How to transfer all photos to SD-Map in Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi’s internal memory is clogged with photos faster than you can view them. Especially acute problem is for owners of budget models with 32-64 GB of storage, where after installing applications and updates there are only a few gigabytes. SD-The map is a logical solution, but not always obvious: MIUI It hides some settings, and standard Android methods don’t work on all devices.

In this article - current ways to transfer photos to SD-Map for Xiaomi in 2026, including circumvention of restrictions MIUI, We have tested all the methods on models from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra, so the instructions will be suitable for both new and old devices. And if you're afraid of losing data, there's a backup checklist at the end.

Why you can’t just drag the photo to the SD-map?

Many users try to transfer photos through MIUI Explorer or computer, but face two problems:

• 📁 Files remain in internal memory, although they are copied to the card. MIUI with external drives – the system creates “tags” instead of physical movement.
• 🔒 The Gallery app does not see the photo on SD. Even after copying, the images may not appear in the standard gallery due to access restrictions.
• 🔄 Automatic sorting breaks down. New photos keep being stored in internal memory unless you adjust the camera settings.

Xiaomi uses a modified version of Android (MIUI), where external drives are considered “portable” by default, not “internal.”

• 📱 Applications cannot record data on SD without explicit permission.
• 🔍 Searching files is slower as the system indexes the external map less often.
• ⚙️ Some features (e.g. photo editing in the Gallery) may not be available for files on the SD.

Method 1: Transfer through the standard MIUI Gallery

The simplest method, which works on all Xiaomi models (including POCO and Black Shark), is suitable for one-time transfer of all photos or sample albums.

1. Open the Gallery app (flower icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner → select Control.
3. Check the photos/albums you want to transfer (or tap Select Everything).
4. Click on the icon "More" (three dots) → Move.
5. In the window that opens, select SD-map → Create a folder (such as Photos) or select an existing one.
6. Confirm the transfer. Wait until it's done, it can take a few minutes for thousands of files.

⚠️ If after transferring photos in the gallery are displayed as "gray miniatures" - this means that MIUI I lost my way to the files:

Go to Settings → Applications → Gallery → Memory and click Clear Cache. Then restart the application.

This method does not change the camera settings - new photos will still be stored in internal memory. To fix this, go to Method 3.

SD-map FAT32/exFAT|

There is enough free space on the map (photos take ~3-5 MB each) |

Card inserted into slot until full fixation (click)|

There are no restrictions on the camera settings SD-->

Method 2: Use of a file manager (for advanced users)

If the standard "Gallery" can't see SD-card or transfer files for too long, use a explorer MIUI or third-party applications (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Manager. This method gives you more control over the process.

Instructions through MIUI Explorer:

1. Open the Explorer (folder icon).
2. Go to Internal Memory → DCIM → Camera (the default photo is stored here).
3. Press your finger on any file → select Allocate or mark the desired photos manually.
4. Click Move (Icon with Arrow) → choose SD-map → specify the destination folder.
5. Confirm action. If you see a "data loss" warning, ignore it (this is a standard Android message).

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• 📂 You can transfer files in bundles (for example, only photos for 2023).
• ⚡ Faster than through the Gallery, as there is no unnecessary processing of miniatures.
• 🔧 Suitable for transferring not only photos, but also videos, screenshots, downloads.

⚠️ Attention: If SD-map FAT32, You will not be able to transfer files larger than 4 GB (relevant to video in the Internet) 4K). Solution – format the card in exFAT via a computer.

Method 3: Configure automatic photo saving on SD-map

So that new photos are immediately saved to SD-Instead of internal memory, you need to change the camera settings, which works on most Xiaomi models, except for flagships. MIUI 14+, where the option may be hidden.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Touch the icons ⚙️ Settings (or swipe from the right edge of the screen).
3. Scroll down to the Storage or Memory section.
4. Choose. SD-map at the conservation site.
5. Create a folder (like Camera) or select an existing one.
6. Restart the camera to make the changes effective.

📌 Important: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Or the Redmi Note 13 Pro.+) save-on SD It may be absent:

• 🔄 Use Method 4 (ADB-commands) for forced redirection.
• 📱 Install a third-party camera (like Google Camera or Open Camera) where you can choose a save path.

If after changing the settings, the photos are still stored in internal memory, check:

💡

If you often take pictures in RAW-In the format, transfer such files to SD-hand-card – they take up to 50MB each and quickly fill up memory.

Method 4: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If the standard methods do not work (for example, MIUI 14 with limited rights, you can use ADB-This requires a computer, but it's guaranteed to carry all the photos without any loss.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

Connect your phone to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.

adb.exe

adb shell


pm grant android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE




cp -r /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM/




rm -r /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera/*

XXXX-XXXX

ls /storage

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Before you execute the commands, back up the photo on your computer!

🔹 Pros of the method:

• 🔧 It works even if it does. MIUI blockage.
• ⚡ Transfers files without compression (preserves original quality).
• 📁 You can automate the process through a script.

💡

ADB-The only way to transfer photos to SD-map MIUI 14+, where the manufacturer removed the standard options from the interface.

Method 5: The cloud + SD-map (hybrid method)

If you are afraid of losing a photo when transferring or want to have a backup, use a combination of cloud storage and SD-This method is suitable for owners of Xiaomi with a Mi Account.

Algorithm of action:

1. Upload photos to Mi Cloud: Open Gallery → highlight photos → click More → Upload to Mi Cloud. Wait for the download to complete (check in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery).

• Open Mi Cloud in your browser on your computer or in the application on your phone.
• Select the albums → click Download.
• Transfer the downloaded files to SD-conductor.
• Remove the originals from internal memory (optional).

📊 Comparison of methods:

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even after successfully transferring the photo to SD-Xiaomi users are facing problems. Here are the most common and ways to fix them:

• 🖼️ "The gallery does not show the photo on SD-Card Reason: No reading rights or map formatted in NTFS. Solution: Reformat the card to exFAT and reboot the phone.
• 🔄 Photos duplicated Reason: Camera settings include both card and memory saving. Solution: Disable Save copy to internal memory.
• ⚠️ "SD-Card damaged" Reason: Incorrect card extraction or file system failure.Solution: Connect the card to the computer and execute the command chkdsk D: /f (Replace D with the letter of your disk).
• 📵 You can’t transfer the photo back to your internal memory: MIUI It blocks the back-transfer to save space. ADB copy-computer.

If none of the methods worked, check:

1. Compatibility SD-cards with your Xiaomi model (some budget smartphones only support cards up to 128GB).
2. Availability of MIUI updates – in new versions, bugs with external drives can be fixed.
3. Integrity of the file system of the card (try formatting it on another device).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions