You put it in. SD-a card to a Xiaomi smartphone, but the gallery stubbornly does not see photos and videos? Or a message appears "No access to storage"? The problem is familiar to many owners of devices on the site. MIUI — Even after the memory card is physically installed, the system can block access to it for applications, the reasons are rooted in Android security policy and features of the Xiaomi shell, where permissions for external drives are controlled separately from standard rights.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to provide access to the gallery. SD-map - from the basic settings MIUI before hand-mounting through ADB (We will pay special attention to the nuances for different versions of firmware: MIUI 12/13/14 They have differences in the interface, and on Android 13+ You will also learn why the gallery can “forget” permissions after updates and how to fix it once and for all.
Why Xiaomi Gallery Can't See Files SD-map?
Before we go into the instructions, it's important to understand the root of the problem, and 90 percent of the time, it's not hardware faults that are to blame, but software constraints:
- 🔒 Android Policy: Starting with Android 4.4 KitKat, Google has introduced a separation of rights for external drives. SD-Card – requires explicit user permission.
- 🛡️ Security MIUI: Xiaomi has added a layer of protection, especially in the MIUI 12+. Now, even after granting rights in Android, you need to confirm access in the settings. MIUI.
- 📁 Formatting the map: if SD-The card is formatted as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage), some applications may not see it (FAT32/exFAT).
- 🔄 System updates: after major updates MIUI Some permits are reset, and that includes access to the vault.
Interesting fact: Xiaomi with Android 11+ The gallery by default has access to folders only DCIM and Pictures on SD-Other folders (such as Downloads or WhatsApp Images) require additional manipulation.
⚠️ Attention: if SD-The card is not even defined in the file manager, the problem may be physical connectivity or format incompatibility. Check the card on another device or format it in exFAT via PC.
Method 1: Provide access through gallery application settings
The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It works on all firmware versions, but the interface may be slightly different.
- Open the Gallery (a standard Xiaomi app).
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
- Go to the Permissions section (or Access Rights in older versions).
- Find the Warehouse or Files and Media item and turn on the slider.
- If a window with a selection of folders appears, mark SD-map and confirm.
On MIUI 14, the path might look like this: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Gallery → Permissions → Files and Multimedia. It’s important to enable access to all files, not just media.
Open the gallery settings|Find the section "Permissions"|Enable storage access|Confirm the choice SD-map|Reboot the gallery-->
After this, the gallery should start scanning. SD-If the photos don't show up right away, restart the app or restart your smartphone, scan a large file size (10,000).+ Photos may take 5-10 minutes.
Method 2: Configure with Application Permits in MIUI
If the first one didn't work, try setting up access through the global permissions of the system, which is universal for all applications, including the gallery.
- Open Settings → Applications → Permissions.
- Select Permissions Management (or Application Permissions).
- Find the Warehouse or Files and Multimedia section.
- In the list of applications, tap the Gallery.
- Enable the slider Allow access to files and select SD-map.
MIUI 13/14 may require additional confirmation via Special Access:
- In the same permission settings, find Special Access → Access to all files.
- Turn on access for the gallery.
What if there is no "Special Access" clause?
| MIUI version | The path to settings | Features |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12 | Settings → Applications → Application Management → Gallery → Permissions | You may need to reboot after the rights change. |
| MIUI 13 | Settings → Applications → Permits → Storage → Gallery | A section called “Special Access” has been added for full control. |
| MIUI 14 | Settings → Applications → Permissions Management → Files and Multimedia | The interface is simplified, but you need confirmation for each folder on the SD. |
⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi with Android 13+ (For example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) after granting access to the gallery can request confirmation for each folder on the site. SD-It's normal behavior -- just allow access as you request it.
Method 3: Using a file manager for manual access
If the gallery still doesn’t see the files, you can “show” it the way to the file. SD-This method bypasses the restrictions of the file manager. MIUI It works even on blocked firmware.
- Open the File Manager (the folder icon on the desktop).
- At the top of the screen, select SD-map (or External Storage).
- Find a photo folder (usually DCIM or Pictures) and tap on it.
- Highlight any image with a long tap, then click on the three dots at the top and select Open with help.
- In the list of applications, select the Gallery and mark Always.
After that, the gallery will have access to the entire folder, not just the selected file. SD-The card is formatted as internal memory and does not appear in the permission settings.
💡
If the file with the photo on SD-The card has a non-standard name (for example, MyPhotos), rename it in the name of the card. DCIM Pictures – the gallery will automatically scan it on its next launch.
Method 4: ADB-Teams for Advanced Users
If none of the previous methods worked, the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) remains a “heavy artillery” method, which requires connecting a smartphone to a PC, but is guaranteed to solve the problem at the system level.
You'll need:
- 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
- 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
Instructions:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm access to debug on your phone screen.
- Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
- Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
- Give the gallery full access to the storage: adb shell pm grant com.miui.gallery android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE adb shell pm grant com.miui.gallery android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
- For Android. 11+ Add access to all files: adb shell appops set com.miui.gallery android:manage_external_storage allow
- Reboot your smartphone.
These commands are forced to grant the gallery maximum rights, bypassing the restrictions of MIUI. Please note: after resetting the settings or updating the firmware, the procedure will have to be repeated.
💡
ADB-commands are the only reliable way for devices with a locked bootloader (for example, global versions of Xiaomi without unlocking).
Problem Solving: Frequent Errors and Corrections
Even after successful access, the gallery may not work properly, and let's look at the typical scenarios and their solutions:
- 🔄 Gallery does not update the media library: clear the app cache (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Clear the cache and restart it, and rebooting your smartphone will also help.
- 📛 SD-Card not determined: check if your Xiaomi model supports memory cards (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra doesn't have a slot for SD). Also try formatting the map in exFAT via PC.
- 🔒 Access requests are constantly appearing: this is a feature of Android 13+. Open the gallery settings and in the Permissions section, select Don't Ask Again.
- 🗑️ Disappeared folders after the update: MIUI Repeat Method 3 (via file manager).
If the gallery still can’t see files, try alternative apps like Google Photos or Simple Gallery, which often work better with external drives, but require separate permissions.