Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones are often faced with the need to organize the contents of their device. Over time, thousands of files accumulate in memory, and without a logical structure, finding the right photo or document becomes a real problem. Standard folder names assigned by systems or applications often look like a meaningless set of characters or common terms in English.
Changing the directory name allows you to create a personalized file system that is understandable to you. This is especially true for those who actively work with documents, transfer large amounts of data between devices, or simply like perfect order. Fortunately, the MIUI shell provides built-in tools for these tasks, without requiring the installation of third-party software.
In this article we will analyze in detail the process of renaming folders, consider the nuances of working with system directories and answer questions that arise in case of access errors. You will learn how to safely manipulate files so as not to disrupt the operation of installed applications.
Why do you need to rename folders on your smartphone
The main reason for changing names is ease of navigation. When you connect your phone to your computer via a USB cable, the folder structure is displayed just like on your PC's hard drive. Clear names like “2026 Reports” or “Vacation Photos” save time searching. This is critically important for users who use a smartphone as a work tool.
In addition, renaming helps distinguish between personal and work data. In the standard Android structure, many applications create folders with their own names, for example Telegram or WhatsApp. If you want to hide certain media files from the eyes of the casual observer or simply group them differently, changing the name can be the first step towards organizing privacy.
However, it is worth remembering that not all directories can be touched. It is better not to touch system folders containing data for the operation of the operating system MIUI or kernel Android. Changing their names can lead to application failures or even the need to reset settings.
Using the built-in Explorer application
The easiest and most reliable way to change the directory name is to use the standard application from Xiaomi. It is preinstalled on all devices of the brand and has sufficient functionality for basic operations. The interface is intuitive, and the process takes only a few seconds.
To begin, open the application Explorer on the home screen or in the application menu. Go to the Folderssection to see the top-level directory structure. Find the desired object that you plan to rename. Please note that only those folders to which the user has editing rights are displayed here.
Long press on the folder icon. An action bar will appear at the bottom of the screen. Select the three dots icon or More, and then click Rename. In the window that appears, enter a new name and confirm the action with the OKbutton. The old name will be replaced instantly.
- 📁 Standard path: Explorer → Folders → Long press → More → Rename.
- ✏️ Cyrillic characters, emoji and special characters are supported.
- ⚡ The operation is performed instantly without rebooting the device.
If you do not see the "Rename" button, make sure that you are in the internal storage and not in the Mi Cloud cloud service, where the rights may be limited.
It is important to note that when renaming folders with media files (photos, videos), the gallery may temporarily lose contact with them. Typically, the system automatically scans for changes and updates the database, but in rare cases, a manual reboot of the media scanner or the smartphone itself is required.
Working with files via a PC connection
An alternative method of managing the file system is to use a personal computer. This method is especially convenient if you need to rename many folders at once or if your smartphone's touch screen is damaged. The connection is made via a USB cable in data transfer mode.
After connecting the devices, a request for permission to access data will appear on the phone screen. Select mode File transfer (MTP). On your computer, open My Computer, find your device, and go to internal storage. Here you will see the same folders as in the mobile explorer.
To rename a directory, right-click on it and select Rename (or press the key F2). Enter a new name and press Enter. The changes will immediately be reflected on the smartphone, since you are working with the same physical storage.
| Parameter | Mobile Explorer | Connect to PC |
|---|---|---|
| Speed work | High (sensor) | Medium (mouse/keyboard) |
| Ease of text entry | Medium (on-screen keyboard) | High (physical keyboard) |
| Cable dependent | No | Yes (USB required) |
| Risk of accidental deletion | Low | Medium (cursor) |
☑️ Preparing to connect to a PC
It is worth considering that when working through a computer, some system folders may be hidden or write-protected. If you try to change the name of such a directory, the system will throw an access error. This is a normal reaction of the operating system protection.
Features of renaming system folders
Users often try to change the names of folders created by installed applications, for example, DCIM, Android or MIUI. Here lies the main pitfall. The folder DCIM is standard for all digital cameras and contains your photos. Renaming it may cause the camera to stop saving new pictures in the expected location.
Applications such as instant messengers or social networks are strictly tied to the paths where data is saved. If you rename the folder WhatsApp to My Messages, the application will not find its databases the next time you start it and may offer to create a new, clean installation. This will lead to the loss of the correspondence history if you do not make a backup copy in advance.
⚠️ Attention: Never change the names of folders inside the directory
/Android/datai/Android/obb. This will disrupt the operation of almost all installed games and apps, requiring their complete reinstallation.
If your goal is to hide the folder from prying eyes, it is better to use the “Hidden Folders” function in the Explorer settings or move the files to a protected partition rather than changing their system names. This is a more secure approach that preserves the integrity of application data.
What to do if the application stops working after renaming?
You need to return the folder to its original name. If you don't remember it, uninstall the problematic application and install it again - it will automatically create the desired folder structure with the correct names.
Solving access problems and errors
Sometimes when trying to rename a folder, the user encounters an error message or the button is simply inactive. Most often this is related to access rights. In modern versions of Android (starting from 11 and higher), access to the root directory and some system partitions is strictly limited for security reasons.
Also, the problem may occur if the file or folder is currently being used by another process. For example, if you try to rename the directory from which you are playing music or watching videos, the system will block this action. Close all applications that use files in this folder and try again.
In rare cases, the error is caused by file system corruption. If renaming does not work for any folder, it is recommended to check the drive for errors. This can be done through the storage settings or by connecting the phone to the PC and running a disk check.
- 🔒 Check if password protection is installed on the folder itself.
- 📵 Make sure the phone is not connected to the PC in "Charge Only" mode.
- 🔄 Reboot your device to end background processes.
⚠️ Attention: If you see the "Insufficient rights" message, do not try to gain Root access without in-depth knowledge. This may void the device warranty Xiaomi and lead to "bricking".
Most renaming errors can be resolved by closing applications that use the files, or simply rebooting the smartphone.
Third-party filers managers as an alternative
If the standard tool does not suit you in terms of functionality or design, you can always install a third-party file manager from the store Google Play. Popular solutions, such as Solid Explorer, FX File Explorer or Files by Googleoffer advanced capabilities.
The advantage of such applications is that they support working with archives, cloud storage and network drives in a single interface. They often have a more flexible system for allocating files and batch renaming, which is convenient when processing large amounts of data.
However, you should be careful with permissions when using third-party software. When you first launch the application, it will ask for access to all files on the device. Grant these rights only to proven apps with a high rating and a large number of downloads.
Some advanced managers allow you to change the names of system folders if the device is granted superuser rights. But we repeat: this should be done only in exceptional cases and with a full understanding of the consequences for the structure. Android.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to use emoji in the name of a folder on Xiaomi?
Yes, the Android file system supports the use of emoji in folder and file names. However, keep in mind that when connecting the phone to older versions of Windows or other devices, these symbols may be displayed incorrectly (in the form of squares or question marks).
What happens if I rename the Download folder?
Most likely, nothing critical will happen, but browsers and instant messengers will continue to save files in a new folder with the old one by default name, creating a duplicate structure. It is better not to touch the standard system download directories.
How to get back the old name if I forgot it?
If you renamed the application folder and it stopped working, the easiest way is to delete this application and install it again. When you run it for the first time, it will automatically create a folder with the correct system name.
Why is the "Rename" button grayed out for some folders?
This means that you do not have write permissions to this section. Typically, these are system folders of the operating system or directories owned by other users (in multi-user access mode) that are protected from changes.
Does renaming a folder affect the speed of the phone?
No, changing the name itself does not affect performance. However, if there are thousands of files in a folder, the system may take some time to index changes for the media scanner, which can cause a short-term load on the processor.