Xiaomi’s secure folder: where is the hidden storage on your smartphone

What is a secure folder on Xiaomi and why you need it

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO have a hidden system directory called a Secure Folder (Private Storage) that is not a regular user folder, but an encrypted storage that the device automatically creates to store sensitive data: encryption keys, application backups, Mi Account data, and even temporary system update files.

Unlike the standard “Private Folder” feature (which can be created manually in a gallery or file manager), the Xiaomi secure folder is a system component that is not available through the normal interface. It does not appear in My File or Gallery, but takes up space in internal memory. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12, this folder can weigh from 500 MB to 2-3 GB depending on the version of MIUI.

Why does this matter? First, when memory is scarce, many users try to clear the cache or delete unnecessary files but don't find the folder. Second, when you reset your settings or firmware, the data from the secure folder can get corrupted, leading to system errors. And finally, in some cases (for example, when you manually update it via fastboot), you need to manually delete the contents of this directory.

Where is the physically protected folder Xiaomi

The MIUI file structure is built on Android, but with its own modifications, and the secure folder is located along the following path:

/data/system/secure_storage/

But you can't see it through a standard file manager, which requires root access or tools like ADB (Android Debug Bridge), and even if you plug your smartphone into your PC and turn on debugging, the folder will remain hidden without any additional commands.

Here’s what the storage hierarchy looks like (relevant to MIUI 14 and later):

• 📁 Root catalogue: /data/ — partition of internal memory that is only available to the system.
• 🔒 System data: /data/system/ — Here you can store the settings, keys and configurations.
• 🛡️ Secure storage: /data/system/secure_storage/ — target folder.

On some models (such as the POCO F5 or Xiaomi 12T), the path may be slightly different:

/data/misc/secure_storage/

It depends on the firmware version and the architecture of the device, and to determine the exact location, you can use the ADB command:

adb shell ls -la /data/system/ | grep secure

How to Access a Secure Folder Without Root

Without a super-user (root) right, you can't view the contents of a folder, but there are workarounds to interact with it.

1. Through ADB (without root) Connect the phone to the PC, turn on debugging USB In the developer settings and execute the command: adb shell ls /data/system/secure_storage/ This will show a list of files, but not their contents. To delete (for example, if an update error) use: adb shell rm -rf /data/system/secure_storage/* ⚠️ Note: Deleting files from this folder may disrupt Mi Account, backups and system updates!
2. Through TWRP (Custom recovery) If the device is installed TWRP, Load it up, select Advanced. → File Manager and go on the way /data/system/secure_storage/. You can view and delete files here, but editing is not recommended.
3. If you are flashing your device through Mi Flash, the program automatically clears the protected folder when you select the clean all option.

On models with MIUI 13 and older (such as Xiaomi 11T or Redmi K50), access can be blocked by the additional Anti-Rollback protection, in which case even the ADB will not work without unlocking the bootloader.

What is stored in a protected folder: analysis of the contents

The content of the folder depends on the version of MIUI and the installed applications, but you can usually find:

For example, if you see a file in the folder ota_temp/update.zip, You can easily remove it – it is the remains of the last update. MIUI. And here's the file. mi_account/ Do not touch: this can lead to synchronization errors with the cloud.

On POCO X5 Pro and other devices with MIUI 14, the secure folder can also store data for the App Duplicate function (second messenger account) and Hidden Albums function in the gallery. These files usually have the.sec or.priv extension.

Errors related to the protected folder and their solution

If the folder is damaged or overcrowded, users face typical problems:

• 🔄 "Failed to update the system” (error) OTA) Reason: in the folder /secure_storage/ota_temp/ The solution is adb shell rm. -rf /data/system/secure_storage/ota_temp/*
• 🔒 "Mi Account Authentication Error Cause: Damaged keys in the account /secure_storage/mi_account/. Solution: re-link the account in the settings or reset the phone.
• 📱 "Not enough memory with a free space Reason: the folder has grown to several gigabytes. ADB or TWRP.
• ⚠️ "Application stopped" (e.g. Gallery or Settings) Reason: Duplicate application data in the /secure_storage/clone_app/. Solution: Remove duplicates manually.

On the Redmi Note. 11 and other devices with MIUI 13 Frequently there is a bug when the folder secure_storage takes 5 GB due to incorrect log cleanup, and the team will help:

adb shell rm -rf /data/system/secure_storage/system_logs/*

If the phone stopped booting after manipulating the folder, try going to Fastboot Mode (press Power + Vol Down) and reset via the Mi Flash Tool with the clean all and lock option.

💡

Before any action with a secure folder, back up your important data via Mi Cloud or locally on your PC. Even simply deleting temporary files can have unexpected consequences.

How to Clean a Protected Folder Without Consequences

If the goal is simply to free up space, only temporary and cached files can be deleted.

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open ADB.
2. Check the folder size: adb shell du -sh /data/system/secure_storage/ If the volume is greater than 1 GB, it's worth cleaning.
3. Remove only the secure directories: adb shell rm -rf /data/system/secure_storage/ota_temp/ adb shell rm -rf /data/system/secure_storage/system_logs/ adb shell rm -rf /data/system/secure_storage/cache/
4. Reset the device.

Xiaomi. 12 Lite and similar models may need to be re-authorized in Mi Account after cleaning, which is normal (mi_account/), You'll have to do a full reset.

You can use a script to automate the process (save as a clean_secure.bat):

@echo off


adb shell su -c "rm -rf /data/system/secure_storage/ota_temp/*"




adb shell su -c "rm -rf /data/system/secure_storage/system_logs/*"




adb shell su -c "rm -rf /data/system/secure_storage/cache/*"




Echo Cleanup complete!




pause

Run it on behalf of the administrator. If ADB requests superuser rights but they don't, the script won't work.

💡

Never delete the entire folder, only its contents in known ways. /secure_storage/ equivalent to resetting the phone to factory settings.

Alternatives: How to hide files without a system folder

If you don’t want a system-protected folder, but a simple hidden storage for personal files, MIUI has built-in tools:

• 📂 Private folder in the Gallery Open the Gallery → Albums. → Settings (⚙️) → You can hide photos and videos under the back of the file. PIN-code.
• 🔐 Secure Storage in "Security" Go to Settings → Memory. → Secure storage (available on the MIUI 14+). Allows you to hide files of any type.
• 📱 Third-party applications like KeepSafe or Vaulty create encrypted containers that are not associated with the system folder.

Distinction from systemic secure_storage: These folders are visible to the user and do not affect the work MIUI. They can be cleaned or transferred to a memory card.

The POCO X4 Pro and other devices with MIUI 13 also have a feature called Hidden Apps (Settings → Applications → Hidden Apps) that does not use a secure folder, but allows you to hide program icons from prying eyes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi’s secure folder