How to Create a Folder in Notes on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have become powerful tools not only for entertainment but also for productive work, where the standard Notes app plays a key role in organizing personal data. With each update to the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, the functionality of the built-in utilities expands, offering users more opportunities to structure information, but many owners still do not know how to effectively manage large lists of records. The chaotic accumulation of text files, shopping lists and work ideas can turn the smartphone screen into an unreadable porridge if not using grouping tools.

In this detailed guide, we’ll take a look at all the nuances of working with directories inside a full-time app, including hidden features that even experienced users often overlook. You’ll learn not only to create new sections, but also to properly configure, rename and even hide them from prying eyes with a password. Competent organization of space in your phone is the first step to improving personal efficiency and reducing the stress of finding the right information at the right time.

The manual is relevant to most current models, including the Redmi Note series, Poco and the flagship Mi running on current versions of Android. We will look at various use cases, from simple sorting of work projects to creating secure storage for sensitive data. Understanding the logic of the file system inside the application will allow you to build the perfect structure that will work exactly as you need.

Application interface and preparation for work

Before you start creating complex structures, you need to understand the basic navigation of the Notes interface, which is installed by default on all devices of the brand. Once you run the program, you are taken to the main screen, where all your current records are displayed, sorted by time of creation or last editing. At the top of the screen, you usually have search and customization buttons, as well as a switch between viewing modes (list or tile), which is a key element for comfortable work with large volumes of text.

To get started with folders, you'll need to go to category management mode, which is often hidden behind an extra menu or a special navigation button. In some versions of the firmware, you'll need to click three dots in the upper right corner or swipe to the sidebar to open the navigation sidebar, which is where you enter the structure editing mode, without which you'll be unable to create new file containers.

⚠️ Note: The application interface may vary slightly depending on the version MIUI (12, 13, 14) or HyperOS, as well as from regional device anchorage (Global, China, Russia).If you don't find the buttons described, try updating the app via GetApps or Google Play.

It’s also important to make sure you have an active internet connection if you plan to sync your created folders with Xiaomi Cloud. Local creation works without a network, but backing up the directory structure will require account authorization. This is a critical point for those who change devices frequently or fear losing data when resetting.

📊 What is your version of the shell right now? MIUI/HyperOS?
MIUI 12
MIUI 13
MIUI 14
HyperOS
The other one/I don't know/

Step-by-step algorithm for creating a new folder

The process of creating a new section for storing notes is quite simple, but requires attention to the details of the interface so as not to get confused in the menu. First, open the application and find the button responsible for adding a new item; most often it is the plus icon or the Create folder button located at the top of the screen or in the floating menu. After clicking, the system will prompt you to enter the name for the new category, which will appear in the shared list.

☑️ Algorithm of folder creation

Done: 0 / 1

Type your desired name using the Latin or Cyrillic alphabet, depending on your preferences and the language of the system. The system will automatically check the name for prohibited characters, although in most cases there are practically no restrictions, and you can use emoji or special characters to visually highlight. Once you confirm the input, a new folder will appear in the list, and you can immediately move existing records there or create new ones.

For those who prefer quick access, it is possible to create a folder shortcut right on the desktop, which greatly speeds up the process of typing, which is especially convenient for commonly used categories such as “Shopping list”, “Ideas” or “Working tasks”, allowing you to avoid several stages of navigation within the application, this approach makes using a smartphone more ergonomic and saves time in everyday scenarios.

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Use emoji at the beginning of the folder name (for example, 🛒 Purchase or 💼 Work – it helps you visually find the right section in the list, especially if you have a lot of them.

Content management and movement of notes

Once you have created a structure, you need to learn how to properly fill it with content, moving existing entries from the general stream to the created categories, to do this, go to view all the notes, press and hold your finger on the desired text until it is highlighted, and then select the option “Move” or “Into the folder” from the context menu that appears, the system will offer a list of available directories, and you will only have to choose the target one.

One of the important features is that you can move massively, where you can select multiple records and send them to a single folder in one action, and that eliminates the need to repeat the procedure for each file separately, which is especially true when you first sort a large archive of accumulated data, highlight the items you want, press the move button and specify your final destination.

It's also worth noting that when you move, notes retain all of their metadata, including the date of creation, text formatting, attached images, and task list checks, the structure within the note itself is intact, only its logical location in the application hierarchy changes, ensuring that your data stays intact during the reorganization process.

Action.Single tapLong pressingswipe
Opening of the noteOpens the textIt highlights the objectNo action.
RemovalNo.Action menuHiding (if tuned)
EditingIn viewing modeNo.No.
SelectionNo.Activate the regime.Highlights the list

Rename and editing of categories

Life circumstances change, and names that seemed relevant a month ago may lose meaning or need to be refined. To rename a folder, find it in the list, click and hold it until the control menu appears, then select the option to "Rename" or "Change the name." In the window that opens, enter new text and confirm the changes, after which the system instantly updates the display.

This feature is useful not only for correcting typos, but also for extending functionality: you can add bracketed updates, change priorities, or add status tokens directly to the title. For example, by renaming Project A to Project A (Completed), you immediately see the status of the task without opening the attached files. This is a simple but effective way to optimize your workspace.

In addition to renaming, the same menu often features the option to change the color of a cover or folder icon if your version of the app supports visual customization. Color coding helps you navigate the list faster: red can highlight urgent matters, green can highlight finances, blue - personal records. Visual differentiation greatly speeds up the search for the desired section.

Can I delete the system folder?
Only user folders you created manually can be deleted. System categories such as All Notes or Recently Deleted are part of the app structure and are not subject to removal or renaming.

Protection of confidential data with a password

Security of personal data is a priority, and Notes offers a built-in mechanism to encrypt individual folders using a password or biometric. To activate protection, go to the settings of a particular folder or the general settings of the application, find Hide Notes or Password Protection and follow the instructions for installing the access code. From now on, the contents of the folder will be hidden from prying eyes.

When trying to open a protected category, the system will require entering a previously set password, PIN-If you have a code, a pattern lock, or a fingerprint, if the sensor is available on your device, it creates a strong barrier for the curious, even if the phone falls into the wrong hands in an unlocked state. Hidden folders are not displayed in a general search by device and are not visible in notification previews, which provides an additional level of privacy.

⚠️ Warning: Don't forget the password from hidden folders!Recovering access to encrypted notes without knowing the code or the associated Mi Cloud account is often impossible even for service centers.

Using biometric protection (Face ID or fingerprint scanner) is much more convenient than constantly entering a password, but it is recommended to have a backup digital code in case of sensor failure. It is also worth regularly checking the operation of the concealment function after major system updates to make sure that the security settings have not been reset, a necessary precaution to maintain confidentiality.

Synchronization and cloud storage

For owners of multiple Xiaomi devices or those who change gadgets often, sync function through Xiaomi Cloud is critical. Make sure that the account settings activate the Notes item so that all created folders and their contents are automatically uploaded to the cloud, which will allow you to access your records from a tablet, another phone or through a web interface on your computer.

When synchronized, folder structure is stored exactly as it looks on your smartphone, including nesting and ordering. However, it is worth considering that some specific attachment formats or very large media files may require more time to download or customize synchronization quality separately. A stable Internet connection is the key to successful and fast data updates between devices.

If you are planning to switch to a phone of another brand or operating system, take care of exporting important data in advance. Xiaomi Cloud synchronization works best in the brand ecosystem, so for cross-platform compatibility, it is better to periodically back up in universal formats or transfer texts to third-party services, this will ensure the safety of information regardless of the hardware used.

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Automatic sync with Mi Cloud is the best way to protect your notes from loss when your phone breaks, but requires an active account and internet connection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I create a nested folder inside another folder in Xiaomi notes?
Currently, the standard Notes app in MIUI and HyperOS shells does not support folder creation (over one layer nesting), and you can only create a flat structure where all folders are on the same level, but there can be an unlimited number of notes inside each folder.
What happens to the notes if I delete the folder they are in?
When you delete the folder, all the notes contained in it will also be deleted and moved to the Recycle Bin (“Recently deleted”), where you will store them for 30 days before final erasure.
Why don’t I see the folder button on my Xiaomi?
In some older versions of MIUI or global firmware, the interface may be different. Try updating the Notes app through the GetApps store. If the button is still not available, it may be that your version of the OS has temporarily unavailable or moved to the Settings menu of the app itself.
Can I change the font or color of the text inside the folder?
You can't change the font or color of the text for all the notes in the folder at once. Formatting (bold, italic, color) applies to individual pieces of text inside the note itself, but not to the folder container. Visually distinguish the folder only by changing its name or using emojis.