How to allow the application to access files on Xiaomi: Instructions

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where the installed application refuses to work correctly, demanding access to storage. This is a standard security measure of the Android operating system, which is implemented in the shells of MIUI and HyperOS especially strictly. Without the appropriate rights, the program will not be able to save a downloaded document, upload a photo or even just update its internal data.

The process of setting up permissions can seem confusing due to the deep nesting of the menu and the constant changes in the logic of the system. However, by understanding the basic principles of the permission mechanism, you can quickly solve the problem. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to provide access to files, why the system blocks some actions and what are the workarounds for older versions of Android.

Consider that since Android 11 and up, the concept of memory access has changed dramatically, with apps not having full access to the entire storage, but only running in their isolated folder or requesting access to specific types of media files, changes that often puzzle users who are used to a more open file management system.

Basic permission settings through the Application Manager

The easiest and most reliable way to manage access rights is to use the built-in application manager, and that's where all the switches are concentrated to allow you to flexibly configure the interaction of programs with the system, so first you need to open the Settings menu of your smartphone and find the section responsible for managing installed software.

Depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, the path may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same: you need to find the specific application that is causing the problems and go to its detailed menu, and here you will be interested in the item responsible for access rights or permissions.

Click on App Permissions or Access Rights. You will see a list of all categories of data that the program may request access to. Find Memory, Files and Media or Storage. In newer versions of Android, this item is often divided into subcategories: images, video, audio and files.

Choose the type of access you want. The system will offer three options: "Allow", "Disallow" or "Ask." For most file managers and uploaders to work properly, you need to choose the "Allow" option. If you choose "Ask", the system will request confirmation every time you try to write a file, which can be inconvenient.

Note that some system applications may have a limited list of available permissions, and it is not possible to expand it with standard methods, in such cases, it is often helpful to update the program itself through the official Google Play store or GetApps.

Specifics of working with Android 11, 12, 13 and later

Since the eleventh version of Android, Google has implemented Scoped Storage, which fundamentally changed the way we work with the file system, so that applications can't just read or write to the root folder or system directories, and this is done to protect user data from malware.

In MIUI 12.5, MIUI 13, MIUI 14 and HyperOS, this mechanism works in conjunction with Xiaomi’s own security improvements. When an application requests access to All Files, the system blocks this action by default, marking it as potentially dangerous. The user sees a risk warning, and access is not automatically provided.

To get around this restriction and give full permissions, you need to perform an additional confirmation procedure, often after you turn the slider on the access menu, the system will redirect you to a special file access control menu, where you will need to find the desired application in the Access to All Files list and activate the switch manually.

⚠️ Warning: Providing access to all files to third-party applications carries risks.Make sure that the program you give such rights to has a good reputation and is downloaded from a trusted source.

Some users notice that after a system update, the applications that were previously running stop seeing files, which is normal behavior, because the security update could reset the permissions that had been issued, and then the license procedure should be repeated again.

All Files Access (All Files Access)

The permission category known as “All File Access” is a level of privilege in today’s Android ecosystem, and regular media resolution is often not enough for file managers like Total Commander, MiXplorer, or dedicated memory cleaners.

To activate this mode, go to Settings → Privacy Protection → Special Permissions (the path may vary depending on the version of HyperOS). Find Access to all files. The list that opens will show applications that have requested this access before or have a corresponding manifesto.

If the application is not on the list, it means that the developer has not put the full rights request function into it, or it has never tried to access the file system, in which case the standard methods will not be able to give access - you will need to use ADB debugging or third-party utilities to activate hidden menus.

It is important to understand the difference between accessing media files and accessing all files: the former allows an app to see only photos, music and videos; the latter allows access to documents, archives, system logs and folders of other applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).

Solving access problems in the conductor and loaders

A common problem for Xiaomi users is that they can’t open a downloaded file or save a document from a messenger, often not because the application itself has no rights, but because of a conflict between the system File Manager, and if the system component doesn’t have rights, then other programs may not work properly.

Try clearing the cache and data of the Files system application. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, search the Files (yellow folder icon) list, and select Clear → Clear all data. This will reset the conductor's access settings to the factory ones.

Another common reason for blocking is the built-in antivirus or Defender feature in MIUI. It can block the installation of applications from unknown sources or restrict their activity in the background. Check security reports and make sure that the desired program is not in quarantine.

If you use a third-party file manager, make sure you give it permission not only to set up Android but also to set up the program itself. Many modern managers have their own setup wizard when they first run, where you need to confirm your consent to work with storage.

⚠️ Warning: If you lose your widgets or desktop settings after resetting your system Explorer, don't panic. Just reconfigure them, which is a necessary step to update the access rights in the system.

In some cases, reinstallation of the problem application helps, and when you re-install it will ask for the necessary permissions, and often this shakes up the rights system, eliminating software errors accumulated during use.

Using Developer Mode and ADB for Advanced Users

For those who encounter applications that don’t appear in the Access to All Files list or have manifest errors, there is an advanced method through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) debugging, which allows you to force permissions that are hidden from the average user.

First, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on the MIUI Version or OS Version. After that, a new section Additional → For Developers will appear in the settings menu.

In the developer menu, find and enable USB Debugging. Confirm the security alert. Now connect your smartphone to your computer. You'll need the ADB utility on your PC and the command line to work.

adb shell pm grant com.example.app android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE

In this command, com.example.app needs to be replaced with the batch name of your application, which you can recognize through special analyzer applications or in the application properties in the settings, and this command compulsorily grants permission to manage external storage.

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To find out the batch name of the application, install the free utility "App Inspector" or an analogue from the Play Market.

Use of ADB requires caution. Incorrectly entering commands can lead to unstable system operation or disruption of individual components. Always double-check the command syntax and packet name before sending.

Security and best practices for file management

The best way to get access to the full spectrum is to balance convenience and security. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, the security level is quite high, but the user must understand who they trust with their data, and you should not give access to all files of simple flashlights, calculators or games that do not have a logical basis for working with documents.

Check the list of special rights apps regularly. Settings path → Privacy protection → Special permissions should be the place you go at least once a month. Remove the rights from programs you have stopped using or that have been installed "just in case."

Modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS have a virtual memory function, or isolated application space, and if the application is running in this mode, it's better to use it, which creates a virtual layer through which the program sees files, but does not have direct access to the real file system.

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The basic principle of security is to give the application the minimum rights required if the program only needs access to the camera to scan. QR-Do not give her access to all photos and files.

Remember that most viruses and adware enter the system through abuse of access rights. Carefully read pop-ups when installing new programs. If a simple note editor requires access to your contacts and files, this is an alarm.