File Manager for Xiaomi, Redmi & POCO — Replace the Built-in App

Why Xiaomi Users Switch to AnExplorer

Xiaomi's built-in File Manager (part of MIUI/HyperOS) is functional for basic tasks — browsing folders, moving files, clearing storage. But it has problems that frustrate power users:

Ads in a system app. Xiaomi's File Manager displays advertisements — banner ads while browsing your own files. This is a system app that came with your phone, showing ads in a utility you use daily. AnExplorer's free version has minimal ads too, but they're less intrusive — and Pro ($29.99 lifetime) removes them entirely.

No network storage access. Xiaomi's File Manager can't connect to your NAS, PC shared folders, or FTP servers. If you have a Synology, QNAP, or Windows PC with shared folders, you need a third-party file manager. AnExplorer connects via SMB, FTP, SFTP, and WebDAV — all free.

No cloud integration beyond Xiaomi Cloud. The built-in manager integrates with Xiaomi Cloud but not Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, MEGA, or other services. AnExplorer connects to all 7 major cloud services natively.

Limited archive support. Xiaomi's app can open ZIP files but can't create archives, can't handle RAR5, 7z, TAR, ISO, or comic book formats (CBR/CBZ). AnExplorer opens and creates all of these.

No wireless PC transfer. Mi Share only works with other Xiaomi devices. AnExplorer's Device Connect works with any PC, Mac, or Linux machine — just open a browser.

No cross-device support. If you also have a Xiaomi TV (Mi Box, Redmi TV Stick), AnExplorer works on both phone and TV with the same interface. Xiaomi's File Manager is phone-only.

What AnExplorer Adds Over Xiaomi's Built-in

Xiaomi-Specific Setup Notes

Setting AnExplorer as default

On HyperOS (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13, POCO F6, etc.):

1. Settings → Apps → Default apps → File Manager
2. Select AnExplorer from the list
3. Now when you tap "Open file" in any app, AnExplorer handles it

On older MIUI (12, 13, 14):

1. Settings → Apps → Manage apps → tap ⋮ (three dots) → Default apps
2. Explorer → select AnExplorer

Enabling APK installation

Xiaomi/HyperOS has an extra permission layer for installing APKs:

1. Settings → Privacy protection → Special permissions → Install unknown apps
2. Find AnExplorer in the list → toggle Allow
3. On older MIUI: Settings → Additional settings → Privacy → Unknown sources → enable

Note: HyperOS may also show a "Security scan" dialog when installing APKs. This is Xiaomi's built-in virus scanner — it's safe to proceed if you trust the APK source.

Battery optimization (important for Device Connect)

Xiaomi aggressively kills background apps. If Device Connect stops working when you switch apps:

1. Settings → Apps → Manage apps → AnExplorer → Battery saver → No restrictions
2. Also: Settings → Battery → App battery saver → AnExplorer → No restrictions
3. Lock AnExplorer in recent apps (swipe down on the app card to lock it)

This prevents HyperOS from killing the Device Connect server while it's running.

Storage access on HyperOS

HyperOS (Android 14+) has strict storage permissions. When AnExplorer first opens:

• Grant "All files access" when prompted (needed for full file management)
• If not prompted: Settings → Apps → Manage apps → AnExplorer → Permissions → Storage → Allow management of all files

Transferring Files from Xiaomi to PC

Xiaomi's Mi Share only works with other Xiaomi/MIUI devices. For PC transfer, AnExplorer's Device Connect is the universal solution:

1. Open AnExplorer → ☰ → Device Connect → Start
2. Note the address (e.g. http://192.168.1.42:8080)
3. On your PC: open any browser → type the address → Enter
4. Browse, download, upload files — works on Windows, Mac, Linux

No Mi PC Suite (discontinued), no Mi Share (Xiaomi-only), no USB driver issues. Just HTTP in a browser.

Xiaomi Models Confirmed Compatible

AnExplorer works on all Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones:

• Xiaomi: 14 Ultra, 14, 13T Pro, 13, 12, Mix Fold series
• Redmi: Note 13 Pro+, Note 13, Note 12, K70, K60, A series
• POCO: F6 Pro, F6, X6 Pro, X6, M6 Pro, C65
• Tablets: Xiaomi Pad 6, Pad 6 Pro, Redmi Pad SE

Any device running MIUI 10+ or HyperOS is compatible. No root required.

Common Xiaomi File Management Tasks

Moving photos to SD card (free up internal storage)

Xiaomi phones with SD card slots (Redmi Note series, POCO M series) benefit from moving media to the card:

1. Open AnExplorer → Internal Storage → DCIM → Camera
2. Select all photos/videos (long-press → Select All)
3. Tap Cut → navigate to SD Card → create "DCIM" folder → Paste
4. Change camera save location: Camera app → Settings → Save location → SD card

This can free 5-20 GB of internal storage on phones with large photo libraries.

Accessing a Windows PC shared folder

If you have a PC on your home network with shared folders:

1. AnExplorer → Network → SMB → tap +
2. Enter your PC's IP address (find it: Windows → cmd → ipconfig)
3. Enter the shared folder name, your Windows username and password
4. Connect — browse your PC's files from your Xiaomi phone

Once bookmarked, this connection is one-tap access from AnExplorer's sidebar. No cable, no Mi PC Suite, no cloud upload needed.

Cleaning WhatsApp storage

WhatsApp on Xiaomi phones stores media in Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media/. This folder often grows to 5-15 GB:

1. AnExplorer → navigate to the WhatsApp Media folder
2. Open the Video folder (usually the largest)
3. Sort by size → delete old videos you've already watched
4. Repeat for Images and Audio folders

AnExplorer's WhatsApp Manager feature (☰ → WhatsApp) provides a categorized view of all WhatsApp media for easier cleanup.

Installing APKs from third-party sources

Xiaomi's HyperOS adds extra security dialogs when installing APKs. The workflow:

1. Download the APK (from APKMirror, developer website, etc.)
2. Open AnExplorer → navigate to Downloads → tap the APK
3. HyperOS shows a "Security scan" dialog → wait for scan → tap Install
4. If blocked: ensure "Install unknown apps" is enabled for AnExplorer (see setup section above)

AnExplorer handles split APK bundles (APKS, APKM, XAPK) that Xiaomi's built-in installer can't process — essential for sideloading apps from APKMirror.

Related Guides

• File Manager for OnePlus — OxygenOS-specific setup and tips
• File Manager for Samsung Galaxy — Samsung-specific setup
• Transfer Android to PC — full wireless transfer guide
• Connect to NAS — access your NAS from any phone