How to give the gallery access SD-map on Xiaomi Redmi 9

Owners of budget smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 9 often face the need to expand internal storage. Using a microSD card is the most affordable way to solve the problem of lack of space for photos and videos. However, the Android operating system, since version 10, has implemented strict security policies known as Scoped Storage.

The changes also affect the MIUI shell that is installed on Xiaomi devices, and the standard Gallery app can’t automatically scan and display the contents of external drives without the explicit permission of the user, which is often puzzling: files are physically written to a map, but they are not in the gallery.

In this article, we will discuss how to properly configure access to an external drive, what system restrictions affect the operation of media files and how to circumvent them with regular system tools, and the right setup will allow you to enjoy viewing photos without using third-party programs.

Why the gallery doesn't see files on the SD-map

The main reason is the change in the file system access architecture in Android, which previously had almost full access to the entire storage, which created vulnerabilities, and now every application, including the system gallery, must request access to specific folders or the entire external storage separately.

On Redmi 9 smartphones with MIUI 12 or MIUI 13, the permission mechanism works particularly strictly.The system can block indexing of media files if the user has previously rejected a request or if the rights were reset after updating the firmware. Without special permission, the application simply “does not know” that it is allowed to read data from an external medium.

⚠️ Warning: Forced change of system files to bypass restrictions can cause a smartphone to run unsteady. Use only regular permission settings.

Also, consider that the memory card must be formatted in a compatible file system, usually FAT32 or exFAT. If the file system is corrupted or the format is not supported, the file manager may see the card, but the media applications may not.

Verification of physical connection and formatting

Before digging into the software settings, you need to make sure the drive itself works correctly.The Redmi 9 smartphone supports cards up to 512 GB, but old or cheap cards may not work correctly.Put the card into the slot before the characteristic click and wait for the system to notify.

Once you have installed the map, go to the storage settings. The path usually looks like this: → The phone. → The storage. Here, the system has to display two sections: internal memory and SD-If the gray section of the card is missing, try removing it and pasting it again, before turning off the device.

• 📀 Make sure the card is inserted by the correct side, contacts down.
• 🧹 Check for dust or oxidation on tray contacts SIM-map.
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone after installing the drive for re-indexing.

If the map is defined but the files are not readable, formatting may be required. Remember that formatting will completely delete all data. For multimedia on Android, the best format is exFAT, as it supports files larger than 4 GB, which is important for high-resolution video.

💡

Use a computer to format the card to exFAT before installing it on your phone – this reduces the risk of file system errors.

Configure permissions through the system menu

The most reliable way to access is to use the built-in Application Manager. In the MIUI shell, access rights management is centralized. You need to find the Gallery app in the installed program list and manually activate the switches you need.

Open Settings → Applications → All apps. Search the Gallery (or Gallery) list. Go to Application Permissions. Here you will see a list of access categories. We are interested in the item related to storage, files and media.

Once permission is enabled, the system can display a second security alert. Confirm action. Some versions of MIUI require additional permission to access "Storage Management." If you do not show files after this action, try clearing the Gallery app cache through the Memory menu in the same application settings section.

Use of a conductor for forced access

Sometimes the standard Gallery is lazy to update the file index, in which case you can use the system explorer. MIUI Or third-party, like File Manager. Open the explorer and go to the tab. SD-If you see your files here, it means that the problem is the Gallery indexing, not the access.

Try creating a new folder on your memory card through a explorer, calling it, for example, MyPhotos, and moving some test images there. Then go to the Gallery. Often, the appearance of a new folder with content causes you to rescan the media files.

⚠️ Note: Do not use the root directory SD-Create separate folders to make it easier for the system to index them.

There's also a hidden media scanning mechanism, where you can use the Explorer app, find the.nomedia file (if it's in the photo folders) and delete it. It prevents the system from showing the contents of the folder in the Gallery. Deleting.nomedia forcibly opens access.

Solving problems with MIUI Optimization

In the advanced settings of Xiaomi developer, there is a parameter that affects the operation of the permission system: MIUI Optimization. In some cases, disabling it can help restore access to the file system, but this is an extreme measure that can change the menu interface.

To enter the developer menu, you need to repeatedly click on the MIUI version in the About Phone section. Then, in the Developer Menu, look for the optimization section. Be careful: changing these settings may cause some system preferences to reset.

• 🛠 Activate Developer Mode with five taps on OS version.
• 🔍 Find the item “Enable optimization” MIUI».
• 🔄 Try to switch state and restart the device.

After this manipulation, the system reassembles the lists of applications and their rights. This can take a few minutes. If after enabling the optimization problem persists, return the setting to its original state. This method is effective only in specific cases of conflicts between Android and MIUI versions.

💡

Changing the developer's settings is a radical method, and only use it if the standard permission methods didn't work.

Alternative solutions and cloud services

If the State Gallery continues to ignore SD-The Google Play store offers a variety of photo-viewing apps, such as Google Photos, Simple Gallery or AGallery. They often have more flexible access settings to external drives.

Google Photos, for example, will ask for permission to access all media files on the device and map when it first runs, and after scanning, it will create a convenient tape that combines images from internal memory and memory. SD-Maps, ignoring the system limitations of the standard Xiaomi Gallery.

Another option is to use cloud storage, which automatically uploads photos to Google Drive, Yandex.Disk or Dropbox, freeing up space and accessing the archive from any device, eliminating the dependence on the physical state of the memory card.

💡

Check your health regularly SD-maps with applications like SD Insight to replace the drive in time and not lose data.