How to allow gallery access to SD-Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 map: full guide

Why Xiaomi Gallery Can't See Files SD-map?

You put a microSD in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, copied photos there, but the gallery stubbornly ignores them? The problem is familiar to many owners of smartphones on MIUI — the operating shell of Xiaomi often blocks access to external drives due to the peculiarities of security policy. In 80% of cases, this is not a hardware malfunction, but a software limitation that can be eliminated without root rights or resetting.

The main causes of the problem: 1. MIUI default-mount SD-The card as a portable storage, rather than as part of internal memory, limits access for most applications. 2. The Xiaomi Gallery (com.miui.gallery) does not have explicit permissions to read external drives, even if they are displayed in the file manager. 3. Formatting settings: If the card is formatted in exFAT, or NTFS, MIUI It may not be recognized correctly (recommended format — FAT32). 4. cache of the gallery or system is damaged – this leads to the fact that new files on the map are not indexed.

In this article – 4 proven ways to return access to photos and videos SD-map, including hidden settings MIUI, And that's not in the official documentation of Xiaomi, so let's start with the simplest and go to the advanced methods.

Method 1: Configure SD-maps as internal storage

If you've connected a card as a portable storage device, MIUI will restrict access to it for most applications, including the gallery, so the solution is to reassign the card as internal memory, but remember, you can't retrieve it without formatting it.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Tap your name on it. SD-maps (e.g. SanDisk) 64GB).
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Storage Settings.
4. Select Internal Memory → Clean and Format.
5. Confirm action. Attention: all data on the map will be deleted!

After formatting:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone — MIUI transfer some of the system data to SD-map.
• 📁 Open the gallery and wait until indexing is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes).
• 🔍 If the photo does not appear, clear the cache of the gallery: Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Note: Once formatted as an internal storage card, it will not be read on other devices (PCs, cameras) without completely erasing the data.

Method 2: Manual granting of gallery permits

Even if SD-The card is connected as a portable storage, you can manually allow the gallery access to it through special permissions. MIUI. This method works on all versions. MIUI 11-14 and does not require root rights.

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Gallery (or Google Photos if you use it) and tap it.
3. Go to Permits → Additional → Access to Files.
4. Activate the switch Allow access to all files.
5. Go back and select the Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

If you do not have access to all files:

• 🔧 Try updating the gallery via Google Play (if you use Google Photos).
• 📱 Install an alternative gallery (like Simple Gallery or QuickPic) – they often work better with the best of the artwork. SD-map.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone and repeat the steps – sometimes MIUI Hide options before restarting the system.

Access to all files is activated|Gallery cache cleared|App update verified|SD-map FAT32|Phone reboots after changes-->

If the images are still not displayed after these actions, the problem may lie in indexing media files. MIUI uses its own multimedia scanning service, which sometimes forgets to update the database.

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MEDIA_MOUNTED -d file:///storage/XXXX-XXXX

Where XXXX-XXXX — identifier SD-maps (you can find it through adb shell ls) /storage).

Method 3: File system correction (for advanced)

If standard methods do not work, the problem may be due to incorrect access rights to folders on the Internet. SD-map. MIUI Sometimes it resets permissions after updating or retrieving the card.

Instructions:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 9 to your computer via USB (MTP file transfer mode).
2. Open up. SD-conductor Windows/macOS.
3. Create a DCIM folder at the root of the card (if it is not available) and a Camera inside it.
4. Copy some test photos there.
5. Turn off the phone, remove and insert again SD-map.

If the folders already exist, but the photos are not displayed:

• 🖥️ Check folder attributes: they must have read/write permissions for all users.
• 📂 Delete.nomedia files (if any) – they block indexing.
• 🔍 Use the app. SD Maid or Files by Google to search for “broken” symbolic links on a map.

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If you are connected to the PC SD-The map is not displayed, try another one. USB-Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 sometimes conflicts with the USB 3.0 - Use the port USB 2.0 on a computer.

Method 4: Alternative galleries and circumventing MIUI restrictions

If Xiaomi’s gallery refuses to work with SD-The most reliable solution is to install a third-party application. Some galleries (for example, Simple Gallery Pro or A).+ Gallery) has built-in tools to circumvent restrictions MIUI.

Recommended annexes:

• 📷 Simple Gallery – supports manual folder scanning, ignores.nomedia, works with exFAT.
• 🖼️ Google Photos – automatically indexing SD-card, if access to files is allowed (see Method 2).
• 🗃️ Files by Google – shows all files on the map, including hidden ones, with the possibility of previewing.

How to set up a Simple Gallery to work with SD-card:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. At the first start, allow access to the files.
3. Go to Settings → Folders.
4. Tap it on. + Add a folder and select the root directory SD-maps, for example, /storage/XXXX-XXXX).
5. Activate the option to scan media files.

The advantage of this method is that you don’t need to format a map or change your MIUI settings. Cons: Some features (such as photo editing) may work slower if a UHS-I U1 or lower card is available.

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The gallery side often handles the art better. SD-maps than the regular gallery MIUI, Xiaomi is not subject to system limitations, but they may consume more battery due to background scans.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users are making access to the SD-This is what you can't do if the gallery can't see the files:

• 🚫 Format the map in NTFS or exFAT without need or need or. MIUI optimized FAT32, Use exFAT only if you need file support. >4GB.
• 🚫 Remove the card without safely disabling, and this damages the file table, and MIUI You stop recognizing the card. Always use the option to extract notifications in the curtain.
• 🚫 Installation of annexes SD-A card formatted as a portable storage card that slows down the phone and can cause reading errors.
• 🚫 Ignore the notifications of the damaged sectors. MIUI warn out "SD-card is damaged, immediately back up the data and check the card on PC using chkdsk or h2testw.

Another common problem is the “gray” folders on the SD-It's a map that doesn't open. It's because of the:

• 🔒 Encryption MIUI: If the card was encrypted on another Xiaomi device, the Redmi Note 9 will not be able to read it without resetting.
• 📛 Damaged Attributes: Folders can have broken resolutions (solved via PC or adb).
• 🛑 Manufacturer restrictions: some cards (e.g. SanDisk Ultra series) A1) blockage MIUI due to incompatibility with the protocol UHS-I.

⚠️ Note: If after all the manipulations SD-The card is still unrecognizable, check it for authenticity "128GB" 300₽) Often the actual volume is 8–16GB, And when you fill in the data, it gets corrupted. h2testw test.

More tips for owners of Redmi Note 9

To avoid problems with SD-In the future, follow these guidelines:

• 🔋 Regularly discharge your phone to 15-20% before retrieving the card. MIUI Sometimes blocks storage access at high charge levels (a bug in the Android 10 kernel).
• 🔄 Update. MIUI until the last stable version. MIUI 12.5+ corrected many errors in the work of SD-maps, including the indexing problem DCIM.
• 📱 Use the original microSD adapter. Cheap adapters can cause reading errors due to poor contact.
• 🗑️ Do not store system backups on the map (.bak,.mbk). MIUI can block access to them, considering them as malicious files.

If you often move photos between devices, consider these alternatives. SD-map:

• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Google Photos (free) 15GB), Mi Cloud (5GB), Yandex Disc (10GB). Automatic synchronization will eliminate problems with physical media.
• 📡 Local Network: Use apps like Send Anywhere or LocalSend to transfer files between devices over Wi-Fi.
• 💾 OTG-drives: plug-in flash drives USB-C (SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive is often more stable than microSD.

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If you use SD-videograph 4K, Choose models with speed class UHS-I U3 or V30. Class cards U1 Class 10 may not be able to handle the data flow, causing the recording to break down.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions