Xiaomi's MIUI-based smartphones are known for protecting user data, but sometimes that protection becomes an obstacle: Are you trying to connect your phone to your computer and the system requires you to unlock access to files? Or want to transfer photos via Bluetooth but get a "No rights" error? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, Poco and Black Shark.
In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to open access to files on Xiaomi – from standard settings. MIUI You'll learn how to unlock memory through a process. USB-Debugging, customizing permissions for specific applications, and even restoring access after resetting. MIUI 12 to MIUI 15) and smartphone models.
Important: Some methods require confirmation of the Mi Account account – without it, unlocking may not be possible. If you forget the password from the account, first restore it through the official Xiaomi website.
Why is Xiaomi blocking access to files?
File protection in MIUI is not a developer's whim, it's a security measure.
- 🔒 Malware Protection: Without access confirmation, viruses will not be able to automatically copy your data.
- 📱 Control of applications: MIUI Restricts access to memory for third-party programs (e.g., file manager) ES Explorer).
- 🔌 USB-Connection: By default, the smartphone connects to the PC only for charging, not for file transfer.
- 🔄 Reset: After hard reset, all permissions are reset and access needs to be reconfigured.
Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi tightened security policy: now for unlocking USB-The drive requires not only confirmation on the phone, but also the password from the Mi Account (if it is tied.
⚠️ Note: if you bought the phone with your hands and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, unlocking files may not be possible without his data.
Method 1: Unlocking through MIUI settings (standard method)
It’s the easiest and most secure way to run on all Xiaomi models (including Poco). X5, Redmi 12C, Black Shark 5. The instructions are relevant to MIUI 12–15:
- Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (preferably original).
- On the phone will appear a notification “Charge via USB” – tap it.
- Select File Transfer (or MTP for older versions).
- If you have an unblock request, confirm it (a password from the lock screen may be required).
If the "File Transfer" item is inactive or absent:
- Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → USB.
- Activate the "File Transfer" switch (in some firmwares called "File Transfer "MTP-regime").
- Reconnect the cable.
Make sure the cable is working (try another one)
Check the USB port on your PC (better use USB 3.0)
Update ADB drivers on your computer
Reboot both devices
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On models with MIUI 14+ (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro), additional confirmation via Mi Account may be required. If you have not linked an account, the system will prompt you to create it right in this window.
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If your computer still can’t see files, try using a different file manager on your PC (e.g. Total Commander instead of the standard Windows Explorer).
Method 2: Configure access rights for applications
Sometimes access to files is blocked not at the USB level, but for specific applications (such as Telegram, WhatsApp or file manager).
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the appropriate app (e.g. Gallery).
- Tap "Permissions" → "Warehouse".
- Activate the Read and Write switches.
For MIUI 13+, the path is a bit different.
- Settings → Privacy → Application permissions.
- Select "Storage" and find the desired application in the list.
- Click on it and activate both permissions.
Note: Some system applications (such as Mi File Manager) have extended default rights. If you use a third-party file manager (such as Solid Explorer), it may need to be manually configured.
| Annex | Permits required | Features |
|---|---|---|
| gallery | Reading + writing | Without permissions, you will not display photos from DCIM |
| Telegram | Reading + writing | It is necessary to save media files in the memory of the phone |
| Mi File Manager | All default permissions | System application, blocking unlikely |
| ES Explorer | Read + Write + Access to the Root Catalogue | You may require additional rights to work with root. |
⚠️ Note: if you give permission to write to an application from an unknown source (for example, downloaded) APK), You may be at risk of infecting your phone with a virus. Check the apps through VirusTotal before installing them.
gallery
Telegram/WhatsApp
File manager
Other
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Method 3: Unlocking through USB-Debugging (for experienced users)
If standard methods do not work (for example, after resetting settings or updating firmware), you can use the USB-This is a way of connecting to a computer and installing it. ADB-driver.
Step-by-step:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on the MIUI Version (you will be notified "You are a developer").
USB-debugging
- Settings → Additional → for developers.
- Activate the "Debugging by USB" switch.
- Confirm the inclusion in the window that appears.
- Connect the phone to the PC and execute the command to ADB: adb shell settings put global usb_mass_storage_enabled 1
- Reboot the phone.
- Select data types for synchronization (e.g., "Gallery" or "Files").
- Wait until the files are uploaded to the cloud.
- On your computer, go to i.mi.com and log in.
- Download the files directly from the cloud.
If nothing helps, try connecting via another computer – the problem may be in the PC.