Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer users a convenient feature to hide personal photos and videos — a hidden album. However, many people face the problem: where do files go after clicking the Hide button, how to find them in the device’s memory and what to do if access is lost after resetting? In this article, we will analyze the physical location of the hidden album in the file system, how to access it (including bypassing lock), and the nuances of the function on different versions of MIUI — from 12 to 14.
The contrast between the apparent simplicity of the interface and the technical implementation of the function is often confusing. For example, hidden photos do not appear in the standard gallery, but continue to occupy space in memory. And when you connect your phone to your computer, the folder with them may not be visible without additional manipulation. We will analyze all possible scenarios, from basic access through settings to manual file search using ADB or third-party file managers.
We'll focus on the risks of data loss, for example, if you upgrade MIUI or reset to factory settings, the path to the hidden album may change and the files may become inaccessible, and we'll look at how to avoid it and what to do if the photos have already disappeared.
What is a Hidden Album on Xiaomi and How Does It Work?
The hidden album feature in MIUI is designed to protect sensitive media files from prying eyes. Unlike standard deletion, hidden photos and videos do not enter the shopping cart, nor are they displayed in the main gallery. They remain in the device's memory, but are only accessible through a special menu or file manager.
The technically hidden album is implemented as a separate folder in the internal memory of the smartphone, protected by system resolutions, depending on the version of MIUI, the path to it may differ:
- 📁 MIUI 12–14: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private/ or /storage/emulated/0/.hidden/
- 🔒 Old versions (MIUI 10–11): /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails/ (sometimes duplicated)
- 🔄 After resetting: the folder can be renamed.nomedia or hidden deeper in system directories.
It's important to understand that a hidden album is not encryption, but simply hiding from view.
- 🛠️ Recovery through ADB or TWRP.
- 📱 Viewing on the computer when connecting in mode MTP (If the.nomedia folder is not hidden).
- ☁️ Sync with cloud services (unless the option is disabled in the Mi Cloud settings).
⚠️ Warning: If you hid a photo and then disabled your Mi Account, access to the album may be lost. MIUI Re-authorization is required to unlock.
Official access through the MIUI Gallery
The easiest way to open a hidden album is to use the built-in Xiaomi gallery. The instructions are relevant for all models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13, etc.) on MIUI 12-14:
- Open the Gallery app.
- Tap the three-point menu (⋮) top-right.
- Select “Hidden Album” (or “Private Safe” in global firmware).
- Enter your password, fingerprint, or Face ID (if you have a lock set up).
If the Hidden Album item is not on the menu, check:
- 🔧 Gallery settings: go to Settings → Hidden album → Show me.
- 🔄 Firmware update: in MIUI 14 interface changed – hidden album may be in section ** Albums» → «More» → «Private».
- 📱 Smartphone model: on some devices (for example, POCO F4) The function is called "Secure Files».
Enable the display of hidden folders in the file manager |
Check for password/biometry to unlock |
Update the Gallery app to the latest version|
Disable energy saving modes for background gallery work-->
If the album is empty but you’re sure the files were there, try syncing the data with Mi Cloud:
- Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery.
- Enable the option of Synchronizing Hidden Albums (if available).
- Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).
⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI EU) The hidden album is disabled by default. To activate it, you need to manually edit the build.prop file or install a patch through Magisk.
Where is the hidden album physically stored in Xiaomi memory?
Hidden photos and videos are stored in two possible locations of internal memory, and their path depends on the MIUI version and device model:
| MIUI version | The way to the folder | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 14 (2023–2026) | /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/private/ | The folder is protected by the.nomedia flag, not visible in standard managers. |
| MIUI 12–13 | /storage/emulated/0/.hidden/ | It can be duplicated in /DCIM/.thumbnails/. |
| MIUI 10–11 (obsolete) | /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.hidden/ | It is often lost after upgrading to MIUI 12+. |
| Global firmware | /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Private/ | It is used by POCO and Redmi for the European market. |
To see these folders, you’ll need a root file manager (like Solid Explorer or FX File Manager) or a PC connection with Show Hidden Files mode enabled. On Windows, you’ll need to:
- Connect your smartphone over USB in file transfer mode (MTP).
- Open “This Computer” → Right-hand button on the phone folder → “Properties” → “View”.
- Uncheck the “Hide Secure System Files” box and set “Show Hidden Files.”
A critical nuance: if the.hidden folder is missing but the files were hidden, they could have been moved to the Mi Cloud virtual storage without notifying the user. Check the Recycle Bin section in the cloud - sometimes hidden media gets there after sync failures.
What to do if the.hidden folder is empty?
How to access a hidden album without a password
If you forgot the password from a hidden album or your smartphone was reset, there are a few ways to bypass the security, but they require technical skills:
- 🔧 Reset password via Mi Account: Go to account.xiaomi.com. Restore access to your phone-linked account. On your smartphone, log in to Mi Cloud - sometimes this will unlock the album.