Have you accidentally hidden important photos in a personal album on Xiaomi and now you can't find them? Or suspect that someone hid files from your eyes? In MIUI, the hidden folder function is not implemented clearly - many users do not even know about its existence until they encounter missing images. This article will help you understand where hidden media files are stored, how to open them through standard tools and what to do if access is blocked.
It’s important to understand that a personal album in Xiaomi is not just a separate folder, but part of the privacy protection system. Depending on the model (Redmi Note 12, Poco X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.) and the version of MIUI (13, 14 or HyperOS), the access methods may vary. We will look at all the current methods, including workarounds for cases when the password is lost or the function malfunctions.
What is a personal album on Xiaomi and where it is stored
A personal album (or hidden folder) is a secure storage for photos, videos and documents that is not displayed in the standard gallery by default, and the feature appeared in MIUI 8, but the logic has changed in new versions:
- 📁 MIUI 12–14: Hidden files are stored in the.hidden folder (the point at the beginning makes it invisible to most file managers).
- 🔒 HyperOS: Uses an embedded application MIUI Hidden Folder with a separate password or fingerprint.
- 📱 Old models (up to) MIUI 11): Hidden media could fit into a folder MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private.
Files in a personal album are not deleted when the gallery is reset to factory settings, but can disappear after a complete reset of the phone (Wipe Data), and they are also not visible when connecting the smartphone to the computer via MTP - you need to use special methods for this, which we will discuss below.
Method 1: Access through the standard Xiaomi Gallery
The easiest method is to use the built-in Gallery app, which works on most devices, including Redmi 10/11/12, Poco F4/F5 and Xiaomi 12/13/14:
- Open the Gallery app (an icon with colorful photos).
- Slip along three horizontal lines (☰) top-right.
- Select the Album item → Scroll down to the Hidden Albums section.
- If the folder is password protected, enter it or use your fingerprint.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 14 for POCO) Hidden albums can be called "Private" or "Secure." If you don't see this section, update the Gallery via Google Play or use an alternative method.
Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone
Update the Gallery app to the latest version
Make sure your phone is showing hidden folders (Settings → Additional → Show hidden files)
Connect your phone to charge (for long-term operations)-->
Method 2: MIUI Hidden Folder (for HyperOS)
In newer firmware versions (HyperOS and MIUI 14 for flagships), hidden files are managed through a separate MIUI Hidden Folder application.
- 🔍 Through search by system (swipe down on the main screen) → enter").
- 📂 In the Tools folder (if the application is not hidden).
- 🛠️ Through Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Hidden Folder.
After launch:
- Enter the password (by default it can coincide with unlocking the screen).
- Select Photos or Videos from the top menu.
- To export files, tap them → More → Save to the gallery.
⚠️ Note: If you forget the Hidden Folder password, you can only restore it by resetting all your phone settings, while the files in the hidden folder will be saved, but access to them will be closed until the next authorization.
What happens if the Hidden Folder doesn’t open?
Method 3: Viewing through the file manager
If standard methods don't work, you can access hidden files through any root file manager or the Files application built-in.
- Open Explorer (Blue Folder Icon).
- Go to the Inner Memory →.hidden (if there is no folder, enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings).
- For MIUI 13/14, the path can be MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private.
- Copy the files you want to see into another folder (like DCIM/Camera) to view in the gallery.
🔧 For advanced users: If you have root access, you can use Root Explorer or the adb command to copy files:
adb pull /sdcard/.hidden/ ~/Downloads/xiaomi_hidden_files| MIUI version | The path to hidden files | Do you need a password? |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 8–11 | MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private | No. |
| MIUI 12–13 | /storage/emulated/0/.hidden | Yes (if installed) |
| MIUI 14 / HyperOS | Only through Hidden Folder | Yes. |
| POCO Launcher | Pictures/.private | No. |
💡
If the file manager doesn’t show the.hidden folder, try using Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer with the “Show system files” option enabled.
Method 4: Recovery of access with lost password
You forgot your personal album password? There are a few solutions, depending on the situation:
- 🔑 Reset via Mi Account: If your phone is tied to your Xiaomi account, try restoring access via i.mi.com (Devices section) → Find the device. → Unlock. "" Does not work on all models.
- 📱 Reset Gallery settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the data. Attention: this will delete all the settings of the application, but the files will remain.
- 🔧 ADB-Commands (for advanced): Connect your phone to your PC and execute: adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery This will reset the Gallery settings, but will not affect the files themselves.
⚠️ Note: If you perform a full phone reset (Settings) → Additionally. → Reset settings), files in your personal album will be saved, but access to them will be closed until the hidden folder is reconfigured, and to see them, you will have to re-enable the display of hidden files.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Xiaomi users often face the following difficulties when working with a personal album:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The.hidden folder is empty, but the files take up space | Files are hidden by the system or moved to another storage | Use DiskUsage to search for large files or check MIUI/Gallery/lockscreen |
| Hidden Folder app won't open | Service failure or outdated firmware | Update the firmware or clean the app cache |
| The photos in the album are shown in black. | Miniature damage or rendering error | Open the file through another viewer (e.g. QuickPic) |
🛠️ If none of the methods worked:
- Check if the Guest Session mode is enabled (Settings → System → Multiplayer mode) and it does not display hidden files.
- Install an alternative gallery (like Google Photos or Simple Gallery) and check your hidden folder display settings.
- Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and reset your phone to factory settings.
💡
On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), hidden files are encrypted hardware, and without a password or fingerprint, you can’t extract them — even through a PC.
How to transfer files from a personal album to a computer
To copy hidden photos on your PC, follow this instruction:
- Connect your phone to your computer via USB (MTP file transfer mode).
- Open Windows Explorer or Finder (on Mac).
- Enable the display of hidden files: 🪟 Windows: View → Hidden elements. 🍎 Mac: Finder → Settings → Additionally. → Show hidden files.
.hidden
MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private
⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14/HyperOS.hidden files can be encrypted:
- First, export them back to the gallery via Hidden Folder.
- Or use the Xiaomi PC Suite for backup.