Where is the Explorer on Xiaomi: search and configure the file manager in MIUI

Have you just bought a Xiaomi smartphone or upgraded your MIUI firmware and suddenly found that your Android Explorer has disappeared from your desktop? Or maybe you need to find a document that you saved, but you can’t find a standard file manager on the menu? This is a situation that many owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi devices know — the MIUI interface often hides standard Android tools under its own shells.

Unlike pure Android, where the file manager is usually available through Google’s Files app, Xiaomi uses a different set of solutions, such as MI File Manager (or “Conductor” in Russian localization), which can be hidden in an obscure location, and sometimes not on the home screen. In this article, we will explore all the possible ways to find a conductor on Xiaomi, including hidden methods for different versions of MIUI (from 12 to 14) and smartphone models (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra).

You'll also learn how to return a conductor to your desktop if it disappears after an update, and what alternative file managers you can install if you don't like standard MI File Manager, and for those who like to optimize the system, we've prepared tips for setting up a conductor for maximum performance.

Why does the Wireless disappear from the Xiaomi screen?

Before you look for an Android Explorer in Xiaomi smartphones, it’s important to understand why it might be missing. Unlike other manufacturers, Xiaomi is actively modifying the MIUI interface, and standard applications are often hidden or replaced by proprietary counterparts. Here are the main reasons why you don’t see the file manager:

• 📱 Update MIUI: After a major update (for example, with the MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) the conductor icon may disappear from the desktop, although the application itself remains in the system.
• 🗑️ Factory reset: If you reset your phone to factory settings, some system applications (including Explorer) may not recover automatically.
• 🔄 Disabling system applications: In settings MIUI You can disable standard programs, and it is possible that someone (or you) has deactivated them. MI File Manager.
• 📦 Removal through ADB: Advanced users sometimes remove system applications through ADB, Which could lead to the disappearance of the conductor.
• 🛠️ Customization of the shell: Some topics for MIUI Hide system application icons, including file manager.

Interestingly, in recent versions of MIUI 14, Xiaomi has started to actively promote cloud storage Mi Cloud, which some users confuse with local Explorer. However, Mi Cloud is a service for synchronizing files on the Internet, not a tool for working with internal memory of the phone.

Method 1: Search through the application panel

The easiest way to find a guide on Xiaomi is to search by app.

1. Swipe your finger up from the bottom edge of the screen to open the app bar (a menu with all the programs installed).
2. At the top of the screen, find the search bar (magnifying glass icon) and enter the query: Explorer, files, or file manager.
3. The result should include MI File Manager (or "Conductor" in Russian), and the icon usually looks like a blue folder with a white tick.

If the search does not yield results, try alternative queries:

• 🔍 file-maker
• 🔍 mi file
• 🔍 explorer (for English-language firmware)

On some models (such as the POCO F4 or Redmi K50), the search may not work due to localization, in which case, try the following method.

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If the search doesn’t find Explorer, check if it’s disabled in the settings. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management and find MI File Manager in the list of all applications.

Method 2: Manually Opening Through Phone Settings

If the search didn't work, you can open Xiaomi Explorer through system settings, which works even if the app icon is hidden.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the desktop or in the application panel).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone (or About Phone in English).
3. Find the MIUI version and tap it 5-7 times in a row until the notification “You’ve become a developer!” appears (this unlocks hidden settings).
4. Return to the main Settings menu and open a new Additional Settings section.
5. Select Developer Options (Developer Options).
6. Scroll down to the Debugging block and find the option of File Manager Choice (or Default File Manager).
7. Slip on this item – the system will automatically open the MI File Manager, even if its icon is hidden.

This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones, including Redmi 9, POCO X3 and Mi 11. If the option is not available File Manager Selection, then the Explorer is disabled at the system level – move to the next method.

Method 3: Restore the conductor icon to the desktop

If you found MI File Manager through search or settings, but want to return it to the home screen, do the following:

1. Open the app bar (swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen).
2. Find the MI File Manager icon (blue folder with a tick).
3. Press the icon with your finger and, without letting go, drag it to the desktop.
4. If a context menu appears, select Create a shortcut or Add to the home screen.

If the icon isn't dragging and drop, you may have Light Mode on your smartphone to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Select Easy Mode and turn off the slider.
3. Restart the phone – after that, the icons should become drag and drop.

On some models (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the Explorer icon may be hidden in the Tools folder or Xiaomi on the desktop. Check these folders before restoring the shortcut.

Make sure the conductor is not hidden in the Tools folder.

Check if the "Light Mode" is included in the settings

Update MIUI to the latest version (sometimes icon bugs are patched)

- Restart your phone before trying to add a shortcut-->

Method 4: Installation of the conductor through MIUI Hidden Settings

If the standard methods don't work, you can use the hidden MIUI settings.

1. Open the phone (calling) application.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636## (this is a universal code for accessing Android test settings).
3. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
4. Scroll down and find the MIUI Hidden Settings section.
5. Slip on Restore Default Apps (Restore Default Apps).
6. In the list, find File Manager and click Restore.

After this procedure, the MI File Manager icon should appear in the application panel. If the MIUI Hidden Settings section is missing, then your firmware does not support this method (most often this applies to global versions of MIUI for the European market).

⚠️ Note: Entering engineering codes (e.g. #4636###) can cause a phone to run in an unstable way if you change the settings without understanding their purpose.

Method 5: Reinstall the conductor through ADB (for advanced users)

If a Xiaomi Explorer has been removed or damaged, it can be restored using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that is only suitable for users familiar with the command line.

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Developer parameters → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB plug-in.

Instructions for remediation:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the permission to debug via USB.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell


pm install -r --user 0 com.android.fileexplorer

1. If the command fails, try an alternative package:

adb shell


pm install -r --user 0 com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer

After you execute the commands, restart the phone. MI File Manager should appear in the application menu if there is an error. INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_APK, So the system application is damaged - in this case, only the flashing of the phone will help.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause data loss or system instability if you type commands at random. Before experimenting, back up important files through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Alternative File Managers for Xiaomi

If you don’t like the standard Xiaomi Explorer (for example, due to limited functionality or advertising), you can install a third-party app. Here are the best alternatives for MIUI:

For the installation of an alternative conductor:

1. Download. APK-file from an official source (e.g. Google Play or developer site).
2. Open the downloaded file through any installer (e.g. Files → Downloads).
3. If the “Installation locked” error appears, go to Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications and allow installation from your browser or file manager.

On Xiaomi models with MIUI 14 and later, you may need to disable MIUI Protection in your security settings to install applications from unknown sources.

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If you choose a third-party file manager, pay attention to the permissions it requests. Avoid applications that require access to SMS, calls, or geolocation - these are unnecessary permissions to work with files.

Frequent Explorer Problems on Xiaomi and Their Solutions

Even after successfully searching for an Android Explorer on Xiaomi smartphones, users are faced with typical problems.

• 🔄 Explorer does not open files: If an error occurs when you try to open a document or image, check if the relevant applications are installed (for example, WPS Office for Documents or Photo Gallery. Also clear the conductor cache in Settings → Annexes → MI File Manager → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📁 Folders not displayed: If the conductor does not show certain directories (e.g., directories, DCIM or download, see if they're hidden. MI File Manager click on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Show hidden files.
• 🔒 No access to internal memory: Some firmware MIUI You need to give permissions manually. Go to Settings. → Annexes → MI File Manager → Permits and enable access to storage.
• 🗃️ Explorer brakes: If the file manager is slow, try turning off animations in the developer settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Developer parameters → Scale of window/transition animation → No animation).
• 📱 Icon goes missing after update: This is a known problem MIUI 13/14. The solution is to reset the launcher settings: pinch the empty space on the desktop → Desktop settings → Reset the settings.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the MI File Manager app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MI File Manager and tap it.
3. Select Warehouse. → Reset the settings.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

On POCO models (such as the POCO X5 Pro), additional customization may be required due to the customized POCO Launcher shell. In this case, try changing the launcher to a standard MIUI Launcher through Settings → Themes → Desktop Style.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions