How to create a folder on Xiaomi: all the ways for smartphones, tablets and TV

Organizing files and applications on Xiaomi devices is a challenge that every user faces. Creating folders helps structure the desktop, organize photos in a gallery or arrange documents into categories. MIUI Xiaomi TV There are several ways to create folders at once – from standard to hidden functions.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods: from basic actions on the desktop to working with the file system through Explorer and even creating folders for applications on Xiaomi. TV We will pay special attention to the nuances of different versions. MIUI (12 to 14) and TV models (Mi series) TV A, Redmi Smart TV). If you are looking for a way to optimize the space on your device or just want to clean up the order – here you will find the answers to all the questions.

1. Create a folder on the Xiaomi desktop (for applications)

The most obvious way is to group app icons, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and other smartphones. POCO shelled MIUI, The main condition is that there must be at least 2 applications on the desktop that you want to combine.

The algorithm is simple:

• 📱 Press and hold your finger on any app until it “rises” above the screen.
• 👆 Drag it to another app you want to put in the same folder.
• 📁 Release your finger – the system will automatically create a folder with the default name (for example, "Folder 1").
• ✏️ Tap the folder name to rename it (e.g., "Social Networks" or "Games").

V MIUI 14 there is an opportunity to change the color of the folder: after creating, touch its name → Choose "Folder style" → Choose one of 5 color options. This feature is not available on all models - check in the theme settings (Settings) → Registration → Style of folders).

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI The folders on the desktop are gone, check the launcher settings. → Desktop → Mockup options and enable the "Show folders" option".

Select the first application|Drag to second.|Release to create a folder|Rename the folder (optional)|Customize the color (MIUI 14+)

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2. Create a folder in Explorer (for files and documents)

If you want to organize files (photos, videos, documents), use File Manager, which is suitable for internal memory, SD-Maps and cloud storage (e.g. Mi Cloud).

Instructions:

1. Open the Explorer app (icon with blue folder).
2. Go to the section where you want to create a folder (for example, Internal Memory). → download or SD-map).
3. Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Choose "Create" →"folder".
4. Enter the title (e.g., “Working Papers” or “Vacation 2026”) and click “OK”.

V MIUI 13/14 And the Explorer has a Category feature, which is an automatic sorting of files by type (images, videos, audio, etc.), but hand folders are still more convenient for precise organization:

Vacation 2026/


├── Photo/




├── Video/




├── Tickets/




└── Hotels/

For quick access to frequently used folders, add them to Favorites: hold your finger on the folder → Select "Add to the favorites".

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If the folder does not appear in the gallery after adding a photo, update the media base. → Annexes → gallery → Storage and click "Clear Data".

3. Create a folder in the Xiaomi Gallery (for photos and videos)

In the standard Gallery on Xiaomi, you can't create a folder directly -- it's the logic of the albums -- but there's a workaround through Explorer or third-party apps like Google Photos. Let's look at both.

Method 1: Through a Conductor (recommended)

• 📂 Open the Explorer and go to the Inner Memory → DCIM → Camera (or other section with a photo).
• 🖥️ Create a new folder (as described in the previous section).
• 📷 Move the necessary photos/video (hold the file) →"Move it").
• 🔄 Return to the Gallery and update the view (pull the screen down).A new folder will appear under Albums".

Method 2: Through Google Photos

If you use Google Photos:

1. Open the app and select a photo.
2. Click "Add to the album" →"New album".
3. Please specify a name (for example, "Birthday").

The disadvantage of this method: albums in Google Photos are not synchronized with folders in the Xiaomi Gallery.

⚠️ Note: When moving photos through Explorer, do not use system folders like Android or MIUI — This can disrupt the OS. Secure locations: DCIM, Pictures, Download.

4.Creating a folder on Xiaomi TV and TV Box

On Xiaomi TVs (Mi series) TV A2, Redmi Smart TV) and Mi Box folder creation is only available for applications – the file system cannot be changed due to Android limitations TV. But even here, there are nuances.

For applications:

• 📺 On the main screen, select the application, hold the button. OK remote.
• 📋 In the menu that appears, select "Create a folder".
• 🏷️ Rename the folder (for example, "Streaming" or "Games").
• ➕ Add other apps with drag and drop.

Limitations:

To work with files (photos, videos, music) on Xiaomi TV:

• 💾 Connect. USB-drive or external hard drive (format) FAT32 or NTFS).
• 📁 Create folders on it via PC, then connect to the TV.
• 🎬 Use the built-in Media Player to access files.

5. Hidden folders and system directories: what can be changed?

V MIUI There are hidden folders that are responsible for the operation of the system, and it is dangerous to change them without knowing, because it can cause failures or "brick" of the device.

Secure system folders for user data:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/ — Photos and videos (available for all applications).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Download/ — browser-loading.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/ — images (for example, for wallpaper).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Music/ — audiofiles.

Dangerous folders (do not touch!):

• 🚫 /data/ — application data.
• 🚫 /system/ — firmware.
• 🚫 /vendor/ — driver and module.
• 🚫 /miui/ — shell setting.

To see the hidden folders in the Explorer:

1. Open the Conductor.
2. Press three points. →"Settings".
3. Enable the option "Show hidden files".

⚠️ Note: Delete or modify files in the folder /data/data/ will result in resetting of application settings and loss of data (for example, saves in games or chats in messengers).

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To back up system folders, use Mi PC suite ADB Backup: Manual copying may violate access rights.

6. Automatic sorting: smart folders in MIUI

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi added the Smart Folders feature, which is an automatic group of applications by category (e.g., Social Networks, Work, Multimedia) that is included in the launcher settings.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings. → Desktop.
2. Select Smart Folders.
3. Turn on the switch and set up categories (you can turn off unnecessary ones).

Advantages of smart folders:

• 🤖 Automatically add new applications to the relevant categories.
• 🔄 Dynamic update (for example, the Game folder is replenished when you install a new game).
• 🎨 The ability to change the color and icon of the folder.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Not all applications are correctly recognized (for example, Telegram can get into the "Work" instead of the "Social Network").
• ❌ There is no way to manually transfer the application to another smart folder.

If you don't like smart folders, you can turn them off in the same settings, and the manual folders you created will remain intact.

7 Problems and Solutions: Why not create a folder?

Sometimes users encounter errors when creating folders, and we look at the problems and the ways to solve them.

If the folder is missing after the update MIUI, try:

1. Check the basket in the Conductor (Menu) → Basket).
2. Use the search by the name of the folder in Explorer.
3. Connect the device to a PC and check through Windows Explorer or Mac Finder.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)