How to save photos to memory card in Xiaomi Redmi 7A: all ways

Xiaomi Redmi 7A is a budget smartphone with the ability to expand memory via microSD. But many users face the problem: photos by default are stored in internal memory, quickly filling it. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to transfer photos to a memory card, including hidden MIUI settings and bypassing system limitations.

It’s important to understand that Redmi 7A runs on Android 9 Pie with a MIUI 10/11 shell, where storage policies differ from pure Android. For example, some applications (including the standard camera) may ignore the default save settings. We’ll look at not only the basic methods, but also alternative solutions for those who have persistently stored photos in their phone’s memory.

Why are photos not automatically saved to memory cards?

The reasons for the problem lie in the architecture of Android and features of MIUI:

• 📱 Limitations of Android 9+: Since this version, Google has tightened the rules for working with external drives, and applications are forbidden to arbitrarily write data to the user. SD-card without the express permission of the user.
• 🔧 Default camera settings: in Redmi 7A Factory settings often ignore external memory, even if the card is inserted and formatted.
• 🛠️ Formatting the map: if SD-The card is formatted as internal memory (not portable), the system can block the recording for individual applications.
• 🔄 Conflicts with updates: after updates MIUI Permits are sometimes reset to work with external media.

In addition, some versions of Redmi 7A firmware (e.g., V11.0.2.0.PCMIXM) contain bugs that prevent the camera settings from being saved after rebooting, requiring manual adjustments or workarounds.

Method 1: Change the default camera settings

The most obvious method is to configure the standard Camera app to save the images directly to the camera. SD-Here's how to do this:

1. Open the Camera app on Redmi 7A.
2. Touch the gear badge (⚙️) in the upper right corner or swipe from the left edge of the screen to open the menu.
3. Select Settings → Save Place (or Storage Location in English).
4. In the list of available options, select your SD-map (usually referred to as a map) /storage/XXXX-XXXX).
5. Confirm your choice and restart the camera.

If the Save Place item is not on the menu, then your version of MIUI is hiding this option, in which case you go to Method 2.

Make sure that SD-The card is inserted and recognized by the system

Check the free space on the map (minimum 500 MB)

Update the Camera app to the latest version

Reboot your smartphone before setting up-->

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI before version 12+ You can reset your camera settings. Check the save location after each update!

Method 2: Formatting SD-maps as internal memory

If the camera stubbornly ignores the external card, try changing the formatting type.Redmi's default 7A suggestive SD-The card is like a portable storage, but some applications require internal formatting.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Click on the line with your name SD-maps (e.g. SanDisk) 32GB).
3. In the upper right corner, tap three points (⋮) and select Storage Settings.
4. Click Format as internal (Warning: All data on the map will be deleted!).
5. After formatting, restart the phone and check the camera settings again.

⚠️ Note: Once formatted as internal memory, the card cannot be retrieved without data loss, and it can slow down the phone if the card is Class 4 or lower.

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Before formatting, check the speed class SD-For Redmi. 7A Class 10 is recommended or UHS-I — This will speed up the recording of photos and videos.

Method 3: Using a file manager for manual transfer

If the automatic methods don't work, you can manually transfer photos, which is less convenient, but it's guaranteed to free up internal memory.

1. Open the Files app (or any other file manager, such as Total Commander).
2. Go to DCIM → Camera (all photos taken with a standard camera are stored here).
3. Select the desired files (long press → tick).
4. Click Move (or Cut) and select the target folder on SD-map (e.g., map, /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM/Camera).
5. Confirm the move.

To automate the process, you can use the FolderSync or Automate app, which will transfer new photos on a schedule, for example, setting up in FolderSync:

1. Create a couple of folders:


- Source: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera




- Purpose: /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM/Camera




2. Set up synchronization for the event "New File"




3. Enable the option "Delete source files after copying"

Method 4: Alternative applications for shooting

If the standard camera MIUI refuses to keep the photo on SD-map, install a third-party app. Best options for Redmi 7A:

• 📸 Open Camera is open source software with flexible storage settings, allowing you to select any folder on the memory card, including custom storage.
• 🔍 Google Camera (GCam) is a ported version of Google's camera, and in the settings there is a Storage location option with a choice of SD-map.
• 🎞️ Footage – an application for video and photos with support for external drives.

How to set up Open Camera:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open the settings → folder for the photo.
3. Choose the Other...and show the way to SD-map (e.g., map, /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM/OpenCamera).
4. Save the settings and take a test shot.

Critical: some versions of GCam for Redmi 7A may not support the recording SD-map-bound MIUI. Before installing, check reviews about a specific build on the forum 4PDA.

Method 5: Editing Configuration Files (for Advanced)

If all of the above methods fail, you can still manually edit system files, which requires root rights or ADB.

Instructions via ADB (without root):

1. Connect Redmi 7A to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to unlock Developer Mode → Return to Additional → For Developers).
2. Open the command line on the PC and type in: adb shell pm grant android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE setprop persist.sys.storage.preload 1
3. Reboot the phone.

This command forces applications to write to external media, but the effect may be temporary, as the MIUI update resets.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause your phone to malfunction. If you're not sure what you're doing, skip this!

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The most reliable way is a combination of formatting SD-maps as internal memory + Open Camera is used to save the photo to an external drive without losing functionality.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even after setting up correctly, Redmi 7A users are facing problems.

If none of these methods helped, check:

• 🔋 Status. SD-Maps: Try another card (preferably the original SanDisk or Samsung).
• 🔄 Version MIUI: on certain assemblies (for example, V11.0.3.0.PCMIXM) problem solved in patches.
• 🛠️ Viruses: Some malware blocks access to external media.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions