How to transfer photos to a memory card in Xiaomi smartphones: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi smartphones with a shell MIUI They allow you to expand the memory of the device with a microSD card, but many users have trouble trying to transfer photos there. Internal memory is clogged, and the memory card remains empty — a familiar situation? The reason often lies in the wrong settings, incompatible map format or limitations of the shell itself.

In this article you will find 5 working methods of transferring photos to SD-map, including hidden functions MIUI, We'll also explore why files don't get copied, how to avoid quality loss, and what to do if the system doesn't see the map. 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4 and flagship Xiaomi 13/14.

Spoiler: In MIUI 14 The transfer algorithm has changed, and now some operations require confirmation through Security Settings.+ You'll have to take into account Google's new limitations on external drives, but don't worry, all of the solutions below are adapted to the latest software.

Memory card preparation: format and compatibility

Before you transfer photos, make sure your memory card is properly formatted and compatible with the device. Xiaomi supports microSD cards up to 1TB, but there are nuances:

✅ File system format:

• 📁 FAT32 — It works with all devices, but limits the size of a single file to 4 GB (video issues) 4K).
• 📁 ExFAT – Optimal for 64GB cards, supports files up to 16EB, but may not be readable on older PCs.
• 📁 NTFS — rarely used on mobile devices, recording errors are possible.

MIUI It automatically suggests formatting the card the first time you connect, but sometimes it's better to do it manually:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Memory Map.
2. Press Format. → As internal memory (if you need to expand the system memory) or as a portable device (if the card is only for files).

Critical error: If you choose formatting as "internal memory," the card will be encrypted and won't be read on other devices!This mode is only suitable for system memory expansion, not photo transfer.

💡

Before formatting, check the speed of the card: to record video 4K class UHS-I (U3) Slow cards (Class) or higher. 4/6) can slow down the gallery.

2. Method 1: Transfer through the built-in Gallery

The easiest method is to use the standard Xiaomi Gallery app. It works on all devices with a wide range of devices. MIUI 12 and newer, but has limitations:

⚙️ Step-by-step instruction:

1. Open the Gallery and select an album with photos (such as Camera or Screenshots).
2. Press. ⋮ (three-point) → Select and mark the desired files.
3. Put it on the icon. 📤 (Share) and select Save to a memory card.
4. Specify the destination folder (by default) DCIM/Camera) and confirm.

❌ Challenges and solutions:

• 🚫 No item "Save to the map" → The card is formatted as internal memory or not recognized by the system. Reformat it as a "portable device".
• 🚫 Photos are copied but not deleted from the phone → In gallery settings (⋮ → Settings → Remove) enable the option to Remove after transfer.
• 🚫 Mistake "Not enough space" → Check the free space on the map through Settings → Warehouse.

The card is formatted as a portable device|

The gallery has an option "Show hidden files"|

Selected album with original photos (not miniatures)|

There is enough space on the map to copy.-->

3. Method 2: Using a Explorer (File Manager)

If the gallery is not working, use the built-in Explorer (or File Manager in older versions). MIUI). This method gives more control over the process and allows you to transfer files in bundles.

📂 Instructions:

1. Open Explorer (the folder icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the internal memory → DCIM → Camera (there are stored photos from the camera).
3. Press your finger on any file to activate the selection mode, and mark the desired photos.
4. Press. ⋮ → Copy (or Cut if you want to delete the originals).
5. Go to the Memory Map. → DCIM → Camera and press Insert.

⚠️

⚠️ Note: If you use Cut instead of Copy, make sure that the memory card is not removed during the process!

🔍 Hidden folders:

• Photos from messengers (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp) are stored in Internal Storage → Android → media → com.whatsapp.
• Screenshots - in Pictures → Screenshots.
• To see the hidden folders, click on the conductor ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files.

Method 3: Transfer over a computer (for large volumes)

If you need to transfer thousands of photos (like after traveling), it's easier to use a PC. MIUI Can't see the memory card on the phone.

💻 How to move through Windows/macOS:

1. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (preferably original).
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. On PC, open This Computer (Windows) or Android File Transfer (macOS).
4. Copy files from the Internal Storage folder → DCIM Memory card (it will be displayed as a separate disk).

⚡ Acceleration of the process:

• 🖥️ Use Total Commander or FastCopy for batch copying – they run faster than standard conductor.
• 🔌 Connect the memory card directly to the PC through the card reader – this will speed up the transfer by 2-3 times.
• 📂 Archive the photo in ZIP before copying, if there are more than 10,000 (this will reduce the number of I/O operations).

⚠️

⚠️ Note: If the computer does not see the memory card through the phone, check: Cable - it must support data transfer (not all cables from charging fit). USB — Try another port or computer. Developer settings: turn off Debugging by USB, if it is enabled (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → For developers → Debugging by USB).

5. Method 4: Automatically transfer new photos

To save new photos to the memory card, set the camera and gallery accordingly, which will eliminate manual copying in the future.

📸 Camera setup:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Press on. ⚙️ (Settings) → Warehouse.
3. Choose a memory card instead of internal memory.

🔄 Gallery settings for automatic backup:

• Open the gallery. → ⋮ → Settings → Backup.
• Turn on AutoSave on the memory card.
• Specify a folder for backups (such as Backup).

❗ Limitations:

• 📵 In some models (POCO F3/F4, Xiaomi 11T) Save on-camera card option may be blocked due to Google's Android policy 11+.
• 📵 Auto-save in the gallery works only for new photos, old ones will have to be transferred manually.

6. Method 5: Transfer without a memory card slot

What if your Xiaomi model (like the Mi 11 Ultra or Black Shark 5) doesn’t support microSD cards?

🔗 Option 1: OTG-accumulator

• 📱 Connect. USB-flash-drive SSD through OTG-adapter.
• 📁 Use Explorer to copy the photo to the drive (similar to the method with the card).
• ⚡ Transfer speeds will be higher than microSD, but the carrier is less portable.

☁️ Option 2: Cloud storage followed by unloading

1. Upload your photos to Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex Drive.
2. Connect the memory card to another device (tablet, PC) and download files from there.

🔄 Option 3: Wi-Fi transmission

• 📶 Use apps like Send Anywhere or LocalSend to send a photo to another gadget with a memory card.
• 💻 Or connect your phone and microSD card reader to one PC and transfer files locally.

⚠️

⚠️ Attention: When in use OTG-Avoid cheap adapters without support USB 3.0 They can overheat and cause write errors, especially when working with large files (e.g, RAW-photo).

Table: Comparison of methods of transferring photos

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even after the proper transfer, users face problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

🚨 Error: “Memory card damaged"

• 🛠️ Connect the card to the PC and run the check through chkdsk [disk letter]: /f (Windows or Disk Utility (macOS).
• 🔄 If it doesn’t work, format your card in exFAT via your phone.

🚨 Error: “Not enough permission to record"

• 🔓 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Permits → Warehouse and give rights to the Guide and Gallery.
• 📱 Android 11.+ Enable Manage all files in the application settings.

🚨 Error: Photos are not displayed in the gallery after the transfer

• 🔍 In the Gallery, click. ⋮ → Update or restart the application.
• 📂 Check if the files are copied to the folder DCIM/Camera (The gallery scans only by default).
• 🔄 Install an alternative gallery (e.g. Google Photos or Simple Gallery).

🚨 Error: Memory card is not determined

• 🔌 Remove and re-insert the card (pre-mounted in Settings) → Warehouse).
• 📱 Check the slot for dust or damage (relevant for Redmi Note) 8/9, slot SIM).
• 🔄 Try the card on another device – if it doesn’t work, replace it.

💡

If the memory card is no longer defined after the update MIUI, Reset the storage settings: Settings → Memory. → ⋮ → Reset the storage settings, which will bring back the standard ways to save files.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions