How to allow access to the Gallery SD-Xiaomi Redmi 9 map: full guide

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphones often face a situation where, after installing a memory card or updating the system, the built-in Gallery stops seeing files on an external medium. This is a common problem associated with changes in the security policy of the Android operating system and the MIUI shell, which require manual confirmation of access rights for applications.

The system cannot automatically scan and index the contents of an external drive without the explicit permission of the user, which serves as protection against malware. If you do not perform this setting, your photos and videos will remain on the device. SD-map, but remain hidden in the standard media viewer.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions necessary to activate access, as well as consider hidden settings and possible errors that occur during the configuration of the file system of your device.

Reasons for the lack of access to files SD-map

The main cause of the problem is the Scoped Storage mechanism, which is embedded in the latest versions of Android, which isolates application data, preventing them from accessing the entire file system without the owner’s knowledge, and in the MIUI shell, this process is additionally controlled by system security permissions.

Often users simply insert a memory card and expect photos to appear instantly, forgetting that the system must format the media and assign it read/write rights for a particular system application. Without this step, the Gallery does not have the technical ability to read data from the external memory partition.

Also, consider that the card file system may be incompatible or corrupted. If the card has been previously used on another device or has been retrieved without safe extraction, the file table may contain errors that block access.

⚠️ Note: If you removed the memory card while recording a video or saving a photo, the file system may have been corrupted. Before setting access rights, check the card on another device or computer.

The malfunction can also be caused by the app's cache, and sometimes old file path data conflicts with new settings, requiring a complete cache cleanup or a reset of the Gallery app itself.

Preparation SD-Work cards for Redmi 9

Before you configure access rights, you need to make sure that the memory card is correctly installed and recognized by the system. To do this, insert the microSD into the tray (combined with the second one). SIM-slot) before the characteristic click.

After you turn on the device, go to the settings menu. Navigate through Settings → About Phone → Storage. Here you should see information about internal memory and external storage. If the card does not appear, try restarting your smartphone.

The system can suggest formatting the card. Select "Use as a portable storage" if you plan to transfer data between devices. If the card is only for this phone, you can choose "Use as internal storage", but this will make the card unreadable on other gadgets.

It is important to remember the file system format. Xiaomi Redmi 9 works best with the format FAT32 or exFAT. If the card is formatted in NTFS, the smartphone can see it, but will not be able to record data or access the Gallery without third-party drivers.

Main method: Configure through system permissions

The most reliable method of solving a problem is manually granting permissions through application settings, which works 95% of the time and does not require the installation of additional software.

First, open Settings → Applications → All Apps. In the list, find the Gallery app (or “Gallery”). If the standard gallery doesn’t work, you can try doing the same things for the File Manager app.

In the app menu, look for Permissions, where you are interested in Files and Media or Memory, and click on it and select "Allow all files to be managed" or "Allow all files to be accessed."

Once you change the setting, be sure to close the Gallery app completely through Task Manager and reopen it. The system should initiate scanning of media files, which can take 1 to 5 minutes depending on the number of photos on the map.

⚠️ Warning: Don't give full file rights to questionable applications from unknown sources.All Files permission gives full control over your personal information.

Use of special access to files

Newer versions of MIUI and Android have a dedicated file access control menu that is separate from the usual permissions, and this is often where the solution to a problem for Xiaomi lies.

Go to Settings → Privacy Protection → Special Permissions → Access to all files. In the list that opens, find Gallery and File Manager. Switch the slider to active position.

The system will issue a warning that the application will be able to access all files. Confirm the action. This is a critical step, because without it, the scanning process will be done. SD-The card is blocked at the core level of the system.

After activating special access, it is recommended to clear the cache of the Gallery application. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → Gallery → Memory → Clear the cache. Do not confuse it with Clear All Data, otherwise you may lose your photo editing history.

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If after turning on all permissions, the photo is still not visible, try renaming the folder with photos to SD-map (e.g., map, DCIM_old) And create a new empty folder. DCIM, Then move the photo there.

Solving problems through File Manager

Sometimes the built-in Gallery can’t initiate indexing itself, and Xiaomi’s standard File Manager can help, which has broader default rights.

Open the Explorer or Files app. Go to the section «SD-If you can see the files here, you have system-level access, and the problem is the Gallery cache. Try opening any folder of the photo through Explorer.

Find a file with an image and open it. The system will ask how to open the file. Select Gallery. This forced launch can push the media scanner service and make it see the rest of the files.

If File Manager also doesn't see the card, check the card's physical condition. SIM-The card is not fully inserted into the case of the smartphone.

You can also try hiding and re-show folders in File Manager, so create a.nomedia file in a photo folder, wait a minute, and then delete it, and this will force the indexing of media files in that directory to go away.

Alternative solutions and third-party applications

If Xiaomi’s regular funds don’t help, you can use third-party galleries from Google Play. Apps like Google Photos, Simple Gallery or QuickPic have their own permission request mechanisms, which often bypass MIUI bugs.

When you first start, a third-party gallery will request access to the storage, and it is important to agree if a system window appears asking you to allow access to files on the site. SD-map, be sure to click "Allow" and confirm the folder selection.

Another method is to use a computer. Connect your phone to your PC in file transfer mode (MTP). Manually create a folder structure DCIM/Camera on SD-You can move the pictures to the map, and the folders with the correct names are indexed.

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party galleries, carefully check the permissions you request.Some free apps may request access to contacts or location without the need to.

In extreme cases, if nothing works, you may need to reset your phone. SD-map, back up the data, reset, and then insert the card back and reset the rights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The main reason for the problems is not the absence of files, but the lack of explicit permission of the Gallery application to read the external drive in the MIUI privacy settings.