Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face intrusive security notifications requiring access to storage, a standard procedure that Google has implemented in Android 11 and later to protect users’ personal data from unwanted third-party interference.
The setup process can be confusing because of the features of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, where the security menu is hidden in the depth of system settings. Sometimes the system does not ask for permission explicitly, but simply blocks the action, which causes confusion for the user. Understanding the logic of the Android file system will help you quickly eliminate locks and adjust the correct operation of all installed programs.
In this guide, we will cover all aspects of memory rights management, from standard queries to hidden system settings, learn how to force access to specific applications if an automatic request does not appear, and discuss the features of working with the system. USB-Storage and network storage in the Xiaomi ecosystem.
System Requirements and Android Version
Before you start setting up, you need to understand which version of the operating system is installed on your device. Android 10 and earlier, rights management was simpler, often just agreeing to the request on the first run. Starting with Android 11, the Scoped Storage mechanism limited direct access to the entire file array, dividing the memory into isolated sections.
If you have a MIUI 12, 13, 14 shell or the latest HyperOS, the algorithm will be almost identical, because it is based on Google’s system limitations. However, the visual design of the menu may vary slightly depending on the regional firmware (Global, China, EEA).
How to find out the version of Android?
It is worth noting that some system applications have priority access to memory and do not require additional permissions. However, any programs downloaded from Google Play or installed through the Internet. APK-files will be subject to strict security rules, and ignoring these rules leads to errors in saving and malfunctioning of software.
Configure access rights for individual applications
The most common scenario is when a particular application (such as a messenger or photo editor) cannot save a file, in which case you need to manually check its permissions, this is done through the main smartphone settings menu, where privacy management is concentrated.
Go to Settings → Applications → All Apps. Find the program you want and click on it. From the menu that opens, select Application Permissions (or simply “Permissions”). Here you will see a list of all rights you request with current status.
- 📂 Find Memory or Files and Media Content and make sure the switch is allowed".
- 🔒 If it is "Request" or "Forbidden", click on the item and select full access.
- ⚙️ In some versions MIUI Access may be hidden under the subsection "Other permissions".
☑️ Access rights verification
Note that newer versions can divide access into Photos and Videos Only and All Files. For file managers or torrent trackers to work properly, you need to choose to access all files with extended access, without which the application will only see its own folder.
Access management via the security menu
Xiaomi and Redmi have a separate system tool called Security, which is not just an antivirus, but a central permissions hub that duplicates and extends the standard Android features, and this is where the standard settings menu often fails.
Open the Security app (green zipper icon). Scroll down to the Privacy section and select Permit Manager. In the list that opens, look for the Memory or Storage category. This list shows all the apps that have ever requested access to files.
⚠️ Warning: Be careful about giving memory access to unknown or suspicious applications.Attackers can use this right to steal personal photos or documents.
Within the list, you can massively control rights, like denying access to all apps at once or allowing access to a select few, which is especially useful if you want to restrict children's access to certain files or hide data from games with dubious reputations.
Using permission manager allows you to quickly find the "culprit" who is blocking the system or taking up space. If the application is marked in red, then access to memory is closed for it.
Special access and management of all files
There's a special level of access that file managers, antiviruses, and memory cleaners need, called "All Files Access," and without that permission, even a system explorer can't copy a file from one folder to another or clear the cache of other programs.
To activate this feature, follow the Settings → Privacy Protection → Special Permissions → Access to All Files. In some versions of MIUI, this path may look like Settings → Applications → Access to Memory → Control All Files Access.
In the list that opens, find the application you want (such as MT Manager, Total Commander or ZArchiver) and activate the switch. The system will issue a serious risk warning, which must be confirmed by clicking "Allow".
| Type of application | Access required | Level of risk | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| File manager | All files. | Low. | It's mandatory to allow |
| messenger | Photos and media | Medium. | Allowed for work |
| Game. | No, just cache | High-pitched | Ban all files |
| Antivirus | All files. | Low. | Allow for inspection |
Giving this access gives the application almost the same rights as the system, it can read, modify and delete any data on the internal drive, so only enable this option for proven software, in which you are 100% sure of the functionality.
Working with external USB-accumulator
Connecting a flash drive or external hard drive through OTG-The cable needs special attention. Android is looking at it. USB-the drive as a separate device and access to it is not automatically provided even if there are rights to internal memory.
When the first connection of the drive in the curtain notifications will appear message "Click to configure" USB-If you missed this point, go to Settings. → Connected devices → USB. Make sure that the mode of operation is selected File transfer or USB-accumulator.
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Use an OTG-enabled file manager, such as CX File Explorer or Solid Explorer, to manage external drives on Xiaomi.
Some applications may not see the connected flash drive until you manually specify the path to it. In the application settings (Storage section), select an external memory card as the main place to store data. This is true for DVRs, voice recorders and cameras.
Xiaomi natively supports FAT32 and exFAT. If your flash drive is formatted in NTFS, your phone may suggest formatting it, which will cause data loss, or it won't see it at all, which would require a third-party driver or formatting on a PC.
Typical Access Problems Solving
Often users are faced with a situation where permission is given, but the application still writes "Storage Access Error", which can be caused by a version conflict or an error in the cache of the rights management system.
First, try to clear permissions manager data. Go to Settings → Apps → Show everything → permissions manager (may need to turn on system process display). Click Clear → Clear everything. This will reset the factory rights settings, and the next application launch will see requests again.
⚠️ Warning: Resetting the Permissions Manager won’t delete your files, but you’ll have to re-allow access to all apps, which can take time.
Another reason could be Second Space or Guest mode, and if you created a clone of an application, the permissions are set separately, check the settings in the user profile, and the problem may be an antivirus that blocks entry to the system folders.
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If standard methods don’t help, try removing the problematic app, restarting the smartphone and installing it again – this often updates the rights request.
In extreme cases, when nothing works, you may need to reset all network and application settings. This is a radical method, but it is guaranteed to eliminate software errors in the MIUI security module. Remember to back up important data before such actions.