How to allow access to device memory on Xiaomi

Modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI shells or the new HyperOS are characterized by an advanced security system that strictly controls the access of applications to personal data. Often users are faced with a situation when after installing a messenger, file manager or game, the program refuses to work correctly, requiring permission to access the storage. This is not a mistake, but a regular function of protecting user information from unwanted interference.

In the latest versions of Android, which are the basis of the firmware of the Chinese manufacturer, the license mechanism has been significantly revised for the sake of privacy. Now just clicking “Allow” in the pop-up window is not enough, since the system can block access at a deeper level or require manual adjustment through “Special. capabilities.”

In this guide, we will take a look at all the nuances of managing memory rights on Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi devices, and you will learn not only to issue basic permissions, but also to bypass the restrictions imposed by the system on working with external drives and system folders.

Basic setting of rights through the application menu

The most obvious and frequently used way to manage permissions is to have a standard settings menu for each application. When you first launch a program, the system requests primary rights, but the user may accidentally click “Disallow” or simply skip this step, in which case the software’s functionality will be limited, and you will have to return to the settings manually through the main menu of the smartphone.

To access, you need to open your device's Settings, then go to the Apps section and select All Apps. Find the right program in the list, such as a file manager or messenger, and click on Application Resolution. This is where the file and media access switch is located, which is often labeled as "Memory" or "Files and Media Content."

• 📱 Open the settings of a particular application and find the access rights section.
• 📂 Select Files and Media Content or Memory depending on the OS version.
• ✅ Set the value of "Allow" or "Always Ask" as needed.
• 🔄 Restart the application to apply new configuration parameters.

It is worth noting that depending on the version of Android (10, 11, 12, 13 or 14), the item names may differ slightly. On newer versions of MIUI 13/14 and HyperOS, the system splits access to Photo and Video Only and All Files, which gives the user more flexible control. If the application needs access to the entire file system to work with archives or documents, you need to choose an advanced version of permissions.

File Provider on Android 11 and higher

Since the eleventh version of the operating system, Google has implemented a Scoped Storage policy that has dramatically changed the game for developers and users. Apps can no longer simply read the contents of all internal memory, which often causes errors when trying to open a document or save a file to the root directory. On Xiaomi smartphones, this is implemented through the File Provider component.

When an application tries to access a file, the system redirects the request to the system file manager. You may see a pop-up asking, "Let me access photos and videos?" or "Allow me to access all files?" If you choose to have limited access, the program will only see media files, not system folders or documents. Many utilities require extended permission to function fully.

⚠️ Warning: All-Files access to third-party applications from unreliable sources may lead to personal data leakage or malware damage to system files.

To manage these settings globally, go to Settings → Privacy Protection → Special Access → Access to all files. This shows a list of programs that have requested or may request full rights. You can manually enable or disable this access for any installed software, which is especially useful for third-party file managers such as Total Commander or FX File Explorer.

Special Opportunities and circumvention of restrictions

In some cases, standard permissions are not enough, especially if you are deep cleaning the system or working with secure Android directories, where Accessibility comes on the scene, a tool originally designed for people with disabilities, but developers have found a use for managing the interface and file system at a level close to the system.

Many advanced file managers and cleaners on Xiaomi ask you to include a special plugin in the accessibility section when you first start. Without this, they will not be able to delete the cache of other applications or move files to the system folders. To activate this feature, you need to go to Settings → Additional → Special features and find the desired application in the list.

The activation process can seem confusing because of the many security warnings you have to confirm your actions several times, press the countdown timer and accept the risks. This is a normal MIUI security response to prevent malicious scripts from being accidentally activated. Once the slider is turned on, the application will gain permission to emulate the taps and access the screen, which often equates to full control of the device.

• 🔍 Go to the section "Special. capabilities" in the system settings.
• 📲 Find the "Downloaded Applications" list of the desired program.
• ⚡ Activate the switch and confirm the action through a security timer.
• 🛡️ Be careful: This level of access gives the program full control over the interface.

It is important to understand the difference between accessing files and accessing through special features: the first allows you to read and write data, the second allows you to control the phone. Using special features to simply view photos is unnecessary and redundant. Use this method only when the application explicitly requires it to perform its functions, for example, for automatic cleaning or screen cloning.

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If you have activated access through the “Special Features” for the file manager, do not force this feature to be disabled through the Android settings, otherwise the application may stop processing files correctly.

Access management SD-map USB-accumulator

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones with support for microSD cards often face a situation where the application sees internal memory, but refuses to work with external memory. SD-The card is a separate, potentially insecure storage facility, and requires separate proof of rights through the document system interface.

When you first try to save a file to a memory card or open it through a third-party explorer, the system will prompt you to select a folder. In the lower corner of the screen, a button will appear "Use this folder" or "Allow", after clicking, you will need to confirm the action again in the pop-up window, only after that the application will have permanent access to the selected directory on an external medium.

If you don't get an automatic request, you can force the permissions. To do this, select Memory in the app permissions menu and make sure that access is allowed. Then, in the application itself, try to do the action with the file on the app. SD-If the system requests confirmation again, follow the instructions on the screen. USB (If you use a flash drive in the Settings menu → The phone. → Setting up USB.

It is worth considering that the file system of the memory card also plays a role. SD-map formatted in format NTFS, Xiaomi will be able to read it, but not write data without using special drivers or plug-in applications, such as Microsoft. exFAT/NTFS for USB by Paragon Software.

Solving access issues in MIUI 13, 14 and HyperOS

The latest MIUI shells and the new HyperOS have an aggressive power-saving and protective system that can block access to memory even when formal permissions are available. It often happens that an application crashes when you try to save a file, or the browser boot button does not respond, because the system freezes background processes or limits their interaction with storage.

The first thing to do when you have these problems is to check your battery settings. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, select the desired application and press Energy Saving. Set the value No Limits. This will prevent the system from forcibly stopping the process when it tries to perform a write-to-disk operation.

⚠️ Warning: Setting “No Limits” increases battery consumption, as the application will be able to run in the background without system restrictions.

The second important aspect is working with the folder. Android/data. In newer versions of Android, access to this folder for third-party file managers is closed by default.If you need to clear the Telegram or WhatsApp cache through Explorer, the standard method won't work. You will need to either use Xiaomi’s built-in file manager (through hidden features), connect to a PC, or use it. ADB-team-up.

For advanced users, there is a method of activating extended access through ADB. Connecting the phone to the computer and enabling debugging USB, You can execute a command that removes the access restriction Android/data. However, this method requires caution and basic knowledge of working with the command line.

adb shell pm grant com.android.documentsui android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE

After performing such commands, it is recommended to restart the device. If the problem persists, try to clear the cache of the Files or Downloads application itself, since the conflict of temporary files of the system Explorer can also block access to third-party software.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Good access rights management is a balance between app usability and privacy protection, so don't be afraid to limit your rights if the software's functionality allows you to work without them.