How do I show hidden files in the vivo file manager?

Last reviewed: October 8, 2026 · Markdown version

First find out which file app your vivo phone has, because vivo ships two. vivo's support FAQ puts it this way: "If the system version of your phone is below Funtouch OS 11, your phone supports File Manager. If the system version of your phone is Funtouch OS 11 or above, your phone supports Files by Google" (vivo Smartphone FAQs — file management, vivo Global, "Why doesn't my phone support File Manager?", read 8 October 2026). If you are not sure which you have, open the app drawer and see whether the icon says File Manager or Files.

vivo's own File Manager (below Funtouch OS 11)

vivo's answer: "Go to File Manager--click Settings icon at the upper right corner--turn on "Display hidden directories and files“" (vivo FAQ above, "How to delete the hidden files on the phone?"). The label is the one to look for — it is not called "Show hidden files" in vivo's app.

Files by Google (Funtouch OS 11 and above)

The same vivo answer covers Google's app: "Go to Files-- click Menu icon at the upper left corner--Settings--turn on "Show hidden files"" (vivo FAQ above). Google's own wording of that route, and what it reveals, is on our general hidden-files page.

What will still not appear

vivo is explicit that one area stays out of view whichever switch you use: "To avoid accidental deletion of system files, the system space of your phone is hidden, so the contents in the system space are invisible" (vivo FAQ above, "Can I view system files?"). So a hidden-files switch shows dot-folders that apps leave in your storage, not the operating system itself.

You may also meet an older answer. vivo Philippines' File Manager FAQ still says "The hidden files cannot be seen in File Manager" and points to a third-party explorer instead (File Manager FAQ, vivo Philippines, read 8 October 2026). The global FAQ above now documents the built-in switch, and neither page dates its answer, so check your own File Manager's settings before installing anything.

Before you delete what appears

vivo attaches the same warning to both routes: "Some system and app files are important,If you know little about them, we suggest you not to modify them" (vivo FAQ above). Our advice goes one step further: look, do not tidy. A dot-folder you do not recognise usually belongs to an app that will misbehave without it. If you came here because pictures are missing from the gallery, the usual culprit is a .nomedia file — explained on the general page too.

One hidden folder you may see from us

If Adinand Auto File Sorter is installed, switching hidden files on can reveal a .trash folder inside Downloads › Sorted Files. It holds the copies you removed with the app's duplicate cleaner, which can be put back for 7 days; the app purges older ones when it runs.