Where is the gallery in the Xiaomi phone: search, recovery and hidden features

You've just taken a selfie or downloaded a meme from the Internet, but you can't find it in the gallery? This problem is familiar to many Xiaomi smartphone owners, especially after a MIUI update or a setting reset. The fact is that the manufacturer regularly changes the layout of standard applications, and sometimes hides them altogether under different names. For example, in recent versions of the firmware, the classic "Gallery" can be called simply "Photo"** or even integrated into Google Photos.

Another common cause of confusion is duplicate media viewing apps, with some models (like the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5) both having a Xiaomi gallery and Google’s stock solution installed simultaneously, leaving files scattered across different folders, leaving users wondering where to look for fresh images, and fortunately, the problem is solved in a matter of minutes — if you know where to look.

In 90% of cases, the Xiaomi photo and video app is on the home screen or in the menu of all apps.

  • 📷 «Gallery** (old versions) MIUI 12)
  • 🖼️ «Photos”** (new versions) MIUI 13/14/15)
  • 🌐 «Google Photos** (if sync with Google account is enabled)

If the icon is not visible, try these steps:

  1. Swipe your finger up from the bottom edge of the screen to open the app menu.
  2. In the search bar (loop at the top), enter a gallery or photo.
  3. If the app is found but hidden, hold the icon and drag it to the main screen.

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On some models (such as the Xiaomi 13T), the gallery is integrated into the Files app.** Open it and go to the Images or Media tab.

After updating MIUI (especially to version 14 or HyperOS), the standard gallery can automatically deactivate if the system detects that you are using Google Photos as the main application, in which case the media files do not disappear anywhere - they are simply accessed through a different interface.

To find them manually:

  1. Open the Files app** (Folder icon).
  2. Go to the Category → Images or Videos tab.
  3. If you don’t have the right files, check the folders: 📁 DCIM/Camera (camera) 📁 Pictures (downloaded images) 📁 Download (media from the Internet)
📊 What gallery do you use on Xiaomi?
Standard MIUI
Google Photo
Other applications (e.g. QuickPic)
I don't know where my gallery is.

Attention! If the DCIM folder is empty but you are sure the photos were, check the hidden files. In Files, click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Turn on Show Hidden Files.

If the Gallery app is gone, you can return it through the system settings. Here is a step-by-step instruction:

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management

Click on the three dots at the top → Show all applications

Find in the list Gallery or com.miui.gallery

Click Enable or Show

Reboot the phone-->

If the application does not turn on or gives an error, try resetting its settings:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Gallery.
  2. Click Warehouse → Clear the cache and Clear the data.
  3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Cleaning up the gallery data won't delete your photos, but it will reset your sorting and album settings. If the app still doesn't work after that, check if the system applications are disabled through Settings. → Special opportunities → Special facilities → Disable system applications.

Method 4: Alternative Media Viewing Apps

If you don’t like the standard gallery on Xiaomi or are constantly bugged, you can use third-party apps. They often offer more features — for example, cloud backup, editing. RAW-File or password protection for individual albums.

AnnexAdvantagesDeficienciesReference
Google PhotoAutomatic synchronization, search by person/place, unlimited storage (compressed photos)Requires a Google account, eats the battery in background syncPlay Market
QuickPicLightweight, no advertising, support for cloud servicesNot updated from 2020APKPure
Simple GalleryOpen source, no tracking, support for dark themePaid Pro version for some functionsPlay Market

To make a third-party gallery the default app:

  1. Open any photo through the Files.
  2. The system will suggest selecting an application - tick Always and select the desired gallery.

If you don’t remember exactly what the photo viewing app is called on your Xiaomi, use the built-in search:

  1. Swipe your finger down the main screen to open the search bar.
  2. Enter the request: photo, gallery or images.
  3. The system will show not only the apps, but also the latest media files you opened.

⚠️ Note: If you have used encrypted storage (e.g., Private Folder in the MIUI), After resetting the settings, access to the files will be lost, and you can restore them only through a backup copy or password from the Mi Account.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Why does the Xiaomi gallery not show a photo from the memory card?
This is a common problem with access settings. Solutions: Open Settings. → Annexes → Application management → gallery → Permits: Make sure that the Warehouse Permits are included and SD-If the photos are not showing anyway, remove and re-insert the memory card, then restart the phone. 9A) Additional permission is required in the settings → Memory. → Settings SD-map → Format as internal memory (Warning: This will remove all data from the card!).
How to transfer a photo from your internal memory to SD-map?
You can do this through the Files app: Open Files» → Categories → Images. Select the photos you want (hold your finger on the file). → Tap the rest. Tap the other three dots) → Move it. Choose. SD-map → DCIM → Important: Don't move files through your PC - this can disrupt the folder structure and the gallery won't see them.
Can I return the old MIUI gallery after the upgrade?
Unfortunately, you can't roll back to the previous version of the Gallery app without rolling back the entire firmware. However, you can: Install a third-party gallery (like Simple Gallery) that mimics the old interface; disable updates to the Photos app in the Play Market (if installed there); use a dark theme and display settings to make the new gallery look like the old one.
Where are the screenshots on Xiaomi stored?
Screenshots are saved by default in /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots If the folder is empty: Check Gallery → Albums → Screenshots. Make sure screenshots are not saved in Google Photos (settings → Backup). On some models (e.g. POCO F5), screenshots can be saved in DCIM/Screenshots.
How to hide photos in the gallery Xiaomi without third-party applications?
MIUI has a built-in media hiding feature called Private Folder** to use: Open Files → highlight photo/video → More → Move to a closed folder. You will need to set a password or pattern lock when you first use it. Access to hidden files: Files → Closed folder (enter password). Attention! If you forget the password from a closed folder, you will not be able to restore access to files — even through a reset.

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If the gallery on Xiaomi is missing after the update, first check the DCIM folder through Files, then try to turn on the Photos app in the settings. 90% of the time the problem is solved without resetting the phone.