How to view the contents of SD-card on Xiaomi: all ways + error solving

Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO Often you have to look at files on SD-They don't always understand how to do it correctly, depending on the version. MIUI (14 or 15), device models and memory card type (external or adopted storage) access methods may differ. In this article, we will discuss all current methods, from standard conductor to hidden system functions, and also solve typical problems when the map is not displayed or files are not read.

Xiaomi is a company that actively modifies the Android interface, so even basic operations sometimes require non-obvious actions. SD-The default card is blocked for third-party applications, and in others, the card is automatically mounted as internal storage. We took all these nuances into account and collected universal instructions that will work for most devices, including Xiaomi. 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5.

1. Standard method: through the Files app

The easiest method is to use a built-in conductor MIUI. It is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones and supports the work with the SD-It's a map without any extra settings:

1. Open the Files app** (an icon with a folder on your desktop or in the app menu).
2. At the top of the screen, select the Device tab** (or Internal Storage if the interface is in English).

If SD-The card is not listed, check it out:

• 🔌 Is the card inserted correctly in the slot (remove and insert again).
• 📱 Does your Xiaomi model support memory cards (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra doesn't have a slot for SD).
• 🔄 Restart your smartphone – sometimes the system does not recognize the card immediately after insertion.

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If the card is displayed as “damaged”, try connecting it to your computer via a card reader and checking for errors using the utility chkdsk (Windows) or fsck (Linux/Mac).

2.Alternative conductors: ES Explorer, Solid Explorer, FX File Manager

Built-in conductor MIUI Not always convenient – for example, it doesn’t show hidden files or support FTP-And in these cases, we've tested three of the best options:

To provide the application with access to SD-map:

1. Install the selected explorer from Google Play.
2. Run it and go to the settings (usually a button with three dots or a gear).
3. Find the "Storage" section or «SD-card and provide all the requested permissions.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14/15 Some applications may not be able to see SD-The card is limited by Scoped Storage (the new Android access policy), and only manual mounting through the device will help. ADB or resetting the card settings.

3. Connection SD-cards to the computer via smartphone

If you want to copy a lot of files or format a map, it's more convenient to use a PC. You don't have to take the card out of your phone, you can connect Xiaomi as a computer. USB-accumulator:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer through USB-cable (preferably original).
2. On the screen of the phone will appear a notification “Charge via USB”** – tap it.
3. Select File Transfer mode** (or MTP).

If SD-The card is not displayed on the PC:

• 🔄 Reconnect the cable or try another port USB.
• 📱 On your smartphone, go to Settings → Memory. → SD-Map and press "Extract"** (then insert again).
• 🖥️ On your computer, update drivers for Xiaomi through Device Manager.

4. view hidden and system files on SD-map

By default, MIUI hides service files (e.g.,.nomedia,.thumbnails) and folders with a dot at the beginning of a name (like Linux) to see them:

Enable Developer Mode (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times))|

Open Settings → Additional → For Developers |

Activate the option “Show hidden files” |

Reboot your smartphone

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If you use a third-party explorer (such as Solid Explorer), enable the display of hidden files in its settings:

1. Open the side menu (swipe from right to left).
2. Select “Settings” → “Display”.

Important: Do not delete or edit files with.db,.idx or Android folders, DCIM/.thumbnails – this can lead to app crashes or loss of thumbnails of photos.

5. Solving problems: SD-The card is not defined or opened

If Xiaomi smartphone does not see SD-The reason for this can be both software and hardware:

To reset access rights through ADB:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Connect your smartphone to your computer and activate Debugging over USB (Settings → For Developers).
3. In the command line, execute: adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true Then: adb shell sm list-volumes Find the line with private or emulated in the output - it's yours. SD-Remember her. ID (for example, 1234-5678).
4. Do: adb shell sm forget 1234-5678 (replace 1234-5678 with your ID).
5. Reboot your smartphone. The map needs to be redefined.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB You can lose data on the map before you execute it, copy important files to another medium. If you are not sure about your actions, contact the Xiaomi service center.

6. Features of working with SD-map MIUI

MIUI firmware is updated regularly, and with each new version, the nuances of working with external drives change.

• MIUI 12/13: Adoptable Storage support (the card is formatted as internal memory), but the function is hidden in the developer settings. To activate it, you need to execute the command adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true.
• MIUI 14: Removed Adoptable Storage for new devices, mounted only as removable drives, and a separate tab was added to the explorer «SD-map».
• MIUI 15 (Android 14): Additional restrictions on application access to external drives have been introduced due to the Scoped Storage policy.

To check the version of MIUI on your smartphone:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the line "Version" MIUI» (for example, MIUI Global 15.0.4).

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Nana MIUI 15 for full access to the SD-map third-party applications need to manually allow access in each application settings (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Memory).

7 How to transfer data from phone to phone SD-map (and back)

If the internal memory of the smartphone is full, you can free up space by moving files to the SD-In the map. MIUI This is done through a built-in conductor:

1. Open the Files app** and go to internal storage.

To transfer applications to SD-map:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Select the desired application (such as WhatsApp or Google Maps).
• 💾 Press "Storage» → «Change» → choose SD-map.

Please note:

• Not all applications support the transfer to SD-map (especially system maps).
• After the transfer, the application can run slower (depending on the card speed class).
• Widgets of ported applications can disappear from the desktop.

FAQ: Frequent questions about working with SD-maps on Xiaomi