How to give Xiaomi Gallery access to the SD-map: all ways 2026

You've installed SD-a map to a Xiaomi smartphone, but the gallery stubbornly refuses to see the photos on it? MIUI Is the problem of accessing an external drive one of the most common among owners of Redmi devices, POCO The reason lies in the security policy of Android and features of the shell MIUI, which restrict the operation of applications with external media.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to grant permissions to a gallery on Xiaomi, from standard settings to hidden MIUI functions and manual mounting through ADB. Particular attention will be paid to solutions for the latest firmware versions (MIUI 14/13 based on Android 13/12), where the algorithm has changed, and you will learn why some methods stopped working after the updates and how to circumvent new restrictions.

Why Xiaomi Gallery Can't See Files SD-map?

Problem with access to SD-Xiaomi Maps Are Combined Due to Three Factors:

• 🔒 Android Policy: Starting with Android 11, Google has tightened its rules for working with external media: apps are forbidden to read files freely outside their folders without the explicit permission of the user.
• 🛡️ Limitations MIUI: Xiaomi shell adds its layer of protection, blocking access to the /storage/ For third-party apps, even if they have Android permissions.
• 📁 Formatting the map: If SD-The card is formatted as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage), the system can restrict access to it for individual applications.

Users are most often faced with the following errors:

• ❌ «No access to SD-map" in the gallery Xiaomi.
• ❌ Files on the map are displayed, but they cannot be edited or deleted.
• ❌ com.miui.gallery gives an error: “Impossible to read the media».

Before you move on to solutions, check the basics:

Format. SD-map FAT32/exFAT (if she's new)

Make sure the card is inserted correctly into the slot

Reboot your smartphone after installing the card

Check the card on another device (laptop, other phone)

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Method 1: Provide permission through MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI 12-14 firmware.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Gallery app (or com.miui.gallery) and tap it.
3. Go to the Permissions section → Memory (or Files and Multimedia).
4. Activate the "Allow File Access" switch.
5. In the window that appears, select «SD-map and confirm access.

If Memory is not on the permission list, try an alternative path:

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Permissions → Permissions Management.
2. Choose a Memory (or Warehouse)
3. Find the Gallery in the list and enable access.

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If the gallery still doesn’t see files after granting permissions, try clearing its cache: Settings → Apps → Gallery → Storage → Clear the cache.

Some devices (such as the POCO X3 Pro or Redmi Note 11) may require an additional step:

1. Open the Gallery and go to the Albums section.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Activate the option “Show files with” SD-map».

Method 2: Setup SD-maps as internal storage

If you use SD-The card, as an extension of the internal memory (Adoptable Storage), the gallery and other applications will have full access to it:

• ⚠️ The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• ⚠️ After the map is extracted, some applications may stop working.
• ⚠️ The speed of the card should not be lower than Class. 10/UHS-I, Otherwise, the system will refuse to format it.

Instructions for setting:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Open the Settings. → Memory (or Warehouse).
3. Tap your name on it. SD-map → Configure (or format as internal memory).
4. Confirm the formatting (all data will be deleted!).
5. After the process is complete, restart the device.

If there is no option to format as internal memory, this means that:

• 🔹 Your card has already been formatted as an internal card.
• 🔹 The card is not supported (too slow or damaged).
• 🔹 The manufacturer (Xiaomi) has disabled this feature for your model (relevant for devices with a computer). MIUI 13+).

Method 3: Using a file manager for manual access

If the gallery still doesn’t see files, but other applications (like Google Photos) work fine, you can use a file manager to transfer media files to internal memory.

Instructions:

1. Open a standard Files (com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer) or install a third-party manager (such as Solid Explorer).
2. Go to section. SD-map external_sd).
3. Find a folder with photos (usually DCIM or Pictures).
4. Select the files you need and click Copy (or Cut).
5. Move to the internal memory → DCIM/Camera And put the files in.

This method does not solve the access problem, but it allows you to bypass the restrictions by transferring files to a section where the gallery has full rights.

To automate the process, you can use the FolderSync or MacroDroid application, which will synchronize files with the SD-cards in internal memory on a schedule.

The standard "Files" from Xiaomi

Solid Explorer

FX File Explorer

Total Commander

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Method 4: Permissions through ADB (power-user)

If standard methods do not work, you can manually provide the gallery with access to the SD-Map from Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Open Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm access via USB.

command-line

Terminal

adb shell pm grant com.miui.gallery android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE


adb shell pm grant com.miui.gallery android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE

MIUI 13/14

adb shell appops set com.miui.gallery android:legacy_storage allow

Reset the device.

On Android 11+ and MIUI 12.5+ devices, the standard ADB commands may not work due to new restrictions.

adb shell


su




chmod 777 /storage/XXXX-XXXX # (replace with ID your SD- card)




exit




exit

To find out ID yours SD-Maps, enter the adb shell command:

ls -l /storage/

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Using ADB is the most reliable way, but it requires an unlocked bootloader on some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi 11 or POCO F3).

Method 5: Alternative Galleries with Support SD-map

If none of the methods worked, consider using third-party galleries that bypass MIUI restrictions.

To set up access to Google Photos:

1. Open the app and tap on the avatar in the upper right corner.
2. Select Photo Settings → Backup and Synchronization.
3. Turn off backup (if not necessary).
4. Return to the main menu and tap the Device → folders from the device.
5. Find it. SD-map in the list and enable the display of files.

For Simple Gallery Pro:

1. At the first start, allow access to all files.
2. Go to Settings → Folders.
3. Add Add a folder and select SD-map.

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If you use Google Photos to view files from SD-Disable automatic synchronization in mobile data to avoid unnecessary traffic.

Solving problems after MIUI update

Updates MIUI They often reset permits or impose new restrictions, if after upgrading the firmware, the gallery stopped seeing. SD-map, follow the following steps:

1. Reset permissions: Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Gallery → Permissions. Turn off all permissions, then turn them back on.
2. Clear the gallery data: Go to Settings → Apps → Gallery → Storage. Click Clear Data (not cache!) Attention: this will delete all the app settings, but will not affect the photos themselves.
3. Rewire it. SD-Map: Remove the map, reboot the phone. Put the card back in and wait for the definition.

MIUI 14 has a new feature called Privacy Protection, which can block access to files, to turn it off:

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Special access.
2. Select Access to all files.
3. Find the Gallery in the list and turn on the switch.

If the problem persists, check if MIUI Dual Apps are activated, which can create conflicts with external media access. Turn it off in Settings → Applications → Second Space.

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After major upgrades (e.g., from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14), it can sometimes help to reset to factory settings.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Let’s analyze the typical situations faced by Xiaomi users when working with the company. SD-map.

⚠️ Attention: If after connection SD-The smartphone starts to overheat or brake, which may indicate a problem card. Check it on another device or format it.

If you SD-The card is not defined at all, try it:

• 🔌 Reboot the phone with the card inserted.
• 🔧 Wipe the contacts of the card with a soft cloth (possible oxidation).
• 🖥️ Check the card on PC through the card reader.
• 📱 Insert the card into another slot (if there is, for example, in the POCO F4 GT).

On some models (Redmi Note 9 Pro, Mi) 10T) It occurs when a bug occurs SD-The card is determined only after a full reboot (not a quick restart).To perform a full reboot, hold the power button until the menu appears and select Reboot.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions