How to allow Xiaomi Redmi Gallery access to the SD-map: 5 working methods

You put it in. SD-The map is in your Xiaomi Redmi, but the gallery stubbornly ignores the photos and videos on it? MIUI Is external drive suddenly 'invisible' to a standard application? SD-Xiaomi is more common than we would like – and the reason for this is not only the limitations of Android, but also the features of firmware. MIUI. In this article, we will analyze all possible causes and ways to eliminate them: from basic permission settings to hidden developer parameters.

It is important to understand that starting with Android 11 (and the corresponding versions). MIUI) Google has tightened its policy on external drives, and Xiaomi has gone even further by adding its own layers of protection, such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or Redmi. 9T s MIUI 13 Gallery may simply "not see» SD-We tested the solutions on models from Redmi 7 to Redmi 12, and only collected the methods that work in 2026.

Before you go to settings, check two key points: 1 Make sure that you are not in the same position. SD-map FAT32 exFAT (MIUI malfunctioning NTFS). 2) Try opening the card through another file manager (e.g. Files by Google) – if the files are visible there, the problem is exactly in the gallery.

1.Setting up permits for gallery in MIUI

The first thing you need to do is check if the Gallery app has access to the storage. MIUI These permissions are sometimes reset after updates or changes. SD-Here's how to set them up:

1. Open “Settings” → Applications → Application Management.
2. Search the Gallery list (or Google Photos if you use it).
3. Go to Permits. → Warehouse.
4. Enable the switches Access to media files and Manage all files.

If the Manage all files section is missing, then your device has Android 11+ restrictions.

• 📁 Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Special access → Managing all files.
• 🔍 Find the Gallery in the list and enable permission.
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes changes only apply after a reboot.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi with MIUI 14 and later, you may need to additionally allow access to External Storage in the Additional Permissions section (hidden under the “More” button in the application settings).

2. Formatting SD-card-based

If the gallery still doesn't see the files, try reassigning. SD-This method works on most Redmis (except Android 13 models).+, Warning: After this procedure, the card will not be read on other devices without formatting!

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SD-smartphone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → SD-map (or Warehouse) → Storage in new versions MIUI).
3. Press Three dots (⋮) → Storage settings → Formatting as an internal storage device.
4. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (may take up to 10 minutes).
5. After formatting, move files from internal memory to SD-Map through Settings → Memory. → Data portability.

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 11 and newer with MIUI 13+ The formatting function as an internal drive can be hidden. To return it, you need to roll back to the back. MIUI 12.5. or use of ADB (described in section 5).

Backup data from the card | Check the speed class (UHS-I recommended) | Charge the phone at least 50% | Disable the protection from writing on the card (if any)

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3. fix problems through “Developer Settings”

If the standard methods don’t work, it’s time to use the hidden MIUI features.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click on the MIUI version 7 times in a row (you will be notified “You became a developer”).
3. Return to the main settings menu and find a new section Additional settings → Developer settings.

Now follow these steps:

• 🔧 Turn on Debugging. USB (will be required for methods of ADB).
• 📱 Find the option Force allow apps on external and activate it.
• 🔄 Reset the device.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 for Redmi K50i) it may help to disable the option to Optimize MIUI in the developer settings. However, this can lead to increased battery consumption and overheating, so use the method carefully.

4. Alternative galleries and file managers

If the Xiaomi gallery refuses to cooperate with the SD-So we've tested 5 apps, and here's the best:

To set up a Simple Gallery to work with SD-card:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. When you first start, give access to Warehouse and Media Files.
3. Go to Settings. → Folders and manually add the path to SD-map (usually) /storage/XXXX-XXXX).
4. Turn on the Scan option at launch.

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If the app does not see SD-You can try reconnecting the map, take the map out, reset the phone, put it back in. MIUI «forgets to mount the drive after sleep device.

5. solution via ADB (for advanced users)

If all previous methods fail, the last chance is to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a computer and basic command line knowledge, but is guaranteed to reset access restrictions.

Steps:

1. Install. ADB-PC drivers.
2. Enable USB debugging on your phone (Section 3).
3. Connect Redmi to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

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


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




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

For Google Photos, replace com.miui.gallery with com.google.android.apps.photos.

If the commands don’t work, try a full permission reset:

adb shell pm reset-permissions

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14+ post-execution ADB-commands may need to manually reboot and re-grant permissions in the app settings. Also note that permission reset affects all applications, not just the gallery.

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ADB is the most reliable way, but it requires caution: the wrong commands can disrupt the system. If you are not sure, use alternative galleries (section 4).

Hardware problems and diagnostics SD-map

If none of the software methods worked, the problem could be in the hardware.

• 🔌 Slot for SD-Cards: Try inserting the card into another phone or laptop. If it's not readable, the problem is with the card itself.
• 💾 File system: Maps with NTFS or damaged structure is often not recognized MIUI. Reformatting into FAT32 PC.
• 🔋 Slot Contacts: Blow the slot with compressed air or gently clean with alcohol (turning off the phone!).
• 📱 Firmware: Some Redmis (like Note 8 Pro) after upgrading to MIUI 13 Support breaks down SD-The solution is a rollback. MIUI 12.5.

To check the condition SD-PC-card:

1. Connect the card through the card reader.
2. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) and type:

chkdsk X: /f

(where X is the letter of the disk SD-map).

If the utility finds errors, the card is better to replace - even after correction, it can work unstable.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)