Where to look for hidden folders on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones: from system files to user data

On smartphones Xiaomi Redmi - be it Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or older models - some folders are hidden from the user by default. This is done not only to protect system files, but also to simplify the interface. However, sometimes you need to access such directories: to free up space, restore deleted files, or change settings that are not available through the standard menu.

The problem is that even after enabling the display of hidden files in file manager some folders remain invisible. This is due to the features of the firmware MIUI, where some of the data is hidden at the Android kernel level. In this article we will look at legal and technical ways to find hidden directories - from simple to those requiring superuser rights.

⚠️ Attention: Changing or deleting files in system folders (/system, /vendor) can lead to impossibility of loading your smartphone. Before experiments, create a backup via Settings → About phone → Backup.

1. Standard method: enable display of hidden files in MIUI

The safest method is to use the built-in one file manager from Xiaomi. It allows you to see folders marked with a dot at the beginning of the name (for example, .thumbnails or .nomedia), but not system partitions.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the application Files (folder icon with a blue background).
• 🔍 Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
• 👁️ Activate the switch Show hidden files.
• 🔄 Return to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/) and refresh the list (swipe down).

Now you will see folders with a dot at the beginning of the name. Among them:

• 📁 .backups — backups applications.
• 🎵 .nomedia —files excluded from the media scanner (not displayed in the gallery).
• 🔑 .credentials —data for Wi-Fi and VPN (requires root to view content).

⚠️ Attention: Folder .android_secure contains encrypted application data. Removing it will cause installed apps to fail.

2. Searching for hidden folders via ADB (without root)

If the standard method does not help, you can connect to your smartphone via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require superuser rights, but gives access to part of the system directories.

What you will need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility Platform Tools from Google (download from the official website).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Enable USB debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to activate developer mode).

   Then: Settings → Advanced → For developers → Debugging USB.

2. Connect Redmi to the PC and confirm trust in the device.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with platform-tools.
4. Enter the command to view the root directory:

   adb shell ls -la /storage/emulated/0/

   The flag -la will show all files, including hidden ones.

To find a specific folder (for example, with an application cache), use:

adb shell find /storage/ -name ".cache" 2>/dev/null

🔹 Method limitations: Through ADB you will not see folders in the /system or /data without root. This will require unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk.

3. Using third-party file managers with root access

Applications like Solid Explorer, FX File Manager or Root Browser allow you to view hidden folders even without ADB. However, for full access to system partitions (/data, /system), you will still need root.

How to set up:

1. Download Solid Explorer from Google Play.
2. Open the side menu → Root access → grant permissions (if you have root).
3. Go to /storage/emulated/0/ and enable the display of hidden files in the settings.

📌 What you can find:

⚠️ Attention: Deleting files from /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/ can reset all smartphone settings to factory settings.

4. Searching for hidden folders through TWRP Recovery

If custom recovery is installed on your Redmi , you can view and edit system files directly from it. This is useful when the smartphone does not boot, but you need to extract data. TWRP, you can view and edit system files directly from it. This is useful when the smartphone does not boot, but you need to extract data.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and hold down Power + Volume upto enter TWRP.
2. Select Advanced → File Manager.
3. Go to /data or /system —all folders will be displayed here, including hidden ones.
4. To copy files to your PC, connect your smartphone via USB and select Mount → Enable MTP.

🔹 The advantage of the method: TWRP ignores MIUI restrictions on access to system partitions, but requires an unlocked bootloader.

⚠️ Attention: Changing files in /system via TWRP can lead to briku (impossible to load). Always make a backup before editing.

5. Hidden folders for specific tasks

Some directories are hidden for a reason - they contain critical data. Here's where to look for information for typical scenarios:

🔍 Recovering deleted files:

• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/.trash — MIUI recycle bin (stores files for up to 30 days).
• 🗑️ /data/data/com.android.providers.media/databases —media file database (requires root).

🔑 Access to game saves:

• 🎮 /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb — additional game data (for example, graphic packages).
• 💾 /data/data/[game_pack]/files — saves (for example, com.mojang.minecraftpe for Minecraft).

📱 MIUI settings and personal data:

• ⚙️ /data/data/com.miui.home/shared_prefs — launcher configuration.
• 👤 /data/system/users/0 — user profiles (requires root).

🔹 Example: To transfer saves from Genshin Impact to another phone, copy the folder /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.mihoyo.GenshinImpact/files.

6. Risks and how to avoid them

Working with hidden folders is fraught with consequences. Here are the most common errors and how to prevent them:

❌ Error: Deleting a folder /data/dalvik-cache.

✅ Solution: Do not touch it - the system will restore the files automatically, but this will take time and resources.

❌ Error: Editing files in /system/build.prop without backup.

✅ Solution: Before making changes, copy the original file to your PC. An error in build.prop can lead to bootloop (cyclic reboot).

❌ Error: Changing access rights (chmod) to system files.

✅ Solution: Use the command adb shell chmod 644 /path/to/file only if you are sure of the actions. Incorrect rights lead to failures.

📌 Rule: If you don't know what the folder or file is responsible for - do not delete it. It’s better to move it to another location and check the stability of the smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: On smartphones with MIUI 14/15 some of the system folders are protected DM-Verity. Changing them without disabling the check will result in an error "Your device is corrupt" during loading.

7. Alternative methods (for experienced users)

If the standard methods did not work, you can try:

🐧 Terminal Emulator (without root):

• Install Termux from F-Droid.
• Enter the command:

  ls -la /storage/emulated/0/

  to view hidden folders in the user partition.

🔧 Magisk Module (with root):

• Install the module "App Systemizer" via Magisk to access system applications.
• Use "Mixplorer" with a plugin for root access.

🖥️ Linux (via ADB + SSH):

• Connect via ADB and launch the shell:

  adb shell
  su
  cd /data/data

• Use find to search:

  find . -name "cache"

🔹 For developers: If you need system logs, they are stored in /data/log (root required). To read them, it is convenient to use Logcat:

adb logcat > log.txt

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about hidden folders on Redmi

/storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Databases