You try to take a photo on a Xiaomi smartphone, but instead of taking a photo, you see an annoying notification: “No access to the phone.” SD-The memory card is defined in the system, the files on it are readable, but the camera stubbornly refuses to save the pictures. 10/11/12, Poco X3/X4, Mi 11 and other models, and it is solved differently depending on the cause.
Most of the time, the failure is not due to hardware failure, but to software settings or access rights conflict. Sometimes the memory card itself is to blame (especially if it is a cheap microSD without Class 10 certification), but more often, errors in the MIUI. In this article, we will analyze all possible causes and give step-by-step instructions for troubleshooting, including hidden settings that are not written in the official documentation.
Before you start the correction, check two key points:
- Make sure that the memory card is not locked by a physical switch (if any).
- Try to reboot your smartphone – sometimes the error disappears after the reboot.
If the problem remains, read on.
Verification of format SD-map: FAT32 vs exFAT
Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones often conflict with memory cards formatted in exFAT or NTFS. The camera may not see such drives due to the limitations of Android. The optimal format is FAT32, but with the caveat: it does not support files larger than 4 GB (relevant for 4K video).
How to check the current format:
- Connect the card to the computer through the card reader.
- Open this computer (Windows) or Disk utility (macOS).
- Right-click on the right-click button SD-map → Properties → See the line File system.
If the format is not FAT32, reformat the map:
Save all data from the card to the PC
Use the official SD Formatter utility (download from the SD Association website)
Select the option "Overwrite format" for complete cleaning
Do not remove the card before the process is complete.-->
⚠️ Attention: Formatting will destroy all the data on the map! If it has important files, copy them to your computer first. Also avoid formatting quickly - it does not correct file system errors.
After formatting, insert the card back into your smartphone and check the camera. If the error persists, proceed to the next step.
2. Set up access rights for the camera in MIUI
In MIUI 12/13/14, applications need to manually allow access to external drives, and even if you've already given permission to the camera, a reset or system update could have invalidated it.
Open Settings → Applications → Application Management and find the Camera. tap it and select:
- Permits → Turn on the storage (and the camera if disabled).
- Additionally. → File rights → activate access SD-map.
If File Rights are not available, your version of MIUI will block access at the system level, in which case only resetting the camera settings (see section 4) or installing an alternative shooting application (for example, Open Camera) will help.
MIUI 14
MIUI 13
MIUI 12 or older
I don't know.-->
Mounting errors SD-map
Sometimes Android can’t connect a memory card properly due to a failure in the media.rw service. This is as follows: the card is visible in the File Manager, but applications (including the camera) can’t write data to it.
The solution is forced rewiring:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
- On your computer, open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
- Enter the command: adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true (if adb is not configured, skip this step and go to paragraph 4).
- Reboot your smartphone.
If adb is not available, use an alternative method:
- Go to Settings. → Memory.
- Tap it on. SD-map → Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
- Choose Format as internal memory (Warning: This will delete all data!).
⚠️ Warning: Formatting the card as internal memory will tie it to your smartphone, and once removed, it won't read on other devices without completely erasing it!
4.Reset camera settings and clear cache
Accumulated cache or lost settings of the Camera application can block access to the camera. SD-Cleaning helps in 60% of cases where the problem is not related to hardware malfunctions.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Camera.
- Click Warehouse → Clear the cache and Clear the data.
- Return to the main camera settings menu and tap Reset (if the option is available).
After reset, reset the camera and select SD-If the error is repeated, try to remove the camera updates (in the same application management menu, click Remove Updates).This will return the program to the factory version, which sometimes solves compatibility problems.
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If the camera is working after the reset, but the error returns after a while, turn off the automatic update of the application in Google Play. To do this, open the camera page in the Play Market, tap three dots in the corner and uncheck the Auto Update box.
5. Problems with the very SD-map: how to check
Cheap or worn memory cards often cause a "No access" error, and here are some signs that the drive is having a problem:
- 🔴 The card is delayed or disappears from the system.
- 🔴 Write/read speed drops dramatically (as seen when copying files).
- 🔴 Broken files appear on the map or it requires formatting.
For diagnostics, use H2testw (Windows) or F3 (macOS/Linux) to check the card for broken sectors, and if the test shows errors, the card should be replaced because it is physically worn out.
Also, pay attention to the speed class of the card:
| Class class | Minimum recording speed | Is it suitable for Xiaomi's camera? |
|---|---|---|
| Class 4 | 4 MB/s | ❌ No (too slow) |
| Class 10 | 10 MB/s | ✅ Yes, for photo and full. HD video) |
| UHS-I (U1) | 10 MB/s | ✅ Yes. |
| UHS-I (U3) | 30 MB/s | ✅ Perfect (for) 4K video) |
If your card is Class 4 or lower, replace it with a model at least Class 10 from proven brands (SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston).
6. Conflict with other applications
Some programs (such as file managers or backup applications) may block access to the SD-It's in the background:
- 📁 Mi File Manager (if it includes the function "Scanning drives").
- 🔄 Synchronization applications (Google Photos, Dropbox).
- 🛡️ Antiviruses (e.g. Avast or 360 Security).
To rule out conflict:
- Close all background applications through Recent Tasks.
- Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Autostart Management and disable Autorun for file manager and antivirus.
- Check the camera in safe mode (press the power button → Safe mode). If the error disappears, one of the installed applications is to blame.
How do you find the guilty app?
7. Hardware malfunctions: when to contact the service
If none of these methods helped, the problem may lie in the hardware:
- 🔌 The slot for the slot is damaged. SD-cards (contacts oxidized or bent).
- 📱 Failed memory controller in the smartphone.
- 🔋 Power problems (card doesn't get enough power to write).
Signs of hardware failure:
- The card is not defined in any device (even after formatting).
- The smartphone overheats when you try to write to SD.
- The error appears with different memory cards.
In this case, self-repair is impossible - diagnostics are required in the service center. The average cost of repairing a microSD slot in Xiaomi is from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles (depending on the model).
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Before visiting the service, check the card on another device (for example, on an old smartphone or camera). If it works there, the problem is precisely in your Xiaomi, not in the drive.