Hidden files on Xiaomi are not just system data that the manufacturer hides from the user. They often store backups, application caches, error logs, and even personal data that you accidentally hid yourself. For example, photos from the gallery may disappear from view after an update MIUI, and important documents may be hidden in service folders like .thumbnails or .nomedia. But how to detect them if the standard file manager does not show them?

The problem is complicated by the fact that Xiaomi actively modifies Android, adding its own restrictions. For example, in the latest versions MIUI 14/15 by default, not only system files are hidden, but also folders with the extension .miui or .xiaomi, which contain settings for themes and widgets. In addition, after a factory reset, some user data may be automatically moved to hidden directories - and without knowing the exact path they cannot be found.

In this guide, we will look at 7 working methods find hidden files on Xiaomi, including methods through standard tools MIUI, third-party applications and even ADB (for advanced users). We will pay special attention to the nuances that arise on different models - from budget Redmi Note to flagship Xiaomi 14.

1. Enabling the display of hidden files in the standard MIUI file manager

The easiest way is to use the built-in one File manager from Xiaomi. However, many users do not know that the function of showing hidden files is hidden deep in the settings. Here's how to activate it:

  1. Open the application Files (folder icon on the desktop).
  2. Tap on the three-dot menu (⋮) in the upper right corner.
  3. Select Settings → Advanced.
  4. Activate the switch Show hidden files.

After that in the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/) folders with a dot at the beginning of the name will appear, for example:

  • 📁 .backups — application backups;
  • 📁 .thumbnails — image thumbnails;
  • 📁 .nomedia — files excluded from the media scanner;
  • 📁 .miad — advertising data services Xiaomi.
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If, after enabling the option, hidden files are still not displayed, try restarting the file manager or rebooting your smartphone. Sometimes MIUI caches old settings.

Please note: in some versions MIUI (for example, on POCO F5) the path to the settings may be different. If the item Advanced is not present, look for the option directly in the main settings menu of the file manager.

2. Searching for hidden files through Total Commander or FX File Explorer

The standard manager Xiaomi does not always show all hidden files - especially those that are protected by the system. Third-party applications like Total Commander or FX File Explorer give more freedom. Let's look at the process using an example Total Commander:

  1. Install the application from Google Play.
  2. Launch it and provide access to the storage.
  3. Go to Settings → Display.
  4. Enable the options:
    • 🔹 Show hidden files;
    • 🔹 Show system files (requires root);
    • 🔹 Show files without extension.
  • Return to the root folder and update the list of files (button ↻).

    • Advantage Total Commander - support plugins for working with archives and cloud storage. For example, you can immediately view the contents of a hidden archive .zip without unpacking it. A FX File Explorer has a built-in Hex viewer, useful for analyzing binary files.

    📊 What file manager do you use on Xiaomi?
    Standard MIUI
    Total Commander
    FX File Explorer
    Solid Explorer
    Other

    3. Using ADB to access hidden system files

    If you need to access system files (for example, configuration files deeply hidden system files (for example, configuration files MIUI or error logs), standard methods will not help - you will need Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method is suitable for experienced users and requires connecting a smartphone to a PC.

    Here are step-by-step guide:

    1. Install ADB on your computer (you can download from the official website of Android Studio).
    2. On your smartphone, enable Developer mode:
      • Go in Settings → About phone.
      • Tap 7 times on the item MIUI Version.
      • Return to Settings → Advanced → For developers.
      • Activate USB debugging.
  • Connect your smartphone to the PC and run in the command line: 
    adb devices

    (the device should appear).

  • To see all files, including hidden ones, enter: 
    adb shell ls -la /storage/emulated/0/

    • To copy a hidden file to a PC, use the command:

    adb pull /path/to/file C:\folder_on_pc
    What to do if ADB does not see the device?

    If command adb devices returns an empty list, check:

    1. Cable (use the original USB-Type C).

    2. Drivers (install Mi PC Suite for Xiaomi).

    3. Debugging permission (a request will appear on the smartphone - confirm it).

    4. Port (try another USB port on your PC or a powered hub).

    Important: ADB commands give access to system partitions where you can accidentally delete critical files. Do not change files in the /system or /vendor without a backup!

    4. Finding hidden files via a computer (MTP and Windows/macOS)

    Connecting Xiaomi to a computer via MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) is another way to detect hidden files. However, there is one. nuance: Windows by default does not show files with the "hidden" attribute, even if they are visible on the smartphone.

    To enable their display:

    • 🖥️ In Windows:
      1. Open Explorer (Win + E).
      2. Go to the tab View.
      3. Tick the box Hidden elements.
  • 🍎 In macOS:
    1. Connect your smartphone and open Android File Transfer.
    2. In the app menu, select View → Show Hidden Files.

      3. If the files are still not displayed, try:

      • 🔌 Use a different cable (low-quality cables may limit access).
      • 🔄 Switch connection mode on the smartphone from Charging to File transfer (MTP).
      • 🛠️ Install drivers Mi PC Suite (especially relevant for Redmi to Windows 10/11).

    Connect the original USB-Type C cable

    Enable file transfer mode (MTP) on your smartphone

    Activate the display of hidden files in Windows/macOS settings

    Install Mi PC Suite (if necessary)

    Restart your smartphone and PC if there are connection problems-->

    Some applications create their own hidden folders that are not displayed in the standard gallery. Let's look at the most common cases:

    Application Hidden folder What is stored there How to access
    MIUI Gallery .thumbnails Thumbnails of images and videos Through a file manager with showing hidden files enabled
    WhatsApp WhatsApp/Media/.Statuses Downloaded statuses (disappear after 24 hours) Use Total Commander or FX
    Telegram Telegram/Telegram Images/.nomedia Photos and videos hidden from galleries Delete file .nomedia or use ADB
    Xiaomi Cloud .micloud Local copies of files from the cloud Authorization required in Mi-account

    For WhatsApp and Telegram there is a trick: if you delete a file .nomedia from the folder, the media files will again become visible in the gallery. However, after the next application update, the file may appear again.

    💡

    Files with the extension .nomedia do not delete the media themselves - they simply exclude the folder from scanning by the gallery. Deleting such a file is safe and reversible.

    6. Recovering accidentally hidden files

    If you have hidden files yourself (for example, through a file manager or an encryption application), but have forgotten where, try the following methods:

    • 🔍 Search by name:

      B Total Commander or FX use the search function (Ctrl + F) and enter part of the file name. Make sure that the options "Search in hidden folders" and "Search in system folders".

    • 📂 Check folder Download/.hidden:

      Some applications are enabled in the search settings (for example, Files by Google) move hidden files to this directory.

    • 🔄 Resetting file manager settings:

      If files are missing after updating MIUI, reset the settings of the standard manager: Settings → Applications → Files → Storage → Clear data.

      • If files were hidden using third-party applications (for example, Hide It Pro or GalleryVault), try:

      1. Install the same application that was used to hide the files.
      2. Enter a password or lock pattern.
      3. Find section "Hidden files" or "Private Vault".
    💡

    If you used the function "Private Safe" in the standard gallery Xiaomi, files are stored in an encrypted folder .mi_private. To return them, open Gallery → Albums → Private Safe and enter your password.

    7. Dangerous hidden files: what can be deleted and what cannot

    Not all hidden files are harmless. Some of them are critical for the operation of MIUI or installed applications. Below is a table with recommendations:

    Folder/file Can I delete? Consequences of deletion
    .thumbnails ✅ Yes The gallery will regenerate the thumbnails (maybe slow down)
    .nomedia ✅ Yes The files in the folder will become visible in the gallery
    .miui or .xiaomi ❌ No Resetting themes, widgets and system settings
    Android/data (hidden application folders) ⚠️ Partially Deleting a specific application folder will reset its settings
    .backups ✅ Yes Backups will be deleted, but current data will remain

    Particular caution should be used with folders:

    • 🚨 /system, /vendor — deleting files here can lead to "brick" (inoperability) of the smartphone;
    • 🚨 Android/obb —contains game data (deleting will reset progress);
    • 🚨 .estrongs —temporary files ES File Explorer (may contain important data).
      • 💡

      Always make a backup copy before deleting hidden files! Use Titanium Backup (requires root) or manually copy the data to your PC.

      ⚠️ Attention: Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi blocks access to some system folders even without ADB without unlocking the bootloader. If you need files from /data/data, you may need unlock Bootloaderwhich will void the warranty.

      FAQ: Frequently asked questions about hidden files on Xiaomi

      Why did files disappear from the gallery after the MIUI update?

      Most likely, they moved to the folder .thumbnails or were marked as hidden due to a media scanner failure. Try:

      1. Reboot your smartphone.
      2. Clear gallery cache (Settings → Applications → Gallery → Storage → Clear cache).
      3. Delete file .nomedia in the folder with photos (if there is one).
      Is it possible to see hidden files without root access?

      Yes, most of the methods from this article (file manager, ADB, connecting to a PC) work without rootHowever, to access other users' folders (for example, /data/data/com.android.xxx) superuser rights will still be required.

      How to hide files back if they have become visible?

      There are several ways:

      • Rename the file by adding a period to the beginning (for example, photo.jpg → .photo.jpg).
      • Create an empty folder file .nomedia (will hide all media files in this directory).
      • Use applications like Hide Something or Vault.
      Why are hidden files displayed differently on POCO than on Redmi?

      POCO uses a modified version MIUI with a different file manager (POCO LauncherTo see hidden files:

      1. Open Files → Categories → All files.
      2. Tap on ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files.
      3. If there is no option, install Total Commander - it works universally.
      Can hidden files take up a lot of space?

      Yes! For example:

      • Folder .thumbnails may weigh 1–3 GB (if there are a lot of photos/videos).
      • Cache WhatsApp in .Statuses - up to 500 MB.
      • Error logs in /sdcard/bugreports - up to 1 GB.

      To clear them, use SD Maid or manually delete unnecessary files (except system ones!).