Where in the settings Xiaomi Redmi allow the browser to access the memory of the device

Why does the browser request access to memory and when is it secure?

You see a notification "Allow browser access to memory" on your Xiaomi Redmi and you don't know what to do? This request appears when an application (such as Chrome, Mi Browser or Firefox) requires you to download files, save images from the network or work with a cache. Without permission, the browser will not be able to save photos from social networks, download documents or even display certain sites correctly.

But before you click "Allow," you should understand that on Xiaomi Redmi with MIUI 12-14 firmware, the path to these settings is different from standard Android. The manufacturer has moved some of the permissions to a separate "Special Permissions" menu, which often confuses users. In this article, we will analyze where to look for the right switch, how to check what rights are already issued, and when to refuse the browser access.

Importantly, if you're using a Redmi Note 10/11/12 or more on MIUI 14, the interface may be slightly different -- we'll mention that too -- and we'll also tell you how to avoid a common error when you've got permission, but the browser still can't see the files.

Where in the settings of Xiaomi Redmi to find permission for the browser

On Xiaomi Redmi, the path to memory access settings depends on the firmware version. We'll look at two current options: MIUI 12/13 and MIUI 14. If your smartphone runs on an older version (such as MIUI 11), update it - instructions for outdated firmware may not work.

To start, open the main settings menu. You can do this in two ways:

• 📱 Click on the Settings icon (cog) on your desktop.
• 🔍 Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar, and tap the gear icon in the top right corner.

Follow the instructions for your MIUI version:

For MIUI 12 and MIUI 13

In these versions, the path looks like this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the list, find your browser (like Google Chrome or Mi Browser) and tap it.
3. Select "Permissions" item.
4. Scroll down to the Memory (or Storage) section and activate the switch.

For MIUI 14

In MIUI 14, Xiaomi simplified the interface, but hid some of the resolutions deeper:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Slip on "Permissions Management" (at the top of the screen).
3. Select "Special Permits".
4. Find "Access to Memory" and tap it.
5. In the list of applications, find your browser and turn on the switch.

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If the browser is not in the list of special permissions, first open it at least once – the system will add the application automatically.

What to do if permission is given, but the browser still does not see the files

Situation: You've allowed access to memory, but the browser still can't download files or save images, and the reasons can range from a bug in the firmware to a conflict with other applications.

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone. Sometimes the changes only take effect after the reboot.
• 📁 Check your storage settings. Go to Settings → Memory and make sure your internal memory isn’t full (at least 1-2 GB should be free).
• 🛠️ Clear the browser cache. Go to Settings → Apps → [Your browser] → Memory → Clear the cache.
• 🔒 Turn off Privacy Protection. MIUI has a feature that blocks applications from accessing files. To turn it off, go to Settings → Privacy → Special Permits → Privacy Protection and deactivate it for the browser.

If the problem persists, try resetting your browser settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → [Your browser].
2. Put "Storage" → "Space Management."
3. Select Reset Settings (not to be confused with Clear Data – it will remove all bookmarks!).

What permissions to give the browser is not worth (and why)

When you allow your browser to access memory, it not only saves files, but also reads the contents of your folders, which can be dangerous if:

• 🕵️ You use unofficial browser builds (e.g. modified versions of Chrome from third-party sources).
• 💳 Your browser stores your bank card details or passwords (even if you haven’t explicitly entered them, some sites can cache them).
• 📱 The phone stores confidential documents (passport scans, contracts, etc.).

To minimize the risks:

• 🔐 Use the official browsers from Google Play or App Gallery.
• 🛡️ Turn off autocomplete passwords in your browser settings.
• 🗃️ Store sensitive files in secure folders (e.g., in Private Storage on Xiaomi).

If you need to download a file but do not trust the browser, use an alternative method:

1. Copy the link to the file.
2. Open Mi File Manager (or other file manager)
3. Go to the Remote Storage or Cloud section and paste the link there.

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Give the browser access to memory only if it is installed from an official source and you really need to download files.

How to check which apps already have access to memory

On Xiaomi Redmi, you can see a full list of applications that are allowed to access the storage, which is useful if you suspect that some software is abusing rights.

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Special permissions.
2. Put "Access to Memory" on it.
3. You'll see a list of all the active permission apps, and you can revoke access by shifting the switch.

Notice the little-known apps on this list, and if you don't remember why you gave them access, you better turn it off, for example, some games or utilities for cleaning up memory may request permission under the pretext of "optimization," but actually use it to collect data.

Frequent errors when setting up permissions on Xiaomi Redmi

Many users face the same problems when trying to give the browser access to memory, and here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:

• ❌ Search for resolution in browser settings. On Xiaomi, memory access is configured only through system settings, not within the application.
• ❌ Memory and Files and Media are confusing. Files and Media resolution only allows access to multimedia (photos, videos), not all files.
• ❌ Don't update the firmware. On MIUI 12 and older, the interface is different, and the old instructions may not work.
• ❌ Ignore system warnings. If a notification appears after permission, "This app can read your files," don't rush to close it, read what data will be available.

Another typical situation is that the user gives permission but forgets to save the changes. On Xiaomi Redmi, after activating the switch, sometimes you need to press "Done" or "Save" in the upper right corner of the screen. If you do not do this, the settings will not apply.

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If after all the manipulations, the browser still does not save files, try using another browser (for example, Firefox Focus), which requests permissions in a different way.

Security: How to limit browser access to memory after use

If you only gave your browser access to memory to download a file once, you better revoke that permission after you've completed the operation.

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Special permissions → Access to memory.
2. Find your browser in the list and turn off the switch.
3. (Optional) Clear the browser cache in Settings → Apps → [Browser] → Memory → Clear the cache.

Temporary permits can also be used:

• 🔗 Some browsers (like Firefox) have the option "Request permission every time." Turn it on in the app settings.
• 📥 Use Incognito Mode to download files — some browsers automatically reset permissions after closing the window.

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Regularly check the list of applications with access to memory and revoke unnecessary permissions, this will reduce the risk of data leakage.

If you download files frequently but don’t want to keep your memory on, consider alternative ways to:

• 📎 Use Telegram or WhatsApp to transfer files to yourself.
• ☁️ Upload files to the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) and download them from there.
• 💻 Connect your smartphone to your computer using USB and transfer files manually.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions