How to change the gallery on the Xiaomi smartphone: a complete guide with pictures and videos

The standard MIUI gallery on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often causes users to complain: slow work, intrusive advertising, lack of cloud synchronization or an uncomfortable interface. Fortunately, replacing it with an alternative solution is a workable task in several ways. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods: from installing Google Photos to completely replacing the launcher, and also explain how to avoid errors when transferring media files.

It is important to understand that on devices with MIUI 14 and later, some system applications (including the gallery) are protected from removal without superuser rights. However, even without root access, you can make an alternative gallery the default application. Next, detailed instructions for various scenarios, including a compatibility table with popular Xiaomi models.

Why users want to replace the standard Xiaomi gallery

According to a survey of Xiaomi smartphone owners (2023), more than 60 percent of respondents have tried to change or remove the standard gallery at least once.

• 🐢 Scrolling brakes – especially noticeable on budget models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) photo-population.
• 📸 Absence RAW-Editor – unlike Google Photos or Adobe Lightroom.
• 📊 Obsessive analytics — MIUI Collects data about the photos viewed to personalize advertising.
• ☁️ There is no automatic cloud sync (except for Mi Cloud, which is paid for by the cloud).
• 🎨 Limited editing tools – no layers, brushes or presets.

In addition, many users note that the MIUI gallery often resets sorting after system updates or spontaneously creates duplicate thumbnails, which are especially relevant for Android 12+ devices, where Xiaomi has tightened control over system applications.

Method 1: Install Google Photos as a default gallery

The easiest and safest method is to make Google Photos the primary image viewing app, which requires no root rights and works on all Xiaomi models, including the latest flagships (Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Redmi K70 Pro).

Instructions:

1. Download Google Photos from Google Play (or update if already installed).
2. Open any image through the standard gallery, click Open with Help (or hold the file in Explorer).
3. Select Google Photos and tick Always (or Use by Default).
4. Restart your smartphone – now when you open a photo from the file manager or camera, Google Photos will start.

⚠️ Note: This method does not remove the standard gallery MIUI, It only changes the application by default, and to completely hide the system gallery, you will need to disable it in the settings (see section below).

Method 2: Disable the standard MIUI gallery (without root)

If you want to remove the standard gallery from the app menu completely, you can turn it off via system settings, which works on most devices with MIUI 12-14, but may differ on customized firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU).

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type "Gallery" (or "Photos" in English firmware).
3. Select the Gallery app (com.miui.gallery).
4. Click on “Disable” (or “Delete Updates” if the off button is inactive).
5. Confirm the action – the gallery will disappear from the menu, but its data will remain in the system.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) Turning off the gallery can cause the camera or photo editor to malfunction, in which case, return the settings to the original state or use the launcher replacement method.

Method 3: Use of alternative launchers (Nova, Hyperion, Apex)

If you don’t like not only the gallery, but also the entire MIUI interface, you can install a side launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher), which will allow you to:

• 📱 Hide system applications (including gallery).
• 🔄 Assign gestures to quickly open an alternative gallery.
• 🎨 Change icons and animations.

How it works:

1. Install the launcher from Google Play (we recommend Nova Launcher – it supports Russian and has a free version).
2. Launch the launcher and select it as the main one (the system will suggest doing this when you first start).
3. In the launcher settings (Long tap → Settings), find the Hidden Apps section and add a standard gallery there.
4. Add an alternative gallery shortcut to the home screen (e.g. Google Photos or Simple Gallery).

Nova Launcher allows you to assign the opening of Google Photos by double tap to the free space of the screen – this is convenient for quick access to photos.

Method 4: Remove the gallery through ADB (for advanced users)

This method is suitable for those who are ready to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB).It allows you to completely remove the system gallery, but requires caution - the wrong commands can lead to failures in MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB Debugging in the Developer Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version – Press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.gallery
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (Xiaomi.EU, Global) ROM) This can cause errors in the camera. Before you execute the command, back up through adb backup or Mi Cloud.

💡

If the camera stops working after you remove the gallery, install any third-party application for shooting (such as Open Camera) and assign it to you by default.

Method 5: Using a file manager with a built-in gallery

Some file managers (e.g. Solid Explorer, FX File Explorer) have built-in image viewing modules, which is convenient if you don’t want to install a separate gallery, but need quick access to photos.

How to set up:

• 📁 Install Solid Explorer from Google Play.
• 🔍 In the application settings, enable the option “Show thumbnails».
• 🖼️ When you open the image, select “Open with» → Solid Explorer → «Always».

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ There is no need to set up a separate gallery.
• ✅ Quick access to photos directly from the file manager.
• ✅ Support for cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox).

Disadvantage: the functionality of viewing is limited compared to specialized galleries (no editor, albums by face, etc.).

Comparison of alternative galleries for Xiaomi

To choose the best replacement for the standard gallery, we tested 5 popular apps on the Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi Note 11.

🔹 Best choice for most: Google Photos (free, sync, no ads).

🔹 For professionals: Simple Gallery or F-Stop Gallery (support) RAW, extended-editor).

💡

Google Photos is the best option for 90% of Xiaomi users: it is free, syncs with the cloud and does not slow down even on budget smartphones.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you replace a gallery with Xiaomi, users often face typical problems.

⚠️ Note: If, after disabling the standard gallery, thumbnails in other applications (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram) cease to appear, clear the cache of these applications in the settings (Settings) → Annexes → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

Problem 1: The alternative gallery doesn't see the photo.

• 🔹 Check the permissions: Settings → Annexes → [Gallery name] → Permits → turn on the storage.
• 🔹 Update the media base: in Simple Gallery, this is done through Settings → Update the media library.

Issue 2: The standard gallery itself is being restored after the MIUI update.

• 🔹 This is because of the system application autorecovery function, and to turn it off, run the command through ADB: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.gallery
• 🔹 Use the Magisk module (root required): System App Remover.

Problem 3: Google Photos don’t sync photos.

• 🔹 Check if sync is enabled: open Google Photos → Profile → Settings → Backup and synchronization.
• 🔹 Make sure you have enough space on your Google account (15GB free).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions