How to give Xiaomi Redmi Gallery access to the SD-map: Complete guide 2026

Problem with access to the Gallery application files on SD-The card is one of the most common among owners of smartphones Xiaomi Redmi. MIUI It can block reading of media files by producing errors such as “No access to the media” SD-The reason for this is the multi-layered Android permissions system and additional restrictions from Xiaomi, which are designed for security, but often interfere with users.

In this article, we will discuss all working methods of granting rights - from standard settings. MIUI You will learn how to circumvent restrictions without root rights, why a gallery may not see files even after permissions are granted, and what to do if a memory card is defined as an external storage device rather than as part of a system. Instructions are valid for all Redmi models (Redmi Note 10 to Redmi) 13C) base MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.

⚠️ Important: If you are using SD-The card is an internal memory function, and some of the methods in this article are not suitable, because these cards are formatted as part of the system and are managed differently.

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

Problem with access to SD-Xiaomi Redmi is due to a combination of three factors:

1. Android Restrictions: Starting with the Android Version 11, Google has tightened rules for working with external media, and applications are prohibited by default from freely writing files to the Internet. SD-map - only in the allocated folders (Android/data, DCIM etc.).
2. Politics MIUI: Xiaomi has added a security layer that blocks access to the root folders of the memory card even for system applications like Gallery.
3. Formatting the map: If SD-The card is formatted as a portable storage (not internal memory), and Android views it as a “removable disk” with limited rights.

Most often, users are faced with such symptoms:

• 📁 Photos/videos are not displayed in the Gallery, although files are on the map (see via file manager).
• ❌ Error "No access" when trying to open a media file.
• 🔄 Files disappear after rebooting or retrieving the card.
• 🛑 The "Allow Access" button in the application settings is inactive.

The decision depends on how yours is connected. SD-If you've never formatted it as an internal memory, start with method 1. If the card is used as an extension of the primary storage, go to method 3.

Method 1: Standard Permits MIUI (rootless)

The easiest way is to use the built-in settings MIUI. It is suitable for most users and does not require technical knowledge.

Make sure that SD-map inserted and defined by the system

Check that there are files on the card (for example, through the file manager)

Update the Gallery app to the latest version on Google Play

Reboot your smartphone (sometimes helps reset the permission cache)-->

Step 1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.

Step 2. Find the Gallery app (or com.miui.gallery) and tap it.

Step 3. Go to the Permissions section → Warehouse.

Step 4: Activate the switches:

• 📂 Reading media files (required)
• ✏️ Modification or removal of content SD-Maps (if you need to edit files)

⚠️ Note: If the items with permission for SD-The cards are locked (grey), so your memory card is formatted as internal storage.

Step 5: Go back to the main settings menu and open Settings → Memory. → SD-Check the map here:

• 🔄 File system format: must be exFAT or FAT32 (NTFS unsupported!).
• 🔒 Mounting: If it says "Connected as internal memory", go to Method 3.

Once permissions are granted, restart your smartphone. If files are still not displayed, clear the Gallery cache (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Clear the cache) and reopen the application.

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If after issuing permissions, the Gallery still does not see files, try to create a file. SD-folder DCIM/Camera And then you can manually move some photos there, and sometimes it wakes up the media scanner.

Method 2: Manually Adding Folders to the Gallery

If the Gallery sees only a part of the files or ignores specific folders on the SD-map, they can be added manually through hidden settings of the application.

Step 1. Open the Gallery and tap the three dots in the upper right corner. → Settings.

Step 2. Scroll down and select Show Hidden Folders (activate the switch).

Step 3: Go back and tap Folder Management (or Media Scanner in newer versions) MIUI).

Step 4. In the list, find folders with SD-cards (they are marked with an icon) 📁) And you activate the switches next to them:

• 📸 folder DCIM (This is where the camera photos are usually stored)
• 🎵 Music or Audio folder (if you want to display music)
• 🎬 Movies or Video folder (for video files)

⚠️ Note: If the desired folder is not listed, it does not contain supported media files (for example, only documents or archives.

Step 5. After activating the folders, press Update the media library (button at the bottom of the screen). If it is not, restart the Gallery.

If the folders are still not displayed, check:

• 🔍 File availability: At least 1-2 media files must be in the folder (JPG, PNG, MP4 etc.).
• 📛 File Names: Avoid special characters (e.g. photo#1.jpg may not be recognized).
• 🗂️ Depth of nesting: Gallery may not see files deeper than 3-4 folder levels.

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If the folder is SD-The map does not appear in the Gallery even after manual addition, try to move it to the root of the map (for example, from the path). /SDCard/Photos/Vacation on /SDCard/Vacation).

Method 3: SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage)

If you SD-The card is formatted as an internal storage (Adoptable Storage), the standard methods will not work, in which case the card is encrypted and becomes part of the system, and access to it is regulated at the Android level.

How to check the format:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Tap the line with SD-card.
3. If it says “Inner memory” or “Main storage extension” – your card is in Adoptable Storage mode.

⚠️ Attention: Formatting SD-The card as internal memory irreversibly deletes all data and links it to a particular device. Once removed, the card cannot be read on another smartphone or PC without full formatting.

How to provide access to the Gallery:

1. Open the settings. SD-maps (Settings) → Memory. → SD-map).
2. Slip "Format as internal" (if not already done).
3. After formatting, restart the smartphone.
4. Open the gallery and wait for the scan to be completed (it can take 5-10 minutes).

If the files are not displayed:

• 🔄 Clear the Gallery data (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the data. Attention! This will delete all albums and app settings.
• 🛠️ Update. MIUI: In older versions of the firmware were bugs with the work of Adoptable Storage.
• 📱 Check the card on another device: if the files are not read there, the problem is in the card itself.

Method 4: Using a File Manager to Bypass Restrictions

If the Gallery stubbornly refuses to see files, but they are accessible through a file manager (for example, Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer), you can go a workaround:

Method 1: Move files to "allowed" folders

Android allows apps to work freely with certain folders on SD-Move your media files to one of them:

• 📁 /SDCard/DCIM/ — photo- and video-based
• 🎵 /SDCard/Music/ — audio-file
• 🎬 /SDCard/Movies/ — video
• 📷 /SDCard/Pictures/ — picture

Method 2. Creating symbolic references (requires) ADB)

If you don't want to physically move files, you can create symbolic links to the folders you want.

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and activate Debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version → Come back to the extra. → For developers).
2. Open the command line on the PC and type: adb shell ln -s /sdcard/external_sd/Your Dad. /sdcard/DCIM/Your Dad.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Symbolic links may be reset after updates MIUI. This method also does not work if SD-The card is encrypted as internal memory.

Method 3: Use of alternative galleries

Some third-party apps (e.g. Google Photos, Simple Gallery) can bypass restrictions. MIUI. Install them from Google Play and give them access to the game. SD-map through their settings.

Method 5: Resetting permissions and cache of media files

Sometimes the problem is a failure of system resolutions or media scanner cache.

Step 1: Resetting permissions for all applications

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three points at the top. → Resetting of application permits.
3. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

Step 2: Cleaning up the media cache

MIUI It caches information about media files in the database, and if the cache is corrupted, the Gallery can't see the files, so it can reset it:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Show all applications.
2. Find a media store (or media store) and tap it.
3. Choose Clear the cache and Clear the data.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Cleaning up the data in the Media Warehouse will result in re-scanning all files on the device, which can take up to 30 minutes (depending on the amount of data).

Step 3: Forced Media Library Update

If the files are not displayed after reset:

1. Open the gallery.
2. Put three points on it. → Settings → Update the media library.
3. If you don’t have the option, use the code ##2432546## (click on Phone and select Media Provider Test). → Update Media Database).

Method 6: Verification SD-misscard

If none of the methods helped, the problem may be the problem. SD-Check it for errors and compatibility:

Step 1. Check the file system

• 🖥️ Connect the card to the PC through the card reader.
• 🔍 In Windows: Open "This Computer" → right-button SD-map → Properties → Service → Check it out.
• 🐧 V Linux/macOS: Use the command: fsck /dev/sdX1 (substitute sdX1 on your disk).

Step 2: Speed and error test

Use utilities like CrystalDiskMark (Windows) or Blackmagic Disk Speed Test (macOS) to check read/write speeds. If the speed is below 10MB/s, the card may be damaged.

Step 3: Formatting the map

If the card is not working properly:

1. Save all data to the PC.
2. Format the card in exFAT (recommended) or FAT32 through:

⚠️ Attention: Formatting will delete all data! For maps of volume >64GB use exFAT (FAT32 does not support files >4GB).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When setting up access to SD-And so, you can see that users often make mistakes that make it harder to solve a problem:

• 🚫 Ignoring the map format: Trying to use NTFS (not supported by Android; or ext4 (Solution: always format in exFAT.
• 🔄 Interrupt formatting: Removing the card during the process causes file system damage.Solution: wait until completion (can take up to 10 minutes for 256GB cards)+).
• 📱 Use of non-original card readers: Cheap adapters may not provide stable connectivity. Solution: check the card on another device.
• 🔒 Reboot Failure: Many changes (especially those related to Adoptable Storage) require restarting the system.Solution: Always restart your smartphone after changes.

Top.-3 myth SD-maps on Xiaomi:

1. "All cards are the same" → In fact, cheap class cards. A1 or without labeling may slow down when recording video 4K.
2. "FAT32 enough for any card" → This file system does not support files. >4 GB (problems with video).
3. "The gallery will find all the files by itself" → It scans only standard folders (DCIM, Pictures and others.).

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If you frequently move files between SD-With the card and internal memory, use a file manager with the function "Copy in..." instead of "Move". This will reduce the risk of data loss in case of failures.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions