a hidden album is critical, but no methods are working, there are two radical options:

1. Hard Reset: Delete all data on your phone, including hidden files, only if you're ready to lose information.
2. Restore through backup – if a copy has been previously created in Mi Cloud or locally.

How to reset (all data will be deleted!):

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Erase All Data (may be called Factory Resetting).
3. Confirm the action by entering the password from the Mi Account (if linked).
4. After restarting, set your phone as new.

⚠️ Note: Resetting settings on devices with MIUI 14+ And HyperOS can require confirmation through Mi Account even after the procedure, and without the account attached, the phone will become a brick»!

FAQ: Frequent questions about the hidden album on Xiaomi

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If neither method worked, check if Guest Session or Children Mode is activated in user settings, and in these modes, access to hidden data is blocked.