You inserted a microSD into your Xiaomi Redmi 9, but photos and videos don't show up in the standard Gallery? or the app gives you an error: "No access to the app." SD-The problem is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi smartphones - it is associated with the peculiarities of work MIUI In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to configure access, including hidden developer settings and circumventing restrictions for external drives.
On the Redmi. 9 (model M2003J15SC, M2003J15SS and other modifications) access to SD-The card can be blocked for three reasons: incorrect storage settings, restrictions MIUI 12/13/14, We won’t offer “universal” tips like “reboot your phone” but instead focus on specific actions that work on current firmware versions (including HyperOS for upgraded devices).
Why the Gallery can't see SD-Redmi 9 map: the main reasons
Before you start setting up, it’s important to understand what prevents the Gallery app (or com.miui.gallery) from accessing files on the memory card.
- 🔄 Formatting in an inappropriate file system: Redmi 9 only works correctly with FAT32 or exFAT. if the card is formatted in NTFS (For example, on PC, Android does not recognize it.
- 🔒 Limitations MIUI For external storage: Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi tightened control over the access of applications to the SD-Maps due to Google security requirements.
- 📱 Conflict of Rights with Other Applications: If you used a file manager (e.g., Total Commander or a file manager) FX File Explorer to work with the map, the Gallery may lose access.
- 🔧 No mounting of the card as internal storage: By default, Redmi 9 connects SD-card as a removable drive, which limits the rights of applications.
Another nuance: if you transfer files from card to phone through OTG-If you had an adapter or connected it to a PC, you could get the permission tags off, and then you could only format the card in full on your smartphone.
Method 1: Configure SD-maps as internal storage
The most reliable method is to install SD-This will allow the Gallery and other applications to work with files without restrictions.
Instructions:
- Put it in. SD-Map to smartphone and go to Settings → Memory.
- Tap your name on it. SD-maps (e.g. SanDisk) 64GB).
- In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Storage Settings.
- Select Internal Memory → Clean and Format.
- Confirm the action. It'll take 1-3 minutes.
Once formatted, all files from the card will be deleted and the card will become part of the internal storage, and the Gallery will now have full access to the DCIM, Pictures and other folders.
☑️ Preparation SD-formatting
⚠️ Attention: If you extract SD-Once formatted as internal memory, the data on the card will become inaccessible on other devices, and to return it to its original state, you will have to re-format it via the PC.
Method 2: Gallery permissions in application settings
If you don't want to format the card as internal memory, you can manually give the Gallery permission to access the files.
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the Gallery app (or Google Photos if you use it).
- Go to the Permissions section.
- Activate the switches: 📁 Storage (access to files and media) 📷 Camera (if you save the photo directly to the camera) SD-map) 🔍 Managing all files (in new versions of Android)
If you don't have all files managed, your version of MIUI doesn't support it, and then the next way will help.
| MIUI version | Do you need to “manage all files”? | Alternative method |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12 and below | No. | The "Storage" permit is sufficient. |
| MIUI 13–14 | Yes (for Android 11+) | Use a file manager to copy files |
| HyperOS | Yes. | Formatting as an Internal Memory |
💡
If the Gallery still doesn't see files after the permissions are granted, try clearing its cache: Settings → Apps → Gallery → Clear the cache. This will reset the temporary data without deleting the photos.
Method 3: Using a file manager for manual access
If the gallery refuses to display files with SD-You can bypass the restrictions through a third-party file manager, such as Mi File Manager (built into the file manager). MIUI) Or Solid Explorer.
Instructions for Mi File Manager:
- Open the application and go to the section SD-map.
- Find a folder with media files (usually DCIM or Pictures).
- Select the files you need, click "More» (⋮) and select Copy in....
- Specify the target folder in the internal memory (e.g., Internal Storage/DCIM/Camera).
Once you copy the files, they'll be available in the Gallery, and the downside is that it's duplicated, but it works even without root rights.
How to copy files from SD-The cards are on PC if Redmi 9 doesn't see them?
Method 4: Reset permissions through developer settings
In rare cases, access to SD-The card is blocked because of a permission system failure, and you can fix this through the developer mode:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. tap on MIUI Version 7 times. Enter password/pattern lock if required.
Settings → Additional → For Developers
Resetting of application permits
Reboot the phone.
After the reboot, re-issue the storage access rights to the Gallery (see Method 2).
⚠️ Warning: Resetting permissions will bring back all applications to factory access settings, and you'll have to reconfigure permissions for instant messengers, banking apps, and other applications.
Method 5: Bypassing restrictions through ADB (for advanced users)
If none of the methods worked, the last option is the use of the ADB (Android Debug Bridge, which will allow you to manually grant access to the Gallery SD-command-line map.
Instructions:
- Install. ADB-PC drivers.
- Connect Redmi 9 to your computer and activate USB Debugging in the developer settings.
- Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb shell pm grant com.miui.gallery android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE adb shell pm grant com.miui.gallery android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
- Reboot the phone.
If after all the manipulations SD-The card still doesn't work, check it on another device, and it may be the card itself (physical failure or wear on memory cells).