You've installed SD-card in your Xiaomi Redmi 10, but photos and videos don't show up in the standard Gallery? or the app doesn't see the external drive at all? The problem lies in the permission settings - Xiaomi smartphones based on the MIUI block access SD-This is done for security reasons, but often leads to confusion among users.
In this article, you will find 4 working ways to give the Gallery access to files on the memory card, including hidden settings. MIUI We'll also look at common errors (e.g., "No permission to access Android"). SD-The instructions are valid for Redmi 10 on all versions. MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.
Why the gallery doesn't see files SD-map?
The reason lies in the Android architecture and Xiaomi’s policies:
- 🔒 Limitations of Android 11+: Google tightens rules on external drives, apps are forbidden to freely scan SD-cards without the express permission of the user.
- 🛡️ Politics MIUI: Xiaomi firmware further blocks access to /storage/emulated/0/ and /mnt/media_rw/ for “non-system” applications, even if they are installed by default.
- 🔄 Resetting Permits: After Updating MIUI or resetting the right of access to SD-The card is zeroed out – this is the standard behavior of the system.
It’s important to understand that the problem isn’t with the memory card itself (if it’s functional and formatted in FAT32 or exFAT), but with the lack of permissions in the Gallery app (or its alternatives like Google Photos), and we’ll fix it in three ways, from the simplest to the most advanced.
Method 1: Resolution through the Gallery application settings
The fastest method is to explicitly grant rights through the app menu, suitable for MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Search the Gallery (or Google Photos if you use it) and tap it.
- Go to the Permissions section → Warehouse.
- Activate the switches: 📁 Access to media files 💾 Managing files on all storage devices (important!)
Return to the Gallery and wait for the files to be re-scanned (it can take up to 5 minutes).
If you still don't show the photos after that, then you can move on to the next method. Sometimes you need a manual scan, so in the Gallery, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Update.
☑️ Check before setting up permissions
Method 2: Configure with “Special Permissions” (for MIUI 13/14)
In the new versions MIUI A hidden section to manage access to SD-This method works even if the standard permits don't help:
- Open Settings → Privacy → Special permissions.
- Select Access to Files on all storage devices.
- In the list of applications, find the Gallery and turn on the slider.
- Confirm the action in the dialog box by clicking Allow.
💡
If the Gallery still doesn’t see files after giving permissions, try temporarily installing another photo viewing app (such as Simple Gallery) and checking if the files are displayed in it, which will help to localize the problem: either in the phone settings or in the Gallery itself.
Method 3: Formatting SD-maps as internal memory
If previous methods have not worked, integration can be done. SD-It's a radical solution, but it's guaranteed to solve the problem of access. Attention: once formatted, the map can't be used on other devices without being cleaned!
Instructions:
- Make a backup copy of all data with SD-computer-card.
- Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
- Tap your name on it. SD-maps (e.g. SanDisk) 64GB).
- In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Storage Settings.
- Select Internal Memory and follow the instructions on the screen.
- After formatting, restart the phone.
Now SD-The card will be perceived by the system as part of the internal memory, and all applications (including the Gallery) will have full access to it.
What to do if your phone can’t see SD-map?
Method 4: Using ADB for forced access (for advanced)
If none of these methods work, you can manually grant permissions via Android Debug Bridge (ADB) and this requires you to connect your phone to your computer, but it’s guaranteed to work.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on the Developer Mode on your phone: 🔧 Go to Settings. → The phone. 🔨 Tap 7 times on the item Version MIUI. 🔑 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and enable debugging by USB.
Connect the phone to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.
ADB Tools
adb shell
pm grant com.miui.gallery android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
pm grant com.miui.gallery android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGEReboot the phone.
This method compulsorily grants the Gallery permission to work with external drives, bypassing the limitations of MIUI. If files are still not displayed after executing commands, check whether the access is blocked by antivirus or MIUI Security (in the security settings, disable real-time file scanning).
💡
Use ADB only if other methods have failed. Wrong commands can disrupt the system. Always back up your data before changing permissions through debugging.
Table: Comparison of methods of access
| Method | Difficulty | PC required | Data resetting | Guarantee of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permissions in Gallery settings | ⭐ | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | 60% |
| MIUI Special Permits | ⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | 80% |
| Formatting as an Internal Memory | ⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes, on the map) | 95% |
| ADB-team | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | 99% |
Typical errors and their solutions
Even after permissions are granted, users face problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
- 🚫 Mistake «SD-Card damaged": format the card in FAT32 via computer (use the official utility) SD If the error is repeated, the card is physically damaged.
- 🔄 Files disappear after rebooting: This happens if the card is connected as a portable storage. Reformat it as internal memory (see Method 3).
- 📱 Gallery sees only a part of the files: Clear the Gallery cache and restart the phone. If the problem persists, the files may be hidden (turn on the display of hidden files in Explorer settings).
If none of the methods worked, check:
- 🔌 Slot for SD-Cards: Try inserting the card into another phone or computer (via card reader).
- 🛠️ System Updates: Make sure the latest version is installed on your phone MIUI (Check in the settings → The phone. → Updating the system).
💡
If you use Google Photos instead of the standard Gallery, give it the same permissions as for the Gallery.In addition, in the Google Photo settings, enable the option to back up from devices. SD-maps (located in Settings) → Backup and synchronization).