Update of the gallery on Xiaomi: all ways and solutions to problems

The Gallery app on Xiaomi smartphones is a key tool for viewing, editing and managing photos. However, many users face problems: the application slows down, does not open new formats (for example,.heic), or simply stops updating through Google Play. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to update the gallery on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, including manual installation of APK, updating through MIUI and solving typical errors.

It's important to understand that a gallery on Xiaomi can be of two types - a standard MIUI Gallery (built into firmware) and Google Photos (installed separately). The methods of updating them are fundamentally different. We'll focus on the built-in MIUI Gallery app, which is the one that most often raises questions from users. If your gallery doesn't update automatically, it's not always a mistake - maybe you're using a modified firmware or a device with a locked bootloader.

1. Check the current version of the gallery

Before you update the app, make sure you have a really outdated version.

1. Open the gallery on your Xiaomi.
2. Tap it on. ⋮ (three points) in upper right corner → Settings.
3. Scroll down to the About Program or Version section.

Compare the version you see with the latest official version on the APKCombo or APKMirror website. If the difference is more than 2-3 months, it’s time to update. Note: on some devices (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11 with MIUI 14), the gallery version is tied to the firmware and updated only with it.

⚠️ Note: On devices with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience) built-in gallery MIUI In this case, use Google Photos or third-party alternatives like Simple Gallery.

2. Update via Google Play (for global versions of MIUI)

The easiest way is to upgrade through Google Play Market, but it only works for global versions of MIUI (with the Global suffix in the firmware name). If you have a Chinese version (China ROM), this method won't work, move on to the next section.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Google Play Market.
• 🔍 Enter in the search. MIUI Gallery (or simply Gallery).
• 🔄 If you have an Update button, press it. If you don't have a button, you have the latest version for your firmware.
• 📥 Wait for download and installation (requires a stable Internet connection).

What if the gallery doesn't show up in the Play Market? This is a typical problem for devices with China ROM or modified firmware.

• 🔧 Install the gallery MIUI manually by direct reference (may be required) VPN, If your region is blocked).
• 🌍 Change the region on Google Play to the US or India (in your account settings).
• 📦 Use alternative sources (see section 4).

Update via MIUI Updater (for Chinese firmware)

If you have Xiaomi with China ROM, the gallery is only updated with the system.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Update Checker.
3. If you have a MIUI update, download it and install it. The gallery will update automatically.

Important nuance: On some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro), the gallery update may come with a delay of 1-2 weeks after the release of the new version of MIUI. If you need the latest version right now, use the method with manual installation of APK (section 4).

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi.eu or other custom firmware, update via MIUI Updater can cause a device to reset. Before updating, back up your data to Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

4 Manual update through APK-file

If the automatic methods don't work, you have to manually install the APK, which is suitable for all versions of MIUI, including Chinese and custom firmware.

Download the latest version of APK from a trusted source (APKMirror, APKCombo)

Check the compatibility of the version with your Xiaomi model

Allow installation from unknown sources in security settings

Make a backup copy of the gallery data (optional)

Charge your phone at least 50%

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Where to download APK:

• 🔗 APKMirror is the most reliable source with hash-sum verification.
• 📦 APKCombo – an alternative with support for older versions.
• 🌐 Official Xiaomi Forum (section) MIUI Weekly Builds).

How to determine:

1. Download. APK-file on the phone (e.g, com.miui.gallery_14.1.2.3.apk).
2. Open the file manager → find the downloaded file.
3. Slip on the APK and confirm installation. If you see an error "Application not installed", first delete the old version of the gallery (see section 6).

Warning: Installing APKs from unverified sources can lead to data leakage or virus infection. Always check the hash amount of the file (SHA-1) on VirusTotal.

5. Solving errors in the update

When updating the gallery, users often encounter common errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

The Parse Error error when installing the APK:

• 📌 Make sure the downloaded file is not corrupted (check the size – it must match the one listed on the site).
• 🔧 Enable the option of Install Unknown Apps for your browser or file manager.
• 🗑️ Clean the Download folder from the old ones APK-file.

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If the gallery is slowing down after the update, clear its cache: go to Settings → Apps → Gallery → Storage → Clear the cache. This will not delete your photos, but will speed up the application.

Removal of the old version of the gallery (for clean installation)

Sometimes a new version of a gallery refuses to install because of a conflict with the old one, in which case you have to uninstall the built-in app, and you can do this in two ways:

Method 1: Through ADB (without root)

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times according to version).
2. Download ADB Tools and open the command line in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.gallery

Method 2: TWRP (root required)

• 🔧 Install custom recovery TWRP.
• 📂 Go to Advanced. → File Manager.
• 🗑️ Delete the folders: /system/priv-app/MiuiGallery /data/app/com.miui.gallery-1

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications can lead to unstable work MIUI. If you have removed your gallery from other apps (such as WhatsApp), install an alternative gallery, such as QuickPic or Aves.

7.Alternative galleries for Xiaomi

If the standard MIUI gallery is not satisfied with the functionality or constantly fails, consider alternatives:

• 🖼️ Google Photos – cloud storage with automatic sorting and search by content (recognizes faces, objects).
• 📁 Simple Gallery – a lightweight application with support for encryption and hidden folders.
• 🎨 Aves – an open source gallery with minimalist design.
• 🔒 LockMyPix – gallery with the function of hiding photos behind a password or fingerprint.

Comparison of alternatives:

If you decide to upgrade to an alternative gallery, don’t remove the standard MIUI Gallery – some system features (such as sharing photos via Mi Share) may stop working.

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Before installing an alternative gallery, disable autosynchronization in the standard app: Gallery settings → Cloud → Autoupload. This will prevent duplicate photos.

8. Gallery optimization after update

After updating, the gallery may run slower due to accumulated cache or conflicts with other applications.

• 🧹 Clear the cache: Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Reboot the device – it will reset the background processes.
• 📵 Turn off autoload to the cloud: if you are not using Mi Cloud, turn off sync in gallery settings.
• 🖼️ Turn off unnecessary albums: in the gallery settings hide albums Screenshots, Downloads or WhatsApp.

If the gallery doesn't show new pictures after the update:

1. Check if files are hidden (in the file manager, enable the display of hidden folders).
2. Update your Android Media Base: Install the Rescan Media app from Google Play.
3. Move the photo to your internal memory (if it is on your computer) SD-map).

💡

To speed up the download of previews in the gallery, turn off animations in the developer settings: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times), then Developer Settings → Windows animation = Off.

FAQ: Frequent questions about updating the Xiaomi Gallery