Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9A smartphones often face a situation where, after installing a new application or updating the MIUI operating system, they are required to provide access to an external drive. This is a standard Android security mechanism that is designed to protect your personal data from unauthorized copying. However, in practice, users often find themselves in a deadlock, not understanding how to activate this access, especially when the standard dialog box does not appear or the access button is inactive.
The problem of access rights to files SD-This is especially true for budget models such as Redmi. 9A, where internal memory is limited and the use of a memory card becomes a necessity. Android 10 and above, on which the shell is based MIUI, It requires manual authorization for every application that wants to work with the file system, and the key is that you don't just have to access the folder, you have to access the root directory of the drive by clicking on the "Use this folder" button».
In this article, we will discuss all possible solutions to the problem of accessing the drive, how to properly configure the file manager, how to circumvent system limitations, and what to do if standard methods do not work. We will look at both the software settings and the physical aspects of working with microSD memory cards.
Why does the system require permission to access files?
Since Android 10, Google has implemented strict restrictions on app access to shared storage, which means that no app, whether it’s a gallery, music player or file manager, can read or write data to your device. SD-The system requires explicit confirmation from the user for each case. - Xiaomi Redmi 9A This is done through a special system dialogue.
Often users ignore the first pop-up or accidentally click Cancel, after which the application stops working correctly without seeing the saved files. In some cases, especially after the MIUI update, the rights settings are reset and the procedure has to be repeated. It is important to understand that this is not a phone error, but a security mechanism.
If you use third-party applications to manage files, they may not have a built-in rights request mechanism, which forces the user to look for a way to manually open access through system settings. Without this step, the functionality of the program will be severely limited.
Preparation of a memory card and verification of physical connection
Before you go to software settings, you need to make sure that the memory card is physically healthy and correctly installed in the Redmi slot. 9A. Reading errors often result from poor contact or contamination of contacts. SIM-card with a paper clip and carefully examine the golden contacts on the microSD card itself.
Make sure the card is inserted before clicking and lies flat. If you use an adapter, try inserting the card directly if the tray design allows it, or replace the adapter as they often fail. Once installed, the phone should emit a characteristic sound or show a notification about the connection of the drive.
- 🔍 Check if the card is displayed in the File Manager section «SD-map».
- 🧹 Wipe the card contacts with a soft dry cloth without pile.
- 🔄 Try restarting the device after installing the card.
☑️ Physical checks SD-map
Standard way to grant rights through file manager
The most common scenario is that the application requests access itself, but the user does not know what to do in the window that opens. When you launch an application (for example, a VLC player or Solid Explorer), it will redirect you to the system file selection interface, a list of folders will appear on the screen, and at the bottom there will be a button “Use this folder”.
It's not just about opening the folder, it's about pressing that button. Redmi 9A with MIUI 12 and above often requires additional confirmation. After pressing the button, the system will display a pop-up warning that the application will access all the files in that folder and subfolders.
Here, many users make the mistake of choosing a specific folder like Music or «DCIM». For full operation of the application, it is better to choose the root directory of the memory card (usually called "sdcard" or has the name of the card brand). After selecting, click "Allow" in the dialog box MIUI.
⚠️ Note: If you allow access to the root folder, the application will be able to modify or delete any files on the map, including system hidden files.
What if the “Use this folder” button is inactive?
Solving the problem through setting up MIUI special features
In some versions of MIUI firmware, file system access for certain applications may be blocked at the security level. If a standard dialog does not appear, you need to check the special features settings. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Special features.
The list of services found may include items related to file managers or system utilities, make sure your file manager has the necessary permissions, and check the Security and Privacy section in the application settings.
Sometimes, resetting permissions helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the problem app, select Permissions, force you to turn off access to the storage, and then turn it back on, which will restart the rights request process the next time you run.
| Action. | The Way to the MIUI Menu | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Permit verification | Settings → Applications → Permissions | Shows a list of applications with access |
| Special opportunities | Settings → Advanced settings → Special. capabilities | Deep access management |
| Clearing the data | Settings → Applications → [Name] → Memory | Resetting the application settings |
| Security | Security Appendix → Permits | Central management |
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Back up important data before changing system permissions. While the risk is minimal, file system failures can cause files to be lost.
Using the ADB command to force access
For advanced users who are not helped by standard methods, there is a way to grant rights through USB debugging and a computer, which requires a PC and an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) driver installed, which allows you to bypass the GUI and directly give the application read/write rights.
First, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings. → About the phone and 7 times quickly click on the version MIUI. Then in the advanced settings, turn on “Debugging by” USB». Get Redmi on board. 9A cable-to-computer.
Open the command line on your PC and type in the command to provide access. The syntax of the command depends on the application package. For example, for a file manager, this might look like this:
adb shell pm grant com.android.package.name android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
adb shell pm grant com.android.package.name android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGEThis method is effective when the system dialog for selecting a folder simply does not appear (interface bug). However, be careful: the wrong name of the package can lead to instability. The name of the package can be found on Google Play by linking to the application or through special ulites on the phone itself.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB A mistake in spelling the name of the package can cause the application to stop running or lose its settings.
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The ADB method is a “heavy artillery” and is used only when MIUI’s regular tools do not respond to attempts to access files.
Formatting and Compatibility of File System
Often the problem of access is not in the rights, but in the file system of the card. Android on Xiaomi Redmi 9A works best with the format FAT32 or exFAT. If the card is formatted in NTFS (Windows standard), the phone can see it, but not give applications the right to write, since Android does not support writing in NTFS without special drivers.
You can check the format in the settings menu: Settings → About Phone → Storage. If it says NTFS, the map needs to be reformatted. Attention: formatting will delete all the data, so copy it to your computer first.
- 💾 FAT32 — Maximum compatibility, but does not support files larger than 4GB.
- 📂 ExFAT is a modern standard, supports large files and is ideal for 64GB and higher cards.
- ❌ NTFS — Reading on Android is impossible without root rights.
For formatting, use the phone's built-in tools. Go to the storage settings, select yours. SD-The phone will suggest the optimal file system, and after this procedure, the access problem often resolves itself, as the system re-indexes the drive.