How to make photos and videos automatically saved to memory card in Xiaomi

Xiaomi smartphones allow you to expand memory using microSD cards, but by default, media files are often saved to the device's internal memory. This quickly clogs up the main storage, especially if you are actively shooting 4K video or taking high-resolution selfies. Fortunately, MIUI has built-in tools to redirect photos and videos to an external drive - you just need to know where to look for these settings.

Complicating the problem is that MIUI is regularly updated and the options may vary depending on the firmware version and phone model. In this article, we will discuss the current ways for Redmi, POCO, Xiaomi 11/12/13/14 and other devices based on MIUI 12-14.

• 🔧 Configure the photo/video saving to SD-map in the standard Camera app
• 📁 Transfer existing media files to an external drive
• 🛠️ Solve common errors (for example, when a memory card is not identified)
• 🔄 Automate the process with third-party applications

We pay special attention to hidden settings MIUI, which allow for prioritization SD-It's even for system applications. POCO Launcher or custom firmware like Pixel Experience, instructions will also be useful – we will specify the nuances for such cases.

1.Preparation: Checking the compatibility of the memory card

Before you change your settings, make sure your microSD card is suitable for permanent media storage. Not all drives work equally well with Xiaomi smartphones.

• 📏 Speed class: minimum class 10 (UHS-I/UHS-II video 4K/60fps)
• 💾 Format: FAT32 (up to 32 GB or exFAT (64 GB)
• 🔄 Manufacturer: preferably SanDisk, Samsung EVO, Kingston Canvas

If the card is already in use but the phone can't see it:

1. Remove and re-insert the card (check contacts for dust).
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → Memory card and click Format as internal (⚠️ It'll delete all the data!).
3. If the card is identified as corrupt, test it on a PC using H2testw or CrystalDiskInfo.

⚠️ Note: Formatting the card as internal memory (embedded storage) can cause retrieval failures.

2.Save settings in Xiaomi's standard camera

The easiest way is to change the save location directly in the Camera app, and the instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Touch the badge. ⚙️ Settings (or swipe from the right edge of the screen).
3. Select a Retention Site (or Memory in older versions).
4. Slip on the SD Memory Card (if the option is inactive, see Section 3).

If there is no SD Memory Card:

• 🔹 Make sure the card is inserted and recognized by the system (Settings) → Memory).
• 🔹 Update the Camera app via Google Play or Mi App Store.
• 🔹 For some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) a recording permit is required for SD-maps (see section 4).

Important: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi 12T), the SD save option only appears after you first connect the card, and if you retrieve it and re-insert it, you may need to reboot it.

3. Manual redirection via MIUI settings

If the camera does not have an SD saving option, try changing the system-level settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Camera app and tap it.
3. Select Permissions → Memory.
4. Activate the resolution for the memory card (if available).

For MIUI 13/14 with HyperOS shell, the path may be different:

Settings → Privacy → Application permissions → Memory → Camera

If there is no resolution, try an alternative method:

• 📌 Install a file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
• 📌 Manually create a folder. DCIM/Camera on SD-map.
• 📌 Restart your phone and check if the save option is available in the camera.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) post-update MIUI 14 save option on SD In this case, resetting the camera settings (Settings) will help. → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data).

4. Transfer of existing photos and videos to SD-map

To free up internal memory, transfer existing media files:

1. Open the file manager (or any other file manager).
2. Go to the DCIM/Camera folder (Internal Memory).
3. Select files, click Move and point the path to SD-map, /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM/Camera).

To speed up the process, use the packet mode:

For PC portability:

1. Connect your phone to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy the folder. DCIM memory-only SD-map.
3. Remove the originals from your phone (after checking the integrity of the copies!).

💡

Before mass transfer, create a backup on the cloud service (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) – this will protect against data loss in case of a crash.

5.Use of third-party camera apps

If the standard Xiaomi camera doesn’t support SD saving, install alternative apps:

• 🖼️ Google Camera (GCam) – for models with support Camera2 API.

Setting up in Open Camera:

1. Open the app and tap on ⚙️ Settings.
2. Go to Additional Settings → folder to save.
3. Show the way. SD-map, /storage/XXXX-XXXX/OpenCamera).

GCam may require manual editing of the configuration file (config.xml) where you need to prescribe:

<Storage path="/storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM/GCam/" />

⚠️ Note: Some versions of GCam do not work properly with exFAT. If photos are not saved, format the map to the exFAT format. FAT32 (maximum 32GB).

6.Resolving problems with the preservation of SD-map

If the photos and videos are still stored in your internal memory, check these points:

For models with MIUI 14 and HyperOS, resetting access rights can help:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → ⋮ → Reset permissions

If nothing works, try updating your firmware or installing custom Recovery (for example, TWRP) hand-mounted SD-map.

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On Android 11 devices+ (MIUI 12.5+) Google has restricted access to apps SD-Use a file manager with root rights or ADB-circumvention.

7 Automation with Tasker or MacroDroid

For advanced users, you can set up automatic file transfer from internal memory to SD. For example, in MacroDroid:

1. Create a new macro command with a trigger New file in the folder (specify DCIM/Camera).
2. Add the action Move the file with the path to SD-map.
3. Set a delay of 1-2 minutes to avoid conflicts.

For Tasker, use this profile:

Profile: File Created (Folder: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera)


Task:




1.Wait (1 minute)




2 Move File (Source: %ef(1), Purpose: /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM/Camera/)

⚠️ Important: Automatic tasks can drain the battery. Configure them to work only when connected to a charge.

FAQ: Frequent questions